taxotere side effects

GwennyMD

This is my first post.  I too had Taxotere for the first time on Tuesday. I have had very little sleep because of the bone and muscle pain.  I wish I had heard about the Claritin and Benadryl treatments before last night.  I read about them on another thread about Taxol from 2012. I immediately went to store.  On the other thread they said that the pain is caused by Taxotere and Neulasta.  I have Neulasta shot the morning after chemo. I had minor aches during AC treatments but did not attribute them to Neulasta.  I did not research side effects of Neulasta or steroids before treatment.  I took 24 hour Claritin and Benadryl last night.  Today, the aches and pain are bearable.  If I feel better tomorrow, I will let you know.  I have been trying to maintain a normal work schedule, so I need this to work.  

blondiex46

thanks gwenny, I don't get the neulasta shot and don't take claritin, i did and need to go again.....

Maddie57

Hi ChelseaAshl - sorry this will have to be quick, as am going out- but just read your post, and felt I had to reply. Firstly - how lucky your Mom is to have such a loving daughter. The thrush is what is making the mouth so painful. I also had it sooo badly the first time. My oncologist gave me fluconazol every infusion after that. I took it 2 days after chemo for 2 weeks. It helped a LOT!!! Even then I used to get it mildly on the tongue for a few days, and then it cleared. Constipation is one of the horrible side effects. Seems you either get that or diarrhoea. Tell your Mom to take Senokot tablets - a herbal remedy-every day for a week after the chemo or until her bowels start working again- 2 tablets. If that doesnt work- up the dose a bit. She will also need anusol ointment, as she will have painful piles by the next one. For sores in the mouth it is half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of bicarb in a glass of water. Rinse the mouth out with it every few hours.

Tell your Mom to hang in there!!! You tend to handle the SE's better the second time, as you know what to expect. Also the oncologist can reduce the dose if the SE's are too bad, and this reduces the SE's a lot. Good luck!!

Maddie57

Hi Chelsaeash- please forgive me if this doesn't make sense, but am rushing as I said. Your Mom will need for her chemo lifelines-

Vaseline and earbuds- her nose will drip constantly, and it gets very uncomfortable. Gently wipe the bud around the inside of the nostrils.

Nappy cream - the nether regions- back and front tend to get burnt. Put some on to protect the skin. She must also drink lots the first few days to dilute the chemicals. If she can't stomach water - any fluids will do. 

If she can't eat - try soup, as you can force yourself to swallow soup.

Sweet almond oil- when your hair falls out and after every chemo your scalp gets really sore and itchy. Rub it on and leave it for a while before washing it off.

Re the germs. You don't have to be too paranoid. Just make sure you wash your hands, and change out of your uniform. Keep her well clear of anyone with a cold or diarrhoea and vomiting. Small children are germ traps so be careful of them, and stay clear of crowded places in the first 10 days.

The breathlessness and the throbbing you can feel as the blood pumps around your body are normal, as is the palpitations of your heart. They are scary - please reassure her. Take care

lkmelby11

Hi, I just finished 4 rounds of taxotere and now I have A/C for cycles and I'm wondering with the A/C did you get the anti-nausea EMEND? 

websister

I received Emend and Ondansetron with FEC which is very similar

ChelseaAshley

Hi ladies,

My mom is feeling much better today - but new symptoms have arrived. We can't call her Dr until tomorrow and now I don't know if I should bring her to the ER or not.

1st - She has redness and burning at the injection site...slightly above where they inserted the needle. So not where skin was penetrated..but along the vein. I know it says on her discharge papers to go to the ER. 

2nd - She feels like she has bronchitis. She has slightly shallow breathing and her chest hurts and is heavy. She isn't coughing or anything - no allergies, etc. Her discharge papers also say to go to the ER for "difficult breathing or a painful chest"

Forgive me for seeming whiney...I'm just exhausted. Been working since 5am and my alternator went out so I just got towed home! I don't want to have to take another trip to the hospital if it isn't required. However...I'm not going to risk her health. What do you ladies think? Any experience with these side-effects?

Thank you!

slg76

I hate to say, but my taxotere treatment was brutal.  My doctors told me I was through the hard part after the AC but they were definitely wrong!  I felt like I was doing something wrong since taxotere was supposed to be "easy".  I've since learned that every person really has an individual experience with each chemo. med.

I had terrible pain all over my body including chest and abdominal pain.  That got me CT scans of both chest and abdomen with no findings.  I could barely get off the couch because of fatiuge. I actually had to move into our guest room because I couldn't climb the stairs to my bedroom.  I also got terrible sores in my mouth and a gross white coating all over my tounge.  

During two of my taxotere treatments I spiked a fever for no good reason.  That got me hospitalized both times until my counts came back up.  I took neulasta which I think helped but gave me considerable pain in my back and chestbone.  

I was resistant to pain meds at first.  Once I gave in and started taking them regularaly I was much more comfortable.  I used a Rx mouthwash called Rocky Mountain Mouthwash.  It is a combo of a few numbing agents.  It helped me be able to eat.  The trick was to use the wash and wait 20 minutes for it to kick in before I tried eating anything.  I also took Ativan for anxiety which helped me relax and not focus on the pain so much.  

On to better news....I am two years out from treatment and doing great.  I'm healthy, back in the gym regularly, my hair has grown back, and I'm able to take care of my two-year-old full time.

Hang in there!!!  Treatment is temporary! 

slg76

ChelseyAshley...

Does your oncology office have another doctor on call?  Maybe you can start by calling them?  My experience with that is if you have any of the symptoms they already told you about they will just tell you to go to the hospital.  I know it's tiring!  I was hospitalized twice during taxotere treatment and was resistant to going both times.  My father is an oncologist and when I called him during my fevers his advice was always that you can't risk anything when you are compromised by chemo so you should go to the ER and get checked out.  I'm NOT a doctor but those symptoms seem worrisome.  On a better note: since I was immunocompromised from the chemo they never let me wait in the ER...they brought me back and took care of me right away.  

Good luck!  Hope your mom feels better soon.  

momofthreeswimmers

what to do for itchy scalp its killing me I shaved my hair 2 weeks after T/C and had round 2 as well still itchy sometimes painful help!

ItIsWhatItIs2013

Hey all... Lurking as I'm pretty involved with a thread o fppf women going thru what I am... At the same time, but I caught a couple questions about taxotere..



My treatment is taxotere/Cytoxen... Every three weeks/x6



And yes! Body aches with each treatment... From scalp to bottom of feet and every muscle, joint & bone in-between.... After my first treatment, my Onc prescribed steroids to take the day before..... No change in SEs..... I just have to soldier thru. Luckily, I don't get any nausea!

I hope you all are doing well,

Happy thoughts

Lorrie

GwennyMD

I'm back.  I feel much better know.  I guess the Claritin and Benadryl actually work.  I slept for 5 hours last night.  There is still some body aches but they are manageable with Tylenol.  However, my throat is dry and the film in my mouth is horrible.  I take steroids right before the Taxotere (2 pills at night and 2 pills in the morning).  I did not take these with AC. 

Chelsey/Ashley  My half sister and one of my best friends are both RNs who took care of their moms during cancer treatment.  They both told me to go to hospital if I have bad symtoms and cannot see doctor.  Your moms symptoms sounds like an allergic reaction.  I hope that she feels better soon.

Well I feel good enough to go to work for a few hours so I am logging off.  I need focus to draw identical eyebrows.

blondiex46

Gwenny that is what I thought which is why they said benedryl to prevent an allergic reaction, would I take her to the ER yep, would I go of course not....I don't know what round I am on but I have had 19 treatments of tax (24 total including others) and tax for me I do run a low grade fever all the time, aches and pains all the time,

the redness at the injection site sounds like the allergic reaction.

you are not whiney....no worries...

ChelseaAshley

Ladies,



Have any of you experienced a hoarse voice with chemo? My mom is on day 10 since infusion and has a really raspy/hoarse voice!



It isn't sore. No fever. But I am concerned that it could be her getting sick. It's been this way for two days.



She also has a heavy chest.

I would call her oncologist but he NEVER gets back to us!



Help?

Thanks!

blondiex46

not me Chels!!

ChelseaAshley

She had no voice when she woke up this morning! It slowly comes back but it's so raspy!

Guess I need to either call her doctor or bring her in. I hope it's normal!

slg76

I did not have this side effect with taxotere.  My mom did have this side effect with chemo but it was not taxotere.  She had a different set of meds because she had ovarian cancer.  I say it's always worth checking in with your doctor...that is what they are there for

slg76

Is there a nurse you can talk to instead of trying to get to the doctor?  I'm sorry to hear that your doctor isn't offering more support.  

ChelseaAshley

I am going to call first thing in the morning and see if we can talk to a nurse. They haven't returned our calls. It's very upsetting that they don't offer more help while someone is going through something like this.

It's a shame. I'm hoping we can get a new doctor - as he has not been accommodating whatsoever

slg76

I had two oncologists during treatment because my insurance changed half way through.  I'm sure my first oncologist was giving me good medical care and was making responsible decisions about my health.  But, I didn't like her much.  She was abrasive, a little disrespectful, and not very emotionally supportive.  I adore my current oncologist.  She listens to what I have to say, she asks my opinion about treatment options, and she truly cares about me and my family.  Having a doctor you like does make a difference in your treatment.  It is important to feel well taken care of and supported.  If you can I suggest finding a new doctor.  Even a different doctor in the same practice/group may be a better choice for you guys.  Good luck!!!

jeanieb2

Has anyone had any trouble with their eyes on this treatment.  I think I need to have my eyes checked and different glasses but have always heard you should not do that while taking chemo because it can affect the eyes.  Also, they have been twitching a lot lately.  I am on my 2nd time, 4th round and go on Thursday for the 5th one of this cycle, not sure if I will do the 6th or take a break.  I may just take the 6th and then take the break, have not decided yet and will talk it over with the onco.  I do not remember the eye twitching like this from the first time, but maybe I just never thought it could be the Tax.

MsW2012

Hi jeanieb: I had blurred vision off and on during chemo too, especially after the first few rounds. It would get better, then get worse after the next round. I never did ask about it, figured it was just the fatigue. The tic sounds like stress to me - however it never hurts to ask. There are so many potential side effects from these meds, you never know.

yogafan: My experience has been similar, recovering from the chemo. I did finally get my big toenails back after about 2 months, and my hair is growing soooo slowly, except for the back! Couldn't it be the front? lol I did exercise as much as possible during chemo, usually a short walk around the neighborhood. It helped a lot with energy level and I feel like it helped me feel better between rounds. By the end I was worthless on the elliptical but I am back at it and slowly regaining my ability. Now that it's over, yes, exercise makes all the difference! If I miss a few days, I feel awfully tired and moody.

Yes, hang in there, but always ask about new symptoms or anything that is really hard to bear. Ultimately, it is up to us, the patients, to decide what to do based on the onc's recommendations. It does get better!

slv58

I've had nothing but problems with my eyes. I've had styes since my second treatment and still there being 7weels PFC. My eyes also twitched a little and teared. For some reason my distance sight improved with chemo and I could no longer wear my glasses for driving. I'm not sure how long to wait to get them re checked, but it's frustrating because I can't afford glasses for short term use.

jeanieb2

MsW2012 - Thanks for the info.  I do have the blurry vision and tearing eyes some times but the twitching comes and goes anytime and started about a week or two ago.  I go Thursday for another treatment and may ask, although sometimes the doctors do not know all of the minor side effects like people that have taken the drug.

slv58 - I know exactly what you mean about getting glasses for short term, that is why I have put it off since last September, that is when I started, then had a 3 month break and am back at it.  It is getting to the point that I really have to do something so will ask the doctor on Thursday about it.

blondiex46

in the beginning there was alot of twitching now is just watering all the time...hard to do anything cause i am constantly rubbing them and clearing away the tearing...

Worrywart9390

I have lots of twitching and some blurred vision......................

slg76

I didn't have too much trouble with my eyes but that is a common side effect.  I also wasn't able to do much so I may have had trouble working/reading if I had tried.  My opthamologist told me I should wait six months after chemo to have my vision checked.  

jeanieb2

Thanks for the info on the eye twitching, blondiex46, Worrywart93 and slg76.  As for not having eyes checked for 6 months, that will not work as I only get about a 2 to 4 month break before going back on it so I will try and remember to ask my onco tomorrow when I get another treatment.  I appreciate the feedback.

blondiex46

mine water 24/7 even wake up in the morning with my eyes crusted shut!!

ChelseaAshley

Hi ladies,

My mom took her 2nd round of TC on the 18th. So far her side-effects haven't been nearly as bad as the first one. However, today she has had uncontrollable nausea and vomitting. She even threw up blood. My question is: Is it dangerous that she is throwing up blood?

It isn't a lot - but enough to see and for her to taste. She tried taking her meds to control it but they just come right back up. I looked on her list of serious side-effects and it doesn't say anything about throwing up blood.

Insight?

Thanks