Cytoxan and Taxotere ?

postalchick

Actually glad to find this post. Just heard today I'll be starting TC next Monday. I've read up, and its seems the best choice--strong family history of heart disease on both sides. Ironically that night I start VERY DIFFICULT science and math classes at the local college, in attempt to get into OSU's Radiation Therapist program. I now live in fear of sudden vomiting, and long term "chemo brain!" Anyone had major problems with these?

Postalchick: 43 years old, 2cm HR PR pos, HER2 and node neg, post lumpectomy and OncoDX 22. "Alive and Kicking" (Simple Minds)

shirleyb

I had 4 treatments with T/C. Unfortunately, I had a hard time with it.They gave me too much the first time and had to cut back. I ended up in the hospital after my first treatment because my white counts dropped so low. However, I never threw up through my treatments. I did get bad heart burn the third and fourth day after my treatments, then that went away. I think I had more trouble with the Decadron that you have to take. I also got a rash all over after my second treatment. But I am not sure if that was from the Taxotere or from the Neupogen shot. I am, however, an exception I understand. Most people do not have the reactions I had. I do not do well with medications of any kind. I chose Taxotere instead of A/C because of the dangers of heart damage from the A/C.

postalchick

Shirley, how long ago was your treatment? How soon did you lose your hair, and most importantly for me, did you gain a lot of weight? I hear HORROR stories about weight gain, and I'm already trying to lose the 15 I picked up just from being off work this past couple months!

sdstarfish

Hey, postalchick - I am starting TC on Monday, too! Today I got 3 prescriptions to take beforehand, and tomorrow I get a port put in. (That sounds so gross to me). I am a little freaked out about losing my hair. Bought the wig, though. Let's check back with eachother after Monday.

sdstarfish

Hi, Shirley,
What are the bad side effects of dexadron? I have to take that prior to chemo.

COCO2007

Any experience with nerve damage in the feet with Taxotere? I see a neurologist tomorrow. Thanks!

charkleroad

My Reports:
Took my first round of TC on Thursday 6/14. Was fine for a couple of days. On Sunday, when I was off all meds, I stayed in bed for most of the day. Feeling much better. I had felt dizzy till today. When I was out for a walk with a friend, felt like I was going to fall over.

This evening, I felt lots of pain on my legs, hips. That was a result of the shot I was given the day after the chemo. Took pain med, the pain is gone now.

Hopefully, this is it for this round...

I had stage 2, invasive cancer. One of the 3 nodes has 1mm cancer traces. Wonder if TC is strong enough to get rid of the cancer cells in my body??? Has anyone seen any reserch reports by any chance??? - Christine

shirleyb

My last treatment was two months ago. I lost most of my hair right after my second treatment. I did not gain weight. I lost about eight to ten pounds my first two weeks after treatment then put some back on my third week when I was feeling better. This happened after each treatment. I am still having bone and joint problems and pain. I assume probably from the shots.

shirleyb

Regarding the side effects of Dexadron, it actually makes you feel better in some ways while you are taking it. It keeps you from feeling sick at your stomach and gives you energy, but for me, my face was on fire. I had to keep cold rags on my face almost the entire time to keep from burning up. I also got terrible heartburn and it made my heart race excessively. But, according to my doctor and the nurses, I am unusual. I had many side effects with everything that most people do not have. I am that 1% you read about.

shirleyb

There is research information on Taxotere on this website. That is where I learned about it. Supposedly Taxotere gives you a better percentage of survival than A/C. It also is not supposed to affect your heart like the other and does not make you as sick to your stomach.
I forgot, regarding the Dexadron, it make you very constipated.

sdstarfish

Thanks alot, Shirley.
Lisa

joanne_elizabeth

I am supposed to start either TC or TAC a week from today. I had multifocal with largest 2.1 cm and 1 positive node. From what I am reading they are thinking adiomycin the A in TAC only has an advantage for maybe 8% of those who take it. Seems you younger you are, the more ER-, the greater the benefit from any of this stuff.

joanne_elizabeth

I am now to start TC next Wed as well. I hope some of this stuff does something good for me. Anybody else's doc use that adjuvant online to give them stats? The chemo seems to do so much less for postmeno ER+ women, but I guess a few percentage points is good.

joanne_elizabeth

which day or days are the toughest in terms of fatigue or nausea with TC?
Thanks

charkleroad

Hi Joanne:
For me, it was the day 3, 4, and 5.
My doc did show me the stats from Adjuvant. However, we didn't do a comparison between ER+ and ER-. He did show me the difference between taking tamoxifen or AI. AI seems to be 3% better.

My cancer was invasive. Also did the Onco type DX test, I came out as being in the middle. Guess chemo is a must for me. - Christine

joanne_elizabeth

I had one positive node so I have to do chemo as well and can't get the oncotype test, but the stats don't look great even with the chemo and AI. I thought they would be better. I think it is like 75% are recurrence free and that scares me.

charkleroad

How many nodes did they take out total? I had 3 taken out. At first, we thought they were all negative. But, Sloan - Kettering in NY said they saw cancer trace in one of the 3. They suggested taking more. But, my surgeon didn't think it was neccessary to take out more.... Christine

joanne_elizabeth

I had one positive on a sentinel node biopsy so then they took 15 more out that they said were negative. I have read if the cancer is a micrometastasis, it is considered negative so maybe that is what you had?

charkleroad

My Onco doc called Sloan-Ketting and they told him it was 1mm. He thinks the TC will able to kill the 1mm cancer...

joanne_elizabeth

That sounds reasonable. I hope it kills whatever the heck cancer cells I have wherever! I am starting to count the days til I am hair free, or should I say bald? This is sure not an easy disease to have, but it sure does help to talk to people here. Next Wed is my first TC.

charkleroad

Good luck with your first TC treatment. I was up all night before my first treatment. It turned out pretty non-eventful.. Hope it will be same for you...

joanne_elizabeth

Oh really? You were that nervous? I am already feeling nervous, too, not quite sure why, but it is very, very scary stuff.

charkleroad

The meds they gave me to take the day before also played a part..I think...

joanne_elizabeth

oh the steroids, yes I have heard they make you really hyper. I wonder why you need them?

charkleroad

To be honest with you, Joanne, I dont' really know. Sure there is a reason...

joanne_elizabeth

Are the effects of CT cumulative is the 3rd dose generally harder to handle than the first? I am to get my first Wed and am finding it difficult to not be totally depressed.

lindaDK

I finished 4 T/C in May, 3 weeks apart. I found it to be quite tolerable had very little side effects. My worst days were 7-8 when my WBC would drop, I would feel sluggish and yucky and loose my appetite for a day or so. Once my counts came back up I began to feel fine again, almost felt like my normal self. No chemo brain at all, I work in IT and need my brain, luckily, had no problems!! No nausea what so ever, but took my anti-nausea drugs anyway for the first 4 days just in case. I'm pretrified of throwing up, and thankfully never even got close to that point.

I took short term disability for 4 days after each transfusion then worked full time the rest of the time. Actually I could have worked the entire time but we have short term so I used the days to pamper myself. Figured I deserved it!

You can do it, believe me, if I can, anyone can. T/C is doable and you do come out the other side still in one piece!!

Let me know if I an answer any more questions!

hugs to you all,
Linda

joanne_elizabeth

Thanks for the encouragement. That is good to hear that TC is manageable. I am also in IT and have a tough enough time concentrating lately without chemo brain.
I am a stage II with 1 positive node, macrometastasis. Did anyone else have any true positive nodes?

Joanne

sdstarfish

Hi, Joanne:
No positive nodes but but I am stage 2 also, and starting TOMORROW. I have been kind of useless all day today. Thinking about the bald thing and the side effects thing. It's wierd thinking that my whole life routine will be completely altered after my vist tomorrrow. I'll post about my first experience in the evening if it helps.

joanne_elizabeth

Lisa,
Okay let me know how you do. I am not a happy camper either. The worst part is for ER+ women the chemo has no little impact. It is alot to go thru. My dining room is like a beauty parlor with wigs and headbands and picks. Good luck with it.

Joanne