Weekly Taxol group

nonahope

travelhound...Thanks! Mine hit on day 3 (Sunday) and today.

Hope

Taco1946

I found it helpful to make certain that I wasn't constipated going into infusion day or I had terrible cramps by day 2. Probiotics and prunes daily, mirolax as needed, and as a last resort, liquid magnesium citrate. Drink that cold and it goes down a little easier but it always reminded me of a the junk one used to have to drink to check for colon cancer (I'm showing my age here as I now just "poop in a box" as the commercial says).

PauletteK

Taco I’m pretty much at that age. Agreed also good not to be constipated before chemo.

Hi ladies, this is our first thanksgiving holiday after I Dx with BC, many of people are going through chemo on this holiday. Blessed to all and wish all of you well.

nonahope

Again, thanks for all the recommendations regarding constipation. The Dulcolax is helping, as a stool softener. I tend to have diarrhea, so don't want anything strong to bring that on.

I went to look at wigs last night. I found a couple I liked, but she didn't have them in the color I preferred. So, she is ordering a couple more and I will see her again soon. She said it's amazing the number of customers who buy wigs that "don't" have hair loss from cancer. She sold 3 wigs that day to someone who had cancer whose hair has grown back, but she said it's much easier to wear wigs than mess with her hair.

Have a great day!

Hope

PauletteK

Hope,

I like to wear my beanie, I might order couple more wool beanie for winter. I doubt I would get much hair this winter.

nonahope

Paulette....Where do you order your beanies?

Hope

PauletteK

Hope - I ordered from amazon and headcovers.com, they are nice since I have hot flashes on my head I guess I don’t need wool beanies.

nonahope

Thanks, Paulette....

Wishing all who celebrate a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope

PauletteK

Elfmcg

hi everyone, I’ve never posted here, but wondering if during TAxol, anyone had any upper abdominal pain more to the right side, just discomfort, and rib cage pain on both sides sometimes, and back pains? I’m freaking out!

Thanks

VL22

Hi Elfmcg - I just finished week 8 of Taxol. I had that same pain starting week one and it continued for 2 and 3. Week 4 was a lot less, but then it came back worseExactly as you describe and of course my first thought was liver mets. My MO said my liver felt fine, suggested stretching, ibuprofen etc etc. One day it was really bothersome , but also I noticed it was a pain at the center of the ribcage. I googled it and it said it could be heartburn/acid reflux. My husband said it didn’t make sense that it would hurt my ribs, but I started taking Pepcid anyway. It is working fantastic. Still a little discomfort, but nothing like before. Maybe give it a try!

Elfmcg

thanks VL22, I will give it a go, did you have any pain around your back/kidney area at all?

PauletteK

Elfmcg- I think JenRuns had similar rib cage pains, not around kidney. I had mild pains near my appendicitis Area one night I was so worry, pains went away the next day. Also I had UTI scared also.

I have plenty of acid reflex really bad also, that could be one of the caused.

nonahope

elfmcg....I've only had one infulsion of Taxol, so far. Every now and then I will get little "twinges" around my rib cage and back area, along with a little bit of achiness. I take a Tylenol in the morning and before I go to bed at night. This works for me. I just suspect this is a side effect of the chemo treatment.

Hope

Elfmcg

Thanks girls, that all sounds similar, I feel ‘twinges’ as you say, and freak out that it’s my liver or kidney, but I suppose it may just be muscle spasms and I do honestly think there are a lot more side effects and things effect different people differently. I’m just constantly freaked out, and my mind is so aware of every feeling

PauletteK

Elfmcg- we all freak out during chemo because we don’t know what kind of SE would we have. Especially taxol, I found it got so many SE.

CIW

does anyone get headaches from Taxol? I had my first infusion last week and go again today. I’ve had intermittent mild headaches over the last month but I attributed it to getting into a car accident. Anyway, this week I have had a headache all week in my forehead and behind my eyes where it hurts to move my eyes and isn’t as mild. It has even blurred my vision a bit on the left side. I’m just wondering if I should be concerned about this. Any similar experiences? It’s hard not to get concerned about any little symptom.

nonahope

CIW...No headache. Yours sounds more like a sinus issue, but I would check with your doctor when you go today.

Hope

CIW

Thanks, Hope!

I was wondering the same thing. If it’s an issue with my frontal sinuses or something. I know Taxol can majorly dry out the sinuses so perhaps that’s why. Hopefully it’s not a big deal!

VL22

Elf - my pain did extend around to my back and kidney area

Elfmcg

thanks VL22, did you feel sort of sore every now and then on your actualside, right under bottom rib as well?

VL22

Elf - yes. I was really concerned that it was my liver. I was looking at anatomy pictures, looking up liver mets symptoms, driving myself crazy. My husband sat me down and set me straight (kindly). I’m doing a much better job enjoying the moment. Worry does nothing but rob you oftoday.

Elfmcg

that's so true VL22 and so good to hear someone else with similar symptoms. I was freaked out. What did your husband say?

VL22

Elf - he just said that I can’t keep doing this to myself. He knows the stats - my prognosis is good. To waste life and time and beautiful days worrying about something I have absolutely no control over makes no sense. It’s not fair to me, him and definitely not the kids. All of this stinks, but I can’t change it. I refuse to let it alter my life any more than necessary. Obviously this is not always easy, But Ireally do work at it.

Elfmcg

I know you're right VL22, and I'm really trying. I didn't have initial scans as they don't scan here when no nodes are involved, and sometimes I wish I had! Butas you say, I can't just sit here worrying every day...

VL22

Elf - I didn’t have any scans aside from a bone scan, which was due to something on the MRI. Turned out to be nothing. Sometimes I too wished I had scans done and maybe this would be easier? My place will not do scans after treatment either, unless there are “symptoms “

Elfmcg

I do think it might be a bit easier VL22, but you’re right, we have to have trust in the professionals and stay positive

nonahope

Good morning...

As for scans, when I was initially diagnosed in 2010, I had lots of scans prior to going on Cytoxan/Taxotere cocktail, followed by radiation. I never had scans afterward, but saw the onco every 3 months for physical exam and blood work. I asked "why no scans" after treatment. Both my BS and onco said they look for abnormalities in blood work. So, I guess it's not uncommon. Now, that my BC has metastasized, I've had numerous scans throughout treatment.

Hope

frozentoes

The lack of additional scanning for standard of care treatment is one of the primary reasons I chose to get involved with a clinical trial. When I first met with my MO, she told me about a clinical trial that I might qualify for but there was no guarantee that I would be randomized into the medication arm. She also told me that if I was involved, I would get all of the additional monitoring either way.

And like you ladies, I wanted to know about follow ups and scans after treatment ends with the standard of care because it just feels insufficient. I know emotions don’t equate to science and medicine but I think there is a big part to setting people up to be mentally OK with moving on and not always having to worry about every ache and pain. I’m afraid my BC is going to turni me into a hypochondriac.

Mucki1991

I have 4 down and 8 more to go for those of you having random pain I as told it was nerve pain and prescribed gabapentin which works wonders for me with out making me loopy.