I HATE TAXOTERE!!!!!
Tomorrow is another chemo day and I am not looking forward to it....
I am a newbie to this discussion site, but not a newbie to cancer.
I was diagnosed January 22 of this year, just a few months after my 27th birthday. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 3.5 inches in diameter, Estrogen Pos, Progest Pos, HER 2 Pos, negative nodes, BRCA neg. I've always known that I would eventually get breast cancer, but not this young. My mom was young at 36 and I was 4 yrs old with breast cancer, her mother was 86 so needless to say she denied treatment, and my maternal family in general isn't doing too hot. Maternal uncle deceased Pancreatic, maternal uncle bladder cancer, maternal aunt stage 4 ovarian for 3rd time - we were diagnosed a month apart. My mom and aunt are both BRCA positive and the geneticist thinks that I have a gene they will probably discover in another 10 years! Yay me!
Getting cancer at my age, at any age, just plain sucks. I wanted to go back to college and get my masters, take another go at finding mr. perfect too but NOOOOOOOOO that wasn't what my future had in store for me. So now that I'm a few months in, and having gone through 4 Adriamycin/Cytoxin cycles and now I'm finishing Taxotere and it is more of a DEVIL than Adriamycin!!! Sure I was sick for 5 days and always had my head in a bucket, but once Sunday came around I was eating pizza and by the next Tuesday I was feeling like my old self.
Taxotere, however, is the reason I am officially starting my medical leave from work starting this Friday. I finally give up on trying to fight my symptoms. From head to toe - still gots no hair, no eyelashes, no eyebrows, constantly watering eyes (this may literally be the most infuriating), severe nose bleeds, absolutely zero taste buds, dry/cotton mouth, difficulty swallowing, losing ability to eat solid foods, eating is chore and I haven't really been eating as of late, severe abdominal cramping due to constipation, anal fissure from constipation (this is the most painful), blackening fingernails, fingernails very tender and sore, dry hands and skin, and last blackening toenails. My oncologist said I pretty much have every side effect in the book and they should put my picture next to the word side effects! 
No matter now! Tomorrow is #4 and then I will only have 3 out of the 12 to go! YAHOO! Double Mastectomy here I come!!! (insert sarcastic face) 
Anyway, that's pretty much all I have to say about that! Thank you for letting me vent!
~LA Belle~
Comments
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I am so sorry to hear this.
I am so sorry to hear this. I completely understand what you are feeling. At first, I accepted my diagnosis because I am a realist, and I know that it happens, but now that weeks have gone by, many appointments and faced with so many decisions, plus two young daughters, I am at a complete loss. Feeling angry and frustrated now, and I have yet to make a decision between lumpectomy or double mastectomies. Waiting for my MRI results and genetic testing results.
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Welcome to our community
Hi LA Belle,
I hear you, I did not like Taxotere too, however it did help me to fight cancer. The Side effects are not pleasant and you need to manage them . Ask your oncologist.Chemo nurse for help or talk to your primary care physician you do need help. I used to take stool softener pills at night after Chemo infusion to prevent constipation, which is a serious problem during first several days after Chemo infusion.
Filing for medical leave is not a fun, emotionally hard, however that was exactely i needed to cope and undergo Taxotere treatment. Please be patient and gentle to yourself. Several months from now you will fee much better and got victory over cancer. Please come back to vent or for advice.
Good luck.
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Decisions Decisionsmamaxs2 said:I am so sorry to hear this.
I am so sorry to hear this. I completely understand what you are feeling. At first, I accepted my diagnosis because I am a realist, and I know that it happens, but now that weeks have gone by, many appointments and faced with so many decisions, plus two young daughters, I am at a complete loss. Feeling angry and frustrated now, and I have yet to make a decision between lumpectomy or double mastectomies. Waiting for my MRI results and genetic testing results.
I know it's never fun being faced with such a difficult decision, but for me it was the percentages. Since I'm so young, my surgeon and oncologist said that recurrance was in the 70 percentile if I kept the girls and if I opted for the double mastectomy it would be closer to 15. It was a no brainer for me... I might have been 4 when my mom had her breast cancer, but I rememeber a lot!! Watching it is one thing, going through it is another.... Now that I have it, and please don't think me crazy, but watching was worse! It's hard to watch someone you love suffer and there's nothing you can do.
I don't know how progressed your cancer is, but you're doctors will help you with whatever decision you make.
PRAYERS
~LA Belle~
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THANK YOU!New Flower said:Welcome to our community
Hi LA Belle,
I hear you, I did not like Taxotere too, however it did help me to fight cancer. The Side effects are not pleasant and you need to manage them . Ask your oncologist.Chemo nurse for help or talk to your primary care physician you do need help. I used to take stool softener pills at night after Chemo infusion to prevent constipation, which is a serious problem during first several days after Chemo infusion.
Filing for medical leave is not a fun, emotionally hard, however that was exactely i needed to cope and undergo Taxotere treatment. Please be patient and gentle to yourself. Several months from now you will fee much better and got victory over cancer. Please come back to vent or for advice.
Good luck.
Well news as of Tuesday's treatment is that the neuropathy, which I forgot to mention in my list of side effects, has now spread to my heart.
Spoke with nurse practitioner and she seemed concerned, but as I am officially on medical leave after today was convincing enough to not raise alarm as of yet, but still wasn't fun news to hear.
Pushing through one treatment at a time... I know it's to get to that end all goal though.
Tuesday is almost here again then 2 more to go!! COME ON 12!!
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Taxotere did a number on me, as welllouisianabelle said:THANK YOU!
Well news as of Tuesday's treatment is that the neuropathy, which I forgot to mention in my list of side effects, has now spread to my heart.
Spoke with nurse practitioner and she seemed concerned, but as I am officially on medical leave after today was convincing enough to not raise alarm as of yet, but still wasn't fun news to hear.
Pushing through one treatment at a time... I know it's to get to that end all goal though.
Tuesday is almost here again then 2 more to go!! COME ON 12!!
my side efforts were off the charts - like so many others. Lost toe nails, finger were a mess for months - nail bleeds as well as those lovely nose bleeds -
I came here often - and many Sisters in PINK offered advise and support -- which helped me -- I cried and crawled my way to the finish line --
I wish you all the best - 'Never give in, Never give up'
Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.
Vicki Sam
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My Taxotere Experience
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Dec. 2009. I had a right mastectomy in Feb. 2010 and then chemotherapy. I had 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 rounds of Taxotere. No radiation. I had far more problems on Taxotere than I had while on A/C. I lost 8 of 10 fingernails and 2 toenails. I lost all desire to eat or drink and ended up losing 40 lbs. There is something to be said for being overweight to start with. It was a terrific struggle to remain hydrated. Fatigue was enormous. It was a big deal for me to undress, take a shower and then get dressed again. By dressed I mean putting on my pajamas. My eyes watered like a faucet and continue to do so. I have only recently been informed by an oculofacial plastic surgeon that the puncta (essentially tiny drain holes) in my eyes have been permanently damaged and that is why my eyes still water 4 years after chemo ended. The loss of ALL hair happened during the A/C rounds so I can't blame Taxotere for that one.
My last chemo was in August 2010. All follow up testing since then has been normal. I am in remission. My hair has grown back as have all my fingernails and toenails. I saw my daughter graduate from both high school and college. When going through such an awful time it is difficult to imagine that you will ever approach normalcy again but I am living proof that it can. I hope for the same for you.
IRENE
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Welcome to the club no one
Welcome to the club no one wants to join, but you are most welcome here. BTW, I am thrilled to have a fellow Louisiana soul here
Let me tell you my story because I am hoping it will give you some hope. I was diagnosed at age 33 with a large tumor (had to have a mastectomy because a lumpectomy wouldn't be cosmetic). The tumor had spread to 4 nodes. I then had chemo, radiation and tamoxifen. Also IDC, ER +, PR +. Here is my amazing news, I have been 27 years since diagnosis.
I did have a blasted recurrence in my right ribs and lung 9 years ago and the another mets a little year ago to my liver. Blah, blah, blah - all things considered, I am alive and doing well.
Now, back to taxotere. I hated that blasted drug and it hated me. I could barely climb a flight of stairs on it. My dietitian read me the riot act about not eating and I was told to view food as medicine. After that, I somehow downed about 3 Ensures a day - not easy but I felt worse without the protein, potassium, etc. The constipation I mainly managed with prune juice and miralax (dulcolax gives me bad cramps). I lost quite a few nails and would bandaid the loose ones with neosporin to help the tenderness. My nose got really, really dry. Not sure why. For a few days after a dose of taxotere, I would apply a light coating of neosporin in my nasal passages. That may help your poor nose? Stay out of the sun as I found it absolutely toxic to my skin.
Give yourself time. It sounds as if taxotere has really done a number on you. Remember it is temporary and you will get through it - even though it really, really sucks!
Oh, one other thing, watch out for thrush. Check your throat and mouth for white/greyish patches. Thrush will make your food taste like rot and I pretty much had it the entire time on taxotere until I stayed on nystatin.
Good luck! It has been nearly a year since I did the taxotere and I am still gaining strength. Sending hugs and healing karma!!!
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And my hair didn't return. . .CypressCynthia said:Welcome to the club no one
Welcome to the club no one wants to join, but you are most welcome here. BTW, I am thrilled to have a fellow Louisiana soul here
Let me tell you my story because I am hoping it will give you some hope. I was diagnosed at age 33 with a large tumor (had to have a mastectomy because a lumpectomy wouldn't be cosmetic). The tumor had spread to 4 nodes. I then had chemo, radiation and tamoxifen. Also IDC, ER +, PR +. Here is my amazing news, I have been 27 years since diagnosis.
I did have a blasted recurrence in my right ribs and lung 9 years ago and the another mets a little year ago to my liver. Blah, blah, blah - all things considered, I am alive and doing well.
Now, back to taxotere. I hated that blasted drug and it hated me. I could barely climb a flight of stairs on it. My dietitian read me the riot act about not eating and I was told to view food as medicine. After that, I somehow downed about 3 Ensures a day - not easy but I felt worse without the protein, potassium, etc. The constipation I mainly managed with prune juice and miralax (dulcolax gives me bad cramps). I lost quite a few nails and would bandaid the loose ones with neosporin to help the tenderness. My nose got really, really dry. Not sure why. For a few days after a dose of taxotere, I would apply a light coating of neosporin in my nasal passages. That may help your poor nose? Stay out of the sun as I found it absolutely toxic to my skin.
Give yourself time. It sounds as if taxotere has really done a number on you. Remember it is temporary and you will get through it - even though it really, really sucks!
Oh, one other thing, watch out for thrush. Check your throat and mouth for white/greyish patches. Thrush will make your food taste like rot and I pretty much had it the entire time on taxotere until I stayed on nystatin.
Good luck! It has been nearly a year since I did the taxotere and I am still gaining strength. Sending hugs and healing karma!!!
I had many side effects while on Taxotere (loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin toxicity, nails falling off, anemia,minimal neuropathy, etc., etc.). I was informed about those side effects before I started Taxotere. What I was not informed about is the possibility of permanent hairloss. It happens and is happening more and more. A book has just been published about one woman's journey "Naked in the Wind". Check it out on Amazon. My copy should arrive tomorrow.
So sorry for your side effects and all the things you're having to deal with with this stupid breast cancer! We are all here to support you. One day at a time.
Hugs,
Suzanne
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I hated taxotere too!Double Whammy said:And my hair didn't return. . .
I had many side effects while on Taxotere (loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin toxicity, nails falling off, anemia,minimal neuropathy, etc., etc.). I was informed about those side effects before I started Taxotere. What I was not informed about is the possibility of permanent hairloss. It happens and is happening more and more. A book has just been published about one woman's journey "Naked in the Wind". Check it out on Amazon. My copy should arrive tomorrow.
So sorry for your side effects and all the things you're having to deal with with this stupid breast cancer! We are all here to support you. One day at a time.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Hi fellow pink sister. I recently completed 4 rounds of Cytoxan and Taxotere chemo infusions. It was so hard!! Taxotere was very rough on me as well. It has been 2 months since I finished my chemo treatments ( I just finished my rads and had an oophoretomy). I still am having side effects from the chemo but it is getting better. My hair on my head is starting to come back as are my eyelashes and eyebrows. My eyelashes and eyebrows just recently fell out - almost 2 months post chemo! that really upset me I wasn't expecting that. Darn that taxotere!!!!! Remain strong though you will get through it! I am getting stronger and stronger each day.
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Oh Taxotere
This drug does not like me. Here's my list: shortness of breath and extreme muscle fatigue, can't walk 40 feet without having to sit down and recover; pounding heart; constipation/diarrhea; a "burned" scaley mouth that prevents any food from tasting like anything but cardboard, even water; sore lips; intense muscle pain; sore "spots" on my feet (neuropathy, most likely); sore fingernails; nausea; hair loss; weird, shiny palms, as if the outermost layer has been ironed over; dry skin; complete exhaustion that gets worse each time I take a treatment. Have done 3 of 4. I keep telling myself that if this drug is affecting my normal cells this way, then it has to be kicking the chemo cells' butt. My greatest fear is that the shortness of breath and exhaustion will be permanent because this is no quality of life. But, I'm walking in the dark, deep valley right now. Surely, there will be a day when I walk out of it and surely there will be a day when you do, too. Hang in there! You are not alone.
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WhoaThere .. I sucked on ice chips during myWhoaThere said:Oh Taxotere
This drug does not like me. Here's my list: shortness of breath and extreme muscle fatigue, can't walk 40 feet without having to sit down and recover; pounding heart; constipation/diarrhea; a "burned" scaley mouth that prevents any food from tasting like anything but cardboard, even water; sore lips; intense muscle pain; sore "spots" on my feet (neuropathy, most likely); sore fingernails; nausea; hair loss; weird, shiny palms, as if the outermost layer has been ironed over; dry skin; complete exhaustion that gets worse each time I take a treatment. Have done 3 of 4. I keep telling myself that if this drug is affecting my normal cells this way, then it has to be kicking the chemo cells' butt. My greatest fear is that the shortness of breath and exhaustion will be permanent because this is no quality of life. But, I'm walking in the dark, deep valley right now. Surely, there will be a day when I walk out of it and surely there will be a day when you do, too. Hang in there! You are not alone.
chemo infusion -- helped somewhat with mouth sores -- 1 more treatment to go! Yay for YOU>>>>>>>>
Vicki Sam
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AnemiaWhoaThere said:Oh Taxotere
This drug does not like me. Here's my list: shortness of breath and extreme muscle fatigue, can't walk 40 feet without having to sit down and recover; pounding heart; constipation/diarrhea; a "burned" scaley mouth that prevents any food from tasting like anything but cardboard, even water; sore lips; intense muscle pain; sore "spots" on my feet (neuropathy, most likely); sore fingernails; nausea; hair loss; weird, shiny palms, as if the outermost layer has been ironed over; dry skin; complete exhaustion that gets worse each time I take a treatment. Have done 3 of 4. I keep telling myself that if this drug is affecting my normal cells this way, then it has to be kicking the chemo cells' butt. My greatest fear is that the shortness of breath and exhaustion will be permanent because this is no quality of life. But, I'm walking in the dark, deep valley right now. Surely, there will be a day when I walk out of it and surely there will be a day when you do, too. Hang in there! You are not alone.
The shortness of breath and fatigue and pounding heart could be from anemia. Mine was,a but I was not dangerously anemic and it got better each cycle, so did not require a transfusion. My blood work returned to normal usually before my next chemo and I typically felt great right before the next round. The last one took a while and I could not even walk to the corner to get the mail. I was tachycardic and short of breath and weak. I have a couple of friends who got transfusions and something they called a banana IV. It wasn't a banana, but it was nutrients or something and it's yellow. They felt really good after both. You should report these things to your oncologist if they don't get better on their own because they can and do treat it some of the time. You don't have to muddle through it sometimes (sometimes you just do). Each treatment is worse - the side effects are cumulative. I never want to do chemotherapy again. Yours will be over soon. Don't be surprised if the side effects of last one hang on longer. I kept saying, "but I usually feel better by now" and then one day I finally did.
Suzanne
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Whoa there, I had the sameWhoaThere said:Oh Taxotere
This drug does not like me. Here's my list: shortness of breath and extreme muscle fatigue, can't walk 40 feet without having to sit down and recover; pounding heart; constipation/diarrhea; a "burned" scaley mouth that prevents any food from tasting like anything but cardboard, even water; sore lips; intense muscle pain; sore "spots" on my feet (neuropathy, most likely); sore fingernails; nausea; hair loss; weird, shiny palms, as if the outermost layer has been ironed over; dry skin; complete exhaustion that gets worse each time I take a treatment. Have done 3 of 4. I keep telling myself that if this drug is affecting my normal cells this way, then it has to be kicking the chemo cells' butt. My greatest fear is that the shortness of breath and exhaustion will be permanent because this is no quality of life. But, I'm walking in the dark, deep valley right now. Surely, there will be a day when I walk out of it and surely there will be a day when you do, too. Hang in there! You are not alone.
Whoa there, I had the same symptoms. Climbing a short flight of stairs might as well have been Mt Everest. I remember one day agreeing to take the streetcar in New Orleans to the Audubon Aquarium. Stupid, stupid, stupid. There was still a lot of walking and I hosnestly felt like I was going to die - so exhausted and short of breath. My Muga dropped from 64% to 51%. It really kicked my butt!
Just a few months off of it and the exhaustion and shortness of breath were gone. And I am guessing by your photo that I am a lot older (I am 61). My Muga bounce back to 64% and I am still on herceptin and perjeta, so it was just the taxotere causing the dip in heart function.
Hang in there! It gets sooooo much better!!!
PS Whenever everything tasted like cardboard, I had thrush. Check your mouth really well - even the roof. I ended up on Nystatin and Mugard the entire time I was on taxotere. It really helped. All of that disappeared too just a month or two after treatment ended. If you can't eat, drink Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, whatever you can to get enough protein and electrolytes. My dietitian had me try different flavors. I also took zofran 8 mg three times a day - it was the only way for me. My insurance company only approved 12/month and we had to jump through a few hoops, but the onc helped get it approved.
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Thank you so much for the encouragement.CypressCynthia said:Whoa there, I had the same
Whoa there, I had the same symptoms. Climbing a short flight of stairs might as well have been Mt Everest. I remember one day agreeing to take the streetcar in New Orleans to the Audubon Aquarium. Stupid, stupid, stupid. There was still a lot of walking and I hosnestly felt like I was going to die - so exhausted and short of breath. My Muga dropped from 64% to 51%. It really kicked my butt!
Just a few months off of it and the exhaustion and shortness of breath were gone. And I am guessing by your photo that I am a lot older (I am 61). My Muga bounce back to 64% and I am still on herceptin and perjeta, so it was just the taxotere causing the dip in heart function.
Hang in there! It gets sooooo much better!!!
PS Whenever everything tasted like cardboard, I had thrush. Check your mouth really well - even the roof. I ended up on Nystatin and Mugard the entire time I was on taxotere. It really helped. All of that disappeared too just a month or two after treatment ended. If you can't eat, drink Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, whatever you can to get enough protein and electrolytes. My dietitian had me try different flavors. I also took zofran 8 mg three times a day - it was the only way for me. My insurance company only approved 12/month and we had to jump through a few hoops, but the onc helped get it approved.
I have consulted with my oncologist about it. I am only very slightly anemic, so that is not the problem. He ordered a chest xray: no mets to lung, no fluid on lungs or in pluera or around sternum, heart is right size and port is where it is supposed to be. He also ordered an echo of my heart and I am still waiting to hear results on that. He is fairly confident that the extreme shortness of breath, muscle fatigue with only mild exertion and tachycardia is a reaction to Taxotere. I tend to agree with him. What test did you have to determine your heart function? I suppose it is only my fear talking, but this side effect is soooo debilitating that it makes me panicky. The other side effects I can endure. I have one more chemo treatment and radiation to go. I think I will be through radiaiton by the end of December and it was my plan to go back to work in January. Will this not be possible? Does it take MONTHS for this side effect to disappear? Should I be planning a longer leave? At this point, I could not make it from where I have to park to my office. Can barely make it from my living room to my driveway. As to the mouth, I am brushing with baking soda, rinsing with combo of baking soda/salt, then rinsing with Magic Mouthwash (benedryl, lidocaine, nystatin, maalox), and taking diflucan daily. It doesn't take away the symptoms, but they do resolve after 12-15 days each treatment. Then I start over. Thanks for your advice and for sharing your experience with me.
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And PSCypressCynthia said:Whoa there, I had the same
Whoa there, I had the same symptoms. Climbing a short flight of stairs might as well have been Mt Everest. I remember one day agreeing to take the streetcar in New Orleans to the Audubon Aquarium. Stupid, stupid, stupid. There was still a lot of walking and I hosnestly felt like I was going to die - so exhausted and short of breath. My Muga dropped from 64% to 51%. It really kicked my butt!
Just a few months off of it and the exhaustion and shortness of breath were gone. And I am guessing by your photo that I am a lot older (I am 61). My Muga bounce back to 64% and I am still on herceptin and perjeta, so it was just the taxotere causing the dip in heart function.
Hang in there! It gets sooooo much better!!!
PS Whenever everything tasted like cardboard, I had thrush. Check your mouth really well - even the roof. I ended up on Nystatin and Mugard the entire time I was on taxotere. It really helped. All of that disappeared too just a month or two after treatment ended. If you can't eat, drink Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, whatever you can to get enough protein and electrolytes. My dietitian had me try different flavors. I also took zofran 8 mg three times a day - it was the only way for me. My insurance company only approved 12/month and we had to jump through a few hoops, but the onc helped get it approved.
I am 55. Very close to your age. You look great!
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Just Looked Up Your TestCypressCynthia said:Whoa there, I had the same
Whoa there, I had the same symptoms. Climbing a short flight of stairs might as well have been Mt Everest. I remember one day agreeing to take the streetcar in New Orleans to the Audubon Aquarium. Stupid, stupid, stupid. There was still a lot of walking and I hosnestly felt like I was going to die - so exhausted and short of breath. My Muga dropped from 64% to 51%. It really kicked my butt!
Just a few months off of it and the exhaustion and shortness of breath were gone. And I am guessing by your photo that I am a lot older (I am 61). My Muga bounce back to 64% and I am still on herceptin and perjeta, so it was just the taxotere causing the dip in heart function.
Hang in there! It gets sooooo much better!!!
PS Whenever everything tasted like cardboard, I had thrush. Check your mouth really well - even the roof. I ended up on Nystatin and Mugard the entire time I was on taxotere. It really helped. All of that disappeared too just a month or two after treatment ended. If you can't eat, drink Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, whatever you can to get enough protein and electrolytes. My dietitian had me try different flavors. I also took zofran 8 mg three times a day - it was the only way for me. My insurance company only approved 12/month and we had to jump through a few hoops, but the onc helped get it approved.
I see now what test you had to determine the healthness of your heart. For whatever reason, my onc ordered the echo instead.
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The Muga test is usually doneWhoaThere said:Thank you so much for the encouragement.
I have consulted with my oncologist about it. I am only very slightly anemic, so that is not the problem. He ordered a chest xray: no mets to lung, no fluid on lungs or in pluera or around sternum, heart is right size and port is where it is supposed to be. He also ordered an echo of my heart and I am still waiting to hear results on that. He is fairly confident that the extreme shortness of breath, muscle fatigue with only mild exertion and tachycardia is a reaction to Taxotere. I tend to agree with him. What test did you have to determine your heart function? I suppose it is only my fear talking, but this side effect is soooo debilitating that it makes me panicky. The other side effects I can endure. I have one more chemo treatment and radiation to go. I think I will be through radiaiton by the end of December and it was my plan to go back to work in January. Will this not be possible? Does it take MONTHS for this side effect to disappear? Should I be planning a longer leave? At this point, I could not make it from where I have to park to my office. Can barely make it from my living room to my driveway. As to the mouth, I am brushing with baking soda, rinsing with combo of baking soda/salt, then rinsing with Magic Mouthwash (benedryl, lidocaine, nystatin, maalox), and taking diflucan daily. It doesn't take away the symptoms, but they do resolve after 12-15 days each treatment. Then I start over. Thanks for your advice and for sharing your experience with me.
The Muga test is usually done for herceptin (and adriamycin) because it can cause reversible left-sided heart damage. It is a scan done with a tracer (injected in vein)- not a difficult scan. It is not usually done with taxotere, but I mentioned it because I thought my symptoms were from herceptin, but it turns out they were all from taxotere.
I also asked my onc for something for anxiety/depression - which is common in cancer patients. My onc gave me lexapro which has helped. I forgot to mention that he also gave me ativan to help with the nausea and that's kind of a twofer for me - it helps with nausea and anxiety. Ativan can be addicting sojust be aware.
Last December, about 1 month after stopping taxotere we went to Disney World. I rented a scooter - something I had never done before. I was glad I did because I was still worn out and that is just marathon walking, but I did well there and was already feeling lots better. By the end of the next month, I'm not sure that I would have needed the scooter. :-)
Everyone of us is so different, but in 2-3 months I had tons more stamina and energy! Good luck!
Oh and ask about the mugard too. It really helped my thrush. Doc said it is like a liquid bandaid that coats the oral mucosa and helps it heal. I just stayed on mugard and nystatin and that did it for me!
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How are your eyes?
Hi,
I am so sorry you had so many problems! I did as well just a bit different. It's almost four years later for me and I have had six surgeries on my eyes. I have seen 3 excellent specialist..... They all agree that tis tearing side effect is a known problem. For most people it goes away. For a lot of us it hasn't! I was told the tearing would stop after treatment. The drug packaging makes that statement. However, my eye specialist agree if I had my tear ducts irrigated during treatment or stents put in, the scar tissue wouldn't have had a chance to build up in my tear ducts and I would most likely be fine right now...... There is data from studies that goes back to 2001 about this. I am determined to get the drug company to change the packaging so this won't happen to anyone else. It affects every area of my life.....not in a good way.... I have a wonderful lawyer who is a ten year cancer survivor that is with a big firm in NYC who is willing to help. We need other survivors to throw their"wigs" in and join. If you are interested in more details contact me by email pamcb3@hotmail.com we can make a difference!!!! Thanks! Hope you are doing well!!!
Pam
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Taxotere
I can completely relate. My dr said I am young and healthy so shouldn't have too mnsy effects. Well I had every side effect possible like you and it was miserable. Still having side Effect. Iam just in herceptin alone now and I have effects with that as well . I had taxotere carboplatin perjeta and herceptin all together til may. Now continuing with herceptin. Sorry you have such bad effect also .take care and know you are not alone.
Mary
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