TAC chemotherapy

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BJayeCo
BJayeCo Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone had experience taking adriamycin, cytoxen and taxotere together? This is the treatment my Dr recommends as best for me; I'm 42 yrs w/invasive ductal w/lobular features, 1.6 cm tumor w/2 nodes microscopic affected, estrogen +, progestrone -, her2 -, grade 3, agressive. Would be 6 rounds, 3 weeks apart, no radiation. Had mastectomy w/reconstruction. I've read about this treatment, but would like to hear from someone who has been through it and their experiences. Thanks again, BJaye

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  • AngelBaby
    AngelBaby Member Posts: 47
    #2
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    I went through the same treatments. I had my treatments every two weeks. I'm 39 and had invasive ductal carcinoma but my lymph nodes were not affected. I had a really hard time with the Taxotere. It turned out that I had a sensitivity to it so I had a lot of problems. Make sure you drink a lot of water so that you can flush your system. That was the best piece of advice I received on this site. It took about two and half weeks before I started losing my hair. Get you a wig ahead of time that way you will be comfortable with it. Losing you hair will be hard but you have to remember that it's helping to get rid of the cancer. Stay positive, focused and PRAY, PRAY and then PRAY again. My prayers are with you. Karen
  • BJayeCo
    BJayeCo Member Posts: 13
    #3
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    AngelBaby said:

    I went through the same treatments. I had my treatments every two weeks. I'm 39 and had invasive ductal carcinoma but my lymph nodes were not affected. I had a really hard time with the Taxotere. It turned out that I had a sensitivity to it so I had a lot of problems. Make sure you drink a lot of water so that you can flush your system. That was the best piece of advice I received on this site. It took about two and half weeks before I started losing my hair. Get you a wig ahead of time that way you will be comfortable with it. Losing you hair will be hard but you have to remember that it's helping to get rid of the cancer. Stay positive, focused and PRAY, PRAY and then PRAY again. My prayers are with you. Karen

    Thanks Karen for your answer;very helpful;so uncertain what to expect w/this chemo stuff;Dr. has given me rx for steroid to help w/taxotere reaction, hope that helps. Will let you know how it goes. BJaye
  • Mich1417
    Mich1417 Member Posts: 37 Member
    #4
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    I'm on the same exact stuff right now. I also have 6 cycles total, I've done 2 so far. I'm half-way done next Tuesday! I'm 36, had mastectomy, invasive ductal, 5cm tumor, 3 lymph nodes involved, er/pr+, her2/neu-, grade 3 tumor. I will also have radiation. I have to say, the first cycle went pretty well. I only had some bone pain from the Taxotere on Day 2 night, and day 3. Started feeling better after day 4. The 2nd cycle took about 2 days longer to recover from. The entire week of chemo, food tasted weird(I should say, mouth tasted wierd), didn't want anything at all to eat on day 3. I had heartburn for days 5-8. I was in great physical shape going into my treatments, and still stay active on my 2 weeks off of treatment. I know, for me, this helps tremendously. I really have no problems outside of the week of chemo! I wouldn't say it's been easy, but it's very doable! Good luck, and let us know how it goes for you.
  • jhope
    jhope Member Posts: 58
    #5
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    Hi BJaye, I know it is scary now, but you are young and that will help you get through chemo regimen. I had same drugs, I just finished 12 txs every other week chemo - wierd though they called it "double dense" therapy? I think he said it was a new regimen to try (Jan 2003) for breast cancer. I took 4x adriaycin for 2months, then 4x of taxol, then 4x of cytotoxin. I had to have neulasta shots in stomache the day after chemo as a "standard" for white blood cell count to keep going.

    For me the interrmittant bone pain was hard during taxol (taxotere once because of bone pain with taxol) but definetely do-able. I worked full time through this also. You are stronger than you will ever know. And you will be done before you know it. My CA was 2.2cm medullary cancer (invasive), lympnode positve also, ER negative.... You are going to make it!! And whats more you will be a very strong person because of all this, god bless and I agree with Angelbaby! PRAY and PRAY and you will get peace, Julia

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