Cytoxan and Taxotere...who's had this?

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Comments

  • tippicanoe
    tippicanoe Member Posts: 1
    Jadie said:

    Welcome Laurie
    Glad that you are feeling better. I lost my hair just before my second treatment (3 weeks).It is a very hard thing to go through. We will be here for you whenever you need support or have questions or just want to vent.

    Why don't you start your own thread so everyone can say hi. They might miss this thread. Others here are just starting treatment also.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3</p>

    Cytoxan and taxotere and herceptin
    I just finished my last treatment (4 total) and it went very well. I did have very low white count after my first round, so have had Neulasta as well. I receive Herceptin weekly. Side affects: lost my hair (still have wispy strands, so not bald!, after round 4 I had flu like side effects, very achy, no energy and now at my nadir (day 10) am still quite lethargic, Neulasta I think causes aches and pains, but I take a Claritin daily and do believe this helps counter act this. I definitely have gone into full menopause (age 51) night sweats, hot flashes and that is almost as annoying as low energy!

    I have been religious about erercise--unless I feel really weak, I have been on my spin bike daily for 30-40 minutes and I believe this also helps you rebound. WATER, WATER, WaTER---it does get the toxins out.

    I have been blessed with the most wonderful caregivers ever---the oncology staff at my cancer center are simply incredible. Will never forget them.

    I have 6 weeks of radiation, reconstruction, a year of herceptin and 5 years of Tamoxfin. I was stage 2 1.1 cm, no nodes...but had the lovely HER2 Neu protein receptor that was extremely agressive---hence the full complement of treatments.

    I am down one segment of treatment and moving forward ....that is what is essential. Not that it is a walk-in-the-park, but...you do get through it.

    Best wishes to all you breast cancer survivors...and recent patients. Your information and experience helps me everyday!
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    TCGgal said:

    June 15
    Hi there! I am new here today. June 15th was my first TC tx. I am on day 13 now and have not lost my hair yet. I feel pretty good now, but am not looking forward to my next treatment. MAJW, was hoping we could talk more & compare notes, since we are on the same schedule.


    Laurie

    HI LAURIE
    SAME HERE.........I am on day 14 and still have hair........but I almost wish it would just go ahead and fall out....Yet another thing to "wait on!" My scalp is very tender and sort of burns.........I bought my wig two weeks ago, have actually "practiced" wearing it.....giggle...I wear my hair short and the wig is awesome! It looks better than my real hair.......my best friend said that! haha My hairdresser told me what to look for.......it has slight variations in color so it looks more natural...
    I have not had the first bit of nausea......YEAH!!!!!!!! The WORST for me was the after effects of the Neulasta injection. YIKES!!!! That truly kicked my butt! I had that on Tuesday and by Saturday night I was in agony......ended up having to call the doctor on Sunday morning. Saw my oncologist on Monday and they gave me Rx's for strong pain meds and muscle relaxants for next time..... the muscle spasms were awful.......all across my chest.......back, charly horses in my legs.....and I thought the chemo was going to be the "big bad boy!" Couple that with diarrhea and I was a real PEACH! AT one point I even had to laugh at myself.......I was on the toliet with the rhea and a spasm hit me and almost knockced me off the toliet....That was the highlight of my evening......giggle... But at least now I know what to expect NEXT TIME......am armed with strong meds and I'm ready!
    Let's keep in touch with each other's progress......
    Prayers and best wishes to you Laurie
    Nancy
  • TCGgal
    TCGgal Member Posts: 13
    you, me , us
    Hi Nancy,

    good to hear from you! I had my hubby shave my head yesterday because hair was falling in clumps and grossing me out...I just love how it looks, but more keeps coming out. I know before long I will be shiny. I am feeling tired again today. One week until our next treatment-I am not looking forward to it. Blood work today was good, WBC's a little high, but that is from the Neulasta. Talk to you soon,

    Laurie
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    TCGgal said:

    you, me , us
    Hi Nancy,

    good to hear from you! I had my hubby shave my head yesterday because hair was falling in clumps and grossing me out...I just love how it looks, but more keeps coming out. I know before long I will be shiny. I am feeling tired again today. One week until our next treatment-I am not looking forward to it. Blood work today was good, WBC's a little high, but that is from the Neulasta. Talk to you soon,

    Laurie

    HELLO AGAIN!
    I keep "losing" you.....duh here! Yes, I'm with you.........hair falling out like crazy.....had it "buzzed" this past Tuesday, now little whiskers are falling out all over the place.......it's not as traumatic as I thought it would be.....my husband said....."it's sexy".......I said, "you need the Rx in your glasses changed!" but it was sweet of him to say that.....We will celebrate 40 years of marriage this month....high school sweethearts....

    Are you getting anxious about the next chemo.......I actually am NOT at this time, but probably, come Sunday evening I will be......I want to get them over with! My doc gave me Valium to take on Sundays.....never took that before but I do NOW! It's the lowest possible dosage and it does take the edge off...Saw the radiation oncologist on Wednesday.....will go Sept 9 to be fitted for the "cast/form" and tattoing for my radiation which will probably start sometime in September......he said they usually start it 3-6 weeks after the last chemo, to give the body a chance to recoup.......I said I wanted to start as soon as possible.....again, I WANT THIS OVER WITH! I dread the Neulasta shot more than the chemo.....I had a horrible time with that.......did okay with the pain for the first 3 days....then that Saturday night.....UGH! horrible muscle spasms and pain.....now I have pain meds and muscle relaxants for the next time.......so I'm ready!

    Stay in touch..and good luck and best wishes!
    Nancy
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    MAJW said:

    HELLO AGAIN!
    I keep "losing" you.....duh here! Yes, I'm with you.........hair falling out like crazy.....had it "buzzed" this past Tuesday, now little whiskers are falling out all over the place.......it's not as traumatic as I thought it would be.....my husband said....."it's sexy".......I said, "you need the Rx in your glasses changed!" but it was sweet of him to say that.....We will celebrate 40 years of marriage this month....high school sweethearts....

    Are you getting anxious about the next chemo.......I actually am NOT at this time, but probably, come Sunday evening I will be......I want to get them over with! My doc gave me Valium to take on Sundays.....never took that before but I do NOW! It's the lowest possible dosage and it does take the edge off...Saw the radiation oncologist on Wednesday.....will go Sept 9 to be fitted for the "cast/form" and tattoing for my radiation which will probably start sometime in September......he said they usually start it 3-6 weeks after the last chemo, to give the body a chance to recoup.......I said I wanted to start as soon as possible.....again, I WANT THIS OVER WITH! I dread the Neulasta shot more than the chemo.....I had a horrible time with that.......did okay with the pain for the first 3 days....then that Saturday night.....UGH! horrible muscle spasms and pain.....now I have pain meds and muscle relaxants for the next time.......so I'm ready!

    Stay in touch..and good luck and best wishes!
    Nancy

    picky stubbles and Neulasta
    Trick I found that worked when those little stubbles start to fall out and they will and they pick you like crazy is get one of those lint brushes that has the tape stuff and roll it on your head--takes them off and feels much better.

    As for the Neulasta shot--it will cause bone and muscle pain/discomfort---ask your oncologist about Claritin--it worked for me and I am still taking it everyday even though I don't get the Neulasta shot anymore. Taxol can cause some pain as well so that is why I take it.

    Hope these little tips help.

    Margo
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    Just want to welcome you
    Just want to welcome you Nancy and let you know that we are all here to support you!
  • Bev1969
    Bev1969 Member Posts: 48
    MAJW said:

    HELLO AGAIN!
    I keep "losing" you.....duh here! Yes, I'm with you.........hair falling out like crazy.....had it "buzzed" this past Tuesday, now little whiskers are falling out all over the place.......it's not as traumatic as I thought it would be.....my husband said....."it's sexy".......I said, "you need the Rx in your glasses changed!" but it was sweet of him to say that.....We will celebrate 40 years of marriage this month....high school sweethearts....

    Are you getting anxious about the next chemo.......I actually am NOT at this time, but probably, come Sunday evening I will be......I want to get them over with! My doc gave me Valium to take on Sundays.....never took that before but I do NOW! It's the lowest possible dosage and it does take the edge off...Saw the radiation oncologist on Wednesday.....will go Sept 9 to be fitted for the "cast/form" and tattoing for my radiation which will probably start sometime in September......he said they usually start it 3-6 weeks after the last chemo, to give the body a chance to recoup.......I said I wanted to start as soon as possible.....again, I WANT THIS OVER WITH! I dread the Neulasta shot more than the chemo.....I had a horrible time with that.......did okay with the pain for the first 3 days....then that Saturday night.....UGH! horrible muscle spasms and pain.....now I have pain meds and muscle relaxants for the next time.......so I'm ready!

    Stay in touch..and good luck and best wishes!
    Nancy

    I am a week behind you. I
    I am a week behind you. I had my first treatment of Cytoxan/Taxotere on June 22. I had Emend, Zofram, and Decadron for anti-nausea and a couple anti-allergic drugs including Benadryl. I took a book to read since they told me it would take four hours but the Benadryl made me sleepy so I just slept through the whole thing. So far they have not said anything about giving me the Neulasta shot although I see several people here are getting that. My experience with the first round of treatment has been very good. They had also given me some Compazine to take at home for nausea if needed. I never really needed it. My only problem was some diarrhea on day six and day nine but I just took some Immodium for that. I went wig shopping Wednesday but so far have not lost any hair.
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748

    Just want to welcome you
    Just want to welcome you Nancy and let you know that we are all here to support you!

    Taxotere and Cytoxan
    Hello all,
    I just had my first treatment on Monday, June 29. I too will have a total of 4 treatments, 3 weeks apart with Neulasta. I felt a sore throat and headache right after the Cytoxin. I have felt mild nausea a couple times a day and am incredibly tired!
    I was told that I would not feel any effects from the Neulasta for at least 3 days. I went to work that day and stayed a whole 1 1/2 hours!
    I have experienced pain in my body, mostly my legs and feet each day since. Today I have had the worst heartburn. I am wondering how long this goes on? Does it continue each day until the next treatment or do we get a "break" from this!
  • TCGgal
    TCGgal Member Posts: 13
    elm3544 said:

    Taxotere and Cytoxan
    Hello all,
    I just had my first treatment on Monday, June 29. I too will have a total of 4 treatments, 3 weeks apart with Neulasta. I felt a sore throat and headache right after the Cytoxin. I have felt mild nausea a couple times a day and am incredibly tired!
    I was told that I would not feel any effects from the Neulasta for at least 3 days. I went to work that day and stayed a whole 1 1/2 hours!
    I have experienced pain in my body, mostly my legs and feet each day since. Today I have had the worst heartburn. I am wondering how long this goes on? Does it continue each day until the next treatment or do we get a "break" from this!

    July 6th
    Nancy,

    Here is to a good treatment day tomorrow. I hope all goes well for both of us (and anyone else having tx 7/6!)Drink plenty of water & rest!

    Laurie
  • Kayla1
    Kayla1 Member Posts: 101
    elm3544 said:

    Taxotere and Cytoxan
    Hello all,
    I just had my first treatment on Monday, June 29. I too will have a total of 4 treatments, 3 weeks apart with Neulasta. I felt a sore throat and headache right after the Cytoxin. I have felt mild nausea a couple times a day and am incredibly tired!
    I was told that I would not feel any effects from the Neulasta for at least 3 days. I went to work that day and stayed a whole 1 1/2 hours!
    I have experienced pain in my body, mostly my legs and feet each day since. Today I have had the worst heartburn. I am wondering how long this goes on? Does it continue each day until the next treatment or do we get a "break" from this!

    Because I have acid reflux
    Because I have acid reflux and knew the Decadron could bother it I went on Prilosec for a week. I should have stayed on it because I now am taking tums everyday until the Prilosec can start working again.
    I hope it gets better for you.
    K
  • Kayla1
    Kayla1 Member Posts: 101
    Kayla1 said:

    Because I have acid reflux
    Because I have acid reflux and knew the Decadron could bother it I went on Prilosec for a week. I should have stayed on it because I now am taking tums everyday until the Prilosec can start working again.
    I hope it gets better for you.
    K

    Nancy,
    Good luck tomorrow

    Nancy,
    Good luck tomorrow with your 2nd treatment, I hope all goes well!
    K
  • addis71
    addis71 Member Posts: 2
    Hello Nancy
    I had a mastectomy in Feb 09. I took Cytoxan & Taxotere but mine was done by infusion every 3 weeks. Had total 4 treatments. Just finished my last treatment on June 8th & started my Tamoxefin almost two weeks ago. I know chemo can be frightening thing to think about, but my oncologist told me this was a milder type chemo. They gave me a drip bag of Prednisone & a drip bag of anitibiotics before each treatment. I did not have any problems with nausea, but I did have some stomach upset for the week following & experience some bloatiness/gas. I had headaches and some muscle and joint pain, but nothing that I could not tolerate. The thing that I had the hardest time with was the fatigue which usually lasted anywhere from 3 days to a week out after each treatment.
    What helped me most was my Faith in GOD!! I think I did really well with my treatments and it was not because of anything I was doing, it was becaue of GOD's mercy & grace. I give HIM all the glory!!!!
    Pray up and go into each treatment treatments with a positive attitude.. You will do fine!
    God Bless You!!
  • TCGgal
    TCGgal Member Posts: 13
    addis71 said:

    Hello Nancy
    I had a mastectomy in Feb 09. I took Cytoxan & Taxotere but mine was done by infusion every 3 weeks. Had total 4 treatments. Just finished my last treatment on June 8th & started my Tamoxefin almost two weeks ago. I know chemo can be frightening thing to think about, but my oncologist told me this was a milder type chemo. They gave me a drip bag of Prednisone & a drip bag of anitibiotics before each treatment. I did not have any problems with nausea, but I did have some stomach upset for the week following & experience some bloatiness/gas. I had headaches and some muscle and joint pain, but nothing that I could not tolerate. The thing that I had the hardest time with was the fatigue which usually lasted anywhere from 3 days to a week out after each treatment.
    What helped me most was my Faith in GOD!! I think I did really well with my treatments and it was not because of anything I was doing, it was becaue of GOD's mercy & grace. I give HIM all the glory!!!!
    Pray up and go into each treatment treatments with a positive attitude.. You will do fine!
    God Bless You!!

    Home from Chemo
    Let the hot flashes begin! I am going for a nap, will check in later.
  • Kayla1
    Kayla1 Member Posts: 101
    TCGgal said:

    Home from Chemo
    Let the hot flashes begin! I am going for a nap, will check in later.

    Hey Nancy & Laurie,
    I hope

    Hey Nancy & Laurie,
    I hope you both did well today! Here's to lots of rest and water!
    K
  • TCGgal
    TCGgal Member Posts: 13
    Kayla1 said:

    Hey Nancy & Laurie,
    I hope

    Hey Nancy & Laurie,
    I hope you both did well today! Here's to lots of rest and water!
    K

    I was so sick
    I don't know if it was because I just wasn't positive enough, or what, but I was so sick! I could hardly move. My legs were so heavy, my whole body hurt, my hands & feet tingled, my eyes were blurry. I had midnite nausea...I did drink at least a gallon of water thru the entire day starting at 6am. Thank GOD I feel better now and just ate some toast-perfect golden brown & am now enjoying a cuppa decaf tea. I go for my Neulasta at 1pm, so back to bed I will be going for awhile. I hope for a SE free day for everyone as well as myself.
  • Kayla1
    Kayla1 Member Posts: 101
    TCGgal said:

    I was so sick
    I don't know if it was because I just wasn't positive enough, or what, but I was so sick! I could hardly move. My legs were so heavy, my whole body hurt, my hands & feet tingled, my eyes were blurry. I had midnite nausea...I did drink at least a gallon of water thru the entire day starting at 6am. Thank GOD I feel better now and just ate some toast-perfect golden brown & am now enjoying a cuppa decaf tea. I go for my Neulasta at 1pm, so back to bed I will be going for awhile. I hope for a SE free day for everyone as well as myself.

    I am so sorry you are having
    I am so sorry you are having a really hard time. I hope you get something to make you feel better and here is to a better day tomorrow!

    Soft hug coming your way.
    K
  • dorismac
    dorismac Member Posts: 4
    Cytoxin and taxotere
    I have had the same treatments as you. I began in March and ended in May. I had 4 treatments, three weeks apart. I prayed everyday that I would not get sick and I would not lose any hair. I never had any sickness or lost any hair. I did have a reaction while receiving my 2nd treatment. I begin to get light headed and dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. They stoppped the treatment and gave me benadryl and then everything was fine. I was given benadryl before the treatments for treatment 3 and 4 and everything was fine.
    I had no problems after the treatments and I never felt tired or weak. You will be in my prayers.
  • Terri5
    Terri5 Member Posts: 24
    jpares said:

    I guess I'm next
    My treatment starts on July 1st. I too will be getting the TC combo every three weeks for a total of four treatment. I'm so scared! I hate the thought of loosing my hair and of any future side affects these drugs might give. Depression has been a problem since my diagnosis in March but I am going to start a yoga class with my daughter to try and get myself mentally ready to face this challenge. I'm still not healed from surgery in early May so that worries me as well.

    Thank you for your comments. At least I know what to potentially expect.

    God bless you all,

    Jack

    Something you might try for
    Something you might try for the depression, that seemed to help me when I was going through my surgery snd chemo. I kept a journal, I wrote in it every time I felt scared or nervous, or just plan old over-whelmed. You can write anything and not worry what someone thinks or if your hurting their feelings. Put everything down in your journal, it really takes alot off your mind.
  • TCGgal
    TCGgal Member Posts: 13
    dorismac said:

    Cytoxin and taxotere
    I have had the same treatments as you. I began in March and ended in May. I had 4 treatments, three weeks apart. I prayed everyday that I would not get sick and I would not lose any hair. I never had any sickness or lost any hair. I did have a reaction while receiving my 2nd treatment. I begin to get light headed and dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. They stoppped the treatment and gave me benadryl and then everything was fine. I was given benadryl before the treatments for treatment 3 and 4 and everything was fine.
    I had no problems after the treatments and I never felt tired or weak. You will be in my prayers.

    Hair
    Really-you never lost your hair? Wow! Good for you? I am as bald as little old man. You must have a great connection with the Lord. I pray daily, for myself and for others...and tons of prayer & postive energy coming from my support group-gotta love the love! I can appreciate the power of prayer in allowing me to feel relatively normal and able to get up and go most days. My past chemo day (Monday)illness took me TOTALLY by But yesterday was great, and i feel good now & plan to go to work this morning for a few hours.
    I hope & pray for good days for all of us.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    TCGgal said:

    Hair
    Really-you never lost your hair? Wow! Good for you? I am as bald as little old man. You must have a great connection with the Lord. I pray daily, for myself and for others...and tons of prayer & postive energy coming from my support group-gotta love the love! I can appreciate the power of prayer in allowing me to feel relatively normal and able to get up and go most days. My past chemo day (Monday)illness took me TOTALLY by But yesterday was great, and i feel good now & plan to go to work this morning for a few hours.
    I hope & pray for good days for all of us.

    My "FRIEND" TCGgal!!!
    I am so sorry you had such a lousy "chemo day".......yuk! Hang in there.......WE ARE HALF WAY DONE NOW............2 down 2 to go! Knock wood, I am doing well......had no problem with chemo on Monday....I actually couldn't believe how calm I was when I got to the cancer center along with the hubby.....he even remarked on it.....I think it was prayers being answered by God, as I pray for strength and courage to get through this.....I guess, also, I felt like I knew what to expect. Had the Neulasta shot yesterday morning.......waiting on those side effects to kick in, bone pain, muscle spasms.....but so far so good, with everything.......Plus I have plenty of Vicodin and muscle relaxants if the pain starts........the "hair stubble" from where I had it buzzed is falling out..I look like GI JOE! Don't wear my wig around the house, just a pretty scarf......I maybe going bald but I am going to be comfortable, doing it! Hang in there, my friend.......we'll get through this!
    And hopefully your next infusion will go easier.....stay in touch!
    N