Start A/C today

Snowkitty
Snowkitty Member Posts: 295

It's been a whirlwind.  Two weeks from dx to chemo.  Had all my test done, will see the doc today and also start chemo.  Wanna get this party started. 

I've had cytoxin before, but not adriomycen (sp?).  Are the side affects different?

At least through trial and error from last time, I know that ginger ale is the drink for me.

Not looking forward to losing those nose hairs.

Cindy

 

Comments

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    Good luck today Cindy!

    Good luck today Cindy!

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    My Chemo Experience

    Hi Cindy,

     I had 4 rounds of Adriamycin/Cytoxan (A/C) and then 12 rounds of Taxotere (T). I began to lose my hair on precisely Day 14 after my first round of A/C. I had pretty thick hair to start with so it took another 10 days or so before it just started looking ridiculous. At that point I had my husband "buzz" it off. There is no getting around the fact that it was traumatic for a while. I can't say that I ever got used to it, but I did accept it. I also lost my eyebrows, eyelashes, and the hair in my nose and underarms as well as on my legs and pubic area. Sure saved time in the shower.

    The best piece of advice given to me by my infusion nurses was to drink something VERY cold while the Adriamycin was being infused in order to avoid mouth sores. I brought a fruit smoothie with me all 4 times and sipped away. I was fortunate and never got any of the sores.

    Typically the A/C rounds are difficult for people. That was not really the case for me. The Taxotere rounds gave me a lot of trouble. Besides the hair loss and major fatigue I did really well with A/C. No mouth sores, no neuropathy, no nausea, etc. May you be so lucky, too.

    Good luck and let us know  how it goes.

    IRENE

  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    Hope all went well for you. 

    Hope all went well for you.  I didn't have this chemo cocktail. Mine is Herceptin taxotere and perjeta. It is harder this time around then it was the first time. But do-able. Good luck I wish you no side effects.

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    A/C

    I did four rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxan, every other week, starting this past April.  I did start to lose my hair as I was getting my second infusion.  Once I knew it was coming out, I went ahead and had a friend give me a buzz cut.  I think it made it a little easier to accept losing the hair.  All I had were bristles.

    The only other things I had with the A/C portion of my chemo were these:

    I could expect to feel queasy three or four days after an infusion.  I could eat and would make myself do so, even if it was not a lot.  That queasiness was usually past after about two days or so.  On those days, I tended to feel like doing little, if anything.  The pattern tended to be the same, and so I knew when I could expect to want to just stay in and do nothing versus being out and about.

    I did not work -- I work in a school with lovey, huggy, germy little kids -- because of a compromised immune system. 

    The day after the A/C infusion, I had a shot of Neulasta to boost my WBC.  Never had a problem with my numbers.  The other affects of Neulasta really did not bother me until I was well into my four rounds of Taxol.

    I drank a LOT of water because it was something hugely encouraged.

    I hope things go well with you and that you have an easier time of things than what many do. 

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    Cindy

    I had them together every 21 days, lost all my hair but about 5 little bunches on days 13 -14.  Had treatment on Friday, was sick Friday through Monday, but went to work on Monday thru Thursday.  My treatmenst were 5 1/2 hours from where I was living.  I had Dr. Appts every Friday for 16 weeks, to check blood counts, get shots, or chemo.  It was in 2002 and they were not so advanced with the anti nausea as they are now.  My insurance would only approve 8 pills due to cost for all 4 treatments and I used all of them with the first one....  so I smoked a little and made brownies which actually took care of the nausea better than anything else. 

    With this bout, I have been on 4 chemos and only one made me nauseated the first time I got it, and when I told my nurse the next week (I was on weekly chemo), she had not given me anything the week before for nausea so she added it and it made all the difference.  It is amazing how much they have come with controlling this now.  I have the hardest time with the Xgeva shot!

    Best of luck to you,

    hugs and prayers.

     

  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    camul said:

    Cindy

    I had them together every 21 days, lost all my hair but about 5 little bunches on days 13 -14.  Had treatment on Friday, was sick Friday through Monday, but went to work on Monday thru Thursday.  My treatmenst were 5 1/2 hours from where I was living.  I had Dr. Appts every Friday for 16 weeks, to check blood counts, get shots, or chemo.  It was in 2002 and they were not so advanced with the anti nausea as they are now.  My insurance would only approve 8 pills due to cost for all 4 treatments and I used all of them with the first one....  so I smoked a little and made brownies which actually took care of the nausea better than anything else. 

    With this bout, I have been on 4 chemos and only one made me nauseated the first time I got it, and when I told my nurse the next week (I was on weekly chemo), she had not given me anything the week before for nausea so she added it and it made all the difference.  It is amazing how much they have come with controlling this now.  I have the hardest time with the Xgeva shot!

    Best of luck to you,

    hugs and prayers.

     

    Thank for your Comments

    I am especially trying to keep up on the nausea meds so maybe it won't hit so badly.  I have one pill to swallow and one to put under my tongue.  That one is discusting!

    Thanks, Cindy

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    Thank for your Comments

    I am especially trying to keep up on the nausea meds so maybe it won't hit so badly.  I have one pill to swallow and one to put under my tongue.  That one is discusting!

    Thanks, Cindy

    Cindy .. I had chemo, unfortunely not your

    cocktail --  here is what I found at chemocare.com

     

    The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking adriamycin:

    Early:
    (within one week after treatment begins)

    • Pain along the site where the medication was given
    • Nausea or vomiting

    Later: (within two weeks after treatment begins)

    • Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.

    Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.

    Onset: 7 days
    Nadir: 10-14 days
    Recovery: 21-28 days

    • Mouth sores
    • Hair loss on the scalp or elsewhere on the body (called alopecia). Most patients do lose some or all of their hair during their treatment. But your hair will grow back after treatment is completed.

    The following side effects are less common (occurring in 10-29%) for patients taking adriamycin:

    Early: (within one week after treatment begins)

    • Eyes watering
    • Urine may appear red, red-brown, orange or pink from the color of the medication for one to two days after you receive a dose.

    Later: (within two weeks after treatment begins)

    • Darkening of the nail beds.
    • Darkening of the skin where previous radiation treatment has been given.
    • Problems with fertility - ability to bear children. (occurs in about 10% of both men and women - this should be discussed with your doctor prior to therapy).

    A serious but uncommon side effect of adriamycin can be interference with the pumping action of the heart. You can receive only up to a certain amount of adriamycin during your lifetime. This "lifetime maximum dose" may be lower if you have heart disease risk factors such as radiation to the chest, advancing age, and use of other heart-toxic drugs. Your doctor will check your heart function before you may take any adriamycin and will monitor your heart closely during your treatment. Dose-related heart problems can occur as late as 7 or 8 years after treatments have ended.

    Delayed effects:
    There is a slight risk of developing a blood cancer such as leukemia years after taking adriamycin. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

    This list includes common and less common and important side effects for those taking adriamycin. Side effects that are very rare - occurring in less than 10 percent of patients - are not listed here. But you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

    When to contact your doctor or health care provider:

    Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:

    • Fever of 100.4° F (38° C), chills (possible signs of infection)
    • Blistering at the IV site
    • Shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, closing up of the throat, swelling of facial features, hives (possible allergic reaction).

    The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not emergency situations. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:

    • Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
    • Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
    • Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
    • Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
    • Fast or irregular heart beats
    • Unusual bleeding or bruising
    • Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools or urine
    • Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
    • Swelling of the feet or ankles

    Precautions:

    • Before starting adriamycin treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including over-the-counter, vitamins, or herbal remedies).
    • Do not receive any kind of vaccination without your doctor's approval while taking adriamycin .
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    camul said:

    Cindy

    I had them together every 21 days, lost all my hair but about 5 little bunches on days 13 -14.  Had treatment on Friday, was sick Friday through Monday, but went to work on Monday thru Thursday.  My treatmenst were 5 1/2 hours from where I was living.  I had Dr. Appts every Friday for 16 weeks, to check blood counts, get shots, or chemo.  It was in 2002 and they were not so advanced with the anti nausea as they are now.  My insurance would only approve 8 pills due to cost for all 4 treatments and I used all of them with the first one....  so I smoked a little and made brownies which actually took care of the nausea better than anything else. 

    With this bout, I have been on 4 chemos and only one made me nauseated the first time I got it, and when I told my nurse the next week (I was on weekly chemo), she had not given me anything the week before for nausea so she added it and it made all the difference.  It is amazing how much they have come with controlling this now.  I have the hardest time with the Xgeva shot!

    Best of luck to you,

    hugs and prayers.

     

    Good luck Cindy!

    Good luck Cindy!

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    DebbyM said:

    Good luck Cindy!

    Good luck Cindy!

    How are you doing on chemo

    How are you doing on chemo Cindy?

     

    Hugs, Jan

  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    Thank for your Comments

    I am especially trying to keep up on the nausea meds so maybe it won't hit so badly.  I have one pill to swallow and one to put under my tongue.  That one is discusting!

    Thanks, Cindy

    Thinking of you Cindy and

    Thinking of you Cindy and hoping you had no side effects.

     

    Hugs, Kylez

  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295

    How are you doing on chemo

    How are you doing on chemo Cindy?

     

    Hugs, Jan

    Thank you ladies Now about Neulasta

    The actual A/C went well, nausea/vomiting as expected.  But boy that Neulasta shot hurt like a son of a gun.  Never had a shot hurt like that. Is that normal?

     

    Cindy

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    Thank for your Comments

    I am especially trying to keep up on the nausea meds so maybe it won't hit so badly.  I have one pill to swallow and one to put under my tongue.  That one is discusting!

    Thanks, Cindy

    Cindy, I never took chemo so

    Cindy, I never took chemo so I am useless to give you advice.  However, I am hoping you will do well with your chemo and keep updating us.

    And, ask all of the questions you have, so many sisters here took chemo and can help you.

    Gentle hugs,

    Diane

  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    Thank you ladies Now about Neulasta

    The actual A/C went well, nausea/vomiting as expected.  But boy that Neulasta shot hurt like a son of a gun.  Never had a shot hurt like that. Is that normal?

     

    Cindy

    So sorry Cindy that you had

    So sorry Cindy that you had the nausea and vomiting.  I hope this is the last time it happens for you.

     

    Hugs, Noel

  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Snowkitty said:

    Thank for your Comments

    I am especially trying to keep up on the nausea meds so maybe it won't hit so badly.  I have one pill to swallow and one to put under my tongue.  That one is discusting!

    Thanks, Cindy

    Prayers and hugs!
     
    Sue :)

    Prayers and hugs!

     

    Sue :)

  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    Noel said:

    So sorry Cindy that you had

    So sorry Cindy that you had the nausea and vomiting.  I hope this is the last time it happens for you.

     

    Hugs, Noel

    I don't know if that is

    I don't know if that is normal for the shot or not Cindy as I never had chemo.  Just hoping you are feeling better.