What S/E can I expect from Taxotere?

I would guess they would be almost the same, since they are related drugs. I had a hard time with taxotere. I was very allergic and had to take alot more steroids than most. I also had alot of nail damage with taxotere with lots of pooled blood and black spots on my nails. They all grew out eventually and they were tender but did not hurt. I think some people get pretty achy muscles from the taxotere. Hope it goes as well for you this time! Good luck, Noelle

Try not to expect any-you might be pleasantly surprised! Despite it's repuation I managed just fine-lost my hair, but wasn't bothered about that. I honestly think that if you believe you will cope, you'll possibly manage ok. "Expect" to have side effects, and you very well may do.Good luck.

undecided,

I took TCH, but it was Taxotere, Cytoxin, and Herceptin.   I had a couple days following the infusion when I just wanted to sleep through it and then I was OK.  I was on a three week schedule and by the second week I was feeling better and on the third week I felt great!  I couldn't believe it.  Can't say what side effects were from the Taxotere and what was from the Cytoxin but overall it was manageable.  I would think just the Taxotere and Herceptin wouldn't be half bad.

I made a point to walk just about every day.  I'd walk an hour when I felt good and just to the end of the driveway when I didn't.  I found the walking eliminated the Newlasta discomfort, so was obsessive about walking the day of treatment and for the next two or three days until the symptoms laid me low.

I had some fluid retention, nail changes, and lost my hair, but it came in thicker than ever before.  Your anti-nausea plan should eliminate the chance of nausea or vomiting. And I almost forgot, Taxotere is excreted through the digestive system.  I found a squeeze bottle of warm water and a dap of vaseline took care of the irritation. 

This may be helpful, it is a link to the Taxotere website and lists the side effects. http://www.taxotere.com/consumer/taxotere_treatment/side_effects.aspx

Below are some of the side effects that are associated with Taxotere^® chemotherapy treatment. Your experience with side effects will depend on factors like your Taxotere^® dose, schedule, and your body's response to the treatment.

• Drop In Number Of White and Red Blood Cells
• Allergic Reactions To Chemotherapy Treatment
• Fluid Retention
• Diarrhea
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Chemotherapy Hair Loss
• Chemotherapy Fatigue
• Muscle Pain and Bone Pain
• Rash
• Nail Changes
• Eye Changes
• Odd Sensations
• Infection
• Mouth and Throat Irritation
• Infusion Site Reaction

Best wishes and I will be thinking of you. Boo

Sorry to report that Taxoterrible was very tough on me.  I've never been allergic to anything, but now "Taxotere" is on the list.  My tx plan was supposed to be 3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere + Herceptin for the year.  FEC was a walk in the park compared to Taxotere, which had to be stopped after my 2nd tx.  Herceptin continued and all has been okay with that.....3 more to go!! 

It's important to remember though that everyone reacts differently to chemo and therefore, has different side effects.  Many, many people do okay on Taxotere, and what I experienced was considered fairly rare as per my onc.  I did write a thread called "Taxotere - Beware" last June/July if you want more info.

Best wishes and hugs ((( ))),

Sandy

Just had my regular semi-annual visit with my onc.  All is well.  Before I saw him, I stopped at the chemo room to say hello to the nurses.  They noticed my swollen left ankle/foot - asked me if I had been on Taxotere.  I said - yes, but's it 3 years already... They said they've seen this in several women who had Taxotere - something about capillaries being damaged. Lovely!!!

I am currently doing Taxotere and Herceptin.  I have done 5 rounds of chemo and have one more to go.  In my case it is working wonderfully, and is well worth any side effects.  I feel fine the day of infusion, just a bit tired, but I think that is more from the premeds than anything else.  The next two days, I feel fine and by the third it hits me.  The SEs have been slightly different with each chemo, but totally tolerable, not fun, but tolerable.  I did have a reaction to the taxotere on my second infusion, but they upped the benadryl and gave it at a far slower rate, and I have not had a problem since.  I did have flushing (a flushed face) with the first infusion and was unaware that it was due to the taxotere.  I do find that the chemo is slightly easier to tolerate if I keep myself really well hydrated and drink lots of water. Please feel free to email me privately if you would like more info.

I'm just back from my third Taxotere, taken along with Carboplatin, Herceptin and Avastin (I'm in the BETH trial for Avastin). I thought Taxotere was the same as Taxol, but today I was told no. A friend of mine who was in really great shape had a lot of muscle weakness, and I haven't had that, but it turns out she was on Taxol, which is known for that. Taxotere is not. I guess neuropathy is a risk, but I haven't had any. 

I've had the usual stuff, hard to know what's from Taxotere and what's from the Carbo. But it's all manageable. First half of the three-week cycle is kind of tough, and second half I feel great, pretty normal, good energy. Moving as much as I can helps.

My hair is actually growing back a little, and I have not lost body hair yet. Sounds like some of you didn't lose it all until tx 5 or even 6. I'm happy to keep my eyebrows as long as possible!