Reaction to chemo?

curlee8661

Hi everyone!
I'm new here. Just found this site yesterday. What a great place this is for support and information. You all seem very nice and helpful.

I was diagnosed with stage 2c ovarian just about 6 weeks ago. Had total hystorectomy 10 days later and started chemo 2 weeks ago, expecting to have 5-7 more 3 weeks apart. Due to a fever, I was put on an antibiotic a couple of days before the first chemo, which my primary doc expected to delay the treatment, so I didn't take the pre-treatment drugs the night and morning prior. My onchologist, however, didn't think the chemo needed to be delayed, so they gave me an extra dose of those drugs just before the chemo. The next morning I felt really energetic, but within a few hours I started to have breathing difficulties. The onchologyst had me take another dose of the pre-treatment med (decadron), which seemed to even out my breathing. Since then, however, the breathing problem (heavyness of chest, needing to take a deep breath to catch my breath) comes back from time to time. Also, my post chemo bloodwork shows signs of damage to my liver and I had chest pains a couple of days ago. They did an EKG and additional bloodwork to check on all this yesterday, but my next chemo is scheduled for Monday, which makes me concerned if my body can handle it. I'm getting a combination of Taxol and Carboplatin. Anyone had similar problems? Also, I stil have my hair, but my scalp is very ithcy and today it feels sore, like after you've had your hair in a tight ponytail. Does this indicate that the hair is about to fall out? Just wondering. All this is very new and I'm never quite sure if it's normal or what it all means. Thanks for your input in advance!
~Marianna~

saundra

I will have my 4th dose of Taxol and Carboplatin tomorrow. I get benedryl and steroid of some kind before each treatment and so far, I have not had any allergic type reaction. I understood they are pretreating me because I have allergies to other drugs (penicillin and the x-ray dye). I did not lose my hair until the 2nd. treatment and I did have the itching beforehand. I chose to go to the Look Good, Feel Good shop and have my head shaved and get my wig and lots of caps and scarfs so as not to deal with the loss of hair on my pillow, shower, etc. I also googled "wigs" and ordered a couple of more from the internet and other things from a catalog that the shop gave me. I have fun trying different looks. I am taking 6 chemos before the surgery because my cancer is already to my liver and colon and we are trying to shrink as much as possible before the surgery. I have enjoyed this site and receive lots of help and support from the ovs that log on. Now I am having sciatic nerve pain in one leg that only came after the third dose. Guess everyone is different in what they experience. Welcome and hang in there.

mopar

Marianna:
Saundra gave a lot of information, some of which I was going to offer. So, here's my input:

I also had Carbo/Taxol in 2000. I had it again in 2006, but developed an allergic reaction to Taxol. They tried twice, but I had to be switched to Taxotere. This allergic reaction occurred even though I had all the premeds the night before AND the day of. I ended up handling the Taxotere well. However, one thing that my treaments did to me was lower my blood pressure, not an uncommon side affect. My blood pressure already is about 112/70 normally, and I feel okay. But it had dropped to 82/57 and let me tell you I felt horrible. Chest pains, difficulty breathing, couldn't even stand up without feeling like I was going to pass out. They didn't seem to think it was dangerously low (I sure did), so they recommended things like having caffiene, maybe a cup of coffee, or a little salt, anything to raise it a bit. I got through all 6 treatments, and managed each one, one at a time, dealing with it as best as I could. So, it may be something to check into, to see if your blood pressure is low when you start feeling this way.

My first experience with chemo I was warned that around day 21 after my first chemo it would start to go. Sure enough, day 20 I started feeling funny on my head, a little sore, like when you wear pony tail holders or hair pins and take them out and your head feels sore. The next morning, it started to go. So, everything you talked about is exactly what I felt. My recurrance I decided to have my hair buzzed off once it started to fall out. It saved me the heartache of watching it go, and I actually liked the really short stuff (of course, not permanently). I already had wigs from my first experience, but did get another this time around - different style, etc. At home I would wear nothing, or a scarf, or turban. In the winter I wore something to at least keep warm.

So sorry you are going through this. But I'm so glad you're a part of our group and hope that you come back often to keep us informed.

Sending hugs and prayers your way!
Monika

BonnieR

Marianna, I am so sorry you have to be here but you are right it is a great place to for support and information. The woman here are the strongest, kindest and most caring women I have met.

Monika and Saundra seem to have covered alot of the things that the chemo can cause, so I'll just address carbo. I am just going to start carbo again and have to be desentized because of allergic reactions. What you experienced is very similar to my first time on taxol/carbo, it felt like I was having a heart attack and the next time it was a worse with a rash and always after I went home. I took more steriods but it still got worse and we finally stopped the carbo. I did get benedryl, steriods, anti nausea meds, extra fluids with each treatment and oral steroids when I went home but it still would happen. Make sure you drink lots of water, it does make a difference.

Sending many Prayers and lots of hugs. BonnieRose

floridajo

Hi and welcome to the group. I also had a reaction to my 1st carbo/taxol. They just gave more steriods and benadryl and reduced the rate of infusion. I never had any more problems. Also Taxotere is gentler than taxol, so you could try that. As far as your hair, I felt the same feelings and lost my hair at about week 2 1/2 after the 1st tx. I also choose to shave it off to avoid the mental aspect of watching it fall out. Since your new, when any thing is wrong with you and your on Chemo you should always call your Onc first. He'll tell you if he wants your primary to care for you. This way he already know the chemo your on and the best antibiotic to be used so a allergic reaction doesn't happen. I have a UTi right now and felt stupid calling my onc about it and he said I was to always call him first when going thru chemo, no matter how silly I felt bothering him about a UTI!!! Also I have called him about having a fever and figured he call in an antibiotic, and he admitted me, so you just never know. Take care, I hope your next infusion is easier on you..(((hugz)))..Joanne

JanQ

Marianna, Like Bonnie I am so sorry you have to be here, but you have come to a great source of strentgh and information. Everyone has given you a great deal of information. The only thing I would add is to watch for numbing in your hands and feet. While I was on carboplatin/taxol I got neuropathy pretty bad, my right hand still gives me problems. I agree that taxetere may be better for you. Definitely talk you your onc. about any concerns, and like Bonnie said drink plenty of water.
As far as the hair the first time it started coming out on clothes,pillow, ect.. that is hard, finally my husband buzzed it.

Know that you are in my prayers. Jan