Taxotere and Cytoxan sde effects

celinelvr

Anyone who has had Taxotere and Cytoxan chemotherapy - what were your
side effects??? Mine is feeling mostly like having a bad flu, headache,
tiredness, stomach ache, muscle aches and my heart pounding. I would like
to know how severe to expect. I have had only one dose a week ago - no hair
loss yet.

jakeca

Cytoxan and Taxotere
I had four treatments. The first treatment, I had virtually no side effects, except I felt funny from the steroids--kind of "out of body." With each subsequent treatment, the side effects became a little bit more noticeable: nasty taste buds, achy for a few days, no energy, some minor neuropathy in my toes. Hair loss happened at the end of three weeks--right before my second treatment. I also received a Neulasta injection the day after each treatment and I really think that's what caused the aches. Usually about a week after my infusion, I felt better. The worst session was the third treatment. I think the fourth treatment was better because I was in a better place mentally--I was DONE with treatments and looking forward to feeling better permanently. I am convinced that the mind is a powerful thing.

I think you should ask your doctor about your heart pounding. I did experience some shortness of breath with the least bit of exertion, but not really a heart pounding thing.

Good luck. You'll make it and when it is all over, you will know that you have done everything possible to prevent a recurrence.

Moopy23

Side Effects
I have completed 3 treatments w/ cytoxin and taxotere and have experienced the same side effects jakeca describes. (I think,too, that the flu-like symptoms are from the Nulasta shot.) My hair started coming out about Day 21 of the first treatment. I have not experienced my heart pounding and would also recommend that you report it to your doctor.

My best wishes to you.

Derbygirl

Finished 4 rounds of C/T on
Finished 4 rounds of C/T on Halloween 2008. Fatigue was my worst enemy and it did get worse with each treatment because of the cumulative effect. I also had change of taste, irritation of mouth lining and stomach disturbances that happended like clockwork during each treatment but resolved at the end of the week. Hair loss started on day 15. Other than fatigue my side effects didn't get worse with each treatment. I looked forward to week #3 because I felt "normal" once again. As you'll see we all react differently to chemo. Don't forget to drink lots of water, eat small frequent meals and rest often.

rjjj

celinelvr
Hi! i also lv celine, and am on cytoxin and taxatere and herceptin. Jakeka said mostly what i experience. I do have some pounding of heart but ususally it is when i have exerted myself and then i just sit down and rest and it will go away..it also happens sometimes with anxiety..are you on any anti-anxiety meds such as ativan? That really helps but puts me to sleep. I also have a low-grade headache. At first I thought it was from losing my hair (and it was worse then.) but it keeps up. I take tylenol 3 for that. I am also really tired and all the other symptoms for about day 2-10 after tx but start feeling better and better until the next one. I have 3 more treatments left out of 6 and the herceptin will last a year. I do believe your mind plays an important part in all of this..I am really depressed also the first week after infusions but that also gets a little better. I lost my hair at about 3 wks. also.

I am wishing you all the best. Keep us posted on how you are doing. This board has been a lifesaver for me. You will be glad to have such support from all these amazing and courageous women and men.

Hugs and God Bless
Jackie

mimivac

Hi Celine,
I also take those two drugs along with a third. Yes to most of the symptoms you describe plus others. I have found that my cycle of symptoms changes somewhat with each treatment. The fatigue has gotten progressively worse for me, but not intolerable so far. I have had 4 out of 6 treatments. Celine, the worst thing for me is the feeling of helplessness one sometimes gets when feeling so bad. I always have to remind myself that recovery is on the way. As these ladies say, symptoms do abate after about a week for most people. Hard to remember when you feel awful, but remember that you are doing everything you can to beat breast cancer for life. Good luck! We're all in the same boat.

ohilly

side effects
I don't know if your experience will be like mine, but I had 4 treatments of Cytoxan/Taxotere and experienced very little side effects other than a terrible taste in my mouth (which went away when I was done with chemo) and hair loss, which occurred around the 17th day if I recall. Before I lost my hair, my head felt sore and painful, which is a sign you are about to lose it.

I'll keep you in my thoughts. Let me know if you have other questions.

Ohilly

celinelvr

ohilly said:

side effects
I don't know if your experience will be like mine, but I had 4 treatments of Cytoxan/Taxotere and experienced very little side effects other than a terrible taste in my mouth (which went away when I was done with chemo) and hair loss, which occurred around the 17th day if I recall. Before I lost my hair, my head felt sore and painful, which is a sign you are about to lose it.

I'll keep you in my thoughts. Let me know if you have other questions.

Ohilly

Side Effects
Thank you guys for all your symptoms. I appreciate the time you took to get back to me.
Everything seemed good on my last onc appointment. Blood work was good -CT and bone scan was normal - except for my arthritis... My next chemo is set for March 17. Anyone have a itchy rash over the vein the chemo was given?? I am in a really bad place right now. I just brought my mother home under hospice care. She has endstage alzheimers. She has difficulty swallowing. She doesn't want tubes, etc.. She can't eat or drink anything and is mostly "out of it." She may have less than 10 days.

mmontero38

celinelvr said:

Side Effects
Thank you guys for all your symptoms. I appreciate the time you took to get back to me.
Everything seemed good on my last onc appointment. Blood work was good -CT and bone scan was normal - except for my arthritis... My next chemo is set for March 17. Anyone have a itchy rash over the vein the chemo was given?? I am in a really bad place right now. I just brought my mother home under hospice care. She has endstage alzheimers. She has difficulty swallowing. She doesn't want tubes, etc.. She can't eat or drink anything and is mostly "out of it." She may have less than 10 days.

So sorry you are having a
So sorry you are having a bad time. There is enough stress battling cancer and must be very tough watching a loved one whither. Sending you many cyber hugs and prayers your way. Hugs, Lili

kb020

Hi there, hope your feeling
Hi there, hope your feeling better. I am also taking taxotere and cytoxan every 21 days. I had my first tx 14 days ago. I too had the pounding heart which I called my dr about and she said it was from the steroids. As soon as I finished those the symptoms went away. The only other problem I had was joint pain, terrible pain. That also was short lived and she said caused by the taxotere. I hit my low point at around the 10th day with very low wbc counts and chills and fever. That too has past and they said I will need the Nuelasta injection b4 the next tx. Keep a positive attitude! Take Care.

Joycelouise

I am convinced that, for me,
I am convinced that, for me, chemo like Taxotere affected my moods. Big time. I became pretty depressed and dispairing. I tell you this not to scare you, but support you. If you feel like you "can't handle" things emotionally, blame the chemo drugs and not yourself. You are indeed doing the best you can and the drugs are just wiping out some of the feel good chemicals in our brains (along with all the true stresses of TX). Love yourself through it, forgive yourself your crying spells. Laugh when you can at the troubles...don't take them to heart. My husband came up with the knickname kimosabe, (chemo-sobby) for me and we used to laugh at that a little when I got down. Always remember, you are feeling the effects of chemo in your body, not cancer. The brain has a way of panicking when it combines fear of DX and symptoms of chemo, even thought they are symptoms of the cure!
I wish you the best through these days. Love, Joyce

mimivac

Joycelouise said:

I am convinced that, for me,
I am convinced that, for me, chemo like Taxotere affected my moods. Big time. I became pretty depressed and dispairing. I tell you this not to scare you, but support you. If you feel like you "can't handle" things emotionally, blame the chemo drugs and not yourself. You are indeed doing the best you can and the drugs are just wiping out some of the feel good chemicals in our brains (along with all the true stresses of TX). Love yourself through it, forgive yourself your crying spells. Laugh when you can at the troubles...don't take them to heart. My husband came up with the knickname kimosabe, (chemo-sobby) for me and we used to laugh at that a little when I got down. Always remember, you are feeling the effects of chemo in your body, not cancer. The brain has a way of panicking when it combines fear of DX and symptoms of chemo, even thought they are symptoms of the cure!
I wish you the best through these days. Love, Joyce

chemo and depression
I can attest to this, too. During my "bad days," I really despair, thinking that the cancer has come to take my life, even though I know it is the chemo. Those are the days when the dark thoughts are all prevalent and you can hardly believe that this ordeal will end. But then, days pass and you feel better and, lo and behold, become optimistic again. Once you get used to your cycle and how you will feel physically and emotionally, it is somewhat easier to handle.

So sorry to hear about your mom. It must be so difficult to go through cancer while also taking care of a loved one who is in the final stages of life. You must be a very strong person. Hang in there. We are here to lend an ear at any time.

Mimi

Moopy23

celinelvr said:

Side Effects
Thank you guys for all your symptoms. I appreciate the time you took to get back to me.
Everything seemed good on my last onc appointment. Blood work was good -CT and bone scan was normal - except for my arthritis... My next chemo is set for March 17. Anyone have a itchy rash over the vein the chemo was given?? I am in a really bad place right now. I just brought my mother home under hospice care. She has endstage alzheimers. She has difficulty swallowing. She doesn't want tubes, etc.. She can't eat or drink anything and is mostly "out of it." She may have less than 10 days.

Chemo and your mother
I am so sorry that you are going through both of these awful experiences at once. I cannot imagine being faced with both and admire your courage and strength. My mother died of emphysema last year. Being with her in her last days was so incredibly painful. Yet I was grateful to be there for her and to help make her passing as peaceful and pain-free as possible. I hope that knowing you are easing her transition and surrounding her with your love will give you some comfort in these days. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We are here for you.

jojo elizapest

Started chemo on Feb. 17th
Started chemo on Feb. 17th also with Taxotere and Cytoxan...day later Neulasta. Also taking an oral medication Tomox... Anyway, it is day nine and finally no nausea during the night. Woke up and discovered this board...feeling like I have a whole new bank of support behind me. I love the kimosabe reference! I'll be back..

rjjj

celinelvr said:

Side Effects
Thank you guys for all your symptoms. I appreciate the time you took to get back to me.
Everything seemed good on my last onc appointment. Blood work was good -CT and bone scan was normal - except for my arthritis... My next chemo is set for March 17. Anyone have a itchy rash over the vein the chemo was given?? I am in a really bad place right now. I just brought my mother home under hospice care. She has endstage alzheimers. She has difficulty swallowing. She doesn't want tubes, etc.. She can't eat or drink anything and is mostly "out of it." She may have less than 10 days.

praying for you
Celinelvr, I am glad that your blood work and scans were good. I know how emotionally hard it is to watch your mom go through this. I also took care of my mom for years she was stricken with cancer and they sent her home in the end. Your presence even if she doesn't know it she will feel it and be comforted by just having you near. I also work with several alzheimers patients and i love them all. I know how hard this must be for you. Life just isn't fair sometimes..but you know that your mom would be more concerned with you fighting. Your mom would want all of the best for you. and so do we. So please keep posting us. We will be with you every step of the way. Your mom i believe will be in a much better place in the comforting arms of the angels. I am praying for you both.
God Bless
Jackie

rjjj

jojo elizapest said:

Started chemo on Feb. 17th
Started chemo on Feb. 17th also with Taxotere and Cytoxan...day later Neulasta. Also taking an oral medication Tomox... Anyway, it is day nine and finally no nausea during the night. Woke up and discovered this board...feeling like I have a whole new bank of support behind me. I love the kimosabe reference! I'll be back..

jojo
I am so glad you found us. You will have much support and answers here. This board has been so good for me. Are you also going to have radiation? That is my next step after i am done with Chemo. I am going in for my 4th treatment March 11, my hubbies birthday. One more down and 2 to go. It gets better because you kinda know what to expect and how to deal with the side effects. It is not a picnic but you will do it!! and survive! My best to you and welcome to the group (as Lili says) that none of us wanted to join. Keep in close touch with us and you will be amazed at the courage and compassion that our sisters in pink have.
God Bless
Jackie

libmama

taxotere and cytoxin
Hi. My dr. was going to put me on taxotere and cytoxin, as well as herceptin. She changed her mind and we used taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin. I had no side effects at all except hair loss.Last treatment in Feb, have quite a bit of hair now. I think this combination may just be a little easier on one, from what I got from other patients in chemo with me. No neulasta, either. I was very blessed, my treatment was easy on me. Now, I'm scared to death about what to do next. Seems like I can't get a straight answer from the drs., and side effects are so different from person to person that I don't know what to do. By the way, this is my first post, you guys are GREAT.

Ltalcott

Joycelouise said:

I am convinced that, for me,
I am convinced that, for me, chemo like Taxotere affected my moods. Big time. I became pretty depressed and dispairing. I tell you this not to scare you, but support you. If you feel like you "can't handle" things emotionally, blame the chemo drugs and not yourself. You are indeed doing the best you can and the drugs are just wiping out some of the feel good chemicals in our brains (along with all the true stresses of TX). Love yourself through it, forgive yourself your crying spells. Laugh when you can at the troubles...don't take them to heart. My husband came up with the knickname kimosabe, (chemo-sobby) for me and we used to laugh at that a little when I got down. Always remember, you are feeling the effects of chemo in your body, not cancer. The brain has a way of panicking when it combines fear of DX and symptoms of chemo, even thought they are symptoms of the cure!
I wish you the best through these days. Love, Joyce

the knickname kimosabe, (chemo-sobby)
I love it!

Like most of you have reported, I cry at totally unexpected things or at nothing. My husband keeps asking me what's wrong, what's wrong. He so wants to be able to fix everything for me. If only he could.

And so far, I haven't had any treatment except for the initial surgery--no drugs to mess up my psyche at all! It's all in my head (and I don't mean imaginary!)

Hugs,
Lisa

beesharpe

side effects
I have had both chemo drugs I will be receiving my 5th treatment on April 9th.My side effects are some tiredness,heartburn,legcramps and I lost my hair right before the 2nd treatment.One good thing was that i still have my eyebrows.

EveningStar2

Ltalcott said:

the knickname kimosabe, (chemo-sobby)
I love it!

Like most of you have reported, I cry at totally unexpected things or at nothing. My husband keeps asking me what's wrong, what's wrong. He so wants to be able to fix everything for me. If only he could.

And so far, I haven't had any treatment except for the initial surgery--no drugs to mess up my psyche at all! It's all in my head (and I don't mean imaginary!)

Hugs,
Lisa

crying
I think what starts the cycle in your head is the words "you have cancer". That is enough. I have had a lumpectomy and 27 of 33 radiation treatments. I'm getting better about crying at the drop of a hat but it doesn't take much to set me off. Hubby is realizing that he can't fix it and that I'm not going to be magically "OK" at the end of radiation. But given time, I am getting better. This nasty beast is now part of our lives and can't be evicted so we have to come to some sort of peace with it.

Maureen

celinelvr

beesharpe said:

side effects
I have had both chemo drugs I will be receiving my 5th treatment on April 9th.My side effects are some tiredness,heartburn,legcramps and I lost my hair right before the 2nd treatment.One good thing was that i still have my eyebrows.

update:
Hello sisters. I have been though only half of my chemo but I feel as though I have been on it longer. I have been very emotional. I don't know if it is because of the chemo or all the things I have to deal with right now,(My Mom's death, hair loss, general UUGGHH!) My husband is happily ignorant of my emotional/chemo spells. I think he doesn't know what to do so he lets me cry it out myself. Sometimes I just go bed and "take a nap" to get it out so he doesn't see me.
In addition to all my above side effects I now have leg cramps this time as well. I ended up with sinus, a sore throat, hoarseness, and what felt like bronchitis. I have a really hard cough that hurts my chest and throat. My wbc was up (?) anyway, Onc gave me a strong antibiotic 5 days ago. I think it is all going away. Just in time for my next chemo 4/7.
Milly