Oncotype/Chemotherapy

Auriga,  don't worry too much if you end up needing the neulasta shots.  I had one the day after each of my treatments.  That's just the way my oncologist does things here.  I never took a clariton, or anything else, for the shot and never had any trouble at all.  It doesn't bother everyone.

Chris 

Otter,

I didn't know that some insurance companies wouldn't pay for Neulasta or Neupogen...

I know that I always felt safer when I got the Neulasta shot after my tx.  I still had the flu-like se's about a week after my tx, but I kept an eye on my temp, and it never got too high, it always seemed to even out overnight.

Hope everyone can take Neulasta without any problems, because the idea of developing an infection really scared the heck out of me, when I was getting my tx.  JMHO

Harley 

marlenet,

I'm so glad to hear that your 1st tx went well!  Yes, take the anti-nausea meds.  I read on these message boards that it is best to keep ahead of the se's, in other words, take the meds. to prevent any se's, don't wait til you have the nausea, because it will be much harder to control if you wait.

YAY!   1 down, 3 to go!!!

Hugs

Harley

I just started chemo last Thursday. Very tired...Doctor recommended chemo because oncotype was in the middle leaning more towards to upside for reoccurance.  I am having 4 sessions three weeks apart and then a mastactomy on my left breast with reconstruction on both.  I am also having the BRACA test.  If I have the gene, I may have to think about other surgeries.  I am 69 and this was quite a shock.  I am the oldest of three sisters both of whom had breast cancer.  Not too much support for me going on except at my office.  All have been very supportative.  Basically, no one knows what to say when they are told you have breast cancer!  I look forward to chatting with everyone and getting supprt from those who have gone through the same thing.  Thank you for listening!

Hi crusader1

oncotype  score was 25, ( 16% RECURRENCE.)  My cancer was very early and small, no nodes involved, clear, clean margins. But my age was a factor. 45 years old. I had surgery Dec 4th to remove the beast.  I made the decision to chemo.  i too am having 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan .  I did not do too bad.  Today the anti- nausea pills gave me a little dizziness, nothing major.  You are right, 1 down and only 3 to go!!!!!   Keep the faith,love and hope and we will get through this!

hopefullady

Thanks!  That means a lot to me!    

Hi there--I was diagnosed with 1.2 cm, node negative, er+, her- and an oncotype dx score of 29.  29  was just too damned close to 30, so I opted for 6 round of A/C.  It was a decision I must have tossed and turned around the whole time I had my radiation(I did it first).  I must say the chemo was not the problem at all--no side effects, no nausea at all, but the Neulasta almost killed me. I have an extremely high pain tolerance, but 6 hours after my injection I could feel my muscles bunching up like I was turning into the Hulk.  I tried everything--acupuncture, 2 hour massages, and nothing helped.  Each time I had the shot after chemo the effects lasted longer and were competely debilitating.  Finally, on my 4th round, I called my oncologist and told him to take the shot himself, to give me the 5 days of Neupogen instead, and the lower doses over the 5 days made all the difference.  I am amazed that you thought the opposite.  I felt like cement was being poured into my muscles.    As to the hair, forget it.  You lose it exactly when they tell you.  I didn't believe them, so I went to get what turned out to be the greatest haircut of my life.  Two days later it dropped out  So my advice is to have a wig party--take what will probably be your last bottle of wine for the next 8 months, get a couple of friends together, and go pick out a wig. I remember thinking I'd be the only inebriated person to ever pick out a wig!  But I must say that without that wig, I don't think I would have been able to get through it all.

danigirl,

The AC kicked my butt (I had dose dense 4) but the Neulasta did *nothing* to me. It is very interesting to me how we are all so different...

Spring.