taxotere side effects

Mely19

Hang in there guys! I'm just 6 weeks out of my last taxotere treatment. 3 nails have fallen out since then. Surprisingly didnt hurt but annoying when trying to pick up or open something. I still have some neuropathy but seems to be diminishing. Lashes and eyebrows are still falling out but starting to grow hair on my head. Oh and I had a really bad hand foot syndrome with the first treatment so they lowered the dose for me so make sure you keep telling the docs and nurses about your side effects because I didn't know that it was unusual to get that on the first treatment.

jeanieb2

My last treatment of Tax was December 20, my hair is coming back, my toenails have not fallen off yet but the big toes are black underneath the nail and they are not growing.  I do not know if they will just fall off when they are ready, has anyone else had this problem.  Also, I will be starting Tax again on April 4, as markers were up yesterday when I went to the doctor but he wanted to give me another month off since it had been so hard on me.  I am going to start Xeloda on Monday 7 days on and 7 off then scans on April 2.  If by chance the scans show things are stable and markers have gone down a bit I will wait but I am planning on starting again on April 4.  I am wondering since I had quite a time with this, will it be worse, better or the same starting it again?  I have kept a journal so I know what to expect from day one until day 21 when it is repeated but was hoping that I would adjust to it and would feel better than the first 6 treatments of it.  The last treatment I ran a low grade temp for 3+ weeks and all of the other times I just ran a low grade temp for several days.  I am really dreading going back on this but it did get my markers down and show shrinkage so will do what I need to do.  Any thoughts from anyone would be very helpful.

Rosie24355

Just jumped in here and read the last page.  I had 4 treatments of taxotere/cytoxin last March-May.  It's doable.  Tears started about the 4th treatment and went on for 6 weeks.  Annoying but they went away.  Had no bottom lashes but 6 top lashes on one eye and 10 lashes on the other eye.  Once the tears stopped I started using Latisse for 6 months.  The lashes aren't yet the same as they were before chemo but they came in very even with no problems.  I have neuropathy in my toes.  It was spreading to my feet and fingers.  My MO told me to try B Complex which I take twice a day now.  I have only a little minor tingling in my toes and everything else is fine.  Lost my 2 big toe nails.  One turned black and when it was about 1/3 grown out it just fell off, no pain.  The other didn't turn black but had a huge ridge across it and it fell off above the ridge when it was half grown out.  The toes only hurt when I was wearing heels.  They are now almost completely back to normal.  My hair always grew slowly and it's now about 3 1/2 long when you pull the curl out to measure.  It's baby soft and it's fun just to rub it.

Hope you all have a SE free weekend!

blondiex46

thanks peeps...it is so helpful.....the neuropathy is getting worse on the hands but not anything in the feet...the eyes are watering still, nose is still running and blood still coming out when I blow my nose which is all the time.....the scans say some are stable but they didn't report on something they were told to pay attention to so I am not sure what to believe.....wish I could read the damn scans....

I was on xeloda for only a couple of months tm went up, although have not been on 2 chemos at the same time....so am still on tax for now...cause tm came down...

BBL  have a good saturday

hope4acure

I was glad to find this forum as I am starting taxotere again on Monday. I have previously been on taxotere back in sept of 09 and it wasn't a pleasent experience then and I am not looking forward to Monday. You ladies have refreshed my memory about all the side effects so I am now prepared. However my Taxotere will be taken in combination with herceptin and perjeta (which is killing me with its side effects). 

Hope you ladies are enjoying your Saturday. 

MsW2012

Hello, hope4acure and welcome! You might already know this, but Herceptin doesn't have any side effects to speak of, not common ones anyway, so there's not much likelihood that will add to your woes. I finished Taxotere-Carboplatin-Herceptin January 21 and continue weekly Herceptin through this October. The only se's I still feel are reduced ability to tolerate exercise, and achey arms and legs upon stretching or exerting. That's all Taxotere-induced low blood counts. But those things are getting better by the week! I am still walking 1/2 to 1 hour a day and my energy is up to maybe 75% of normal. Can't wait to see my latest blood work, the first taken since I finished the chemo. Hopefully those counts are on the rise now.

Good luck. Eat your vegetables!

Elizabeth

hope4acure

I wish i could eat vegetables but they cause me diarrhea(cooked and uncooked). I wish all the drugs could be like herceptin with no SEs. I remember the low blood counts i had to recieve neulasta shots the last time i was on taxotere.

Stormynyte

Stomach cramps! Didn't know about this one til they hit me today. My feet are still killing me tho it does feel a little better than yesterday. My finger tips hurt now too. I only have one treatment left, but I am seriously thinking about not doing it. The second one was worse than the first and the idea that the 3rd will be even harder scares me.  I've done nothing but lay in bed and sleep for 4 days. I can barely walk to the bathroom. I just don't know if one more treatment is worth it.

Traii

Stormynyte, I had thoughts like you to have or not to have!!

 I had 3 tx of taxotere. 2nd one left me not being about to walk properly for 7 days, severe neuropathy.....peeling feet and fingers...I looked like a snake shedding its skin. It was horrible. I just thought I need to do this last one.......SE's severe as they were I did it, and honestly it does get better. I still get a little neuropathy, pins and needles in feet and tingly fingers aches and pains here and there but I look back and think it was worth it. I look back at Taxotere now and although it wasn't a 'pretty' drug it did it's job on the outside and god knows what my insides look like, lol

Good luck with your decision to go ahead or not with the last Taxotere. Let us know how you go. Thinking of you and sending hugs

artpetals

A reduced dose is also an option. My last dose was at 75 percent. I honestly did not consider not taking it but my oncologist reduced it due to my elevated liver enzymes. I had hand-foot syndrome so bad in my feet I could barely walk from my bed to my sofa that first week, I cooked from a chair in my kitchen, and I wore house slippers for a month and used the electric scooters in stores. It was very humbling but I am glad to still be here!

blondiex46

HUGS!!!!

Seagreen

I have had two,rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan with Herceptin. I have had swollen painful hands from about days 3-12. I have also had rashes on my chest and back. My mouth has been pretty awful feeling.I tried ice chips this past treatment and it did help, somewhat. I didn't have Neulasta after the first round and ended up with a WBC of zero. I spent four days in the hospital with neutropenIc fever. After the second time, I had the Neulasta and things went much better.

I teach grade 3 and trying to be a bit more cautious about germs! I have been avoiding some public places, just to be careful.

Good luck to you.

Sickofpink

I am almost 3 weeks out after 6 rounds pf T (with C & H). Fingers numb but nails hurt so much and look hideous  - either black or yellow and humpy  - I almost wish they would come off, but some are oozing. I know eyes will stop watering soon, but how long until eyelashes come back? Legs swollen and achy as well, can't wear regular shoes...

blondiex46

My fingernails hurt also polish on them so don't know how they look, toenails hurt also, hands are starting to hurt....

websister

SickofPink - it took about 10 weeks for me to see eyelashes, once they start coming in it seems to go quickly. I am at 14 weeks PFC now and they are almost the length they were prior to chemo. The eyebrows are taking a little longer but getting there. I lost a toenail about two weeks ago and it looks like I may lose a few more; fingernails are looking better but still have some large whitish areas and lines/bumps on them. My legs improved a lot by about 10 weeks PFC also. My hands haven't stopped hurting - they feel arthritic and still have numbness on ends of fingertips

jeanieb2

I finally had to have my to large toenails removed.  I thought they would fall off on their own.  My last treatment was December 20 and they were black so thought they would come off.  One started oozing and the other was very, very sore, red and swollen so I saw a podiatrist yesterday and he said they were impacted and needed to come off.  He said the new ones were growing under it but he had to remove those also as they were coming in funny due to the old ones and the impaction.  I am glad I went to see him and not wait because I don't know what would have happened if I had, probably more infection. He said it would be about a year before I got them back, but it may be longer.  I will start Tax again on April 4 as my markers went up last week so for now I started on Xeloda again and will have scans on April 2, see the doctor on April 4 and start then.  I hope the Xeloda can keep the markers from getting any higher or any more progression.  I have noticed that my fingernails do not grow much at all.  Does anyone else notice this also?

MsW2012

I notice women here mention markers a lot. What are they and how do they test for them?

Also, I will see a genetic counselor next week about a? that probably doesn't apply to many. Since I was adopted, should I have the BARC test? Susan Love's Breast Book has great info on testing considerations but nothing for people like me who don't have much info about biological family. I only have my two kids, both still very young. I look forward to talking with the GC about it.

halfcan

Today is 8 weeks PFC and 1 weeks post rads!   Taxoteres SE's seem to be improving a bit finally!  I still have large muscle aches but trying to get some exercise on the treadmill and stationary bike seems to be helping some.  My left large toenail lifted after the first Tax but never came off.  I have since trimmed it really short so I don't catch it on anything!  The other one is somewhat discolored and now is hurting a bit.  We shall see if it too gets loose.   I never lost any finger nails so maybe icing helped with that.  Only my thumb nails have some white discoloration but they seem fine.  The watery eyes has settled down some finally but still no new eyelashes or brows that I have noticed.  The hair on my head is getting some stubble that I can see as my scalp appears darker but my crown feels silky smooth so no hair there. :-(   I survived rads and now still red and itchy but no nasty blisters or anything.  On Friday I have port removal surgery to get that thing out of my chest!  Then I can be sore on both sides.  Ha ha.   I wish you all well ladies and minimal SE's from the nasty Tax!  Hugs.      

carlads

Hi Everyone,  I have number 4 tomorrow I thought it would be my last but I am having two more!  I went for a second opinion and the result was 6 instead of 4.  I'm ok with that, that was the main reason I sought out a second opinion. 

Nails are getting sore and I did ice them, they aren't turning colors..  I still have my lashes and eyebrows they told me with 4 treatments I probably wouldn't lose them but I am wondering about the two extra? SE's seemed worse after 3rd treatment and lasted longer.  I still have eye and mouth twitch it hasn't gone away. 

Hope everyone has a good day and few SE's.

Carla

jeanieb2

Carla - I had 6 treatments of Tax and am on a break from it right now.  I kept my eyelashes until about 4 or 5 weeks past my 6th treatment then they fell out.  They started coming in about 2 weeks after they had fallen out, you could barely see them but they were growing and are still growing.  My last treatment was December 20.  You may be one that does not lose their lashes or nails.  I only lost the two big toenails and they had to be removed this past Monday, they would not come off on their own.  I hope all goes well for you with your last 3 treatments.  I know this is a good drug but side effects can be awful for some of us.  Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.  

Maddie57

Hi carlads - sorry you have to face two more, but if that what it takes to kill the cancer go for it. My eyelashes and eyebrows thinned a lot during chemo, but I didn't lose them completely. The bad news is, I lost more post chemo than during chemo. My eyebrows have had bald patches and filled in twice post chemo. I lost my eyelashes about 9 weeks post chemo. The eyebrows came and went quickly, so the good news is they do grow back quickly if you lose them post chemo. The eyelashes are a bit slower to grow, but they get there in the end, and they have not fallen out again yet!!! I am 5 months post chemo. I am sorry but the SE's do seem to get worse with each chemo. On the plus side you are able to deal with them better, as you have an arsenal of creams and potions. I also had a twitchy eye on chemo, but not a twitchy mouth. It has totally gone now so hang in there things will get better!! A rule of thumb with the eyebrows - if they are constantly itchy it means you are going to lose a few hairs, and get bald patches. 

halfcan - Yeah for your port removal . At 14 weeks you will have a short covering all over your head. Rule of thumb for you- the hair that fell out first comes back first. In my case it was the crown of my head. Hang in there you will soon be using a brush!!!

Msw2012 I think your genetic testing is even more important if you are adopted and have no family history. They will still be able to pick up the BRACA gene if it is there and predisposes you to breast cancer. I am also not sure about the "markers" . Can you tell us what these are jeanieb2? Good luck with your next round of chemo. 

jeanieb2

Maddie57 - The markers I refer to are Tumor markers, CA 27-29 is the test name I guess.  I have just always referred to them as tumor markers, sorry for the confusion.

carlads

Maddie57 and Jeanieb2, Thank you so much for the info..  yes the Taxotere is toxic..  But if there are any little stray cells running around it should take care of them!! 

The other thing it the puffiness! My new Oncologist did prescribe lasix so I hope it helps.. 

Thank you both again!  Have a good night..  Come on number 4..

Carla

MsW2012

Thanks for the info. I have an appt with the genetic counselor to discuss the BARC test. One onc feels sure she will recommend it, the other feels sure she won't! It will be an interesting visit.

About brows etc. I am 7 wks past my last chemo and lashes started thinning about 2 weeks ago. Brows started around chemo #4. Both still seem to be on their way out. My fingernails only ever showed white and lifting off a little. The big toes were worse. Fingernails seem to be getting better but toes not yet.

The finish line will draw near. Hang in there! It feels great to be done. Now for me it's a whole new world with radiation. 28 days plus 5 boosts. So far so good! Thanks for being here everyone.

SpecialK

MsW - I am adopted also and my breast surgeon drew a blood sample the day of diagnosis for BRAC testing.  His office felt that since I was initially a lumpectomy candidate the BRAC info would infor my surgical choice - they would have recommended a BMX if I had been positive.  I already had a complete hyst/ooph 12 years ago.  I was negative but chose the BMX anyway - turned out that I had ADH and ALH in the non-cancer breast that never showed on imaging of any kindm, so it was the best choice.  I think you should press for testing - you need this info since you don't have access to family history.

My onc does tumor markers - they are a blood test, CA 27/29 and he does CEA also.  During the year post-chemo he did these tests quarterly.  I have now moved to being seen every 6 months and he does them then.  The CA 27/29 is a notoriously unreliable test - inflammation can skew the results, as well as other things, so many oncs don't use them, but mine does for trending info.  He is also does PET scans and I know a lot of oncs don't scan after treatment either - this is just his approach.  I like that he does this type of screening, I am more comfortable with information.

blondiex46

I am adopted also and found everybody, my biological mother died of a recurrence of bc after 15 years, so I had the BRACA test and it was negative, my recurrence was after 14 years, she died within 3 months of her recurrence, I am still here after 3 years...

had chemo today and there were port issues as usual....it is 558am and ever after taking benedryl I am still up (did sleep for about 4 hours) been up since 10pm....will be buzzing around for a while, hopefully I can sleep later...

eyes still waters, eyes twitching, neuropathy still starting little bit, have fingernail polish on, have to take it off cause nails feel weird....

carlads

Blondiex46,

Thinking about you today. You will probably be done with your treatment about the time I get started. Hoping your SE's will be mild.. Sending hugs and prayers..



Everyone else have a great weekend!!



Carla

jeanieb2

I also had the BRACA testing done.  My mother, her sister, my sister and I have all had breast cancer and I have two girls so the testing was recommended for me.  I do not have the gene, which surprised everyone with that many in my family having had BC, and I have had the testing done twice and it has said the same thing both times.  I had a BMX 21 years ago, then in 2009 it was back in the gallbladder and spread to lots of other places.  

My oncologist has also said that the Tumor markers are only part of the whole picture but he has since said that my markers have been right on, when they go up there is new stuff and when they have gone down the scans show regression.  He never puts much stock in the markers unless it is backed up with scans but in my case they have been very helpful.  I know in lots of others the markers are not always accurate so as always we are all different. 

MsW2012

Thanks jeanieb2 for chiming in. A lot of important things to keep in mind. Limited value of tests, how to use them, like comparing changes in test results over time and comparing with scans. Also one particular marker test or BARC or whatever doesn't cover all your genetic risk factors. Some are unknown and some we just don't know how to test for yet, so results are not the total picture.

I have found there are women who only want to know what time to show up for what treatment, and others who want to understand as much as they can about it. It seems the women here are the first type, like me and it would seem to be the "right" attitude, yet I have to respect my friends who would be overwhelmed and more fearful being given information that they can't process, either intellectually or emotionally or both. For me, the more I understand, the better I feel. Most recently about the radiation. My doctors (2 RO's) both have spent a lot of time explaining all about the process and safeguards etc.

Story: Yesterday I was counting the light flashes during rads like I always do, because it's reassuring to me to see first-hand that the process is going the same each time.  Left side, 12 flashes then one flash; overhead 22 flashes; etc. So when it didn't go in the same order, I asked why and the tech just said, "Oh, she (other tech) does it different than I do. It all comes out the same." At first I thought, oh, ok. But I got home thinking, wait a minute, what do you mean she does it different?! I thought this was such a precise science, down to the millimeter!

So today the RO met with me again and showed me the more detailed charts of my treatment plan. She not only explained exactly why it's true that it makes no difference what order the treatments are applied, she also explained how all the fields and sub-fields are plotted and why one tech might tend to go in order by what's on the computer monitor in front of her, top to bottom down the list, but another might tend to go by the position of the machine so it moves in order from left to right. In the end, the machine won't allow the tech to under- or over- expose anything and it prints out exactly what it did each day. It's easy to confirm exactly what was done.

For me, that was all very reassuring and I feel much more at ease. It's also great when the doctors are not only willing but eager to take the time to explain everything. It felt just like two people sharing a common interest. Very good day!

I have another story about asking questions and getting the straight scoop. (I had a little caffeine this morning, can you tell? Ha!)

I had my port swapped out - another story for another day - so the surgeon's assistant called to schedule the procedure, without consulting the surgeon first. She explained that it was a good idea to get a date in the system and change it later if necessary, rather than wait and have to put off the surgery for scheduling reasons.

The next day I looked at my chemo calendar and saw that the date she gave me would have been 8 days after a chemo. I thought that was supposed to be too soon in the cycle between 3-week chemos. I remember my oncologist saying so months earlier when this was still in the decision phase. I asked her about it and she said she would ask the surgeon.

She called me back to say he said the date would be fine. I asked if he said it wasn't too soon after a chemo and she said she wasn't sure so she'd ask again. She didn't call back so I called her again. Again she said the date would be fine. Again I asked specifically about the chemo timing. She said "he signed off on it so it's ok."

I still didn't feel satisfied so I put in a call to my oncologist. Meanwhile my onc had been having trouble getting her phone messages, so she didn't get back to me right away either. So I asked my chemo nurses. Both of them said no, it will be fine, it doesn't matter. Both of them!  Even the Medical Assistant said the nurses were in touch with the onc over the phone and the onc said it was ok. I STILL didn't feel satisfied, hearing all this second-hand. So AGAIN I bothered the poor surgeon's assistant. She got frustrated with me and put me through directly to the surgeon - GOOD THING!!

The surgeon at first said yes, we're all set, the date will work out fine. Then I told him the date of my last chemo. By this time it was just three days out, here it was Friday and the procedure was scheduled for early the next Monday. Oh, he said, you just had chemo on such-and-such date? Well, we can't do it Monday, you'll be in - some word I can't remember meaning peak danger zone with blood counts. His assistant never told him about my chemo date. In her mind, apparently, she felt she knew. Just like the two chemo nurses and the medical assistant at my onc's office. They felt so sure that they knew the answer, they never bothered to actually ask the doctor. As it turns out, it was very important and they were absolutely wrong! We rescheduled.

So don't ever feel shy about asking questions! A good doctor wants you to feel as comfortable as possible. In the long run, it's better for the docs and nurses if you do better phyisically because you felt more at ease. The doctors may be busy but you are paying them to take good care of you and you deserve to have your questions answered.

SherylB

Hey all,

I have been trying to catch up with all the reading. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I had my final chemo yesterday and I am still super excited to have finished. I will start rads in about 3 weeks. Just hoping for no increase in fatigue as that seems to be my biggest barrier right now.

Hugs and love to all, Sheryl