Is there already a TC (taxotere/cytoxan) thread

MountainMia

Is there an active thread for TC (taxotere/cytoxan)? I'll be starting 4 cycles of it next week and would like to benefit from crowd wisdom, if it's already in place.

If not, could you share your experience with it? I'm wondering things about process, infusion time, side effects and management, timing of hair loss, how well you rebounded, how soon after your regimen did you move on to radiation, if that was part of your treatment...

Thanks in advance for any help, wisdom, advice, funny stories, encouragement, or other great things you have to say!

DebAL

Hi Mia, sorry you find yourself here but you will find much support on this board. I had 4 rounds of TC also and did really really well. Infusions on mondays. Stayed home Tuesday and Wednesday to rest , hydrate, and go for a walk. Was back to work Thursday till the next treatment. The pre meds helped alot. I had no nausea at all. Wednesday was my weird day. Sad but couldn't cry, hungry but couldn't eat, tired but couldn't sleep. I think it was from coming off the pre med steroids. I lost my hair in between 2nd and 3rd treatment. Had a Bob cut that lasted all of 5 days. My scalp hurt so bad and felt so much better after it was buzzed. Hair is thick and curly now. I'm 11 months out from my last treatment. I kept a written log of my pre meds and water intake. I had some constipation first round but meds on hand for the other 3 rounds. You could start a may 2019 chemo group but I agree it's also nice to connect with others on the same regimen. This is doable and you will get through. I will bottle up my experience and throw it your way. Best wishes to you.

OCDAmy

Mia, I also had four rounds of TC. I had my infusion on Fridays. I was there for a good part of the day with blood draw, see the MO and then start infusion. They start with some pre-meds, then I believe then then the taxotere, then cytoxin. I think the infusions were about 2.5 hours total. It was not bad for me at all. I took off on Mondays and generally felt well enough to go back to work on Tuesdays. Mostly I felt like I had the flu for a couple of days, achy all over, tired. Each time I got thrush a few days later so I had a Rx for swish and swallow meds and it would clear up in a few days but my mouth tasted awful. I never threw up! Had pretty bad constipation when I envisioned have diarrhea. My hair held on a long time, which surprised me. I think it really started coming out after the second round. I did ice my fingers and toes and sucked on ice during the T portion. I don't have any neuropathy so I am guessing it helped. My MO never did the nulasta shot. He said he only does it if it is needed. I started rads I think one month after chemo ended. Best of luck to you, you can do this!

MountainMia

OCDAmy and DebAL, thanks so much for sharing your experience. It's good to hear neither of you had unexpectedly awful experiences.

Deb, yeah, there is already a May 2019 chemo thread. The people in there already are great, helpful and kind to each other. I noticed some of them will be on the TC train, so I'll point them this way.

MountainMia

Here are two links for info on the taxotere/cytoxan combo known as TC.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/tc

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/tc/side-effects

and for each of them individually

http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Taxotere.aspx

http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/cytoxan.aspx