worried about side chemo effects

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MCJ
MCJ Member Posts: 59
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
been offered two sets of treatment [not totally sure of spelling]
taxatera adriamycin cyclophasphamide once every 3 weeks x 6
adriamycin cyclophasphamide every 3 weeks x 4 then taxol once per week x 12 a shot to build up blood cells day after treatment.

adriamycin can affect the heart, a very small percentage but that is one muscle I hold dearly.
any thoughts

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  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #2
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    Hi MCJ. I didn't have
    Hi MCJ. I didn't have chemo, so, I don't know about the side effects. But, someone will answer your post and help you. Has your oncologist discussed these with you at all?

    Good luck to you!

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • karen0423
    karen0423 Member Posts: 67
    #3
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    Hi, I was dx in 2002 with
    Hi, I was dx in 2002 with Stage III add I wasn't really "offered" sets of chemo to pick from. I did elect to be in a clinical trial for Herceptin for a year and glad that I did. I did 12 weeks of Navelbine, 4 rounds of adriamycin/cytoxan (same as Cyclophosphamide) and 3 rounds of taxol. Both the adriamycin and herceptin had a potential for heart problems, but I was scanned quite often so they could monitor the change. I did have to get Procrit after chemo for my red blood counts. I would discuss it more with your doctors until you feel comfortable with the treatment. You should have all the information you need to make the decision if they are leaving it up to you. In my case, it really wasn't an option, "back then", with my aggressive cancer, I followed the protocal at the time and very happy I did. I wish you all the best. Karen
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #4
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    Hey MCJ! I don't think I
    Hey MCJ! I don't think I have ever heard of an oncologist letting you choose your chemo. This is a first. They do keep an eye on your heart during chemo. I do know that. Don't worry.

    Sue :)
  • MCJ
    MCJ Member Posts: 59
    #5
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    karen0423 said:

    Hi, I was dx in 2002 with
    Hi, I was dx in 2002 with Stage III add I wasn't really "offered" sets of chemo to pick from. I did elect to be in a clinical trial for Herceptin for a year and glad that I did. I did 12 weeks of Navelbine, 4 rounds of adriamycin/cytoxan (same as Cyclophosphamide) and 3 rounds of taxol. Both the adriamycin and herceptin had a potential for heart problems, but I was scanned quite often so they could monitor the change. I did have to get Procrit after chemo for my red blood counts. I would discuss it more with your doctors until you feel comfortable with the treatment. You should have all the information you need to make the decision if they are leaving it up to you. In my case, it really wasn't an option, "back then", with my aggressive cancer, I followed the protocal at the time and very happy I did. I wish you all the best. Karen

    Thanks
    The option came about
    Thanks
    The option came about when we quetioned the treatment and the oncolgist said the other doc in the group treated with the other mix. He said both would work, his way; 3 drugs once every three weeks times 6 was more agressive, but the other would work as well,

    ever feel like your head is about to burst!!!!!!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
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    I'm one of the 'lucky few'....
    I developed minor but significant heart trouble from the Adriamycin, BUT, I had just finished chemo for rectal cancer 6 months before, and it is ALSO known for heart damage.

    The GOOD news is twofold: First, adriamycin is the 'big gun' in breast cancer chemo. I have not had a reoccurance in 3 years. Second, when I was given it, there was 'some' evidence of heart damage, so they didn't check very often...now, you are monitored closely for any heart troubles...

    My regime was the second option you listed. Except the taxol was only once per 3 weeks, and there were only 4...I'm not sure of the strength. I reacted hard to all of it...but, again, I think that was because I had just had 5FU and cisplatin 6 months earlier...I don't know if I could have weathered all 3 at once, but taxotere is reported to be a kinder version of taxol...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #7
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    KathiM said:

    I'm one of the 'lucky few'....
    I developed minor but significant heart trouble from the Adriamycin, BUT, I had just finished chemo for rectal cancer 6 months before, and it is ALSO known for heart damage.

    The GOOD news is twofold: First, adriamycin is the 'big gun' in breast cancer chemo. I have not had a reoccurance in 3 years. Second, when I was given it, there was 'some' evidence of heart damage, so they didn't check very often...now, you are monitored closely for any heart troubles...

    My regime was the second option you listed. Except the taxol was only once per 3 weeks, and there were only 4...I'm not sure of the strength. I reacted hard to all of it...but, again, I think that was because I had just had 5FU and cisplatin 6 months earlier...I don't know if I could have weathered all 3 at once, but taxotere is reported to be a kinder version of taxol...

    Hugs, Kathi

    Just
    want to wish you good luck MCJ with chemo! I admire all of you that go thru that.

    Lex♥
  • prv
    prv Member Posts: 107
    #8
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    Alexis F said:

    Just
    want to wish you good luck MCJ with chemo! I admire all of you that go thru that.

    Lex♥

    My chemo
    I just did the A/c treatment to be followed now by taxol for 12 weeks. make sure you get a muga scan for your heart before and after your treatment.
  • Butterfly12
    Butterfly12 Member Posts: 56
    #9
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    I'm okay
    MCJ,

    I am getting ready to have my final A/C treatment next week. I know that everyone is differnet but mine has been okay. I start taking phenegran the day before every 6 hours. I get Ativan before my chemo, I also take Emend 1 hour before my chemo. I take the Emend the 2nd and 3rd day after. And I take the phenegran for 2 or 3 days after as well. Please make sure that you talk to your dr about meds. They hopefully will find the right combo of drug so that you can tolert it. I will have Taxoere for 4 treatments every 3 weeks, that starts after my A/C is done. I hope that your treatment goes as smooth as it can. Good luck

    Sherry
  • jcsayles
    jcsayles Member Posts: 9
    #10
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    MCJ - Chemo side effects
    Hi MCJ,
    I had Taxol cocktail first with the once every three weeks two rounds, broke out sores and rashes before they stopped then went to Taxotere cocktail same schedule only 6 more rounds, worked good until they found bone cancer so added 4 more rounds of I don't know what for the bones...whatever it was it worked my lesions on my lumbar spined healed right up and no change. This was back in 2000, I am ten years out now and dealing with my markers going up which is not unusual.....changing my hormone therapy and pray that's the answer.
    But the usual side effects slightly sick to my stomach but did not seem to effect the heart and I've had a long history of AF so trust me I would know.
    I think you have to go into this with the thought of how it is going to work for you. Work on your weakiness and cause that the part that will take the beating....just say I am not going to let this happen and mean it.
    Stay positive and good thoughts for a speedy recovery!
    JCS
  • MCJ
    MCJ Member Posts: 59
    #11
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    prv said:

    My chemo
    I just did the A/c treatment to be followed now by taxol for 12 weeks. make sure you get a muga scan for your heart before and after your treatment.

    we did just this week
    Thanks

    we did just this week

    Thanks
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #12
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    Hi MCJ
    You know I am a little worried about the cardiac side effects too. So many of my cousins have had heart disease in their 60s and I am in my 50s...but I did tell my oncologist that I wanted to be around for another 10 years so that I would not be cheated out of my bypass surgery...

    I am glad I did the ac though it wasnt an easy thing to do. I am now doing taxol and herceptin and I think herceptin is hard on the heart too.

    Hang in there
    Linda T

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