Taxotere is to hard!!!

Texas357

Probably it is all from the taxotere, Chiquita. I gained about 10 pounds of water weight overnight, about a week after treatment ended. Just about the time I was rejoicing about finally regaining control over my body! Boy was that a bit premature or what?

chiquita

I think you and me are going to the same SEs...my legs are big and sore and must have a 4 pounds of water in each one...how long will be before all this go way?

Texas357

I have no idea how long it will take. But I guess the only thing we can do is just wait it out. Our bodies will repair themselves in their own time.

crazy4carrots

Taxotere is a BEAST!  But I think you'll find most of the worst symptoms will be gone about 4 weeks after your last tx.  Neuropathy may linger longer, unfortunately, but your hair WILL GROW and your tastebuds WILL RETURN!

(I absolutely hated taxotere).

My best to you all, Linda

shannon56

chiquita and all

Taxotere is a BEAST for some like lindasa, chiquita.  The red flush/rash is an alergic reaction to the Taxotere.  Anyone having rashes should talk to their onco immediately as alergic reactions can be deadly.  Also, compare the side effects between Taxotere and Taxol (I consider this the BEAST).  I take 2 Dexamethason (antihistamine) the night before chemo and 1 the night of chemo but I still get joint pain so I usually carry Ibuprofin with me.  The carboplatinum I get starts a headache within 5 minutes so right now my head is pounding.  The premed anitnausea drug makes me lightheaded for 3 to 5 hours (lot of fun driving home today).  My hair is falling out in clumps today and my scalp is killing me.  If I still have the scalp pain on Monday my first call is to the onco.

If you can't take the taxotere for SE reasons research yourself the other options by looking at medical/physician information and then present your findings to your onco for discussion.  There may be other alternatives out there that he/she hasn't thought of.

Good Luck one and all with these poisons.

dreamwriter

Hi.  Weighing in at the very end here.... I had FEC (6) and they were nothing.  No nausea, a little tired but no big deal.  But then it didnt work so we went to taxotere.  I had 18 infusions.  I was mutating.  My face was red, my nails were dark purple and humped over into bird talons and the spaces between became infected and smelly.  I had no hair and a sore itchy scalp.  I was grey.  I could barely walk.... but it worked.  It took my fast spreading cancer and stopped it until I was called "stable".  It was worth it after all.

crazy4carrots

Dream, that is the very BEST post!  Every beast has its beauty, and you just identified it!

Best, Linda

living4today

Thank you to all how have posted on this Taxotere.  While I am sad that so many of us have s/e's, you are all very encouraging.  I was searching this site tonight to look for some encouragement.  I did A/c x4 and am currently doing weekly Abraxene (have done 4 out of 12).  My journey with chemo has been met with some challenges (5  hospitilizations), allergy to taxol or premeds, don't know which just thankful to be able to try Abraxene.  I have continued to work full time with adjusted hours/days, which has been great, but I am finding that I have to cut out everything else.  It is hard to not be discouraged, especially when everything hurts and you are too tired.  My chemo is on Thursdays, so Saturday and Sunday are crash days. Starting on the advil tonight, to hopefully get ahead of the pain.  Thanks again to everyone who posted. 

chiquita

Living4today...Good luck to you and God Bless you....

Texas357

I've got one infected nail, which is the pits. The good news is that I can actually notice my taste buds returning after nearly 4 weeks.

As much as this journey has been discouraging at times, Living4today is right: we need to keep our eyes on the prize. Health!

GEECH

I am on Abraxane and have the same problems that I had when I was on Taxotere several years ago.I  lost  my hair after 2nd Abraxane, have runny eyes, nose with heavy bloodclots, nails are killing me, mouth sores, nerve pain in legs so ladies I know what your going thru.  I want to ask my onc on Monday if I can stop Abraxane.  I was told it was not as harsh as Taxotere, well I find that hard to believe.  I am doing the tree tea oil and mouthwash which I used the last time.  Oh well I'll see what onc says on Monday.

Take care,

Geecj 

living4today

Geecj,

I understand the nerve pains, last Saturday, mine were so bad, I thought I was going to end up crippled.  Are you on weekly Abraxene?  This week when I saw my onco, she mentioned to try Zyrtec on days 2-5, so I started it yesterday.  I also started the advil 2 tabs every three hours while a wake late yesterday and today.  So far I have had some weakness, numbness  and pain, but is greatly diminished from last week.  The fatigue is a different story, but I keep thinking only  8 more weeks....good look with your talk with your onc.

 Last night,I actually had thoughts about if I could hang on to the end of chemo,  being TN though, I know that the Abraxene really important for me to try and complete. 

Wishing you the best,

Kim

jrgolomb

Well-Thursday the 30th of April was my last taxoterrible!!!!!  My nerve endings are on fire, I have discovered walking helps.  What else can i expect? I mean , this is tx number 3, but wow, I don't remember having the burning sensation like this.  No fever, though and no overt neulasta pain yet---only three days out....

cil326

Shannon

you should try the claritin, one a day for 5 days starting the day of chemo.  It works for me to prevent the body ache.  Dexamethasone is a steroid for preventing any side effects from taxotere, it also causes insomnia.  Ask your oncologist for sleeping pills for the days you are on the steroid.  The scalp pain is also the side of the taxotere, it's a sign that the hair is ready to come off.  Some people experience itchiness, some experience pain.  I shaved my head after round 1 and the discomfort went away.  Hope these info. help you somewhat.

Cil.

chiquita

Congratulations...jrgolomb!!!!!

I was done taxotere 4 weeks ago and so far my legs are retaining water and the joints and muscle are very sore...how long the SEs Will last?

xoxoxox to all!!!!

Texas357

I'm also 4 weeks out from my last treatment, and the sore legs are just now starting to go away. I'm still retaining about 5 pounds of water weight. Guess this is normal, Chiquita.

shannon56

cil326  Thanks so much for the information.  I do take another antihistimene every night for alergies.  I find the best is Tylenol PM (onc recommended) - gets rid of the joint pain and gets me to sleep.  I take a med for depression that keeps me asleep once I am asleep.  I slept well Satruday night and last night but am running a little slower this morning.  Naps seem to do the trick.

hrf

I am having my second round of Taxotere and Cytoxan this Thursday. Thanks for all your posts - how come onc don't tell you all these side effects even when you ask? (that's a rhetorical question) I was concerned about the rash and irritated, dry skin on my neck ... seems that many of you had the same. Did you find anything that helped?

Texas357

My oncologist recommended bag balm for the dry skin, but I'm not sure it really helped. The only thing that really helped was time.

debbie53

Hi

Has anyone had terrible diarrhea as a major side effect.? My first treatment was on Tuesday and starting Friday night and still continuing, I get just terrible pains and diarrhea, especially after trying to eat anything.  The pains last until I have diarrhea, I take some imodium and pain subsides  untile I try to eat again.  The onc says most have constipation, and to not overdo the imodium, but the pain is agonizing.  I have only been eating some plain toast and plain tea, but still an issue.  If anyone has had this issue, how long did it last?  I would sure like to have a few ok days before my next treatment.

Thanks

Debbie 

Texas357

I had constipation and diarrhea throughout the taxotere treatment. I stopped taking over the counter meds as I could never predict which one I'd have (or both). I just learned to never be far from a bathroom, and always have a small pillow to cuddle when the cramps got bad.

Pkwolfie

Anyone get a wicked rash from tax? Not the dexamethasone red flush but a serious rash on the chest and up the face - nothing works to clear it.  My onc isn't convinced it is the tax, felt I could have been allergic to the antibiotic I was on, but I've been off of that for 4 days and the rash is still rough. There is mention of a rash possibility on the taxotere website. I am headed into my last treatment, so I guess I'll just look like a leper until it's all over!

Texas357

Yes, my face was covered by the rash. My skin became so dry! It was awful.

shannon56

debbie53 -- Try eating bananas, oatmeal, and if you're allowed yogurt.  All three are natural methods of combatting diarrhea.  How do I know you ask?  My kids would get terrible diarrhea when they were little and that's what the ped. dr. recommended, and it really did work.

ShondaE

I go between being  constipated and having diarrhea.  It is so annoying but like Texas said I just never go to far away from a bathroom.  My skin is soo dry it is flaking, I sure hope it gets better after I am done with Tx.

I have such horrible headaches and nothing I take seems to touch them.  Thank goodness my last treatment is next Monday.  Hopefully the side efffects will start to subside soon.

kim40

I just finished 3 of FEC and now I move on to 3 x Taxotere.  Thanks for the heads up ladies - I'm not looking forward to this at all but at least now I know!

BrittaA

Hi Chiquita - I'm so sorry to hear about all the side effects you are having with Taxotere - it's a rough treatment. I had skin dryness and my hair thinned significantly when I went through treatments, and my dad suffered both terrible rashes and mouth sores while he was undergoing chemo and radiation. It's hard to find much information to help with these side effects. I started a blog, Cinco Vidas, as a resource for cancer patients, and did a recent post on dealing with rashes during treatment (http://blog.cincovidas.com/tarceva-drug-side-effect-this-rash-is-driving-me-nuts%e2%80%94help) and one on mouth sores (http://blog.cincovidas.com/suffering-from-mouth-fissures-or-canker-sores-try-some-of-our-natural-remedies). As well, I put together a list of common side effects from various chemotherapy drugs that may be helpful for you (http://blog.cincovidas.com/side-effects). Love, strength and survival, Britta

Melissa1971

So glad I found this thread. I, too, am suffering through the SE of taxotere. Going for my second of 4 founds on Thursday. The first one knocked the sh*t out of me. I was not expecting it to be so bad. No nausea like the AC rounds, but the bone pain, sewer mouth, extreme fatigue..the list could go on. I wish none of us had bc and never had to deal w/ all this pain, but it sure is glad to know Iam not going through this alone.

Has anyone else had a lot of mucus and cough? It has been keeping me up at night. I think I have been coughing since I started treatments back in March, but now it seems worse.

Texas357

Melissa, I've developed a dry cough since stopping taxotere. It seems that many of my side effects showed up the week after I finished treatment, and my oncologist said that was because the drug was doing its thing. The cough is still lingering. I'm taking a half dose of Dayquil to keep from hacking.

NanaA

Debbie 53 - I have tuesday taxol treatments and Friday night and Sat same thing happens to me, but buy Sunday it is usually gone and i can eat fine.  I take iron pills to keep up my iron levels because of anemia and usually I would need a stool softener and I have not needed that.  Stools are still pretty loose but not diarea..  Have you tried the banana, rice, etc diet for the diarea.  Those are usual food they reccomend if you are having that kinds of trouble.  Annette