Taxotere is to hard!!!
I had my first Toxotere last Thursday, a had a bad hash red over my face, my fingers are sore, my back is sore, my stomach fells full hard and very acidic, I do not want to eat and drink, my mouth is very sore and my throat is sore also...I fell terrible...I think I am going to stop chemo and
just live, chemo is to hard!!!!Anyway, I wanted to run this by you guys so maybe you can give you opinions. The facts:
Comments
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Chiquita, I had that red-face thing with my taxotere, too. It looked more like a "flush" rather than a rash. Is that how yours is? I had that "full" stomach feeling for the first taxotere, too. Have you talked to your oncologist this morning about these reactions? Also, lots of us took Claritin for pain---I know it sounds weird, but everyone seems to be swearing by it. Tell me how you are feeling. Genie
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Hi Genie2, thank you for replay....I fell very bad, the red face is better, but my acidity is very hight
and the lump in my belly is painful, I have a bad taste in my mouth and is very hard to drink, all juice or water taste like gasoline...the food taste terrible....I have no energy and I beginning to think the taxotere is going to damage my liver or hart!!! Can it do that?
No I did not call the oncologist and I do not know if I will until tomorrow, I hope I will be feeling better.
I take Tylenol for back pain but is not working...
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hi
taxotere is one tough chemo. it kicks cancer cells butt. as genie2 says communicate to your nurses and doctors. they can help with some of the symptoms. it helps to talk about it. are you in a support group? i found support group to be really helpful while i was in active treatment.
my cocktail of chemo was taxotere, adriamaycin, cytoxin. that was 7 years ago and i was in a clincial trial testing the drugs. now taxotere is one of the standard drugs used. i really believe in chemo as a way to kill cancer cells in our bodies...especially now after 7years of survival. your body will heal from all of this; our bodies are pretty wonderful because the natural movement of our bodies is TO heal after injury.
hugs and prayers
hang in
diana50
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Chiquita, I am happy to get your response. Is there a good reason to wait to call your oncologist? You've been uncomfortable for about 5 days now, since your first chemo last Thursday, right? Seems like your oncologist cannot help you if she/he doesn't know how you are feeling. Can't hurt to put a call in. Does the office have an efficient way to handle reactions to chemo? Chiquita, please allow me to encourage you to get on the phone. See what your opncologist has to say about your comfort and well-being. You should not be feeling this bad on your chemo. There are likely remedies or adjustments that will eease you physically. Honestly. Chemo might be a trial, but it shouldn't make you feel as bad as you feel. I'm thinking about you. Let me know you are calling your oncologist. Genie
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Call your onc and let them know what is going on. Maybe they can lessen you next dose so the se are less, maybe they can give you something to help now. I get Taxotere also (due for my next one in 3 days) and they always send it in to me REALLY slow so I don't react.
Let us know what they say. I kknow I have been tolkd the Claritin for pain and to take prilosec (or something like that for heartburn/acid reflux)
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Chiquita,
Tell your onc what is going on so he can fix it. If you can't tolerate Taxotere maybe he can switch you to Taxol and that might be easier on you. But don't give up , these taxane drugs are supposedly very good in kicking cancer's butt like Diana50 said. BTW Diana, 7 years , wow, congrats! Now that I like to hear! I'm going for Taxotere #3 in 2 days. My first cocktail was Adriamycin, Cytoxin and 5FU. It knocked down my WBC and I had anemia twice. I had no appetite on all 4 treatments for a good 5 days. On the Taxotere I'm eatting like a bear but I am sooo tired and I get pretty bad headaches, that I think might be from my sinus' being so dried out. Anyone else experience that?
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I'm currently getting Taxotere (plus A + C) and have noticed that my sinuses are very dried up! I just keep downing water and gatorade, but I also heard that saline nasal spray is recommended. Could be what is causing your headaches.
I agree that all liquids taste really bad, but have been forcing them down anyway. Today is day 5, and I think it may be getting a little better, so hang in there!
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jdeking,
I'm thinking that too. I've taken motrin twice today and over the weekend even tried taking a percocet to relieve the pressure, and nothing has worked. I'm going to try the saline spray. I have not been doing that with the Taxotere even though my onc. told me too. I should have listened.
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hi susan 13 and all who have been on or are on taxotere:
always let your doc or nurses know what is going on with side effects. that is what they are there for. i found that as i got into my treatments.....( i had a total of 6) it gets a little rougher. since i was in a trial i was getting neupegen shots regularly which kept my white count up. red count wasn;'t so much a problem until more towards my last few chemos. if you need an extra support feel free to email me. something else i did EVERY DAY. (WHETHER I THOUGHT I NEEDED IT OR NOT) i took 2 hours every day..to either sleep, pray, read with no interruptions. it really helped me a lot. some days i cried...other i read...some times slept. rest is really important as you go through chemo. i think REST is not prescribed enough. chemo is really hard...and you need to rest your body, mind and psyche. the taxotere really bothered my eyes..they were red and full of irritation. fingers and toes...of course. i think saline spray sounds like a good idea. but, you will heal through all of this; our bodies want to heal. i believe in chemo 100%. i really believe the reason i am doing well as a stage 3c is because of the aggressive treatment i got. it is hard. ALWAYS discuss symptoms with nurses and doc. nothing is too small to mention. prayers to all of you going through this.
diana50
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Hey chiquita.... don't give up on chemo. I had three sessions of taxotere and 3 of FEC. With the taxotere, the onc gave me a steroid for a couple of days which helps build up your body at that time but the most important thing is staying hydrated. If you don't keep flushing out the chemo it builds up and causes toxicity which will make you feel really bad. I drank whatever I could put down. Water, pop, juice, gatorade...even sucking on ice cubes ...soothes the mouth as well. Also, the nurses recommended popsicles, freezies. I know it is tough but just know there is an end to this and you will feel better again.
Look after yourself
Karen
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Hi everyone....thank you all for the encouragement...yes taxotere is hard...my husband is my helper on cleaning cooking and taking care of me...he call the oncologist and got some ideias how to make me feel better...Decadron and Maalox is working on the acidity for now...lets see if the night will be more comfortable and peacefully...thank you all again and I will try to get some more help from the nurses and oncologist...xxoxoxoxo to all
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Chiquita, sounds like you are more informed and on your way to feeling better through this cycle. Keep that oncologist of yours and the nurses in your loop. If you don't feel good, let 'em know. You can do taxotere. Pre-empt, prevent, prevail. Thinking good thoughts of and for you. Genie
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I had 18 taxotere. I also had the red flush.
The tummy trouble was soothed with a yogurt then food an hour later. The water/drinks taking a gasoline flavour - make sure your multi vit has zinc.... and if you arent taking one, ask your onc about taking one. The zinc will help but not eliminate the problem.
If you have any other problems feel free to pm me. I check almost every day.
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Hey Chiquita, hang in there, I had 3 rounds of FEC then 3 Taxotere (July - November 07) and had all the nasty side effects (SE's) in abundance, red face, hands and soles of feet, my nails also went kinda funny... this was not fun, although I just kept thinking that these SE's would only last a few months. I really hope and pray you find the strength to tolerate what your body is going through.
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Hi everyone-
I'm on Abraxane which is a soluable taxotere that doesn't require steroids. So I luckily get to avoid the steroid se's but not so the others. In order to keep them to a minimum, my Onc has me on a 3 weeks on, one off x 4 protocol. Truthfully, I don't know that it makes much of a difference, I may not be as sick as many days in a row but I am 2 days everyweek and stomach just gets normal the day before next tx.
"Pre-empt, prevent, prevail" - Genie This is an AWESOME mantra. I hope you don't mind if I steel it and even pass it on. SO appropriate for us sisters....Really applies to life in general but somehow feels more powerful as we battle this cancer out of our bodies!
Ellen
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I lived on fake pink lemonade--minutemaid-nothing natural! Tons of water. That was 7 years ago..you CAN do this!
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Chiquita: As you can see, we all feel for you! Another s/e I experienced, about 7 or 8 days after each tax, was a profound sadness (or maybe depression is a better word). It would last for a couple of days and then the cloud would lift. Just a "heads up" in case it happens to you.
Warmest wishes,
Linda
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Hang in there Chiquita! I finished Taxotere 2 months ago and there's no trace of any side effects in my body -- in fact I feel better than ever! It'll be over before you know it!
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I am still having a horrible time with my sinus'. My eyes underneath are swollen and I can just feel the pressure. I'm doing the saline spray plus just took some sudafed. I hope it helps cause I have treatment tomorrow a.m.
Chiquita-do hang in there. You CAN do this!
I agree on what Diana said about having time for yourself every day. I try to do that myself, but it's hard I have a 2 year old at home. By the time she goes to sleep I can barely keep my eyes open myself! I do try and get in about an hour read before bedtime though.
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I am so glad for this post. Thank you very much for the atta girl promotion1 I need it. One more FEC and then I am off to taxotere land! Hope I can still work cause I can't afford it otherwise!
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Had my 3rd Tax today. Onc. says that my sinus' got so dried out from the Taxotere that I might have a little sinus infection so he's got me on antibiotics for 5 days. I hope it makes my head and eyes feel better! Gotta keep up with the saline spray from the start and I didn't listen. UGG.
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So strange, susan13. I had sinus trouble from my second Taxotere right through the fourth and final. Not so much "dry" as bloody and---frankly---way snotty. Had to take antibiotics from after the 3rd dose and right through and after the 4th dose. Had fevers and sinus pressure. The sinus wash thing you can get at the drugstore was helpful, too. It's WAY weird, but did relieve the symptoms right away. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's a saline solution you can "run through" your nostrils with a little pot that looks like a watering can. So primitive looking. But, I gotta say, useful. Fingers crossed you feel better. Genie
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Hi,
I have no experience with chemo, yet...although will do it soon. But I read in a book that eating alkaline foods help with taxotere. Here is a list of alkaline foods: http://www.cayce.com/acidalkalinefoods.htm
If you like the taste of cucumbers you can add some slices to the water to improve taste.
I hope this helps and that you recover soon!!!
P.
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Genie,
Told my onc. yesterday before my treatment what I was feeling and he said I probably have a sinus infection, so he's got me ono antibiotics for 5 days. It's already starting to feel better, thank goodness. Also using the saline wash 4 times a day. I am definitely going to keep up on the saline every day till I'm done with the Tax!
Sue
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Thanks Genie,
I'm already starting to feel better with taking the antibiotics and I'm doing the saline spray 4 times a day. I did this morning see at the pharmacy what you are talking about with the saline wash thingy. I'll see how what I'm doing works out if it doesn't get much better I think I'll try it.
Sue
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I had the flush face too. The nurse said it was pretty common and slowed the drip down and sent for a Sudafed from the pharmacy. After it took effect, she increased the rate back and I was fine. The Claratin thing helps; my onc said Allegra helps some people too. I use Chloraseptic spray for my mouth. I also found they ran Zofran for nausea with it which isn't as effective as Alloxi. Cheaper tho! Told the onc next time to specify Alloxi.
Hope you feel better.
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Hi everyone, The last week I had red spots on my hand and feet, they are very sore and is painful to walk...my fingers are very sore...my eyes is red, my mouth has no taste...is very hard to drink The acidity in my stomach still bother me, I have diarrhea every time I go to the bathroom, I feel very louse...I think I am dehydrated...I have the neuprogem shot for the White cells the blood count show they are very low...in my arm were the blood was taken has a big red burn...I do not like my oncologist he is not very friendly and take to long to do anything!!!!
I also got bronchitis and I am taking antibiotic...
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I've just finished dose #4 out of 9 doses of Taxotere. For those of you who have already been through it, what if anything can be done for the sore fingernail beds? Mine are killing me, and I work on a computer all day. Also, does soreness mean I'll lose the nails?
I've also had the bloody nose, dry mouth, no taste buds, sores on my hands, rash on my face, and even bruises on my eyelids for some reason. The dry mouth is annoying but the rest I've been able to live with. The point is to live out loud each day, no matter what, right?
But with 6 more weeks before I complete the Taxotere, I'd sure love some relief from the nail pain!
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Texas357, does your oncologist know about your sore fingernail beds? How about your other side effects? Genie
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Chiquita, I am wondering if you have told your oncologist about your side effects. Genie
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