Cytoxan and Taxotere ?

Aloha,

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in aug. 2007. I received radiation to my right hip for 2 weeks followed by chemotherapy for 6 courses. I got the works too--Taxotere, Adriamycin "the red devil" and Cytoxan. The nausea was less once I began taking Prevacid to help decrease the gastric acid in my stomach. The food tasted metallic. I felt fatigued but forced myself to do things around the house as much as I could.

My energy level is coming back and my tastebuds are almost back to normal. I lost ALL of my hairs.......now I have nubs on my scalp and my eyebrows are sorta there, if there's eyelashes I sure can't tell.

I also got Neulasta and Procrit shots when my labs were down, which were almost always.

My chemotherapy 'journey' had rough moments but I tolerated. My next journey is surgery and I will be meeting with surgeons tomorrow for surgery this month.

All is good today..........hang in there, it will get better.

Blessings,

Alice

Hi Barbara,

So sorry to hear about your bad experience with the first round! I don't know carboplatin, but I can tell you that at least through the first round of Taxotere-Cytoxan Kathy has done great. Her appetite is excellent and other than getting run down a little easily she is doing very well. Her head is starting to tingle, so we assume the hair is going to go any minute!

Our doctor feels very strongly that for many cases (especially er+/pr+?) the TC is just as effective as AC. I assume the 'H' is herceptin since you are HER2pos? I don't know if it will help any, but we have two friends who had similar diagnoses between ten and 15 years go. They were treated wtih AC, and had recurrences. Then they were treated with TC and are clear now, both past their five year anniversaries. I'm sure that every single woman on the planet is different, and I would be the last one to try to figure out just how your bodies work, but we found that news to be very encouraging as far as the TC regimen goes.

Most importantly, keep your chin up! Every treatment you complete is one more step on the road to recovery.

God bless,

Steve

I was one of the fortunate ones who took TAC (Taxotere, cytoxin and adriamycin) all three for six treatments.  As part of a clinical study, they are trying to determine if TC versus TAC is the same.  The adriamycin is a nasty chemo drug, and the purpose is to see if eliminating this will offer the same results.  The six treatments were horrible, each one getting worse then the last, with a bout of pneumonia after the third treatment.  Sometimes I think they don't make adjustments to those of us who have lost weight during the treatments, and still administer the same amount of the chemo as they did in the beginning.  I lost 20 lbs. by my fourth treatment, and I was kept on the same dosage as the first.  However, I discussed with my oncologist after the fourth treatment, and they adjusted the amount of chemicals for the last two.  I did better during those last two treatments, and tolerated the chemo much better.  We sometimes have to be our own advocate, and make sure the doctors/chemo nurses really understand what we are going through.  I know they see a lot of patients, and sometimes, we have to make ourselves people instead of just another statistic.  Good luck to all of you who are still in treatment, and congratulations to those who have finished...hugs to all.

Judy

Lollies, I had cytoxin and taxotere, 6 treatments,3 weeks apart.  Because of my weight, I had triple the dose.  Tumor had taken over my whole breast and underarm, and after six treatments, my oncologist felt nothing.  Then I had the surgery, and the tumor was down to less than 1cm.  So yes, the cytoxin and taxotere did work well for me. I have a port.   Hate that thing!

I am taking Gemzar and Taxotere, I am on my 3rd cycle.. Do you feel any body pain or bone pain?

You & I are close in treatment. Tomorrow I go meet w/my Chemo "team". I met w/my oncologist last week. I am having the port put in on the 24th.

One thing I'd like to mention: I called the American Cancer Society. I am eligible for a free wig. All I have to do is go up to the nearest office & try one on to choose!

Hi Everyone

I'm currently receiving Taxotere/Cytoxan (TC) as well.  Based on what I've read I'm confident it's the right choice for me but my oncologist is pushing for 6 cycles instead of 4.  There does not seem to be much published data re: optimal number of cycles with TC but I am seeing more and more anecdotal information about 4 cycles seemingly being the standard.  Just wish I could have peace of mind with the number of cycles.

I came in just under the wire within Stage I (1.9cm), negative sentinal nodes, HER negative, ER negative but PR positive (weird).  Did prophyllactic double mastectomy because the radiation I received for Hodgkin's disease in my 20's is the primary suspect in my breast CA so I did not want to wait around for it to appear in the other breast. 

Any thoughts?  Patti

I am on TC x4 every 3 weeks.  I have been following the Aug 2010 chemo group.  Lots on TC in that group.  I have only had 1 treatment but willing to answer anything I can.

I am also on TCx4, every 3 weeks. I've only had 1 treatment so far, but SE,s for me were not bad at all. I feel great 11 days out. My hair is starting to fall out today. There is a sept. chemo group that has become quite active, and lots of us are on TC.

Redinrah - I am typically infused on Mondays, and feel flu like on Thursdays and for half the day on Fridays.  I have 3 rounds of TC behind me and this is pretty predictable for me.  Everyone is different - some people have more side effects and others less.  Regarding hair loss - I shaved mine when it started falling out in clumps.  My head is not 100% bald, but it would have looked horrendous if I left it unshaved.  I do have bald patches throughout my scalp, but I have not lost 100% of my hair if that makes sense. 

Look for a September Chemo group under the Chemotherapy forum.  You will find lots of support there as well.  Good luck - while not fun, we are all surviving it. 

I had four rounds of Taxotere,And broke out in a rash every time of chemo,the very last one has been the worst,I have been boke ou for 16 days,It is finally getting better.now they decide that I am allergic to Taxtere.the pain along with it has been horrible,no energy to even feel like getting out of bed.But the good thing is I am finally finished with the chemo,I start radiation soon,It could not be anything as bad as the chemo treatment have been.(side effects) are one thing but being allergic to the medication and they just keep pumping you full it it again??

hi honey, I had adriamycin and cytoxin  for treatment my hair also came out and I was truamatized but it all came back and i,m now 16 yrs cancer free (Praise God).  msphil

Hi,

Just finished rnd 4 of TC. Unfortunately had a lot of trouble tolerating it. Wiped out mu wbc everytime and wound up in hosp for rnd 1. after that, they put me on neulasta which kept the wbc low but I didnt need to go back it. My port also became infected after rnd 1 and was removed at rnd 2. Kept a lot of my head hair-it was funny but the part w the blond highlights stayed and lost everything else, who knew-so I cut it short and have enough that it is OK w a scarf and don't do the wig all the time. kept some eyebrows and some eyelashes but they are getting thin. Hopefully in a few weeks this will start to come back. I had a lot of bone and muscle and nerve pain, weakness, fatigue, metallic taste, rash and a little nausea for 2 weeks after the treatments, but when the wbc started to come back, I started to feel better. I had a BMX with expanders, so have final expansion next week-got a little behind because of low counts. Will have radiation-going for simulation and markings and treatment plan second week of OCt. and then will start a week of 2 after. Hopefully this will not be as rough as the TC was for me and have learned a lot from the Sept rad grps. I think it is so interesting how we all react very differently to the treeatment. After rnd 1, you will find which meds help to relieve the symptoms and when to take them so they work best for you. Recommendation-tell your oncologist and oncology nurses everything-they are a wonderful resource and if you have any SEs, they can tell you how to best manage them for you. This has been an interesting journey, and I have so much respect for the women here who are on this journey who have shared so many experiences. You can do this!

Whitney,

I am scheduled to do 6 treatments of TC.  I just had my second treatment on Friday.  This was the treatment recommended by my oncologist.  I was not aware of 6 treatments not being on the Practice Guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.  I didn't even know that treatment over 6 could be denied from insurance companies either.  It is certainly something that I should ask about.

If doctors are giving the 6 treatments, how are they doing it if it's not in those guidelines?  I am confused.

Thanks,

Tori 

Hi Tammy. I had my first TC of 4 on Thurs. They prescribed an Emend (anti-nauseau) patch to put behind my ear the day before and wear for 3 days. Also took 2 steroids the before and day after. During my treatment they started me with 2 bags of the Emend and one steroid then started the T followed by the C. I am on day 4 now. Tired and jittery, but no nauseau yet. I did not receive a Nuelasta shot. They said if my white counts bottom out, my next treatment will be delayed a week and then I will get the shot after treatment 2. Hope it goes smoothly for you, I kind of feel like I am just sitting here waiting for something to attack me!

Tiffany