taxotere side effects

SpecialK

PAeagles - don't know if you saw my post to you on the last page - I had swelling both from Taxotere and Decadron - they both cause it.  If you are swelling from the tx and not LE you should see relief within six weeks PFC.  I know that sounds like a long time but it is a gradual reduction in fluid retention.  Congrats on finishing - you may not feel great right away but you will be so happy - look for a great improvement in how you feel at 6-8 weeks.

Melrosemelrose

PAEaglesFan- Water retention in the feet and ankles is a side effect of the Taxotere.  I'm on a blood pressure medication with a diurectic but I noticed that after the 5th and 6th rounds of chemo, I started to retain more fluid and noticed it in my hands and calves.  I noticed that the swelling got better after I got up and moved around in the mornings.  I did let my onco know what was happening and we just monitored the situation.  I saw my onco at 3 weeks PFC and she told me that the situation would improve as I recovered from the chemo.  I have noticed a little weight loss which hopefully is the chemo fluid retention weight.

Hope you can find something that you can drink that tastes okay.  You really need to keep hydrating to help your veins for the next chemo round.  You can try eating watermelon or grapes to get some fluid in you.  I drank a lot of ginger ale to help me get fluids in and also put fresh fruit (orange slices, strawberries)  in my water to help with the taste.

ljhm

My face is so swollen from the dex that I cringe everytime I look in the mirror.  Am going to ask onc tomorrow to reduce it.  Hands and feet aren't swollen but I am on a diuretic.  I too have noticed SE's getting worse as tx goes on, oh boy two more.  Hang in there ladies  we're getting there

PaEaglesFan

Thank you ladies.  I was so certain it was from chemo but my MO made me go see my BS and they are referring me to an LE therapist.  I have even googled it and found women who have started retaining fluids at about the 60 day mark and guess what?  I had my 1st treatment 2 months ago today!!!  

I think I am going to tell them to hold off for a bit because the swelling is all reducing a good bit and I just don't want to go for any unnecessary treatments right now as I am still looking at 6 1/2 weeks of rads after this.  I just need a break.
How come we know more than the drs?  Also, thanks for the heads up that 6-8 weeks I should be feeling more normal.  I was wondering when that would happen and was going to post it on one of the other chemo boards that is further along than I am.  No need to now!

Slamming down some White Cranberry/Strawberry juice and also Hawaiian Punch.  Hey, it's fluid!! lol   

bcbarbie10

PAeagles, are you done? I hope your swelling subsides.

Im going tomorrow.

Good luck and minimal se's for all of us.

bcbarbie10

Hello not, i have brought out the topic of possible iv hydration with my hubby last night as im due for taxotere tomorrow. DH is an anesthesiologist, and i asked him if maybe he can plug in at least a bottle on me on thursday, at home. The idea didnt sell much with him as he pointed out that i might be flushing the chemo way too fast for my own good. He said just to hydrate orally as best as i could. Made sense, just chiming in his two-cents worth. Love!

stagefree

2 liters of water per day every day, not just before & after chemo, was advised by my onc right at the start. I will be having the last of the 8 infusions soon, and have had no problems with hydration so far. My nails are still doing OK. I take Zofran the first 4-5 days only, but the fatigue continues till half of the second week. Have been hit hard by the Taxotere truck, but still so thankful that it is my hero kickin' some serious cancer butt so far. Hair? OK, I did shave my head on the day of the first infusion, having been informed I would lose it anyway, but in fact never became totally bald. Mostly the top and the neck shedded, but I hate seeing hair everywhere, so I kept shaving till now. Ironically, I was never lucky enough to quit shaving my legs eyelashes quit after the 4th infusion, though still had a couple of eyebrows by the fifth, which have already started filling back nicely again. My face swelled a bit too, but told by onc it is only temporary, that I should not worry. Was warned about nutrition at the beginning, no salt=less swelling, so I quit salt, sugar, chocolate, white flour & products right at the start. I only have been consuming lamb & turkey & fish as meat, no tea or coffee in any form, but water, water & more water.. 

My bloodwork have been amazing so far shocking my oncs since I am on 120 mg, thanks to mom being my chef and diet planner. Lots of veggies & red fruit (helping swollen mouth amazingly!) in every form, cooking stuff with just a drop of olive oil, no salt (yet with the right herbs still tasty), homemade yoghurt with nigella seeds added (advised by onc), etc. And I have done my part of forcing myself to eat & drink everything offerred no matter how appetiteless I was..

Worst SE has been imsonia, not because of Tax alone of course..steroids & antinausia drugs helping it. Take 1mg Xanax the first week & 0.5 mg of it each night for the rest of each cycle for some sleep. Tingling of the hands & feet in the first week, which is not too bothering, but have to watch out and take medicine on the first night of infusion against constipation. Flu-like symptoms keep me most of the day on the couch the first week, during which I can neither read nor watch & listen to anything but just rest in silence. Have bone mets, so have achy bones already but, the first week is worse. Am on Tramadol for that. 

Ebru 

ljhm

Taxotere torture # 5 today, wish me luck!

laura_g

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a few weeks. So much good info on this thread! Aside from slight nausea and fatigue after my first t/c treatment last week I've been side effect free. Until yesterday anyway. Then my feet started going numb. Woke up today with a mouth full of white fuzz despite my constant brushing. Had to leave work early today I was so tired. My period is due tomorrow and it's wiping me out.



I really thought I was going to have clear skies and smooth sailing ahead. I'm bummed that's not the case. But, also grateful for all of the tips on this thread. I'm going to put them to the test. Thanks for being here and sharing your wisdom!

Momine

laura, the fuzz is thrush. I kept mine down and under control by taking probiotics (acidophilus) AM and PM all the way through chemo.

bcbarbie10

Hello, laura, sad to see this is your second time with the big C. Just stick around, though, there is a world of wisdom and concern here we wouldnt get anywhere else.



Taxotere #3 for me just done. Ljhm, we'll finish at the same time since i will have 4 and you 6. I counted it down already, barring severe complications, we'd be having our last on September 26! That's not too long to wait is it? We just have to endure this coming week, and the week after the 26th. Do you still have anything coming up after this? Mine's still herceptin till july 2013. But that's not so bad as long as my heart behaves.🙏



I wonder how PAeagles' coming along.



I am now on the steroid high. The honeymoon before the crash!

PaEaglesFan

Let me tell you what a great feeling it is to have chemo behind me and I hope you all join me soon!  I don't know if it was the fact I only managed to grab about 2 hours of sleep the night before or just the relief of knowing that it's over, but we got home around 7ish and I was checking messages on my phone and the next thing I remember, it was 4 am and I had to make a mad dash to the potty.  
I expected to wake up with a full head of hair and zero SE's this morning, so I was a little disappointed to see the hair fairy passed me by and most of the normal SE's are making their appearance.  Ah well, this too shall pass and my body will only continue to heal now.  I have called my RO to let them know they can begin with whatever needs done to get Rads started in a month.  Other than that, I am seeing a therapist for possible LE on the 24th.  My MO feels it is better safe than sorry if we are catching it in the early stages.
For everyone in the BGC this week, I hope your SE's are minimal and your days are sunny and bright.  It DOES really come to an end!!

stagefree

Laura, I too had HL in 1992. I sadly welcome you to the BCO boards..hope you are cured for good soon.

laura_g

Thank you stagefree. I was fortunate in that I did not receive radiation when I was treated for hl. My breast cancer is not considered secondary. You are too young to be going through so much!



My period came a day early and I'm feeling better already. A peroxide, saltwater wash is helping with the thrush. I may sock up on acidophilus though, Momine. Thanks for the tip!

ljhm

okay Barbie it's you and me.  By the way caphosol for the mouth ulcers is sold in B.C. and they gave me a bunch of free product.  Call them and see what they will do for you, they have a website.  The company is suprema.  This stuff really works!

Hikergal

Hi ladies,

2 weeks out from last tx and finally feeling better.  That last one hit me like a load of bricks.  Treated myself to a pedicure and manicure today and am happy to say that I did not have any nail or toes/finger issues from chemo.  I used icing during each treatment. I used a nail hardener too which I think has helped.

The chemobrain has been pretty bad though.  My MO says it will go away but will take time.  There are times when I feel confused and so forgetful, I hope it gets better!

I too have the puffy face and am glad to hear that it does go away.  It is depressing to look in the mirror......seems like I look so different after the bil mast and reconstruction, not to mention the gray stubble and puffy face.  But the way I see it, I am kicking cancer's butt!

bcbarbie10

Yay!!! PAegles and hikergal!!!! How inspiring!!!



Yes, ljhm, we can do this, too!



Hikergal, are you not on herceptin?

PaEaglesFan

If any of you ladies have irritated eyes from the Taxo-tears, I found that cleaning my eyelids with OcuSoft eyelid cleanser really help soothe them.  A few weeks ago I had a small stye under one of my eyes and used the OcuSoft to help keep it clean and really liked how nice and cool it felt when I used it.  

4 days PFC and I am TIRED today, but I still managed to make it to work.  Will probably be heading home for a long weekend's nap around lunchtime tho. Just some mild nausea and my appetite has really taken a big hit over the last week or so and even drinking anything holds little appeal.  It's like I have this big lump to swallow around.  It can only get better now, right?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

not

Hi Ebru... You sound so well prepared. What do you take to prevent constipation? DO you get diarrhea after that? I get constipation and then diarrhea without taking anything for it, but I have a colostomy so it's different and maybe easier as I don't have to jump up all the time, but it's still painful and messy.

I hated the feeling 3 days after chemo #4 where I couldn't move, talk, or do anything at all! WTF is that? What do you do, and for how long? Does it help to have someone there? That was scary. It felt like sea sickness on steroids. My brain would bang around in my head if I tried to think, move or talk. Then I started getting chills and sweating at the same time. No one was home. I freaked out and called 911. They were very understanding and didn't talk too much. I had taken zofran and compazine with no help. They gave me zofran sublingual. 

I got hydration and zofran IV at the hospital and after a few hours I felt better. What a glorious feeling. It was a full moon and there were 3 crazy people who were very entertaining and lots of sick chidren. It was wonderful to feel better and go home. I don't want to do that again! 

not

My daughter bought motion sickness pills OTC to see if that may help. It didn't that night, but next time I'm taking it regularly the second day after chemo. Has anyone tried that? 

When you're that sick and can't move, think clearly, or talk, what do YOU do? I get nauseous but don't vomit. I'm thinking of taking an ambien and sleeping all day and then another to sleep all night! 

I really don't want to go through that bad trip again. 

PaEaglesFan

not Didn't your MO prescribe any anti-nausea meds for you?  I have Compazine pills to take at home and they also pre-treated me with IV meds each time I had my chemo.  You shouldn't have to feel like that... call them!

ljhm

Not

Wow you are having a time.  Side effects are gruesome on taxol but can be managed.  I take percocet if the pain gets bad or if I am totally in a daze, it just passes the time but it makes it more pleasant and easier to sleep.  Tylenol #'3's are prescribed also and they are a milder version.  You need something to make you relax and deal with any side effects.  I am agree with PA you need a discussion with your nurses to straighten out your meds.  I find these SE's last 10 days every time and I am on # 5 so its too long not to have them managed.  Try and drink lots of fluids and nap if you can.   Take care.

not

Thanks you guys. You're right. I made an appointment with the onc. I'm not sure if this is normal and I have to deal with it, or the meds are too high, or I need more SE meds, or chill pills, or what, but I don't want to be in that space ever again!

not

Ebru... You said...  "Flu-like symptoms keep me most of the day on the couch the first week, during which I can neither read nor watch & listen to anything but just rest in silence."  -Ebru

How long do you feel like this? (how long does it last?)  And is there anything that helps you? What have you tried to make it better? 

Do you get VI hyrdration a day after the chemo? 

Sending you strength and love!

Gina 

stagefree

Hi Gina, I experience the exact SE's you described, sadly and each time, so don't worry it's normal as long as you do not have high fever, just check on that every 4 hours the first couple of days. And cumulatively each time it gets a bit more tiring, but still managable. The first two days of the infusion are OK thanks to the anti-nausia meds & steroids they give- but that comes with a price. From third day till end of day 7, I feel like crap. It starts with chest pain, SOB & severe exhaustion, followed by sore throat, scarring in the mouth & insomnia no matter how tired & ill I feel. And the constipation.. After my my second infusion I forgot to take Magnesie Calcinee (Magnesium Hidroxide) the LOWEST dose against diarrhea, prescribed against constipation, and OMG, I suffered so much. Lesson learned, take the drugs for constipation the night of infusion & the following night, no matter what. After day 7, the appetite slowly returns & I feel a bit more energy just to walk around home. I had diarrhea after the second infusion, but that was associated with the antibiotics. 

Onc explained, due to the battle going on in my body, I HAVE TO help my body collect itself by simply resting. So just count the hours / days to pass to reach week two. Well, medicine for SE's makes it worse for me. I take Zofran & Metpamid the first 4 days, then quit, due to their own package of SE's. Red fruit of all kinds, eating & juicing really helps. Lots of fiber & veggies and almost no meat the first week also helps. And hydration of course. Gallons of water to flush the toxins. IV hydration has some question marks to it - some oncs are against it saying it removes the chemo drugs quicker than it should. So I never received any of that. I have the luxury of someone with me the first week, I cannot even find the energy get myself water, that too is expected. I respect my need to rest and do not question it any longer. I am also on Xanax & Lexapro, which my oncs believe are crucial in my feeling better in therapy & sleep better. Last but the most important point is nutrition. Just eat all colors of veggies & fruit as much as possible to get the vitamins and energy. And plain homemade (preferably) yoghurt with a tea spoon of crushed black cumin (suggested by onc to help the immune system) at least a cup/day. I have needed someone help prepare all that for me so far, I would not consume half as much without help. Believe me I feel like eating & drinking nothing but force myself to it & it works definitely on the bloodwork. Hope you feel better next time.  

Ebru 

bcbarbie10

Not, hang in there. We're all in the EXACT SAME BOAT. It's day 3 after tx for me and im crashing as i write. Slept badly, woke up with cotton mouth, still constipated, hot flashes, muscle aches, chills, everything including the kitchen sink! It must work, with millions of us putting up with it. Just rest and let time heal us. I take Xanax, too.

ljhm

Three days posts for me too and I feel like crap.  Mouth is sore but rinse is helping, no thrush this time, I think yogourt helps to keep it down as bacteria eats yeast.   Achy and sore throat but I expected that.  Gonna be a pain killer reading dazed day.  Naps are on the agenda.  Take care Barbie we only have 1 more to go after his one.

jeanieb2

Hi Ladies - I am new to Taxotere as of Thursday, Sept. 6.  I am taking it along with Xeloda.  I have been on Xeloda for a year, took a 6 week break, we were able to take a trip to Alaska and when we got back I had scans.  Bone scan was stable. The CT scan of the older spots was the same but it showed thickening of the omentum, which was new and my markers had gone up 40 points so we decided now was the time to add this.  I know nothing about it except what was in the print out or what I have read on the internet but to me there is nothing like hearing from people that are actually taking it.  Is anyone taking it along with Xeloda?  I have read the posts but it seems like you all are taking it with something else.  The doctor said I could lose my hair, I saw some of you talking it was about the 14th day or so, was this from the Taxotere or possibly the other drug you may be taking with it.  I am just trying to get prepared.  I have been so tired since I received it on Thursday.  I had to lay down and rest yesterday and today.  I had decadron, 2 anti-nausea meds with it along with my Zometa infusion.  I had a slight reaction to it and they gave me a shot of benadryl so Thursday was really lost by the time I got home.  I woke up today with a red face and neck, no fever and was told to take Benadryl again.  Has anyone had this happen and if so how long did it last, I do not want to take Benadryl all of the time, of course will do whatever is necessary to kick this stuff.  I know this is long but I have lots of questions. What should I expect in the next few days or weeks before I take my next round. I will receive Taxotere every 3 weeks and Xeloda is one week on and one week off, which I will finish up my week tomorrow on that, then have this next week off.  Any input is greatly appreciated.  Thanks to all of you for the help.

not

Wow. Just got the ambulance bill. They did nothing but V/S and drive me 10 miles to the ER, and it was over $2,000! Luckily, I have insurance, but that's way too much for what the EMTs get paid. 

I can't wait to see the ER bill. 

bcbarbie10

Yes, Jeanieb, my face becomes a big round pink blob from day 2 till after about a week post tx. Everything that can turn red turns. Cheeks, lips, even my surgery scars. Though my temp's always normal, i always feel feverish. And around the third day you get the extreme exhaustion. And the taste buds go away, too. My hair stuck except for some bald spots, though i had it shaved after my very first cycle, it grew, and stuck. I have never known extreme exhaustion till taxotere. Stay with it. SE's start to wane after the first week, then you get a semi good week before the next one. It can be done!