Taxotere is to hard!!!

vivo

The last weeks I have started the meaning of the topic. Oh God Taxotere is too hard...

Texas357

Just learned that I need permanent tubes surgically implanted into my tear ducts because taxotere caused them to scar shut. I could scream right now. I am 1/3 of the way through radiation, and I was just feeling like I was getting on top of everything. I know the surgery isn't a huge deal -- it's just ONE MORE THING.

jrgolomb

Well, I think I am losing one of my big toenails.  I wonder, do I need special treatment if underneath the nail bed it is white and gooey? 

Texas357

Mine got white and gooey before the nail came off, but dried quickly once the area got air. I did soak my nails in hydrogen peroxide which helped too.

jrgolomb

Thank you so much Texas357---I was wondering if I should try that.  Someone stepped on my toe on an accident and this is the result--white and gooey. 

chiquita

Vivo, you are almost done with taxotere...to protect your hands ask for the ice gloves and if they are not available ask for ice for your hands.

You should use nail polish to reinforce the nails and if they fall continue with the nail polish to help protect the new nail.

God Bless you and give you your health back...

vivo

So let see what nail polish can do. I bought one that has calcium with 14 euro from pharmacy.

cil326

ladies,

i have a question about nails, i'm 3 weeks post TCH, 2 days ago the tip of my ring finger started to get a bit tender & sore, today it's so puffy and the nail bed areas look blackish purple and really sore.  Have any of you experience this?  I saw my oncologist friday for pre-Herceptin exam, she gave me an antibiotic prescription, and ask me to soak the finger in peroxide.

Cil. 

jrgolomb

Cil---I have a toenail I think is going to fall off.  It is not purplish, but white and gooey.  I soak in peroxide, but don't have an antibiotic.  Shucks, makes me think I should probably talk to my oncologist......Sigh

vivo

Texas why will you have implants in tear ducts? Taxotere has caused me black little things  in sightseeing and now I have wet eyes like allergy. But I had never had allergies in my life. It must be from Taxotere? Did you had any symptoms before the scur shut?

I am very sorry for the surgery that you will have. Have faith and I will keep you in my prayers.

Texas357

Cil, yes my fingernails got so sore that I could barely use my hands. The blackish purple is actually blood pooling beneath the nail. I got that also. Eventually the nails turned white as they lifted from the beds, and so far I've lost 3 entirely. The others are loose.

Vivo, I need the implants because the taxotere caused my tear ducts to scar and close up. My eyes are so watery that I have tears constantly running down my face. At night when I sleep, they seal shut from the tears. The eye doctors have tried twice to poke a hole through the scar tissue (OUCH!!!!) but it hasn't worked.

jrgolomb

I am so sorry Texas.  The pain must be awful.  I will be thinking of you and hope you will have a quick and painless surgery and recovery. 

cil326

Texas357,

did it hurt when the nails fall off?  just wondering.

Cil

dmayes

Hi Genie,

 For your tummy try adding ginger to water to drink - just a few chunks in the bottom of the jar.  Ginger is great for your tummy - might help with the feeling and in the water ensures you are drinking enough - taxotere needs lots of water to flush through your system.

For the nails try Vicks on your fingernails and toenails. If you don't wear polish it helps to keep your nails shiny. Tea Tree oil and Listerine is also recommended for brittle nails. (got this from another forum site - let us know if it helps).

 Good luck and keep asking your onc for help - they have the stuff but cant give it to you if you dont ask!

Texas357

Actually it has been a relief when the nail finally falls off. The pain goes away! I was worried about caring for the bare nail bed, but there's been a very very very thin layer of nail there to replace the one that's gone. It's more an issue of lost dexterity (try replacing batteries with no nails) but otherwise definitely not as bad as I'd imagined. Looks like I'm a chronic nail biter, but I'm not going to make excuses to anyone. Let them judge me! They haven't been through what all of us have been through!

chiquita

Texas 

Great...you lost a nail and now you can treat the new one with some nice care and if you have to take another Taxotere just keep your hands in some ice. You will be fine. God Bless You and your family!

vivo

Texas do you think I might end up with scur shut? I have a little allergie-like symptoms. I mean my eyes are like crying but not all the day. Just few times last week. Docs said it might be from a cream I used. But they don't know these things for sure...Did you had a lot time before symptoms or it came saddenly? Thank youy so much!

Texas357

Vivo, yours does not sound nearly as extreme as mine has been. My eyes water heavily all the time. It came on over a couple of days and it's been like this for nearly six months. The eye doctor opened the tear ducts once, and gave me prescription medications to use the 2nd time I went in to see him. The third time is when I was told I'd need the surgery because of the scars.

From what you describe, you are having a much milder reaction to the taxotere.  

vivo

Texas, you are right. I 'm very sorry for your reaction.I wonder what Taxotere is doing to your tumours. I wish it really kick them...As you describe you had eye problems for a long time and I am sure it will setle down and be fixed with the impacts! Keep us posted. I have you in my mind!

chiquita

Texas and Vivo...I had the same problem for about 3 months and my Doctor gave me a eye drops with antibiotic and after 4 weeks I am ok!!!!!!

cil326

Ladies,

I am 3 weeks out from my last chemo with taxotere, all of my fingernails are lifted, both of my ring fingers are tender and swollen.  I saw my oncologist last Friday for a pre-Herceptin only exam, she gave me a prescription of antibiotics (Keflex/cephalexin).  Over the weekend, my left ring finger gotten a lot worse, blood pooled on both sides and under the nail, the pain was pretty intense.  I made an appointment for tomorrow to see my primary care to have her drain my fingers.  Tonight when I was taking the trash out, I felt a bit wet on my fingertips (heavy trash), both of my fingers were gushing with clear pinkish liquid when pressed.  It's been 3 hours now, once in a while, when I wrap a tissue and press on the fingers, a little of clear liquid would come out, it's getting less and less.  I went online to do some research, couldn't find anything on Yahoo, finally with Google, I found this interesting article, I want to share with you.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2628000

I guess it's a sign that my nails will fall out.  I'm glad that I know what to expect, it takes the fear away.

Cil

jrgolomb

Cil, that is exactly what is happening to me.  I think it was probably a blessing in disguise that someone accidentally stepped on my toe, because it is now gushing either a pink gooey liquid or clear. There is no pain and I think the accident took the place of what the doctor would do.  So far my fingers have just red dots in the middle of the nail.  Does that mean they are all going the route of falling out??? 

vivo

Thanks for sharing Cil. The photos are very helpfull. Sometime it's better to know what to expect.

Texas357

Looks just like my fingernails too --  mine then turned white as they lifted from the nail beds.

GratefulGal

Ladies - I just wanted to share with you so that perhaps you can ask your onc or your nurses about it. One of the ladies in my support group had told me about a vitamin called Biotin for nails, and glutamine for neuropathy for the fingers/toes. I have to say, I started the Biotin right before my first treatment, and although they are weaker than usual, none of my nails lifted or came off. I had a little discoloring on one or two fingernails, but that went away after treatment. Just wanted to share a little hopeful tidbit of experience. Some onc's are strict about not taking vitamins so make sure to ask, but mine let me continue all I was currently taking, and was even an advocate for weekly B12 shots.

LyndaMac

I just joined the group and was so thankful to hear that what I am experiencing is "normal" whatever that is.  I am on the downhill side of treatment.  I have been through 4 AC treatments and on my third of four Taxotere treatments.  Thank you all for posting your comments.  I have been really fatigued and fighting it.  I have learned you have to listen to your body and REST should be prescribed on a daily basis.  By 3:00 in the afternoon, it's nap time and if my house is dusty, it will be there tomorrow.  I have learned that you cannot be superwoman through this whole experience.  I have stayed away from acidic foods such as tomatoes, ketscup, salsa and getting really tired of chicken, pasta and peanut butter.  Any suggestions from anyone?  Thanks for your support

Texas357

Boy Lynda, everyone's taste buds get so different on this stuff. Mine were so funky that nothing tasted good except for oatmeal. I would have eaten it 3 meals a day if my husband had let me. I also did a lot of jello cups which were soothing on my stomach and didn't taste half bad.

chiquita

Hi Lynda, my taste buds still not back after a 2 months since my last quimo, but I can eat most

foods and during my quimo days I survive on bananas, oat meal, mushroom soup, polenta, chicken, crackers, rice pudding, jello, and jello pudding. The taste was not there but is ease to eat if you don't think about that...good luck

Jean09

Hi Ladies,

I have an issue with my employer and need your advice.  When I was diagnosed, I took short term disability (opted for this instead of FMLA so I would still get a check).  Our human resources dept told me that was the way to go instead of FMLA so I would get a check - her opinion.   One week after filing for STD the vice president calls me at home and said my time off would be to long and he was going to fill my position.  When I was ready to go back to work, he said I would not be in my old position and would probably take a salary cut.  I also was informed that STD was for 3 months only (I thought it was for six months, but the policy had changed).  I am now at the three month point and am filing for long term disability.  I should be on LTD for appproximately 3 months more per my oncologist.  Shortly after applying for LTD, I got another call from the vice president stating they changed their disabillity policy, anyone out on disability longer than six months would be terminated (thats short term and long term combined).  LTD benefits would continue but I would have to opt for COBRA if I go over six months.  Is this legal?  Can they just make up new rules in the middle of my benefits??????

Texas357

Jean, that's distressing and doesn't show a lot of compassion or integrity on the part of your company. As far as legality, you may need to consult an attorney. Good luck! You certainly don't need the stress of this right now.