Mets looking to start chemo**TAXOTERE**

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mtmom
mtmom Member Posts: 59
edited October 2014 in Breast Cancer #1

Howdy!

I'm looking for input again and your experiences. Here's the short story: diagnosed with mets to liver and lymph nodes in September, started on a study program looking at the efficacy of 3 drugs together, have only had 2 treatments with fulvestrant, and am now looking to start to chemo. I've had an infection and severe pain in my right shoulder for about 2 weeks. Antibiotics have finally started working but pain is still constant. I had a CT last week that showed the lymph nodes in my shoulders and neck have grown and we haven't looked at the liver yet. The doctor is wanting to get off the study, stay on a hormonal, and start chemo.

I'm looking for input on what to expect this second round. I don't know what drugs we will be on but see the doctor again on Tuesday. He wanted to wait 2 weeks but I'm so weary from the pain and without pain pills I can barely hold my head up...I scheduled to see him this coming week. I'm ready to start, just not sure what to expect. Will it be similar to chemo the first time? Please share what your experiences have been.

Thanks for the help!

Blessings,

~Mtmom

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  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #2
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    New chemo

    I'm so sorry you're experiencing so much pain. I've done two kinds of chemo, one really hard, one not too bad. It depends so much on which drugs exactly you'll be given. Let us know the drug and I'm sure you'll get lots of advice, everybody on here is so kind and knowledgeable. Wishing you good luck for your Tues appointment. Hugs, Anna

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #3
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    Prayers...

    I had not had to do Chemo twice...but I do know that whatever you have to Face...you will have our support and love....we all send you hugs and encouragement.  STAY STRONG...........  Praying for a relief from your Pain **

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #4
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    Taxotere

    Doctor agreed...start chemo now. I'm glad because I want these tumors to shrink! I will be starting Taxotere tomorrow (Tuesday) and staying on Fulvestrant. The down side is that with having diabetes (type 1) the cortisone that goes with the chemo will mess up my blood sugars. But, beside that...what has your experience been with Taxotere? I know the docs give you the usual rundown, but I prefer to hear it from those that have used it. Thank you so much for the input and the prayers.

    Many blessings,

    ~Mtmom

  • Pixie Dust
    Pixie Dust Member Posts: 424 Member
    #5
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    mtmom said:

    Taxotere

    Doctor agreed...start chemo now. I'm glad because I want these tumors to shrink! I will be starting Taxotere tomorrow (Tuesday) and staying on Fulvestrant. The down side is that with having diabetes (type 1) the cortisone that goes with the chemo will mess up my blood sugars. But, beside that...what has your experience been with Taxotere? I know the docs give you the usual rundown, but I prefer to hear it from those that have used it. Thank you so much for the input and the prayers.

    Many blessings,

    ~Mtmom

    I HAD TAXOTORE

    MtMom, I had tatotore and went through it like a breeze . I had to take a Nelusta shot the day after with each treatment and that is what got me down,. I felt terrible with it untill about a week before next trearment. It is not the same for everybody. Some have taxotore and Nelusta shot and still works their jobs. Alot of people does fine on this treatment plan. I am sure you will hear from others. I know that you know who Puffin is on here. She went througth it with flying colors. If she notices this post she will reply to you and explain it alot better than I can. One thing I did go through with taxotore and that is you can get thrush real bad. I even got blisters in  my mouth from it but some does real well. Make sure that you ask your ONC about it. I do not know if you lost your hair with the other treatments that you had but with taxotore you will. Remember one thing, your life is more important than losing your hair. It will grow back. Mine is finially on its way of growing back. I go wigless. Cannot stand anything tight on my head. I kindly like it this way. Get up in the mornings and do not have to worrg about fixing it.Smile Everyone has their own opinion about this also. Everyone is not alike. Praying the best for you and your new treatment and keep us updated. We are all in this together. (HUGS AND PRAYERS)   Pixie

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #6
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    mtmom said:

    Taxotere

    Doctor agreed...start chemo now. I'm glad because I want these tumors to shrink! I will be starting Taxotere tomorrow (Tuesday) and staying on Fulvestrant. The down side is that with having diabetes (type 1) the cortisone that goes with the chemo will mess up my blood sugars. But, beside that...what has your experience been with Taxotere? I know the docs give you the usual rundown, but I prefer to hear it from those that have used it. Thank you so much for the input and the prayers.

    Many blessings,

    ~Mtmom

    I mentioned that I had two

    I mentioned that I had two kinds of chemo. Well Taxotere was the one that wasn't so bad! Pixie Dust described it very well. I also got a couple of nosebleeds, food tasted funny, and I was thirsty all the time. Not big problems at all. Losing your hair is a drag of course but I've got shoulder length now. It comes back so fast. I hated the Neulasta shot because I would get fevers for about 5-7 days. By the end, I was used to taking meds for that and I was glad to have the shot because it kept my blood work normal so I could go on to the next treatment. I had a bit of joint pain, but it cleared up very quickly. So good luck, I know you can do this...keep us posted..Hugs, Anna

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #7
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    My Taxotere Experience

    I had 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 rounds of Taxotere. I found the Taxotere rounds to be VERY difficult. My eyes watered like an open faucet. Now slightly more than 4  years later they STILL water. I finally found out after consulting an oculofacial plastic surgeon that the puncta on my eyes are almost completely blocked. She attributes this damage directly to the Taxotere. Apparently at Johns Hopkins where she had her fellowship Taxotere patients often have stents placed in their eyes prior to chemo to prevent precisely this problem. The oncology and opthamology departments work closely together at Hopkins. Don't let this problem go on for too long or you will have permanently damaged eyes also. 

    In addition, I had other side effects. I lost 8 of 10 fingernails and 2 toenails. All have grown back but it took a while. I completely lost my sense of taste and along with it my desire to eat. I ended up losing 40 lbs. There is something to be said for being overweight to start. The fatigue is a given. I remember one particular day where I got up, undressed, took a shower, got dressed again and that was absolutely all I was able to do that day. I had never felt as tired in my entire life. I highly recommend a plastic shower chair. I did not have mouth sore but I did have thrush one time. It was cured by Nystatin mouth rinse prescribed by my oncologist. 

    My last chemo was in August 2010. Except for the persistently watery eyes all my side effects have disappeared. It was a horrible few months but it is over and I have been in remission since then. I have seen my daughter graduate from both high school and college (and get a "real" job)  and will see my son graduate from college this coming May. I celebrated another 4 wedding anniversaries. I would do it all again in a minute.

    I wish you the best of luck. Please keep us posted.

    IRENE

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #8
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    Pixie Dust said:

    I HAD TAXOTORE

    MtMom, I had tatotore and went through it like a breeze . I had to take a Nelusta shot the day after with each treatment and that is what got me down,. I felt terrible with it untill about a week before next trearment. It is not the same for everybody. Some have taxotore and Nelusta shot and still works their jobs. Alot of people does fine on this treatment plan. I am sure you will hear from others. I know that you know who Puffin is on here. She went througth it with flying colors. If she notices this post she will reply to you and explain it alot better than I can. One thing I did go through with taxotore and that is you can get thrush real bad. I even got blisters in  my mouth from it but some does real well. Make sure that you ask your ONC about it. I do not know if you lost your hair with the other treatments that you had but with taxotore you will. Remember one thing, your life is more important than losing your hair. It will grow back. Mine is finially on its way of growing back. I go wigless. Cannot stand anything tight on my head. I kindly like it this way. Get up in the mornings and do not have to worrg about fixing it.Smile Everyone has their own opinion about this also. Everyone is not alike. Praying the best for you and your new treatment and keep us updated. We are all in this together. (HUGS AND PRAYERS)   Pixie

    Hair not an issue

    Thanks, Pixie. I know we all have different reactions to these drugs and I'm sure I'll have my own post script to add at the end. I'm thankful to hear from you warriors who have gone on before. It's encouraging actually to have sisters-in-arms. :) My hair started to grow back in March and it had some gray in it so I asked my niece to hilight it for me. Ugh!! I had a skunk stripe down the middle and cheetah spots in the back and the rest was orange! I cried so much my hubby said "go get it fixed no matter the cost!" We got it calmed down and now it is a beautiful warm brown...and I am okay with losing it again. My daughter likes to scarf shop with me and my littlest girl gets matching scarves to wear. It is better with the hot flashes, too. :) I will keep you updated as we go.

    Hugs back,

    ~Mtmom

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #9
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    button2 said:

    I mentioned that I had two

    I mentioned that I had two kinds of chemo. Well Taxotere was the one that wasn't so bad! Pixie Dust described it very well. I also got a couple of nosebleeds, food tasted funny, and I was thirsty all the time. Not big problems at all. Losing your hair is a drag of course but I've got shoulder length now. It comes back so fast. I hated the Neulasta shot because I would get fevers for about 5-7 days. By the end, I was used to taking meds for that and I was glad to have the shot because it kept my blood work normal so I could go on to the next treatment. I had a bit of joint pain, but it cleared up very quickly. So good luck, I know you can do this...keep us posted..Hugs, Anna

    Ooo...Neulasta

    I remember the Neulasta. I used that when I was on adriamycin/cytoxan. It is a bugger. Thanks for the input on your side effects. I've found I'm more open with my onc about little things that I would normally keep to myself (they really aren't that big of a deal. just me. I'll wait and see...kind of attitude). Since I know they could be related to treatment I tell him.

    Hugs back at ya!

    ~Mtmom

  • mtmom
    mtmom Member Posts: 59
    #10
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    jessiesmom1 said:

    My Taxotere Experience

    I had 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 rounds of Taxotere. I found the Taxotere rounds to be VERY difficult. My eyes watered like an open faucet. Now slightly more than 4  years later they STILL water. I finally found out after consulting an oculofacial plastic surgeon that the puncta on my eyes are almost completely blocked. She attributes this damage directly to the Taxotere. Apparently at Johns Hopkins where she had her fellowship Taxotere patients often have stents placed in their eyes prior to chemo to prevent precisely this problem. The oncology and opthamology departments work closely together at Hopkins. Don't let this problem go on for too long or you will have permanently damaged eyes also. 

    In addition, I had other side effects. I lost 8 of 10 fingernails and 2 toenails. All have grown back but it took a while. I completely lost my sense of taste and along with it my desire to eat. I ended up losing 40 lbs. There is something to be said for being overweight to start. The fatigue is a given. I remember one particular day where I got up, undressed, took a shower, got dressed again and that was absolutely all I was able to do that day. I had never felt as tired in my entire life. I highly recommend a plastic shower chair. I did not have mouth sore but I did have thrush one time. It was cured by Nystatin mouth rinse prescribed by my oncologist. 

    My last chemo was in August 2010. Except for the persistently watery eyes all my side effects have disappeared. It was a horrible few months but it is over and I have been in remission since then. I have seen my daughter graduate from both high school and college (and get a "real" job)  and will see my son graduate from college this coming May. I celebrated another 4 wedding anniversaries. I would do it all again in a minute.

    I wish you the best of luck. Please keep us posted.

    IRENE

    Thank you!

    Wow...what an interesting side effect. Not one I would be looking for so thank you for the heads up on the eye problems. I had A/C and Taxol for my first bout with cancer and I did well on the Taxol. Will be interesting to see how they compare...Taxol vs. Taxotere.

    I am so grateful for your after story. 4 more anniversaries and all the graduations. Oh, that is joyful!! When I was in the middle of A/C txt last time, I told my brother I would seriously have to consider doing txt if it came up again. But, only 11 months later and I didn't even hesitate to look at chemo. I know I want more time...Lord willing.

    Thanks for the wishes and will post again soon. You all have been so encouraging.

    ~Mtmom

  • TechMama
    TechMama Member Posts: 28
    #11
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    I am currently on

    I am currently on Adriamycin/Cytoxan/Taxotere (completed 2 of 6), so I am afraid I don't know which side effects are directly a result of the Taxotere other than going by what's in the handouts they give you.  The Neulasta shot is definitely a problem for me, but as Pixie says, it is different for everybody.  The nausea has been pretty well controlled by the steroids and anti-nausea meds.  Blood sugar spikes but it goes away as soon as I am done with the steroids (2 days).  Lost my hair and nails are a bit weaker, but no mouth sores so far (knock on wood!).  I'm just tired a lot.  Food tastes funny, but sadly, my out of control hunger never goes away, so I haven't lost any weight (still trying to find the cause of that).

     

    I hope all goes well with you and that you experience few side effects!

     

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #12
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    mtmom said:

    Thank you!

    Wow...what an interesting side effect. Not one I would be looking for so thank you for the heads up on the eye problems. I had A/C and Taxol for my first bout with cancer and I did well on the Taxol. Will be interesting to see how they compare...Taxol vs. Taxotere.

    I am so grateful for your after story. 4 more anniversaries and all the graduations. Oh, that is joyful!! When I was in the middle of A/C txt last time, I told my brother I would seriously have to consider doing txt if it came up again. But, only 11 months later and I didn't even hesitate to look at chemo. I know I want more time...Lord willing.

    Thanks for the wishes and will post again soon. You all have been so encouraging.

    ~Mtmom

    taxotere

    I was on taxotere and cytoxin with the neulasta shot, 4 rounds 3 weeks apart. Did not get bone pain from the neulasta but took the Claritin before and a few days after as recommended by some ladies, and my blood counts stayed up.

    I had one round of thrush that was treated with nystatin mouth rinse, I faithfully rinsed with the baking soda/salt water mixture the onc recommended. Most foods tasted like wet cardboard, I did find lemon was a flavor I could taste - loved lemon pudding. Had good premeds so had no problems with nausea.

    Biggest problems were fatigue and muscle weakness. I had to use a cane even to get around in the house, and by the 3rd round should have had a walker. Onc reduced my dose 20% for last round. No way could I have worked during chemo, spent so much time in the recliner my butt was sore. Took 2 naps a day. I'm 5 weeks post chemo and still having burning pain & stiffness in my calves. Thought at first it was from decreased activity but now thinking it's some neuropathy; plan on talking to my MO about it on Friday. I didn't have any problems with my nails but a friend of mine did, has a painful discolored nail that she's probably going to lose. I lost my hair about 2 weeks after 1st chemo. I wear my free wig from the cancer society if we're going out, otherwise I either go bald around the house or wear my scarves, not a big deal. Can't believe how fast I can shower now when I don't have to deal with hair.

    Dietician had me increase my protein to 70 gm a day while on chemo & radiation which I've tried hard to do. My tumor was estrogen + so she recommended using a whey protein that didn't have soy in it, Rob Roy from GNC doesn't have soy and I'm using that, also Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink, lots of hard boiled eggs, tuna and salmon.

    Had "chemo brain" for awhile, really hard to focus, hard to multitask. That's getting better. The insulation sheaths on the brain neurons are rapidly growing cells that the chemo attacks, just like it does the rapidly growing cells in GI tract. So without an intact insulation sheath the impulses don't travel as efficiently in the brain. Learned in a class it can take 3 months to a year for the insulation sheaths to repair themselves.

    I followed the July Chemo forum at breastcancer.org while I was on chemo. Many of the ladies were on the same regimen, everyone's experience was different, some ended up in the hospital for 12 days with infections, others did fairly well. Many had problems with constipation and diarrhea. I highly recommend you check out the info on that site (my onc recommended it as a reliable place to research) and look through the Discussion Forums. As you find forums you like be sure and mark them as favorites or it's hard to get back to them again. I started out in the Lumpy forum as I had a lumpectomy, then joined the July Chemo, now in the Fall Rads group and have also started reading and learning from the Arimidex ladies as I'll be starting that in Nov.

    It's very hard to read your posts with the tiny tiny writing. It would help if you changed your font size to a larger one.

    Wishing you all the best.

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