Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

dragonfly1

I think this was classic heartburn rather than nausea since I'm still getting good coverage from the Aloxi anti-nausea med (infused) and I also took the Compazine for nausea last night and again today. After that, they told me to take the anti-nausea meds as needed. I'm going to take some over the counter heartburn meds for the next few days and if that doesn't work for week one, I'll ask for something stronger. I have to go in weekly for Herceptin so I have lots of opportunites to ask for better drugs... Thanks everyone-heartburn is no fun

lago

dragonfly I was first taking Prolosec. Prolosuc never worked for me in the past so it was no surprise it didn't work for me on chemo. It does work for most people though.

LisaGH

Had first TCH today. Easier than I feared it would be. Using EMLA cream helps alot. Loved having the port- so many bags of meds- first up herceptin after tylenol pills and IV benadryl. Then Herceptin after those premeds. Then goes anti emetic meds IV aloxi and emend up. Then goes taxotere. I did put glove ice packs on my hand and feet during taxotere- just on nail bed areas. Hope it helps.

Feel a little what is probably heartburn in reading other's posts. And no appetite- no nausea, but don't feel like eating anything. I did drink an ensure lucky me!

On decadron for both taxotere and extra day for nausea. Have been warned will be tougher when steriods are stopped.

 Go back for neulasta shot tomorrow afternoon.  Will take my claritin daily for that- onc office recommended that too- for a week.

Today was better than I thought- six and a half hours at office total (for lab draw; pa visit, chemo).

Wondering what the next few days will bring. Hoping for the best!

Lisa

Bilat MX 1/22/11- IDC 2cm; Stage 1, Sentinle lymph node negative. ER+; PR+; HER2+

SpecialK

Hi Ladies,

Have been watching this for a while and learning a lot from all of you.  I am ready with my frozen peas!  I go for my first TCH tomorrow morning.  I am nervous but anxious to start, so I can finish!  It has been a long road of 5 surgeries since Nov. and some delay beginning chemo due to that.

I had reflux surgery 15 years ago and wondered if you were offered the heartburn meds or had to ask for them.  I am concerned about it because of my comprimised esophogeal situation.  I am physically unable to throw up due to that surgery (but I can dry-heave like a champ!) so I am concerned about adequate anti-nausea meds also.

Kathie

libraylil

Special K   My onco nurse gave me a list of heartburn meds to use and the oncologist told me it was ok to double them.  They were otc such as prilosec, etc.  Make sure your oncologist knows about your concern with nausea.  I only threw up once and that was because I was trying to not take the meds.  The nurse told me to get up in the morning, something on the stomach and take a antinausea pill.  I took Zofran and it worked for me.  Toward the end I would take the Zofran along with a heartburn med BEFORE I needed it.  The nurse told me not to wait until I was sick.  Also found out on this board that ginger chews or candy is good to dissolve for mild nausea.  After you get started you will get a feel for about how long you will need the nausea meds.  I knew by about the 4 th or 5th day I could stop them.  You will do fine! 

lago  was the dr able to help your nail?  It looked so painful.  

libray lil

lago

Special K I was instructed to take Prilosec from the start but it didn't work for me. Yes I have had acid reflux in the past. I was on protonix and carafate. I would let your onc know upfront about your issue so s/he can prescribe something up front. I never did have nausea but that's not typical so I would have that addressed before it happens too.

libraylil the nail started to drain so it's only a little swollen now, pink instead of red and the blood is all gone. Still hurts but not even 1/2 as painful. Typing is fine although signing my name is still a little challenging. Thanks for asking.

IowaSue45

I didn't have nausea, just horrible heartburn, I took prilosec starting chemo day it worked wonderful.

dragonfly1

Lisa: So glad to hear that you are off to a good start as well! We are only one day apart in our schedule. I had my neulasta shot today and I'm taking the claritan as well to minimize the bone pain as much as possible. I'm still taking the Compazine just to avoid nausea and I feel pretty good-just a bit of a "gnawing/hunger-like" feeling in my stomach but nothing intolerable. I'm able to eat normally so far and I'm still wondering what's in store when the steroids end after tonight...Interesting but I've been able to sleep in spite of the Decadron (I've taken Prednisone in the past and it usually sends me into orbit with energy!) Drinking LOTS of water to stay hydrated as recommended by everyone on this site.

The onc nurse is telling me that the heartburn is primarily related to the Decadron (infusion and pills)-don't know if that's the case or not...

Don't know what I would do without all my friends on BCO-you're always right there when I need you-thanks so much!!!

Omaz

dragonfly - I am glad things are going smoothly.  I also took tylenol starting the day after the neulasta shot because I had some discomfort in my hips and back.  I learned to just take  a low dose every 4 hours for several days and that helped to avoid the discomfort. 

motherofpatient

Anyone have unexplained low blood pressure? My daughter had TCH 9 days ago and then H 2 days ago. She has not taken any meds in several days except Musinex once today.

Anniemomofthree

Is she dehydrated?  I hit the wall on day 12 of my first TCH.  BP was 85/55 (normal is about 105/70).  I needed fluids and a new anti-nausea.  The nurse and NP explained to me that it was not the TCH but the dehydration.  

motherofpatient

She was drinking enough on Tues, but may have let it slide today. She works at home and sometimes gets too involved. I had her call the doc and they said exactly what you said about the dehydration. Thanks. Good to know we nervous nellie mothers get professional advice on this site.

spitnspunk

Hi, mine normally ran really high so I didn't have the low BP problem, but, I did get severly dehydrated a time or two (even though drinking a lot) and when I was I felt like real crap, more so then the usual chemo crap that is, so just make sure she pays attention to how she feels and doesn't overdo things with working from the house...I worked from home for over 3 years awhile back and I know it can easilty get to be a 24/7 thing if one lets it.

LisaGH

Hi all,

Dragonfly we are within a day of each other! I got neulasta this afternoon. I just feel really tired. Sore stomach like you feel like right before or after a bad gi bug- tender.

No nausea yet. Think I might take a phenergan tonight or in the am- maybe in case. I worry if it starts will be hard to get reined in.

No appetite whatsoever. Am eating & drinking some by sheer determination! I feel like if I could get in a comfortable position (still not easy w/ bil mx and the port) I might sleep for 12 hours or so!!!

We are warriors.

Love to all,

Pink Flamingo Warrior aka Lisa

Pollyagain

     OK  I'm in.  Had an appt with my oncologist today, and first of 6 chemo treatments.  He had called in three prescriptions which I picked up yesterday.  Compozine, a steroid that I take for two days after treatment and the Lidacane cream to numb the port. 

     Got the results of my CT scan and MUGA scan that I was so worried about.  He said both were perfect.  Blood work was good CBC was fine and he felt I was starting this at a very good place.  I am so relieved.  

     Chemo consisted of four pre meds.  I think one was Steroid?  I haven't stopped talking tonight.  Husband had to finally go to bed.  Emend?  I have no idea how to spell that.  Pepcid, and Allois? Not sure of name.  It's a five day nausea drug.  I have one SE so far tonight.  We went out to eat on the way home and food tastes terrible.  I have been reading about that, but didn't think it would happen so fast. Anyway I had a lot of confidence and knowledge because of the sharing of all you dear women and I think this will be very doable.  It was a good day. 

libraylil

Polly  sounds like you did great!  The talking for me with the steroid was always a source of embarrassment to my grown children.  I'm down to just my tri weekly Herceptin, so I'll spend today drinking water and trying to flush the smell out of my nose.  Experiment with foods and you will find all things don't have the bad taste.  It seems to differ from peep to peep. libraylil

lago  glad your nail is better.  Did the dr have you take antibiotics or did it just begin to "adjust" on its own.  libraylil

lago

No antibiotics because he and I both felt it wasn't infected. I've also been off chemo now for over 4 weeks and my white counts have been fine all the way through. I'm glad he didn't prescribe antibiotics that I didn't need. The 1st dermatologist did, and a double dose too. (My regular dermatologist wasn't on vacation so that's why I had to see him.)

For all you newbies be sure to let your onc know about SE. You may think it's now bit deal but they want to know. Also if you get heartburn do not suffer through this. Let your onc know.

AmyIsStrong

I could not believe how much energy the steroids gave me. I could totally see why athletes take them! I would go for a walk and just HAVE to start running. Or I would want to rearrange the furniture. DH thought i was crazy.  "Didn't you just have chemo yesterday?"  And then about 48 hours later, I could literally feel the steroids wearing off. I called it "Elvis is leaving the building."  And then no more running for the next week, or rearranging the furniture either.  But by the 8th day our or so I'd be more or less normal again.

You know that old saying about pregnancy  - "Three months bleary, three months weary, three months cheery"?  Well I always felt chemo was 'one week bleary, one week weary, one week cheery' and then you got to do it all over again.  But it's only six times and you CAN do it. It sure is no fun, though.

Stay strong. If you are on the east coast, enjoy this beautiful weather. I find it very healing after all the cold we have been through.

Amy

Basia

Any of you finish your herceptin without the port? My onc was fine with me removing the port when my PS goes in for revisions, but now that the PS can't do it and I need to have interventional radiology do it, it has become a problem. The head nurse was questioning me for what seemed like forever as to why I need a script from the onc for IR to remove this damn thing. I just finished chemo 3 weeks ago, had my first herceptin only this week.

Thanks!

Omaz

Basia - why did you want to remove the port?

SpecialK

Hi All,

Could not post yesterday because I had reached my newbie limit because I had posted late at night and had too many in 24 hrs.

1st TCH TX yesterday.  No problems - the anticipation was worse than the event, as usual.  I wore my frozen peas, other people being TX'd thought I was crazy.  They were not even drinking.  Bunch of slackers!  JK! I was there a very long time - 7 hours.  I came home and went for a two mile walk with the dog, ate some soup and salad, and had an uneventful evening.  I have taken the anti-nausea meds on schedule and had no problems - also no heartburn yet.  I had trouble sleeping which surprised me, then again I haven't really slept since September.  I was not prescribed any additional steroids other than what was given prior to infusion.  This morning my face was very red and flushed.  When I went in to get the shot they said it was probably the Decadron so maybe no more steroid is a good thing.  I have also had a mild headache.

I am also starting today to take L Glutamine/L Acetyl Carnitine/B6 to try to ward off neuropathy.  Hope it works, or if I don't get it I will never know but will feel like I did all I could.  Also had my Neulasta shot, took a Claritan and some Tylenol 1 hour before.  It stung a little but no problem.

All in all not so bad - I know that tomorrow and the next couple of days may be a little more problematic.

Have a good rest of the day,

Kathie

Omaz

SpecialK - Sounds good!  I also had steroid red-face every time!  I got my neulasta shot in the tummy, worked well for me.

lago

SpecialK glad things went well. Remember eventhough you can only post 5x for the next 10 days you still have unlimited PMs.

Basia

Omaz, I hate my port! I am very active, used to be heavily into weightlifting and I have 4 year old twins.  Every time I attempt to lift something heavy, the chest muscle pulls on the port and I see stars.  I play with my children and I always get either kicked or elbowed in the port and that hurts a lot! I didn't want the port in the first place, they convinced me that the chemo portion would ruin my veins so I agreed to getting the port but we all agreed once chemo was over, I could have it removed.  And I want it out! In my mind, once the port is out and my implants are swapped out, I will be done and ready to move on with life. As long as I have this in me, I am prevented from moving forward and going back to a lifestyle I am accustomed too, such as working out and playing with my children without fear.

libraylil

SpecialK  The non drinkers will pay.  You did such a good job, one behind you.  Wish I had known about icing the fingers.  Mine are just ugly and growing out, but not too bad.  Sounds like you are doing great.  The decadron will definitely give you the red face and hot flashes.  libraylil

lago

Special K don't make me post picture of my fingers again! They look bad but the discomfort and smell was much worse. You want to do those peas and water. How I wish I know about icing when I went through chemo.

Omaz

Basia - I get it. The herceptin is not like the chemo on your veins. It is a monoclonal antibody which is basically protein as far as I know.  I hope you get the script from your MO to get it removed soon! Good Luck!!!

Omaz

Lago - I wonder how we could get the message out there about icing during taxotere.

stlcardsfan

Icing and Taxotere

I posted it several times as new chemo threads were starting. Even pm'ed a few people. Posted it several times on this thread as well. My place does it automatically for everyone on Taxotere.

All we can do is keep posting it and hope people will do it.

lago

Well I do hate to use scare tactics because as you know nails lifting from the nail beds, oozing and pain that I had is not all that common. I don't want anyone not do chemo because they think this will happen to them. I rather wait till I have an after picture to show it does heal and get better. Granted just the smell of my toe could get anyone to do anything but I'm not in favor of biological weapons.

That said it does seem many folks experience the discoloration and brittle nails. Just that alone would be worth it. Really the treatment centers should be doing this.