Taxtorre/Cytoxan...what to expect?

Tinabug
Tinabug Member Posts: 158
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had a bilateral mastectomy in Nov. I am Stage 1, clear margins & lymph nodes, hormone positive, Oncotype 15. At first, I was told I don't have to have chemo b/c of the onco score. However, now I do. I am going to have taxtore/cytoxan every 3 wks for a total of 4 treatments. From everything, I have read, I realize we all respond differently. However, I would like to have an idea of what I have in store for the next 3 mths. My oncologist told me I would lose my hair, it is bad on white blood cells & that's all I know.

I would appreciate any advice & help you can give me. Thanks to all of you for your responses on my previous questions...you all make this journey so much easier.

Hugs,
Tina

Comments

  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #2
    Just had my second round
    of T/C on Wednesday. As you already pointed out, everyone is different, but this has been my experience so far:

    The first time they administer the Taxotere they will usually administer more slowly and monitor you more closely as some people do have an allergic reaction to it. I had no such reaction.

    Since I also only have 4 cycles total, my doctor did not recommend a Port, and I have been getting my infusions via IV without any problems. I end up with a larger bruise from the blood draws before the infusion than from the IVs.

    As far as side effects, the first time I did have constipation for about a week, which was uncomfortable, but eventually resolved with Milk of Magnesia after trying mor natural methods (prune juice, extra fiber, etc.). The second time I started eating an Activia yogurt each day before, during, and after, along with the prune juice and varied diet, and have not had the C problem, thank goodness.

    Probably the most annoying SE for me was the mouth taste/texture. I had heard about the taste change, but wasn't really expecting the constant nasty taste in my mouth and the change in texture. For my second round, this effect is just starting to hit me today. After feeling it from the first round, I bought Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, and also started swishing my mouth with warm water with a couple of teaspoons of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda, which seems to help. That effect did subside a bit between the two treatments, but is now coming back after my second round.

    And of course, there's just the feeling of being tired. I'm also getting a Neulasta shot the day after each infusion, which can cause bone pain due to the activation of the white blood cells in your bone marrow, but I haven't experienced much pain at all. I just get tired pretty easily. Mostly I feel just fine as long as I'm sitting around doing nothing (which I'm pretty good at, anyway), but as soon as I start moving around, I get tired and have to rest frequently.

    I have had no nausea at all, but am taking the Rx my doctor gave me for 4 days after each chemo just in case. From what I've heard, it's much easier to prevent the nausea than to control it after the fact.

    My hair started to come out in handfuls about 15 days after my first treatment, and I had it buzzed 2 days later. If your hair is long now, you may want to consider getting it cut shorter now so that when it starts to come out, it doesn't seem quite as bad. I actually got my hair cut short before my lumpectomy just to get used to having less hair, and I think it did help once I buzzed it to not feel like it was such a drastic change.

    There are a couple of free resources - Heavenly Hats dot Org and FranceLux dot Com that have programs for free hats and headwraps to help those going through chemo. I got a box of 5 lovely hats from the Heavenly Hats website just in time for my hair to start coming out. They only ask that you "pay it forward".

    I hope that your SE's are minimal like mine have been, and feel free to post again or PM me if you have specific questions.

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • teresa41
    teresa41 Member Posts: 471
    #3
    cindycflynn said:

    Just had my second round
    of T/C on Wednesday. As you already pointed out, everyone is different, but this has been my experience so far:

    The first time they administer the Taxotere they will usually administer more slowly and monitor you more closely as some people do have an allergic reaction to it. I had no such reaction.

    Since I also only have 4 cycles total, my doctor did not recommend a Port, and I have been getting my infusions via IV without any problems. I end up with a larger bruise from the blood draws before the infusion than from the IVs.

    As far as side effects, the first time I did have constipation for about a week, which was uncomfortable, but eventually resolved with Milk of Magnesia after trying mor natural methods (prune juice, extra fiber, etc.). The second time I started eating an Activia yogurt each day before, during, and after, along with the prune juice and varied diet, and have not had the C problem, thank goodness.

    Probably the most annoying SE for me was the mouth taste/texture. I had heard about the taste change, but wasn't really expecting the constant nasty taste in my mouth and the change in texture. For my second round, this effect is just starting to hit me today. After feeling it from the first round, I bought Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, and also started swishing my mouth with warm water with a couple of teaspoons of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda, which seems to help. That effect did subside a bit between the two treatments, but is now coming back after my second round.

    And of course, there's just the feeling of being tired. I'm also getting a Neulasta shot the day after each infusion, which can cause bone pain due to the activation of the white blood cells in your bone marrow, but I haven't experienced much pain at all. I just get tired pretty easily. Mostly I feel just fine as long as I'm sitting around doing nothing (which I'm pretty good at, anyway), but as soon as I start moving around, I get tired and have to rest frequently.

    I have had no nausea at all, but am taking the Rx my doctor gave me for 4 days after each chemo just in case. From what I've heard, it's much easier to prevent the nausea than to control it after the fact.

    My hair started to come out in handfuls about 15 days after my first treatment, and I had it buzzed 2 days later. If your hair is long now, you may want to consider getting it cut shorter now so that when it starts to come out, it doesn't seem quite as bad. I actually got my hair cut short before my lumpectomy just to get used to having less hair, and I think it did help once I buzzed it to not feel like it was such a drastic change.

    There are a couple of free resources - Heavenly Hats dot Org and FranceLux dot Com that have programs for free hats and headwraps to help those going through chemo. I got a box of 5 lovely hats from the Heavenly Hats website just in time for my hair to start coming out. They only ask that you "pay it forward".

    I hope that your SE's are minimal like mine have been, and feel free to post again or PM me if you have specific questions.

    Take care,
    Cindy

    just finished in september
    i just finished in september 4 rounds every 3 weeks. i took steroids before treatment and after usually i started crashing 3 days after treatment. the side affects i had were being tired no taste and i had diarrea and of coures hair loss,but i did manage to work everyday everyone is different i never did get sick or nausea they gave me meds during chemo and pills for home my white blood count never dropped on any of the 4 treatments.

    best of luck to you it is doable!

    :0) teresa
  • Tinabug
    Tinabug Member Posts: 158
    #4
    Big thanks
    Thank you both so much for your information. I think I am more frightened by chemo then I was by the mastectomy. However, having cancer in my body is the most frightning so I will do anything I can to fight it.

    Hugs,
    Tina
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #5
    Neulasta?
    If you haven't talked with your oncologist yet about the Neulasta shot, add that to your list of questions.

    I also did 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan, and yes, it can wipe out your white blood cells. The Neulasta shot is given the day after each chemo, to boost white blood cell production by your bone marrow. Some doctors give it from the beginning automatically, while some doctors do what mine did, and try the first round without it, to see how you do.

    A co-worker of mine also on Taxotere/Cytoxan never needed the shot -- her cell counts stayed normal the whole time. My counts, however, took a nosedive after the first one, so my doctor prescribed the shot for the remaining three rounds. It worked very well for me, and I was very fortunate that I didn't get the bone pain that some women get from the shot -- my legs were just achey for a few days, but not bad.

    Just another thing to consider,

    Traci
  • Tinabug
    Tinabug Member Posts: 158
    #6
    TraciInLA said:

    Neulasta?
    If you haven't talked with your oncologist yet about the Neulasta shot, add that to your list of questions.

    I also did 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan, and yes, it can wipe out your white blood cells. The Neulasta shot is given the day after each chemo, to boost white blood cell production by your bone marrow. Some doctors give it from the beginning automatically, while some doctors do what mine did, and try the first round without it, to see how you do.

    A co-worker of mine also on Taxotere/Cytoxan never needed the shot -- her cell counts stayed normal the whole time. My counts, however, took a nosedive after the first one, so my doctor prescribed the shot for the remaining three rounds. It worked very well for me, and I was very fortunate that I didn't get the bone pain that some women get from the shot -- my legs were just achey for a few days, but not bad.

    Just another thing to consider,

    Traci

    Thank you
    Thanks Traci, as with everything pertaining to BC, I am overwhelmed. I was jsut reading on some other posts about the loss of sex drive...I am a newlywed so this stinks. However, this entire ordeal does...I just want to be healthy. I am scheduled for a bone scan & chest xray this week. The following week, we meet back with my oncologist for chemo dates & I will ask her about the shot. I appreciate your reply.

    Hugs,
    Tina
  • Taina
    Taina Member Posts: 166
    #7
    side effects
    Hello, Tina....
    side effects:
    I got sick the day after tx for 5 days.....
    i got an allergic reaction(red face, felt hot, eyes red) to taxotere so i took 2 benadril 1 hr prior to tx.
    insomnia, loss of hair 14 days after 1st tx, nausea, vomitting, felt like morning sickness,
    eye watery, couldnt wear my contact lenses due to burning eyes, tireness, fatigue....

    *********drink lots of water************
    to keep your blodd count high drink welch grape juice, lentil soup, liver, booster/ensure
    ********drink lots of water ************
    if you have any other questions as you go email me...
    time goes so fast...
    i started July 20, 2009 last now Sept 21st...
    30 rads tx which were better than chemo....
  • Lynda53
    Lynda53 Member Posts: 210
    #8
    Tina My thoughts
    4 rds c+t done.
    Bad reaction to taxotere and had to wait 1 1/2mos to have it corrected.
    No nausea,or diarrhea
    Take pre chemo pills ,stool softener,laxatives for ea treatment.
    Hydrate yourself,water,juices,gatoraid,ez on coffee or don't count it (it does not hydrate)
    Very tired for 2-3 days to bed after 1st 2 treatments, other 2 no probelms
    Eat as you should,healthy, my bloods have not changed.
    I still work, a physical demand job, although I am far from as physical.
    My worse is heart issues, found b/c of the testing, not due to the chemo.
    Loss of hair, thinning, at about 17 days.I suggest cut it short or shave it. Ask your onco when it is epected to start to fall out if it all, and be prepared. I did not shave, I have about 1" or more on my head,with some small spots bare.
    Check into a wig,hat,scarf,beanie whatever you like.I do not like hats, but I am wearing them, it is too cold, and I do not like the look.
    Check AMC, Look good feel Better.
    The chemo has not been as bad as I expected.
    Good luck.
    Peeace
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #9
    Cytoxin and Taxotere
    Hi Tina,
    I had the same treatment. I began June 29 2009. I would take steroid pills the day before, day of and day after chemo. Each time, received anti nauesa and benedryl, then the Taxotere, then the Cytoxin. It tool about 3 hours total.
    The following day I would receive the Neulasta shot. I would take Claritin and Aleve beginning on chemo day to help with the Neulasta side efects.
    Like you mentioned, everyone is different. Alot of women work the entire time and feel fine. I opted to take off chemo week and the following week each time. I experienced alot of pain from both the Taxotere and Neulasta. I am still dealing with Neuropathy from the Taxotere. My final treatment was postponed and my Dr and I decided to skip the Taxotere for that one last treatment.
    You can expect to feel more tired than usual but it really helps to try and get some excercise, whatever you are able to do. For me it was short walks. Taking a nap or relaxing is important as well. Eat what sounds good and eat when you want to. The steroids and the compazine made it easy but nothing tasted right! You will find foods and drinks may taste completely off. I could barely taste anything. Make sure to drink lots of water! It helps alot.
    There are also alot of us on here who have had this same treatment. Please ask any questions you may have!

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