Taxotere is a nightmare
Comments
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Shots make me feel achy in my lower back, neck area (like swollen glands) jaw etc. I take aleve and I'm already on Zyrtec so I can't take Claritin (recommended to reduce SE) . It's only for a day and it's not like I can't do anything. Depending on how bad the back is I don't go and work out at the gym. The machines are tough on my back. Better to walk outside. Since it's only a day I just take it easy. That day and the next I'm a bit more tired but not that bad.
Overall I would say a cold is more annoying and the flu is 100 times worse than the SE from taxotere.
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I will let you know Tracie....from what I understand any SEs will probably come tomorrow....I take Claritin everynight...and am taking Aleve just in case.....
I'll keep ya posted!!
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I got switched from paclitaxol to taxotere because of the neuropathy. Rather have severe side effects for the short run than lose feeling in my feet permently. My bloods were bad after the first so I had to get a neupogen shot. Gosh, that was awful. The day after I felt like my spine was dissolving. Took ibuprophen and that OTC is a WONDER drug as far as I am concerned. The pain was gone in 20 minutes. Doctor prescribed an antibiotic Levaquin 500 mg but after I read the side effects I didn't take it as I didn't have an infection and cannot afford to kill the bacteria in my gut one more time unless it is absolutely necessary.
Got my second taxotere treatment yesterday and got the heebie jeebies in my feet. The nurse indicated that was from the benadryl. Anybody ever heard of that or was it the taxotere? Took neurotin and it did help some. Slept all afternoon but was unable to sleep all night. Today I go get a neulasta shot so my blood won't go down. I'm going to go get some claritin and start it today to help with the joint pain.
I nearly laughed out loud when Doc said side effects of taxotere were diarreha (chemo brain--lost my ability to spell). I am going crazy with the constipation. Upping fiber like mad and taking milk of mag every once in a while. I'm going to start drinking the keffir yogurt since it has 10 differerent useful bacteria. Anybody want to recommend a priobiotic?
Thank you to each person who shared their experiences. If all you read is the bland nothing that the American Cancer Society puts out you'd think that chemo just makes you feel bad and side effects are pretty limited. Nice to get the true experiences.
Oh, and if you really want to get worried, you should check out the New Yorker magazine. My latest issue had an article on how Big Pharma is outsourcing drug testing to third world countries to get the drugs approved by the FDA. In India, they were testing drugs on infants--45 out of 1000 died during the tests! Imagine the pressure to falsify results and get poor people to sign up for these tests. Scary--makes me want to demand only old drugs from now on--no new wonder drugs for me!
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I guess we all metabolize differently and have various degrees of side effects. Just to weigh in for the newbies, I finished my last TCH 4 weeks ago. I worked the entire time, taking the day of chemo off (Thurs). The day after I felt fine, by Sunday I was really tired and mostly spent the weekend resting. There are days when I probably would have stayed home, but getting out made me just forget for a nano second about BC.
Some of the best tips have been given: don't get constipated. I started miralax a day or two before chemo.
If you feel the least bit queasy stay ahead of it. The chemo nurse told me to get up, get something on my stomach and take a anti nausea pill (Zofran worked for me) I did this through about day 6 or 7 and never had a bad stomach issue. The nurse told me "you don't get prizes for leftover meds". The taste buds were really off and it was also a texture icky thing. Food such as bread just seemed grossly textured.
Libray lil
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taxitreesdeb: at chemo training I was told I would get diarrhea on taxotere too. I told the nurse I would get constipation because that is the issue I have with my IBS… and I was right.
The first time I was doing the dried apricots, pro-biotic and then milk of magnesia. When none of that worked I started to take Metamucil… that did the trick
so now (5th tx) I still do the dried apricots, pro-biotic but skip the milk of magnesia and start with Metamucil the day after chemo (as directed on package). Today things are a bit dryer but they are moving. That first time was hell and I ended up with hemorrhoids too. Definitely attack this before it gets real bad.
I take Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500mg for neuropathy since tx2. I just have some numbness in my left heel and that's it. Before I started to get numbness in my left hand but that stopped once I started with the A-L-C
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Tracie, no SE yet from the neulasta.. at 24 hours...
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Hi TonLee, did you do it yourself?
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Yes Tracie, I did it myself. It was easy and painless...I promise...just a little belly fat....the Aleve I took this morning is starting to wear off..my muscles and bones in my neck feel "loose" like I just got a good workout...will take another Aleve before bed though....
You can do it.
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During my fun with taxotere I was told the same thing - diarrhea - no way it was the worst constipation - the stool stoftener was the trick - you can get it cheap if you get the store brand - I took two capsules every night before bed and continued to do this for almost a year after it took that long to get my system back to normal - I tried Miralax (it took three days to work) and I had always used Metamucil because I was on South Beach before BC and they recommend it because of the low carbs but when I was on taxotere the Metamucil just didn't seem to work - oh yes I drank tons of water - 64 ozs. a day - the nurse told me to drink that much to flush the chemo out of my system and I continued to drink that much for six months and it worked to keep me regular now I just make sure I exercise and eat a good and balanced diet and LOTS of vegetables. You'll get through this with flying colours - we're all pulling for you.
Sandy
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Yesterday I was weak and dizzy all day.
Last night was horrible.
I was constipated (didn't happen last time) even with Metamucil 2 xs a day. So, I took an Ex Lax, and 12 hours later, with no relief, but severe abdominal pain, an enema. That got things moving, but constipation turned to diarrhea and severe shivering.
Still, considering the "lack" of action down there in the last couple days....there wasn't a lot of production if you know what I mean.
I couldn't stop shivering, laid in front of the fire, and my temperature spiked. I didn't go to the ER, I took a Tylenol. I was too weak and tired to go to the ER. After two hours my temp settled down to around 99-100, shivering slowed, and I went to bed.
Today, I am sore everywhere from the constant muscle clenching....and now my youngest has diarrhea.
To top it all off, I think chemo gives me UTIs. Anyone else have this problem every time??
My urine is darkening up again, just like last treatment when I got a UTI. And right now I can't tell if my back hurts from all the drama yesterday, or from the UTI.
I'm gonna try and wait until Tuesday when I go in for Herceptin ... depends on the fever thing.
I'm only 2 treatments in and right now I think the chemo is going to kill me. I don't know how I can do this every 3 weeks.....
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TonLee, please be careful with the fever. I had the same inclinations to just take Tylenol instead but it can mask the symptoms of the real problem which might need more aggressive treatment. I know it's a pain to go to the ER but that is what you should do. In my cancer centre, there is always a resident onc on call so I would call him/her first and get directions as to what I should do.
On another note, regarding neuropathy. During tx, I did develop neuropathy in both hands and feet - not terrible but there. My hands and one foot cleared pretty quickly. The other foot was different ...after about 16 months, it had gotten slightly better but it was still there. Now I'm 18 months out and surprisingly, it has started to improve so I think it can take a very long time for the se's to disappear. I had given up hope but I am very pleased now that I am starting to feel a difference. So, just wanted all of you to know that the healing can take a long long time. Now if only my hair would start to recover and grow properly.
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TonLee:
I second what hrf is telling you - please call your onc's office and get some direction - the fever isn't to be toyed with. As for the constipation I was told by my onc nurse to take stool softeners (I took two) every night before bed and on occasion I drank warm prune juice (it actually works way better than Miralax or anything else I tried - Milk of Magnesia has ALWAYS given me the runs) - but the fever needs to be dealt with we don't want you getting sicker.
As for the neropathy I am two years out from chemo and the neuropathy in my feet is lessening slowly but surely and I only occasionally feel it in my fingertips - my hair growth is another thing entirely it is finally getting a little better but still not anywhere near the thickness it needs to be frankly it is the thing that ticks me off the most.....
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Hi tonlee, I ended up in the hospital last week with the aches , shivering, my temp was not to high but they did not fool around. it ended up being a UTI but they pumped me full of antibiotics. Please don't wait if you are feeling bad. The out come can be not so great.... I could not figure out why I was feeling so bad and I don't get the normal UTI symptoms just the aches and chills so please be careful. OH and the only thing in the hospital that took the chills away was warm water it was the only thing that made me warm other than the heating pad. Thinking of you and hoping you feel better. Keep us posted HUGS
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When I woke up on Sunday, the fever was gone....now my youngest has a stomach bug that includes diarrhea, aches, and a low grade fever....maybe I had that....??
All I know is now things are moving and my stomach is on fire..even with Zantac. Go in tomorrow for Herceptin ....
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Went to the onc today my blood work came back good. I have my second round of chemo on Thursday... this time I had a women what a different attitude from the male docs. She agreed with me that the Taxotere will make you feel like you were run over by a bus and gave me vicoden to help with the pain. I tried telling that to the other (male) onc a few weeks ago and they just thought I was nuts....I have never felt that kind of pain... I am telling you it takes a woman to help a woman. I hope everyone is feeling good?
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Hi ladies....anyone end up feeling like there is something growing in their throat?? I know it sounds crazy but I feel like I have something stuck in my throat just below my adams apple...can taxotere affect your thyroid? Should I call my onc? My next tx is in a week.
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Hi to all,
My 82 yr old mom, was just dx w/stage 1 bc...clear nodes,ER+ PR- HER2+.
Onc wants her to do taxotere and herceptin. Once a week for 3 months and then just herceptin for 7 months at once a month. I did CMF, so I need your opinions on my mom doing this. Onc says she will lose her hair, not much nausea and at a low dose. Dear sistas...what do u think?
hugs and prayers...best of luck with ur treatments,
\
Candie
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Marjie I think you should let your onc know before your next visit. It can't hurt to leave a message.
Candie, Herceptin is THE drug to give to us gals that are HER2+. It typically is given with chemo, Taxotere is one of the ones that they usually use. Personally I think it is very important that all those with a HER2+ diagnosis get Herceptin. This HER2+ used to have a poorer prognosis till Herceptin came around. So far the only SE I get from Herceptin is nosebleeds for a week. If she can handle it I would highly recommend it. But I would ask about the heart toxicity since your mom is 82. There can be issues although more common with long term use (over 1 year).
tracie23 sorry you are having such a rough time with Taxotere. It's so strange how some of us have pain issues and some like me have more doable issues (like my nails).
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bump
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Candie Taxotere and Cytoxan or A(I can't spell it) are the new regimine. CMF is old school and I think has more side effects. The main thing you have to worry about getting Taxotere is that they do the first drip slowly in case there is an allergic reaction. I had allergic reaction the first time (swollen tongue) and was given Benadryl before they began and took it for the first 48hrs following.
For nausea Zofran did NOT work for me, my onc ended up prescribing Phenergan for home use. the morning of infusion I took....Claritan D, pepcid, benadryl, Aloxi, Emend, phenergan, zofran in my IV, they did the drip slow My infusion took 5 hours every time. but I had no where else to be. Also to avoid UTI's you can't hold your urine and drink lots and LOTS of water the first 48 hours to flush it all out. You get a UTI if the urine with chemo drugs sits in your bladder too long. I literally peed every 30 minutes the first 24 hrs. It was exhausting but I did not want UTI.
I had minor neuropathy after my last treatment.my onc told me to ice my hands and feet a couple of times a day for 20 mins at a time and to rest them...which was difficult but they were so swollen I couldn't even button my own clothes or hold a pen so I really had no choice but to rest them. I never had to get Neulasta as my counts were always good. Key to good WBC and RBC counts is PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN as much as you can stuff in. I did orange flavored protein shots I added to club soda cause I got so sick of drinking water. This helped me drink more and get my protein in daily.
Good luck to everyone going through treatments...hang on you're almost there!
Diane
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This last taxotere treatment was a wooly bugger. I hope I didn't post this aready--with my depleted brain I may have done it 4 or 5 days ago.
Does anyone else get the heebie jeebies in their feet after the treatment? I could not sleep the night after the chemo because my feet felt like there were jumping beans in them. It was awful. Then a couple of ok days, then the fatigue, flu-like symptoms and joint pain for 2 days. A week later and I'm just now getting to where I can actually concentrate for more than about 10 minutes on anything important.
Good news is--only one more to go! Hooray!
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taxitreesdeb, I felt like I had electric jolts going up and down my body it was so painful and crazy and my feet did feel like they had jumping beans in them.... OH and the fatigue and flu symptoms felt like I was run over by a bus my doctor gave me vicoden ( spelling is so off chemo brain as well) I think I am dyslexic from all the chemo
) I only have 3 more I can't wait to be done. I am so happy you only have one more that is great. when is your last treatment? tracie
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tracie - Claratin along with a pain killer works for the leg pains. I only had to suffer it once and then was fine for the other 5 treatments. Get something to counteract all of the SE's - ask your onc. I took Somac for my grumbly bowel and indigestion and sennakot to avoid constipation.
Sue
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Marjie do you have just that lump feeling or do you have a feeling like there is a coating or some really tiny bumps in your mouth too? I got thrush after my 4th A/C treatment and for a few days I didn't even know what it was. There was just a very slight coating type of thing in my mouth. So light that it almost just felt like parts of my mouth were dirty. I think the next day I also had the lump in my throat. If it is thrush, don't let it get away from you. Go ahead and get the anti-fungal medicine and start rinsing several times a day with 8 oz. of warm water, 1 tbsp. of baking powder and 1 tsp. of salt. Your onc. can also give you Magic Mouth Wash which has lidocaine in it and will give you some comfort. When I first got thrush, I thought it was no big deal and would go away in a few days. I ended up in the ER on Christmas Day because it had gone in my throat and I couldn't swallow or spit anything up. I know thrush and mouth sores are common SE's of Taxotere. Let me know how you do, OK?
Susan
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suepen: thanks for the tips how does claritin help?
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Candie: I'd get a second opinion before subjecting an 82 year old to taxotere. Especially if she is node negative. Why do they think chemo is needed at all with node negative, stage 1?
Deb: Yes, I have the jumpy legs. I'm 4 weeks PFC and they are getting better.
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tracie I don't know how it helps but it works - it was my onc that prescribed it. Lots of ladies on here take it after taxtoere.
Sue
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LadyinBama,
My mom's onc says that because she is HER2+ and PR-, the prognosis is fair.
I am onthe fence about this alos. She is in excellent health, so the onc says she will do ok.But her age frightens me. Also, the side effects.
hugs
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Today I was trying to get my Nuelasta shot of course not one pharmacy had it and they would have to order it.... I need to take it today and they could not get it until Monday. I finally got a hold of the hospital and they had it but for a small price of $3400.00 I can't afford cancer , chemo , or the meds . After crying all afternoon to the oncologist they called to the pharmacy to over ride the cost. My husband has been there all day waiting at the pharmacy I hope it works. He is so not a happy camper. I hate everything about every experience I have had so far with this shitty cancer mess... I am having a very bad day and I wish it was over but I have to drive out to my husbands office to get the shot because he is going to have to work all night to make up the hours !!!! Thank you ladies for listening ....
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Tracie: (((HUGS))) What a pain to have to go after the shot. Hang in there. We all have days we want to throw in the towel, but we can't right now. Get your shot and go home and rest. Do something nice for yourself.
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