Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

dventi

rickysgirl -- also had issues with taste.. loved "gingins"  - it is a  hard ginger candy.. If you cant get them in the store, you can order thru Amazon.com. Also coconut water worked for me. 

Had 4th out of 6th tx... having minimal SE's (suggestion.. keep moving.. even if it is  for 1/2 hour, I make sure I get at least 1/2 walk or yoga a day)  but finding that with the 4th tx, I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster.. Not taking any meds... so I know it is not that... Anyone experience this?

Think it may be a combination of knowing chemo wil be over soon, but I have still more to do.. RADS, Her2..... For those that were HER2+, did this affect hair loss.. or will hair start to grow back (at some time) after chemo? 

lago

Hair will grow a little slower but it will grow. My hair grows fast so I was faster than some ladies that didn't have Herceptin but still slower than normal.

not

Hi Jink!  I did OK until my 4th round of the same stuff you're on, and then it hit me hard, and I found out many of the ladies at the cancer center ask for "hydration" the day after chemo and it prevents most of the SEs. I drank a lot more water previously, but now it's a chore to drink, no matter what it is. I have no problem eating though. I gained 20 pounds!

Have you tried other anti-nausea meds? I need something better than Zofran and Compazine. I asked for Phenergan and Ativan but my HMO held it up! I'm not nauseaus now, just planning ahead for the next chemo on the 18th. It's odd how I felt fine until 3 days after chemo and then it got worse until I got hydrated. 

I would hope in a few days you should be feeling better and better day by day. 

not

Hi Dventi, We've on the same treatment. I got very physically sick the 4th chemo and that made me very sad and scared for the next two coming up. You're doing good. It sound like you're healthy, with moving and yoga. I'm a couch potato, and eat junk, so I need to fix that asap! Rollercoaster sounds like it's messing with your hormones. DHEA worked for me when I was PMSing, but on chemo-I don't know. There's got to be some way to regulate hormones naturally.  Gina

dventi

not/Gina :  I mentioned to the Onc that on the 4th tx I was more fatigued-  ..For the 5th tx, he is cutting back on the steroids...to avoid the crash from the steroid high.. 

Looks like you dont have to do RADS.. Lucky you!  I had a lumpectomy...so now my next step after chemo is consults with RO's.... Also see that you tried natural -- Interesting...I also see an acupuncturist that I believe is helping me with SE's.

not

Dventi.... I'm supposed to do rads on a lymph node. They said the second node that showed up on the PET/CT is a new cancer, and instead of cutting it out, do chemo then rads, but I don't want to do rads. We'll see what the scan says after this chemos over. 

I have mixed feelings about accupuncture. A Chinese doctor here made my period come back (for a week) after 2 years of menopause, and it's not covered by my insurance, but if it was I'd probably do it again. That's neat that it's helping you with less SEs. 

I'm talking to the onc Tuesday and I'll ask him about lowering meds.  

Thanks for responding. Stay well. 

ashla

Dventi,



About that emotional roller coaster.....What's surprising is that you didn't climb onboard that roller coaster till your 4th chemo!

i'm nearly a year from DX and have lived the past few months in a really , really happy to be alive , grateful joy OR on the verge of tears. The middle ground is only just starting to become apparent recently.

I don't believe there are many of us who have not suffered severely from the undulating psychological effects of DX and treatment.
Good luck!

lago

I think I'm one of the few that didn't have too many mood swings after surgery. I feel for many of you part of the issue could hormones/chemopause. For some it could be the combination. For some reason I  had no mood swings with chemopause.

dventi

not:  Good Luck to you to - and see you back here soon - Curious to see what your MO says. Enjoy the day.

ashla:  Thanks so much for the sanity check... thought it was just me....that is great news - 1yr out from DX !!

Going for my morning walk..with my music to enjoy the day.

PS. I see that are Her2+ -  Did Her2 delay the growth of your hair? Were the SE's from Her2 infusions doable? 

Enjoy your day.!

lago

dventi if you are talking about Herceptin the answers are yes my hair grew a little slower but since I didn't notice till after I stopped… because then my hair  grew like weeds. I always had fast growing hair. Most people have no SE with Herceptin only. I was a little stiff from it but again didn't notice till after I stopped because I was stiff on chemo… and it got better once off chemo. Granted I'm no stiff from anastrozole but not too bad.

ashla

Dventi....

Oh boy,

the hair issue. My hair, my eyelashes and brows.... I had final chemo feb 21 and have barely 2 inches of hair for which I am very, very grateful! I started the major loss of my hair a little late....about 6 weeks post first chemo and lost what was left and my lashes and brow s in the month PFC. The growth is definitely slower than prior to chemo. Two more herceptin .....4 weeks and I'll let you know. IMHO..Herceptin or the lingering effects of chemo have definitely slowed growth.

Music and exercise...go for it!

dventi

ashla and lago - Thanks for info re hair loss - What products did you use as replacements for brow and eyelash loss, if any?

lago

Anastasia brow duo powder. Still use it. You can even buy a kit that has stencils if you need them. I always wore eyeliner and have big eyes so the thinning of eyelashes wasn't a bit deal for me.

Love74

Dventi...I had my brows tattood when I started treatment. Expensive but awesome. My brows are pretty thin from treatment but you cant tell.

LoriBach

Okay, taste changes have set in.  This morning, I noticed my coffee tasted terrible.  Then I switched to vitamin water...fruit punch which tasted very good yesterday, does not taste good today.  I cannot get that bad taste out of my mouth.  Lemon drops offer short term reprives as did a popsicle.  The FIGI water that had served me so well, is not serving me so well anymore.  Any tips on what to eat, keeping in mind a still tempermental stomach?

It  seems to me that just when you think you have you SEs under control, new ones continue to show up.

rickysgirl

LoriBach, I hear ya with the taste changes.    After my first chemo (Aug 9th), coffee was terrible.  Haven't had a good cup until just a few days ago.  I also have the perpetual bad taste in my mouth.  No matter how much I brush, rinse or floss, it just doesn't seem to go away.  For some reason, I have been subsisting on chocolate milk.  I am NOT a chocolate milk drinker.  I have a glass of regular milk every night before bed, but that came to a screeching halt after the first chemo.  Now, its' choco milk, and............it has to be Bordens.   I drank up what I had and my boyfriend went to get me some more.  All he could find at the store was Nestle's, and it tasted awful.  So, Bordens or nothing.  I'm also drinking a lot of Mr. Pibb.  It tastes good, but other than that, nada.  It's all very strange.  I went out, for the first time in 10 days, this morning because I have been craving apple fritters from our local donut shop.  You have to get there early, or they'll be gone.  I got there at 7:30 and bought 4.  Usually, or at least before all of this, I would buy 2-one for the truck ride home and one for later.  Here I sit with 4 fritters and not one has passed my lips.  Don't relly even want one at all.  I have yet to taste of food item that is palatable.  I tried chicken noodle soup with no luck.  Yogurt, which was good last time, is not working.  Oh, I did have some success with Malt-O-Meal.  Don't know if any of this will help.  Just hang in there, sample, try things you wouldn't ordinarily have, and see what works.  I'm rootin' for ya !!!

Msbelle

This is a crazy suggestion but it worked for several of us on another thread. McDonalds fish sandwich. I had never had one before and don't think I will ever want one again but during tx it was so good. I had trouble eating and drinking as well. Can't remember who originally suggested it but I thank them again!!

LoriBach

All are good suggestions...I just had a stouffers spagetti and meatballs...it was not too bad.  I am sitting here waiting for the ramifications to my stomach and of course the bad taste in my mouth is still there.  I have tried gum...not so much.  Chedder Cheese slices not so bad.  I thought I experienced this already, but I was wrong.  I am going to miss my coffee.  It is the best part of my morning... :-(

linnyhopp

Msbelle ~ I second the McD's fish sandwich.  For some reason they worked during chemo for me.  I had a terrible metallic taste in my mouth for the whole 6 TCH treatments and for some reason the fish sandwiches were doable, as was a burger (5 Guys or In N Out) with pickles.  I am sure it has a lot to do with sour tasting better because I ate lots of lemon drops and drank regular Squirt.  I know it wasn't very healthy, but it was better than not eating at all.  Good luck to all of you and Loribach ~ I missed my coffee, too!  Wishing you all good luck in finding something that tastes good and agrees with you.  Linda

rickysgirl

LoriBach, I failed at cheese as well.  I thought a nice, hot, grilled cheese sandwich would be so good.  I was so famished I made two, got my plate ready, got to my chair, got covered up and comfy,  took a bite and almost gagged.  Not thinking, I made something else of which I can't remember at this time, and put cheese in that, as well.  ALL I could taste was the horrible cheese.  Had to let it go.  I did have great success with beans from Taco Bell.  A nice girl up there sold me 2 quarts of the plain refried beans, and they were really good.  Yogurt has served me well, too.  I put some grape nuts of cheerios in it to give it some texture and that was good.  Good luck !!

mt4ever

LoriBach I could drink chocolate milk like Rickysgirl but plain milk did not taste so good.  I think alot of us on here liked bland food (eggs, I really did good with boiled, macaroni noodles, etc.).  I was in the same boat as you finding something to drink.  Everyone says drink water, water, water but it had the most horrible taste to me, even the flavored waters so that was hard.  I did have good luck with I think it was green apple or sour apple gatorade.  I am so sorry you are having to go through this!  I am almost 2 months PFC and thank goodness my taste has come back in time for Pumpkin Spice latte from Starbucks!! 

Moonflwr912

Sorry you are having such a rough time. I found the white foods tasted ok, not great, but I could eat them. Mashed potatos, baked potato, noodles,yogurt,rice, bananas, room temp cheese, again, the white ones, swiss white cheddar. I am a diabetic and all of these are pretty bad, but I ate so little of them no problem.also, things like worchestershire sauce and other salty flavorings were ok. Oh, and by the time ketchup and tomato stuff tasted good again, it was right before my next tx.

sewingnut

Everyone that is starting.....PLEASE make sure you hydrate fully. You need to get those chemicals out as soon as possible. I slacked off at tx#4 and ended up with taxotears. I really believe had I kept up with all the hydration it wouldnt have happeneded. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it

AmyIsStrong

TWO quarts of refried beans? Rickysgirl, I'm glad I'm not at your house!  

 I didn't have taste changes, but I read that eating with plastic utensils can help. Not sure if that was mentioned yet.

The only stuff I could stomach was the white stuff- plain noodles, mashed potatoes, white bread. All stuff I NEVER normally eat. But it was bland and gentle on the tummy somehow.

Good luck to all. I had broccoli rabe with TONS of garlic and parmesan for dinner tonight. You WILL get through this and be back to eating the things you enjoy.  This is TEMPORARY - KEEP telling yourself that.

Love to all! Keep pressing on.

Amy 

SpecialK

OMG refried beans would have killed me during chemo - I had 10 days of the Big D following each tx, lol!  Waayyy too much fiber for me!  I also did well with bland, particularly potatoes.  This is a horrible admission but we all do what we can during treatment - mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese bacon and sour cream.  Kind of like a loaded baked potato but with mashed instead.  I also had soup in a bread bowl from Panera.

cgesq

Just had this regimen for the first time today.  Was at the infusion center for 8.5 hrs!!!

I'm glad they did everything slowly, because I tend to react to strange things.  Thankfully, no reactions at all, and at least for now, I feel really good (must be the steriods!!)  I did ice my finger and toe nails during the taxotere portion of the infusion. The nurses said they didn't really do that, but they were helpful with ice.  I brought everything else I needed, and a friend fed me ice chips I made out of frozen blue gatorade when my hands were immersed in the ice mittens I created.  If anyone is interested, I posted my methodology in the is anybody icing their nails thread.

SpecialK, I printed and copied the article you sent me and gave it to the nurse I was working with.  She was very interested in it. 

When do the bad taste side effects kick in?  My dinner tonight was fine.

Tomorrow, I go for my neulasta shot.  I plan on taking claritin before I go, and then everyday for a week.  Can't hurt. 

Thanks to all those who have gone before me on this journey and post all their helpful tips!

Cheryl 

lago

sewingnut I had no problem hydrating and actually still do. I still got taxoteres.

cqesq my taste changes were so subtle at first I didn't realize I had them. Once I did notice (about 3rd tx) I still ate everything but nuts and peppery things tasted bitter. I do think sucking on ice chipes might be why it wasn't so bad for me but who knows. Not everyone gets taste changes.

Plastic utensils help if you have metallic taste.

ashla

More good news on the BC front especially for us Her2 pos girls.

Looks like there is a new test that can accurately predict whether Herceptin will work for us! It tests tumor response and can be done prior to treatment. It's a small study though.

I've posted this several times but I repeat..I have a dear female friend who is a world renowned researcher and professor . Her life time of research was in the field of hormones with an emphasis on female fertility. She is also a 12year breast cancer survivor. She said if you had to have cancer..right now the best cancer to have is breast cancer. There is enormous progress being made and it seems that the science  with regard to HER 2 is leading the way. Let's try to remember that every day.

"

20/20 GeneSystems, Inc. (www.2020gene.com) will present results this week at the Breast Cancer Symposium 2012 (San Francisco) of a 45 patient study showing the usefulness of its PredicTOR ™ test in predicting response of breast tumors to the drug Herceptin®. That drug blocks the HER2 pathway which is activated in many breast tumors. However, about half of breast tumors treated with Herceptin® do not respond to that drug, often because a second cancer causing pathway, mTOR, is also active. 20/20's PredicTOR™ test measures key proteins in the mTOR pathway in order to suggest that tumors may also benefit from treatment with a drug that targets that pathway.

Using tumors surgically removed prior to Herceptin® therapy, the 20/20 test correctly classified 28 of 32 tumors that ultimately responded to the drug and 10 of 13 tumors that failed to respond. The company plans to further validate the test in the coming months using samples from several hundred patients, and if successful, hopes to make its test available to oncologists by this time next year. Those patients with a positive PredicTOR ™ score would likely be prescribed an mTOR inhibitor in addition to Herceptin®. Currently two drugs that target mTOR are approved in the U.S. with several others in late stage development."

 www.news-medical.net/news/2012..

rickysgirl

Thanks for a great way to start the day !!  Good news is always appreciated and accepted here, as I'm sure it is for all of us, past, present and future.

Moonflwr912

Cq, my taste changes happened the first day of tx 1 . Minor change right after tx, so dinner was fine, breakfast started being sorta off, and by dinner the day after tx, everything was just yucky. not everyone gets it, so just be grateful and enjoy! In other words, nothing is wrong! LOL.