Starting chemo

Ajpicard
Ajpicard Member Posts: 9 Member
edited November 2023 in Breast Cancer #1

Hello Everyone,

I have stage 1B breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and I'm starting chemo on Monday. Meds are Cytoxan, Neulasta, and Taxotere. Has anyone had this combo? What was your experience in terms of side effects?

Many thanks!

Comments

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 135 Member
    #2
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327263/starting-chemo

    I have Stage 2B HER2 positive BC. No spread to lymph nodes. I'm currently on Taxotere and Carboplatin cytotoxic chemo and Herceptin and Perjeta targeted drugs for the HER2 protein. A shot of Neulasta is given the day after infusion of the chemo. Because of the neuropathy side effects of Taxotere I use cold mittens and booties to minimize this effect. I had a very hard time tolerating these drugs. I had a very sore throat and mouth, swelling of my throat which made it difficult to drink fluids, and eat food. Plus a cough. It also caused heart burn and acid reflux. I had to force myself to drink fluids and Boost cut with milk, plus Pediolyte to help stay hydrated. They ended up having to provide IV fluids 3 times for dehydration and to flush out the chemo drugs out of my system. My doctor doesn't know why I developed such severe side effects either. They may have to make some adjustments.

    I had diarreah from the Perjeta. Immodium becomes your friend. I also bought large panty liners for small accidents. The Neulasta causes a lot of soreness and pain in your back, hip and leg bones, but they recommend taking Clariton Allergy meds to counter it. I took it for 2 weeks plus Ibuprofen.

    I have no idea on the other drug. I'm supposed to take this cocktail for 6 cycles over 18 weeks followed by surgery.

    Hope you're not on it as long and wish you a better experience than mine. The doctor said most people tolerate this better than I did. My case is a mystery other than I think I'm allergic to something in this toxic cocktail.

  • Ajpicard
    Ajpicard Member Posts: 9 Member
    #3

    Many thanks RocVid for your feedback. For others who want to comment -- I should mention that I have triple negative cancer, which is not good. After 4 rounds of chemo I'll have a 3-4 week break, then radiation 5 days/week for a month.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 135 Member
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1710366#Comment_1710366

    Best of luck. Your regime sounds a little easier than mine. After my 18 weeks of chemo/6 rounds, I'll have surgery. If lumpectomy then radiation. Afterwards I'm on Herceptin and Perjeta for up to 6 more months. Basically a full year of treatment. I hope I didn't scare you because of my severe side effects but I didn't want to sugar coat my experience either in case others also have issues - I'd love to hear from them and see what their doctor said was the cause and how did they fix it.


    Best of Luck

  • Ajpicard
    Ajpicard Member Posts: 9 Member
    #5

    Thanks! I'll let you know how my first round of chemo goes on Monday. BTW -- the info sheet on Neulasta mentioned that some people have a severe allergic reaction. Perhaps that's what happened with you?

  • ad5104
    ad5104 Member Posts: 2 Member
    #6

    Hello - I'm sorry you have a reason to be here but I know that you will find information and support. I had my first (of 4 total) infusion of Taxotere/Cytoxan followed by the on body injector of Neulesta on Wed Nov1 . I had a lumpectomy as well in September for stage 1a HR+ her2 negative with a high Mammaprint score (hence the chemo). I'll have radiation after the chemo is done. The first night I felt really off/beginning to get nauseated so I took a Compezine. I had a headache on and off for a week but today it finally went away. I went back to work a couple days ago for a couple half days but today I worked all day. I've had a few episodes of diarrhea but take Immodium the minute that crops up. There's an undercurrent of just being exhausted...napping doesn't help me. Today has been much better for that though. I would say Sunday and Monday were probably my worst days. My taste is off - things just taste weird.

    The nurses at the oncologists' office advised the following:

    Day after chemo take nausea med as prescribed for the first 2 days whether you need it or not. Then taper off if you are doing OK.

    Drink a ton of water. Drinking is more important than eating if you start to feel bad. Start now and be well hydrated for the first round.

    The day after chemo is when the Neulesta injector goes off (then it beeps when it's done and you just take off the injector and throw it out) and I took Claritin for a few days to help with bone pain. IDK if that worked but I just felt achy in my lower back mainly at night. If they can give you the on body injector it will save you a trip back to the doctor the next day.

    I did cold capping (scalp cooling) and I also iced my feet and hands with frozen bags of peas during the infusion to ward off neuropathy. Time will tell if any of that is helpful.

    Monday I had a follow up for blood work and man they are telling the truth when they say your WBC will plummet but the Neulesta will help get all that back up.

    I wish you the best and I'll be thinking of you Monday and praying for smooth sailing.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 135 Member
    #7
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1710371#Comment_1710371

    I've seen nothing on allergic reactions to Neulasta. Would love to read it. I had severe pain. Some days I could barely walk. The Claritin did seem to help but not until about day 8.

  • Ajpicard
    Ajpicard Member Posts: 9 Member
    #8

    Hello RockVid, This is what I found in the info sheet I was given about Neulasta: In some cases, patients can have an allergic reaction to this medication. Signs of a reaction can include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest pain, rash, flushing or itching or a decrease in blood pressure. Don't know if you experienced any of these symptoms, but thought I'd share. The pain sounds awful -- were you prescribed any pain killers?


    I had my first chemo yesterday and NO SIDE EFFECTS. Today I'm having the Neulasta -- will let you know how it goes.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 135 Member
    #9
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1710499#Comment_1710499

    Thanks. I did find info on Neulasta that says it can cause swelling of the throat and soar throat too. This was the worst side effect because I became dehydrated. That said, because I didn't tolerate all the chemo my Oncologist is dropping the Carboplatin for my current infusion. She wants to see how this works. She also wants to see if the swollen throat returns. Oh joy, a walking experiment.

  • Ajpicard
    Ajpicard Member Posts: 9 Member
    #10

    Hope it works for you! BTW -- if you experience severe pain again you really should insist on a non-opioid prescription pain killer. You shouldn't have to suffer. I'm very sympathetic because I have severe arthritis that makes daily activity difficult. I had to be VERY assertive to get the meds and treatment I needed.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 135 Member
    #11
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1710506#Comment_1710506

    Thanks. They really loaded me up on benadryl in the premed infusion today hoping this cuts off the severe side effects until I take Claritin and start with 1 pill of benadryl. Doctor says use upto 800 mg of ibuprofen if needed. I find it helps but not a magic bullet. I go back on Friday for blood test and IV fluids to help flush out chemo drugs especially if swollen throat returns. May need more of this to also counter dehydration. Stay tuned.

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