April 2010 starting chemo

Emme--Really glad to hear that IV fluids are helping you so much!

Has anyone had the same GI symptoms that I've had with the AC treatment?  I haven't had either diarrhea or constipation, but I have had pain across my midsection just below my navel.  This lasts for several days, starting a few days after treatment.  It's almost like a crampy pain, and immodium seems to help somewhat.  Any thoughts/suggestions?

Over the last 3 treatment cycles, I've found that it's best to sleep when I can over the first week.  I feel much better the second week.

Only one more AC treatment to go, then 4 T (every 2 weeks), weekly Herceptin, AI, more surgery, and radiation.  The main course of treatment won't be complete until November.  It seems endless, but day-by-day will get me there.  This will be the year of the lost summer, I guess.

Great news that lots of you are starting to get to the end of your treatment!!

DancerMel

We are on the same cycle it seems and I had a bad reaction to the Taxotere for my second treatment. It was an immediate reaction (within seconds of hooking me up to Taxotere) and I started to hallucinate(scary- I hallucinated that the room was filled with tiny bubbles -wierd~!), couldn't breathe, was extremely nauseous and dizzy. The nurses gave me hydrocortisone and then it subsided An oncologist told me that the steroids may have caused the hallucinations. I'm not sure if I should request less steroids this time?  According to the nurses, the reaction (except for hallucinations) is common and usually doesn't happen on the first chemo but the 2nd and 3rd. But everyone is different.

I haven't been able to talk to my oncologist about this -  I hope I get the chance. I can't believe they changed your meds and didn't even discuss - I have been very frustrated by the lack of availability/communication from the oncology staff. I don't know if all hospitals are the same but it is discouraging.

I am coming down from the steroids today and somewhat depressed - tomorrow will be a better day!!! 

Hi,

I had my first Taxol infusion today (finished 4 AC--will have 4 Taxol, once every 2 weeks).  It took almost 4 hours from start to finish.  I got pre-meds of Zantac, Benadryl and 20mg of dexamethasone.  Benadryl made me "loopy" almost immediately, but once the Taxol went in, didn't have any reaction.  Nurses took my blood pressure every 20 minutes.  By the end of treatment, I was so sleepy...that's the Benadryl.  I was told I can expect the steroids might make me more hyper for a couple days.  I don't have to take oral Emend or dexamethasone like I did with AC; I will use Zofran and/or Ativan if I have nausea; so far, no nausea or queasiness, but I do have a strong metallic taste.  On days 3, 4 and 5 I will do Neupogen shots.  After the next round, I will do only 2 Neupogen, then hopefully quit for good.  Neupogen has really been helpful for me; all my labs have been normal so far.

I am sorry to hear about all the SE's, issues, and problems of our April members...but please keep using this forum to vent.  It's so helpful to get it off your chest, and I know for myself that I feel bad about venting to my husband, family and friends...my husband, especially, just feels helpless.  As I have come to learn, the "Sisterhood" is really, really strong, and there is no lack of encouragement and support to be found -- even sometimes by total strangers who have battled BC.  Hang in there!

~Julie 

I had an allergic reaction each time (3 times so far).  No steroids the night before, just before the chemo and once I got the reastion.  One more to go.

Made it through chemo. #4, but as you can see the streiods have me up VERY early,LOL. Anyway my onco. switched me to 5 days of Neupogen rather than 1 day of Neulasta due to my possible kidney disease and I start today. Can anyone answer a few questions for me?

1. How is the bone pain on Neupogen and does Claritin help? It helped me tremendously with the Neulasta.

2. How much is it? I know we all have different insurances and means of payment, but anyone wiling to throw an approximate out? I swear I won't hold you to it, lol--just trying to get the just?

3. How bout injection pain? And where have you self administered? I was thinking stomach or thigh?

Thanks in advance for your help:) I hate having to switch, but then again, I hate the bloody urine and flank pain for 2 weeks even more,LOL:)

Have a great Friday girls:)

I am starting my Taxol next Friday....I feel anxious reading about all of the reactions. The only premeds I will get will be at the hospital prior to the Taxol, nothing to take at home......anybody else not having premeds? 

I feel like I'm trying to get a second wind......I was so focused on the AC treatments, that 12 Taxol plus radiation suddenly sounds overwhelming and that it will take forever.  I'm going to try and not worry and just wait for that second wind to kick in......

 take care all

Hi all.  Recovery from AC #4 was about the same as #3.  Just a ton of fatigue.  But now I have a few moth sores that are bothering me - one particularly that is at the back of my tongue near my throat - hard to swallow, can't move my tongue without pain.  Hate it.

Just saw my onc for an appointment before my first Taxol which is Monday.  She was worried about my counts again, but thank god no transfusion, which is what she was preparing me for last time.  She almost postponed my tx b/c I haven't "rebounded" fully, but then she realized the tx is Monday and not today, and she thinks I'll be fine by then.  She pretty much blamed all my current issues - throat, hand color, nails brown, on the AC and says that my weekly Taxol promises to be easier - but for the chance of neuropathy and losing nails.   

susiesue - I won't have premeds for the weekly Taxol either.  And no nausea meds or Neulasta shots either.  Those things alone make me feel better - but also a but nervous.  Like I won't have a safety net.  But I guess anything can be added later if needed. 

She did also say that if I react to the Taxol during the tx, it gives them an excuse to use an even better drug so reacting is not so bad.  It's called Abraxane (sp?).  She said it's a great drug.  Has anyone heard of it?

Hope everyone if feeling good today.

Sara 

hi susiesue - (unless I've missed things....) I think most of the reactions have occurred from Taxotere not Taxol, i think they're from the same fmaily but not are not the same.  Just know that in my experience the nurses are absolute PROS when it comes to dealing with this and have it sorted out before you know it so try not to worry too much.

arubajan - I'm so sorry about the reaction! I've had some itching around the back of my heel this time but I think it's more from the dry skin (I must admit I haven't looked after my feet as well as my hands when it comes to moisturising - I've been pedantic when it comes to my hands but need to extend it to feet also!). Hopefully someone can give you some answers about if it's chemo related or not - I guess so much is going on with our bodies that it could be a delayed reaction who knows! Hope next round is more uneventful for you.

Hi Everyone!

I have been catching up on the post for the past few days.  I have been tired, but trying to work a few  hours in the mornings. 

I am going to try and post a few answers to some questions you ladies have had.

Neupogen Shots

I have used these thru both rounds of chemo.

When I was having weekly Taxol Tx I used 5 per week and they kept my counts up.

This time DD AC, I use 8 per cycle.

The bone pain gets bad for me on day 9.  It is the worst for me in my breast bone and lower spine/pelvis.  The pain is a throbbing pain.  I use advil or darvocet.  It doesn't take it all away, but it does help.  I keep reminding myself that it means the shots are working.

I am not sure of the cost, my copay is $30 for 5 injections.

I inject myself in my belly too  I let the syringe warm up for at least a half an hour prior to administering the dose, it really reduces the stinging sensation.   I hope his information helps.

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Before I started each different kind of tx I had to meet with one of the Chemo Nurses to have a chemo teaching.  At that time the nurse went over each medication I would be receiving.  They went thru the possible SE and gave me all kinds of information on what to expect during the infusion.  At my teaching for the Taxol, I was told that I need to have a ride because I was going to have benedryl.  And boy i was glad that I did have a ride!  That benedryl knocked me for a loop!

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I haven't had any sores in my mouth. I have cracks in the corners of my mouth.  Almost like chapped lips except my lips aren't chapped.  There are just cracks in the corners.  It hurts like hell...and I'm not sure what to do for them.  I keep putting on chap stick.

I have developed a bad taste in my mouth too.  My mouth tastes like I have been sucking on a wooden spoon.  YUCK!  For those of you who have a metallic taste try using plastic utensils, that really helped me last time.

It made me feel better when I keep reading that everyone else is getting increasingly fatigued on the AC as our treatments progress.  It comforts me to hear I am not alone and that what I am experiencing is normal.  Thank you so much ladies for sharing.  This board has been such a support to me.  Some days when this battle seems so huge, so overwhelming, I read these posts and find encouragement and strength to forge forward.  God Bless.

Emme

Hi All,

I wonder what the difference if between my 12 weekly doses of Taxol and that of the dose dense of 4x? Anyone know? Other than it being a lesser dose of course but why do some of us get the 12 wks and other the dose dense? I think I would rather the dose dense and get it done and over with than my 12 weekly ones I have to go through - yuck! I still have one more dose dense of AC next Friday sometimes the waiting of 3wks seems too long for me. Don't get me wrong I love feeling better this last week (almost normal) but I just want to get it over with!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead! ((Hugs))

I am actually triple positive and getting the 12 weekly doses.  I have been wondering about the difference as well...

Hey Caltex, I don't know what kind of injections you are giving yourself.  When I was pregnant I had to give myself shots in my belly twice a day.  Even though I used to work in nursing, I COULD NOT stick MYSELF.  It was like my hand froze.  A friend who was diabetic gave me this fabulous little auto injector.  You just load the syring in, cock it, then hit the trigger.  It sticks the needle in automatically.  It just made all the difference.  It was like it tricked my brain.  Just a thought for you ladies that have to give yourselves shots.  Good luck!  I'm starting chemo June 11 and have learned lots from your posts.  Thanks!

Hi Emme,

For your cracked lips, try tea tree oil chapstick (available at health food stores).  It heals anything!  I keep it on my bedside table so I don't forget to put it on before I sleep.  As for the tattoo.  I say do anything that makes you happy.  Just keep in mind that you will have to live with it forever.  A friend told me the story of an elderly lady who lived in the nursing home where my friend worked.  Apparently the resident had been a gorgeous, young stripper and tatooed a bunny on her butt.  My friend said that the bunny looked very sad and droopy on an 85 year old butt!  I say, whatever makes you happy!

I was to have my second AC this morning and had an allergic reaction to the Doxorubicin so it had to be stopped.  I had started with FEC and had an allergic reaction to the Epirubicin on the second attempt.  So far I have had one FEC and one AC and now have to have my drugs changed again. Even with lots of premeds I reacted after only 1 mL with each of the drugs.  I was wondering if anyone was on a drug regimen that did not have Epribubicin or Doxorubicin.  I am HER2+, ER+ and PR+.  I hope to get a call tomorrow and see what they might want to try next.  I am to do  weekly Taxol next and am afraid I will react to it too. This really SUCKS!

Well, I had my first weekly Taxol/Herceptin today.  It was a total marathon - I was not prepared for how long it would take.  I was there 5 hours!  One the weeks when I won't get Herceptin (get it every 3 weeks) it will be way shorter - Herceptin takes at least 1.5 hours.

First MANY pre-meds - Aloxi, Benadryl, Zantac, and Dexamethasone.  the Benadryl knocked me right out - totally loopy.  I didn't react to either of the drug negatively.  However, I have had an increasing nauseous reaction to the saline flush over the last few weeks.  Well, today, I vomited everytime the nurse infused the saline.  (Before every new bag)  It was horrible - I had to sit with a vomit pan and eventually knew that everytime she was walking toward me to make a change I was going to get sick.  Had to nap for 2 hours when I got home, but then I ate and am feeling good now.

Karen - hope you had a good treatment day. 

Marcy - so sorry to hear about your reaction.  I hope they are able to find the right drug for you. I'm pretty clueless about what's out there other than AC-T or TC alone.  And for me adding herceptin.  Good luck on your next one.

Sara