Chemotherapy for the holidays, Dec 2009

waterlady

Just wanted to start a thread for everyone doing chemo over the festive season.  I had my first treatment on Friday 18th, Taxotere and Herceptin.  I am stage IV, with mets to the lungs and vertebrae, and a rib.  I would like to discuss treatments, side effects and things we can do to maximize the positive and decrease the negative effects of chemo.

waterlady

I am having a neulasta shot on Monday, and was worried about the bone pain and joint pain that everyone mentions, then I read that taking Claritin (not Claritin D), the day of, and for three days after, greatly diminishes and bone and joint pain.  I am going to try it and post back.

I have found the treatment so far, very easy, it is only day 2 now, and I can't believe I had chemo yesterday, I am feeling pretty good.  No side effects which have not been managed with meds.

Side effects were, extreme fatigue during and after chemo.  Woke up with a night sweat, changed top and realized nausea had woken me up, took an anti-nausea tablet and went back to sleep.  Due to the steroids given the day before, sleep did not come easily, slept for an hour till four am.  Woke up with a sore back (something which has affected me prior to chemo, but is associated with the cancer) and a sore tummy (only slightly) drank some Throat coat tea, took a licorice capsule and went back to sleep.  Today was a pretty good day, feeling pretty good.

LJ13-2

I was diagnosed in late 2007 and had my first chemo right after Christmas of that year. It was not so joyful a year for me.

Taxotere is similar in side effects to Taxol, which I got with Herceptin. I went for about 6 weeks (weekly) without feeling much of anything side effect-wise. After that, I had some cumulative fatigue (anemia, I think), leg pain, and fluid retention. Watch that Taxotere, it can sneak up on ya. If you exercise, try to keep it going through your course of treatment. It may help with fatigue ... but don't push if you get too tired.

I got Neulasta with my first chemo regimen (AC) but not Taxol. I'm kind of surprised they are giving it to you with Taxotere. I was told that the taxanes do not cause neutropenia. I found the shots uncomfortable (the burning going in), but had infrequent pain from it. Maybe once or twice, a sharp twang in a long bone.

I hope you tolerate the treatments well and that they work well for you. Herceptin with a taxane is a pretty effective combo. 

Take care.