Will sx be the same with every treatment?

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blessed100
blessed100 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer
Will sx be the same with every treatment?
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  • blessed100
    blessed100 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2010

    I just finished my 1st chemo treatment and would like to know if I will have the same symptoms  with each treatment? I experienced major indigestion, fevers, constipation and horrible hip and leg pain. (I'm drinking alot of water) My chemo drugs are Taxotere and Cytoxan every 3 weeks. I am finding that this forum is very empowering to me and I'm starting to feel a little spark of hope but not quite there yet. I haven't lost my hair. That will be very devastating, but I'm trying not to get too upset about it. My husband and sons are being very supportive.

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited September 2010

    dp-bff,

    You should think about joing the Sept. chemo thread. It is quite active. I am also on the same chemo drugs as you. I had my first last week on the 2nd. To say I feel under the weather I guess would be a good way to put it. I have all the same symtoms as you, but add an infection from my breast surgery opening up friday, and having stitches put in. Just remember we are stronger than any stinking disease.

    Karen

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited September 2010

    I did 6 rounds of TAC last year and I found the sx did go through a predictable sequence each round. However, in some ways the first round was the worst bc I didn't know what to expect. I had horrible constipation that round bc I decided to wait and see what my body did before taking preventative laxatives. Also for me, mouth soreness was a big factor, I had to learn what foods aggravated it (I ate a bunch of crackers the first round and they abraded my esophagus , fresh pineapple the second round which fried my mouth). The later rounds did get harder for me to bounce to back from and I felt more fatigue but they still were pretty much the same each time.

    edited to add- oh and for sure join the Sept chemo thread-

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  • gale1525
    gale1525 Member Posts: 232
    edited September 2010

    My side effects were worse every time, except  for the leg pain which was only on my first chemo. Try l-gutamine powder two teaspoons in apple juice to swish around your month, I did this every time, my mouth felt even tingling and I did not get month sores.

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  • NancyGA
    NancyGA Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2010

    Hi -

    I had the exact same treatment as you. I finished three weeks ago. Hooray!!

    My side effects actually got much better over time - I thought the first round was the worst for me. I think the rounds got better for the following reasons:

    1. Acupuncture. Find it and do it. It made a world of difference for me. I was a doubter, but it was unbelievable. 

    2. Better meds. I had allergic reactions to both T and C so they gave me steroids and benadryll through the IV during treatment.

    3.Learning curve - I got better at eating (only hummus and gatorade for me for the first week, which cured the stomach issues - I think eating REALLY light is the way to go. I made up for it with ice cream during my week 3), and also knew what to expect, which helps I think. 

    4. Exercise. I hated it every time, but it helped. 

    Just my two cents. You will get through this! 

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  • blessed100
    blessed100 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2010

    Thank all of you so much for your advice. I am going to join the Sept chemo thread. This is giving me the confidence to keep moving forward. I know that I should "fight like a girl", but sometimes I just feel like a baby. Also, I am really worried about mouth sores, so I'll have to try the l-gutamine powder.

    Thanks again

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited September 2010

    dp-bff ~ There's also a lengthy thread here just for Taxotere & Cytoxan.  It's in the chemotherapy forum... title is something like Anyone On Just Taxotere & Cytoxan. 

    Be sure you're icing your nails (fingers & toes) to avoid damage.  (Happy to elaborate if this isn't a familiar concept to you.)  Also, B6 helps with neuropathy, one of the potential SEs that can get worse over the course of your treatment.  And I remember Biotene mouthwash prevented me from getting any of the mouth issues some report having.

    Re. the hip & leg pain, did you get Neulasta?  It's notorious for causing that, but taking regular Claritin (generic okay, but not the "D" version) both before and after the shot can help.

    Good luck!   Deanna

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  • blessed100
    blessed100 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2010

    dlb823 - Thank you for your advice. I did not get Neulasta after my treatment. I have read about it on this forum that several people had a shot a few days after theirs, but I don't know anything about Neulasta. There is so much to learn. Hope your feeling fine and good luck to you too.

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