Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

LisaGH

I tried all of the above (prunes, supplements, milk of mag caplets, dulcolax, fiber, miralax, colace and pericolace- several of each per day). None of that worked for me. I think my antiemetics were the main cause. Of course, I need those too as a I still get queasy even w/ them.

So now, I have worked harder in between the treatments to get control of this- hoping next time it'll be better. Last time the office had me take a bottle of Mg Citrate one week out. That was not a fun few days. Hope to avoid that this time. 

nmoss- I don't have really much of any side effects from Herceptin. I have a port as many do & so thankful for that. I usually end up w/ IV fluids one week post chemo (have for the1st 2 TCH treatments). The port procedure didn't hurt- it was uncomfortable for a few days (not compared to surgery- just sore & I felt it all the time back then). Now I hardly notice it. Put the pre-med cream on the port site b/f each visit & I don't even feel the needle. Such a nice change from the multiple sticks before the port. I am so thankful to have it.

I do feel dry eyed/teary eyed both alot of the time now (seems to be chemo med related from hearing stuff on this board). 

I just feel I am fighting a cold the last few days. Trying to load up on fluids- eat healthy- and rested alot this weekend. 

Not sure if it's a cold or just not back up to full steam since this stuff is all 'cumulative' (that word depresses me....)

Good luck to al this week- this is a great support network. It truly does start getting better at the worst a week out- I know there are some dark days for me too as others. We wil make it through!

Hope you all have a great Monday. Off to sleep and work tomorrow.    

dragonfly1

nmoss Hang in there! We're all helping each other through this one treatment at a time!!! I'm facing TCH #3 on Tuesday and I can't bear the thought of it. I've had terrible side effects for 10 days for #1 and #2 and can't stand the thought of facing it again. By the end of those 10 days I feel emotionally and physically broken and think I'll never get through it but then it finally gets better. It's torture having to do this 6 times. I know what you mean about your DH. Mine listens, worries and tries so hard but it will never be the same as the women here who have actually experienced the darkest moments of this journey and come here with incredibly helpful tips and to remind us that we will manage this somehow.

Sydneybased

I got neutropenic sepsis after my first TCH - unbearable side effects for ten days or so before it became clear that my body had gone into meltdown. I was told for TCH2 onwards that chemo shouldn't be unbearable. I was therefore given a 25% dose reduction. I sailed through TCH 2-6 (relative to TCH 1). If you're having an awlful time on TCH you might want to ask for a dose reduction.

libraylil

Dragonfly the next TCH and you will be 1/2 way. mentally attack each treatment I individually. You are so right...when the side effects taper off it feels so good. I always felt so normal the week before happy hour was due again. When the last one rolls around....you are golden. Tackle this halfway point and kick it's azz. Libraylil

lilylady

Funny how all our bodies are the same but different. I have had D since my treatment but can control it. Being mindful though not to put myself over to the other side. Even though I have had few SEs I am losing weight like crazy-I go Weds for my first H only-I sure don't want them to say NO.

NMoss-maybe this next time won't be as bad. They say it can change from one treatment ot the next. It's late at night when I can't sleep that I keep thinking-"I CAN"T DO THIS" and I know that it isn't an option but I am still so new into this that the "It isn't Fair" and "Why Me" just won't shut themselves down. Kepp reading the boards and look to the ones who have finished. Lago is already getting hair back. Keep thinking about the happy dance that's coming.

Sudzinvermont

I had my port put in on Friday, and start my TCH tomorrow.

Thanks to you ladies I'm well informed. I've been lurking in the shadows here for a wile......reading and learning.

I won't be so covert in the future.

Sue

lago

I'm more than getting my hair back. My hair started to recede a bit 5 years ago… that hair is coming back too! I'm hoping to go topless in 4 weeks.

Oh and my eyesight actually got better. I no longer have astigmatism. I know can purchases over the counter reading glasses. Go figure.

Also the stiffness is 90% better. Probably would be 95% better but it's cold today. I just notice mostly when I wake up now.  Fingernails are growing out too. It's been 10 weeks.

NMoss you can do this… but feel free to bitch and moan. It does suck but not forever.

TonLee

Hi Sue!

Good luck on your TCH...I was a Tuesday partaker as well.  Have Herceptin tomorrow.

SpecialK

nmoss - my BIL is a gastroenterologist and he recommends Miralax for constipation.  I have the opposite problem starting day 2 for the next 9 days so that is all I can offer for advice.  The headache was the worst SE for me on tx#1 but it was really manageable on the second tx.  I hope the same for you.  I think your SE might be attributed more to the Taxotere.  I am hoping that there will be a point in the next few days when you wake up and feel really normal.  That has been my experience - right at a week after tx, same day following week.

Hang in,  Kathie

imatthew

hi all, my wife had a MUGA scan before she started TCHo in Dec., the score was a 53%.  She just had another one between TCH 5 & 6, the results came back at 55%.  From everything I've read the score typically goes down.  Has anyone else seen an increase while on Herceptin?

dragonfly1

Sue Welcome! I have TCH tomorrow as well. It will be #3 for me. LisaGH and SpecialK also have TCH#3 this week so we'll all be going through it with you...Be sure to follow the advice of those who have already finished-drink a LOT of fluids which will ease a multitude of SEs and try to get some level of exercise even if it's only a walk around the block on the tough days. Most of all, come here and vent when you need to

nora_az

I am feeling so "fat" the past few days. Weight has pretty much remained the same but I swear my clothes feel tighter and I just feel "fat"

Finished TC 3/11...going in for Herceptin only on Friday

Omaz

nora - I notice that I have more fat around my middle.  When I have been swimming the last two weekends I notice that I float VERY well now.

Ang7

Me too.  It has been a year.  Kinda depressing...

AmyIsStrong

Matthew...my Onc told me that the MUGA is interpreted subjectively and that the results can vary within five points. So he probably would tell you that the increase is negligible and probably a variant of the reader. And that it didn't actually go up. Thats what he told me when mine went down by five points.

lago

You guys feel fat probably because you are bloated or retaining a little water. I would drop 4-5lbs everytime I went on the steriod then plump back up once I stopped. Just another gift from taxotere. (Not everyone drops with the steriod but I did).

nmoss1000

So now this really is TMI? Has anyone had their monthly during chemo? After going from one extreme to the other and having the big D yesterday. I woke up in the middle of the night with the shooting Nuelasta pain in my head and hips. Nauseous and having started my period!! Should I be concerned. I thought this was going to a non issue once I started TX. I am ER/ PR positive also. I called the onc but he takes forever to respond.

lago

nmoss some people lose it right away and others have a few more cycles. I think it also depends on how close to menopause you were too. I had my period 2 weeks prior to chemo. That was my last (10 weeks since last chemo). I even bought pads just in case I got it during chemo ( don't use tampons on chemo. Infection issues).

But I was perimenopausal anyway. I have 8 years on you… and yes that's a big difference. You may still lose it.

This is not TMI. Sorry you have flow coming from everywhere

lilylady

I get my first H only treatment tomorrow. I am hoping my counts are good enough. I have lost almost 18lbs since DX in Feb. Cooking and eating have always ranked up there as some of my favorite hobbies-seems sad that I have to lose that along with everything else. I don't have nausea really-or even the bad taste in my mouth-it just feels like my throat is full.

  I too have an overshare nmoss-I have full fledged cactus butt. I have been afraid to treat the D too vigorously because I was scared it would throw me over to the other side. Regretting that this morning. 5 straight days of it coming and going. Still would rather have that than the C-at least D doesn't involve drinking all those foul tasting concoctions.

Good luck LisaGH, Dragonfly and Special K on TCH # 3. I will be avidly following your SEs and hoping they are few and mild.

nmoss1000

Ladies, Thank you. The onc wasn't too concerned except "oh you probably get Tamoxifen when chemo is over".. So nonchalantly. I was thinking hysterectomy but apparently these are not even discussed anymore? Heck I can't have any children or a period why keep the equipment?

Lilylady, try to keep your strength up maybe juicing will help? protein shakes?  I had my 2nd H yesterday and the only SE was Headache and D. 

Lago - Thanks staying off the tampons. I really feel like a terrible mess all at once.. The joys of being a women.

nora_az

Good Morning Ladies! 

 I don't know if it's water or not....I am going to keep an eye on it and see if I start gaining now that I am done with the TC part. It seemed I would initially lose quite a bit the first 5 days after receiving TCH and then slowing get to the point where I am at my starting weight and then lose again. Now that I'm going to get Herceptin only on Friday and from here on out, I don't know what my body is going to do. A bit scared at this point because my appetite seems to be getting out of control but still doing ok on weight.....SO FAR!

nmoss  My onc is going to look at my hormone levels on Friday to determine if I will get a hysterectomy and ovaries removed. I am having a hernia repair very soon so if they want to do it, they got one shot at it while I'm already out.

SpecialK

dragonfly - good luck today.  You know LisaGH and I are right behind you.  After this we will be half-way!  Yay! Sort of...  I am keeping all in my thoughts and wishing for the best.

lilylady - thanks for the good wishes, so appreciated.  I am also an avid cook - have spoiled my family for years and now sometimes feel guilty about leaving them to fend for themselves so many times.  They are all OK with it and would be sad that it bothers me, but it is hard to give up your normal, right?

nmoss - I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 10 years ago (for uterine fibroids) so have been surgically menopausal since then and can't speak from experience, but I have read on these boards that many have that first cycle and then it stops.  What I can say is that knowing about the risk I am certainly glad I don't have any of that equipment anymore!  They found an undiscovered  3cm ovarian mass on post-op path that was a pre-malignant type so I was very glad all of it was out.  I was 45 when I had that done.  The menopausal symptoms were difficult for me - hot flashes even on HRT severe enough that other people around me could tell I was having one, up to 25 a day if I tried to go off of it. I found it almost impossible to function without it. Of course now I get to beat myself up for taking HRT and then having strongly ER+ BC.  Its always something, right?  I would talk to your onc or gyn about the hyst/ooph if you are inclined.

Sue - good luck to you too!

sewingnut

All you gals that are H only now, are you getting it weekly or every 3 weeks? I was told after my 6th TCH I could start into the every 3 week H.  I currently have it weekly and wondered how having a triple concentrated dose would work with fluid retention. Halfway done with this journey and looking forward to the H only.

lago

I've alway had herceptin every 3 weeks. Got it every 3 weeks same time as chemo. Now just herceptin

nora_az

Same here.....every three weeks while doing herceptin only

NathanL

My wife is stating tch on friday

NathanL

I should have added to my previous post, that her port which was placed last Wednesday, mar 23, still hurts like the dickens.  Is that typical for port placements to be so painful a week after surgery?

sewingnut

Nathan,  my port hurt for quite a while. I was a little more uncomfortable because when they placed the port they somehow managed to partially collapse my lung. I slept in the recliner for a few days because I couldn't lay flat. I have had mine for 2 months and I still managage to bump it now and then. Those moments are eye openers. It will become less of a presence as she continues on this journey. It gets better.....

Ang7

Nathan~

My port hurt for about 2 weeks before it settled down.

Hugs to your wife...

dragonfly1

nmoss: hope you are feeling better...you're having many of the same issues I had during TCH#1 I had a bad breakout of cystic acne at the beginning which I haven't had since. I also got my period in the third week of TCH#1 and haven't had it again so far. A lot of women in this forum had the same experience of one period before the chemo completely stopped them. I remember thinking, are you kidding me? Really? It's just one more thing you don't need right now...hang in there...

SpecialK, LisaGH, SudzinVermont, NathanL:  looks like we are all getting TCH this week...I had mine this morning and had a terrible migraine during the treatment. Came home, took some migraine medicine and slept for 2 hours. Now I'm bracing myself for the SEs. I'm hoping it will be easier this time but I'm pretty much expecting the 10 days of problems I had during TCH#1 and #2.

My newest thing is the weight gain. The scales show an increase of 9 pounds so far. I had not been tracking it so I just checked for the first time this week and the 9 pounds is the change compared to my weight when I started on 2/15. My appetite has been terrible and I have not been eating more than usual so is this steroid related fluid? I feel bloated in my stomach all the time but I don't see visible fluid retention anywhere else. Just one more frustrating thing...