indigestion from taxotere and cytoxan

tbayer

This is my 2nd round with breast cancer. 1st in 7/2011 with mastectomy and reconstruction, trial of tamoxifen. 2nd, 9/2014 with biopsies and now chemo followed by radiation then Tamoxifen.

1st infusion 6 days ago, day of went well...sleepy from IV benadryl. Next couple days with nausea and body aches, felt awful, like "I don't want to do this, how am I going to do this 3 more times?".

Rn suggested starting anti nausea meds the day of chemo next time to stay on top of it, plus increasing my water. I've found water cut with a little juice makes it more appealing when my stomach isn't feeling too hot.

Day 5 and today, feeling better overall but awful indigestion, bloating, gas, sour stomach. I wasn't expecting this. Couldn't sleep last night not due to nausea or bone pain but indigestion. I didn't even have anything crazy to eat yesterday.

Any suggestions? I took OTC pepcid this afternoon but not a real change.

I've really enjoyed reading the posts here to get a good idea of woman go through with chemo. It's one thing for the MD or RN to tell you, but hearing from women who have experienced it is huge!

Thanks:)

Tori

momof2doxies

Hello Tori,

I feel your discomfort. I was where you are last year. Indigestion was probably the only side effect I did not have. There are so many foods, sounds, smells that I never want to experience again because of chemo. But I made it thru…take all the anti nausea meds they give you. Be proactive and do not wait till the feeling comes over you to take the meds. Each chemo seemed to bring another unexpected side effect. The fortunate thing is you begin to feel better after about 10 days of each treatment. The only advise I can give about stomach issues is to eat plain foods…crackers, soup, bread…do not allow yourself to get very hungry and then eat something too rich. I had bone pain from the taxotere that went into my jaw…no prescription pain pill helped, but motrin did. So have your MO give you some hydrocodone and try the motrin if it seems to be due to inflammation. ((Hugs)) and know this too shall pass.

auntienance

I had horrendous reflux from taxotere. Be sure to talk to your mo. I had to have prescription proton pump inhibitors to get through chemo. It took a while after I finished treatment to feel good again. Not saying it would be the same for you, but the sooner your mo addresses it, the easier it will be for you. Best of luck to you.

ladyboss1997

Take a good probiotic. And like the others said - stay ahead of the nausea by taking your meds every 4 - 6 hours whether you are sick or not.

mdg

I got bad heartburn for a few days with every TC infusion so I took Nexium for about 5 days starting on chemo day and it minimized it. 

tbayer

Thanks ladies!

It sounds crazy but I think it's been gas pain:) No reflux per se, thus the pepcid didn't work. I read on breastcancer/org about abdominal pain with chemo and gas was a symptom listed. Suggestions were no carbonated drinks, no straws, and that carbs/bread/pasta are one of the highest gas producers...which I didn't know. So today, I've elimnated carbs, straws and ginger ale and feel much better! Crazy. Also walking daily and doing some yoga stretches to encourage my gut.

I bought some new cozy PJs for my next round, some ginger "candies" today, looking for Ice Breaker candies (orange/lemon)... Any other comfort suggestions people have for my "round 2" in 2 wks?

I've never contributed to a discussion board but I feel a part of a larger community of women going through the same thing. I have a couple friends I can call who have been through breast cancer but their regimens were different as were their symtoms.

Warmly,

Tori