Doxil fatigue

beila
beila Member Posts: 97 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Cant remember who was complaining re severe fatigue on Doxil
I'm a week post my 1st Doxil chemo and cant get out of bed
Could you tell me...does this last a few days and then gradually improve some?

Sure hope so!!

give me some reassurrance, even if it is a lie! (just kidding...I think)

Beila

Comments

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #2
    Beila sorry you are so tired
    Mary Ann is currently on Doxil. She has had two doses so far. She did say how fatigued she was. I hope it passes for you soon. Hope you are avoiding the "hand and foot syndrome", too. In peace and caring.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #3
    Beila
    How are you doing. I hope you fatigue is better. Hope you did not get any other side effects
    From the Doxil. Thinking of you and praying for you. In peace and caring.
  • pipscout
    pipscout Member Posts: 24
    #4
    Hello Beila,
    I did
    Hello Beila,

    I did chemotherapy two years ago with Carbo/Taxol. Now I'm doing chemotherapy again for a recurrence with Carbo/Doxil. I do notice more fatigue this time around, with the Doxil. Need to take a nap every afternoon, and I need to stop and rest more often when walking. I have been working (a desk job) but in the afternoon my concentration is just SHOT and I can't think anymore. I remember some of this from before but it does seem like there is more fatigue this time. So far I've avoided hand and foot problems. I've avoided immersing hands and feet in hot water. Just take showers/not baths, etc. And it is nice that I'm keeping most of my hair this time. I still have a tender scalp and some hair thinning but not the loss like when I was on the Taxol. I've had three infusions so far. I hope that things go better for you. Either that or enjoy the resting time. ..

    Best, Teresa
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #5
    pipscout said:

    Hello Beila,
    I did
    Hello Beila,

    I did chemotherapy two years ago with Carbo/Taxol. Now I'm doing chemotherapy again for a recurrence with Carbo/Doxil. I do notice more fatigue this time around, with the Doxil. Need to take a nap every afternoon, and I need to stop and rest more often when walking. I have been working (a desk job) but in the afternoon my concentration is just SHOT and I can't think anymore. I remember some of this from before but it does seem like there is more fatigue this time. So far I've avoided hand and foot problems. I've avoided immersing hands and feet in hot water. Just take showers/not baths, etc. And it is nice that I'm keeping most of my hair this time. I still have a tender scalp and some hair thinning but not the loss like when I was on the Taxol. I've had three infusions so far. I hope that things go better for you. Either that or enjoy the resting time. ..

    Best, Teresa

    Hi Beila
    It was me who wrote about fatigue and you were concerned that I was so depressed about it. It sure was depressing. I felt this EXTREME fatigue for nearly 3 weeks after first infusion - my daily 2 mile walks declined to about a half mile and then spent the rest of day on couch. I asked for blood work because I was sure there was something very wrong but it was NORMAL - Then of course I got the second infusion. I am happy to report that this time I am not as fatigued but still tire easily and I'm not very sleeping well.

    I have been consuming more protein - drinking ensure and lots of meats. Yesterday I purchased Raw Protein at health food store - this is plant based rather than animal. I am hoping this gives me more energy.

    I'm also taking some supplements - multivitamin, CoQ10 200mg, Acetyl L-Carnitine 400mg, B12 2500mcg, B6 100mg.

    I will see my doc Friday and then get next infusion next week. One thing that was a bit disconcerting was that my CA125 increased 50% after first infusion. My nurse said this is normal with doxil - that it may take 2 or more infusions for the marker to drop. I will learn more when I see doc.

    So, hang in there. Maybe more protein and supplements will perk you up. This is the most fatigue I've experienced in my cancer journey - previous got carboplatin, taxol, and radiation. This doxil really kicks butt!!

    I have not had hand=foot syndrome but need to stay vigilant about chilling protocol. I admit that I slacked off on this but won't in future.

    Best to you, friend. Hang in there. Sending hugs to you.

    Keep us posted. Mary Ann
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    #6
    daisy366 said:

    Hi Beila
    It was me who wrote about fatigue and you were concerned that I was so depressed about it. It sure was depressing. I felt this EXTREME fatigue for nearly 3 weeks after first infusion - my daily 2 mile walks declined to about a half mile and then spent the rest of day on couch. I asked for blood work because I was sure there was something very wrong but it was NORMAL - Then of course I got the second infusion. I am happy to report that this time I am not as fatigued but still tire easily and I'm not very sleeping well.

    I have been consuming more protein - drinking ensure and lots of meats. Yesterday I purchased Raw Protein at health food store - this is plant based rather than animal. I am hoping this gives me more energy.

    I'm also taking some supplements - multivitamin, CoQ10 200mg, Acetyl L-Carnitine 400mg, B12 2500mcg, B6 100mg.

    I will see my doc Friday and then get next infusion next week. One thing that was a bit disconcerting was that my CA125 increased 50% after first infusion. My nurse said this is normal with doxil - that it may take 2 or more infusions for the marker to drop. I will learn more when I see doc.

    So, hang in there. Maybe more protein and supplements will perk you up. This is the most fatigue I've experienced in my cancer journey - previous got carboplatin, taxol, and radiation. This doxil really kicks butt!!

    I have not had hand=foot syndrome but need to stay vigilant about chilling protocol. I admit that I slacked off on this but won't in future.

    Best to you, friend. Hang in there. Sending hugs to you.

    Keep us posted. Mary Ann

    doxil fatigue
    thanks so much, Mary Ann

    Very reassurring, though you talk about not being able to walk 2 miles and I cant even get out of bed!!!

    The worst of it was last week, and I even went to the ER, hoping for a drop in RBCs and a blood transfusion...no such luck, only neutropenia

    Very glad to hear that your 2nd one wasnt as bad, as I was afraid it would be worse!


    I had already been suffering post chemo fatigue (but not severe) from my carbo/taxol, so the doxil fatigue came on top of an already existing fatigue

    I am doing some Ensure, and will start a multivite

    THIS DOXIL DOES KICK BUTT......JUST AS LONG AS IT KICKS CANCER BUTT!!!!!!
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #7
    beila said:

    doxil fatigue
    thanks so much, Mary Ann

    Very reassurring, though you talk about not being able to walk 2 miles and I cant even get out of bed!!!

    The worst of it was last week, and I even went to the ER, hoping for a drop in RBCs and a blood transfusion...no such luck, only neutropenia

    Very glad to hear that your 2nd one wasnt as bad, as I was afraid it would be worse!


    I had already been suffering post chemo fatigue (but not severe) from my carbo/taxol, so the doxil fatigue came on top of an already existing fatigue

    I am doing some Ensure, and will start a multivite

    THIS DOXIL DOES KICK BUTT......JUST AS LONG AS IT KICKS CANCER BUTT!!!!!!

    Beila
    Are you sleeping OK? I'm not. Mellatonin did not help. I have Rx for ativan but want to try lemon balm extract before I get into the ativan. I haven't found it in stores yet - still looking. Dr. Oz says it works on same brain receptors as xanax/ativan.

    I'm sipping on my protein shake as I write. Just bought this raw protein yesterday - it's a bit grainy. I mixed it with banana and some ensure and ice and it tastes good. I also got "vitagreens" to mix with it. See if this helps you.

    I do have to push myself to walk and my nurse told me to do this. If I didn't have a walking buddy, believe me, I would be on the couch. Hang in there, it will get better. And I sure hope this kicks UPSC's butt.

    Blessings and hugs, Mary Ann
  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #8
    daisy366 said:

    Beila
    Are you sleeping OK? I'm not. Mellatonin did not help. I have Rx for ativan but want to try lemon balm extract before I get into the ativan. I haven't found it in stores yet - still looking. Dr. Oz says it works on same brain receptors as xanax/ativan.

    I'm sipping on my protein shake as I write. Just bought this raw protein yesterday - it's a bit grainy. I mixed it with banana and some ensure and ice and it tastes good. I also got "vitagreens" to mix with it. See if this helps you.

    I do have to push myself to walk and my nurse told me to do this. If I didn't have a walking buddy, believe me, I would be on the couch. Hang in there, it will get better. And I sure hope this kicks UPSC's butt.

    Blessings and hugs, Mary Ann

    Lemon balm extract
    Would you post if you find it? Would love to get off my bedtime Ativan.
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    #9
    daisy366 said:

    Beila
    Are you sleeping OK? I'm not. Mellatonin did not help. I have Rx for ativan but want to try lemon balm extract before I get into the ativan. I haven't found it in stores yet - still looking. Dr. Oz says it works on same brain receptors as xanax/ativan.

    I'm sipping on my protein shake as I write. Just bought this raw protein yesterday - it's a bit grainy. I mixed it with banana and some ensure and ice and it tastes good. I also got "vitagreens" to mix with it. See if this helps you.

    I do have to push myself to walk and my nurse told me to do this. If I didn't have a walking buddy, believe me, I would be on the couch. Hang in there, it will get better. And I sure hope this kicks UPSC's butt.

    Blessings and hugs, Mary Ann

    sleep/fatigue....Avastin
    Hi Mary Ann

    The ONLY good thing about this fatigue for me is that I am actually sleeping BETTER!!
    or
    It may be the drugs:
    I have a familial and personal history of sleep problems
    I take 50mg of Trazodone and half a mg of Ativan at night

    Trazodone is an antidepressant in much higher doses, but is used as a sleep aid at low dose of 50mg
    The good thing about it is that this class of drug is not addictive
    I hope the lemon balm helps you, but if not, keep this in mind

    I have not had any other side effects of Doxil

    I am in my 3rd week post 1st dose of Doxil
    The sun is shining off Lake Ontario, which I can see from my bed here in Toronto
    Inspired by you, I am going to get out there for the 1st time in 2 weeks and go for a short walk!!

    I am planning to take Avastin as well....at $4000/dose, as I have heard positive things, as well as it being recommended in combination with Doxil by an oncologist I actually got to speak with in New York
    I know that Artist 49 takes it as maintennance and says she feels great....

    anyone have any thoughts, experiences with Avastin/Doxil?

    Blessings to you Mary Ann,
    Beila
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #10
    beila said:

    sleep/fatigue....Avastin
    Hi Mary Ann

    The ONLY good thing about this fatigue for me is that I am actually sleeping BETTER!!
    or
    It may be the drugs:
    I have a familial and personal history of sleep problems
    I take 50mg of Trazodone and half a mg of Ativan at night

    Trazodone is an antidepressant in much higher doses, but is used as a sleep aid at low dose of 50mg
    The good thing about it is that this class of drug is not addictive
    I hope the lemon balm helps you, but if not, keep this in mind

    I have not had any other side effects of Doxil

    I am in my 3rd week post 1st dose of Doxil
    The sun is shining off Lake Ontario, which I can see from my bed here in Toronto
    Inspired by you, I am going to get out there for the 1st time in 2 weeks and go for a short walk!!

    I am planning to take Avastin as well....at $4000/dose, as I have heard positive things, as well as it being recommended in combination with Doxil by an oncologist I actually got to speak with in New York
    I know that Artist 49 takes it as maintennance and says she feels great....

    anyone have any thoughts, experiences with Avastin/Doxil?

    Blessings to you Mary Ann,
    Beila

    Enjoy
    that walk, Beila. Glad I motivated you. I used to live on the other side of Lake Ontario (Rochester, NY).

    Just a word of caution. While trazadone is non-addictive, the ativan (a benzodiapzepine) does have addictive properties. (Addiction is my specialty)

    I hope the Avastin is effective. Did you try to negotiate a lower price? When I got info about my last chemo the hospital reported that it cost $30,000 when it was $25,000 the previous month. When I called to inquire, they said that the fiscal year started on Oct 1 and that the medicare negotiated rate is less than $5000. That's the crazy math of our American healthcare system. Prices are so inflated - it's hard to know the actual cost of things.

    Best to you. Mary Ann

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