Taxotere is a nightmare
Comments
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Susan 4 more treatments is and eternity... LOL I do know how you feel every step of the way... It sucks and no one can tell me different. And I can hear them ohhhh you only have 4 more , the thing is no one knows how awful you really feel. No flu , hangover, operation etc... can top how bad chemo makes you feel.... Maybe if you go bitch slap someone you will feel better
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Susan the finger thing does suck when it hurts badly. Those were my worst days. I'm not saying my fingers don't hurt a little now but nothing like when they really hurt… especially when they throbbed and were red. Never did get an infection though.
Have you tried any pain meds? I also found when my nail beds dried out they really hurt. I would run my fingers under water for a few minutes to soften them up and get relief. Yes I totally understand your sucky feeling. Will you be fine? Well, ya but who wants to hear how you are going to feel in a few months. Duh! You feel like crap now and want relief!
Be sure to let your onc know about the swelling in your hands and feet. Mine got so bad I couldn't zip up my booties and fit into most of my shoes. I finally got a low dose diuretic.
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Susan - Hang in there, you are so strong to even be at work. It truely sucks the way chemo makes you feel. ((((Hugs))))
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funny how we learn what to say and what not to say once we experience it for ourselves! I dreaded my last treatment and wanted to scream when someone said "but it's your last one!" I know people are just trying to be supportive, but somethings you just don't want to hear. Lago, I think of you everytime my nails are sore and tell myself that I can't even complain...and there you are scrubbing things!
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Susan complain away!! I always feel guilty when I complain, but all of us here understand and it's a great place to vent. I almost didn't do my last tx, I didn't care if I "only" had 1 more! I did go through with it and I'm glad now, but I've only felt that way a week or so.
Speaking of complaining
..... I have felt so down today! I went to the rad onc and found out when I'll do my ct scan/tatoos and start the rads. I just want everyone to leave me alone!! I am so sick of drs and appt's! I've been reading some threads on Tamoxifan and the SE's don't sound a lot better than chemo SE's! I'm really feeling depressed about spending the next five+ years not feeling like myself!! I feel like this will never end..... -
shooshoo - I have a really hard time with the 5 year thing too.
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I hear you Shooshoo. I just got the call that my one margin wasn't clear from my lumpectomy on Wed. last week (all 4 nodes were tho!) so now I will have to go back and have more tissue removed, but my surgeon isn't back from vaca until the 16th. That is going to put off my radiation treatment even longer now since I have to be recovered from all surgery, and I might be getting a bone biop before that too. This sucks. Try not to fret too much about the SE's of radiation, like I said before, I have heard horror stories and I have heard it's easy...just depends and we won't know til we get there. Hope your day gets better...hate to hear when people are feeling down. My day like that was yesterday.
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shooshoo23 I start generic Arimidex tomorrow. I was more scared of taking the estrogen sucking drugs than chemo. I mean chemo was only for 3.5 months. Estrogen suckers are for 5 years!
But many people get few or little SE. Only the people with issues are going to post. The only way to know is to try. I also hear that even if you do get SE they subside in a few months for many people.
I get excited when I have a week that only has 1 doctor or PE appointment. I have 2 appointments tomorrow and 1 on Wednesday this week. Had 3 last week too. Granted one was the dentist so I'm not sure if that counts. It's not forever but go ahead. We all sympathize because we all have that "when will it end" days. Can't we just do surgery take a pill for a week and call it done?
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lago - I was so excited because this week I didn't have ANY doctor or health related appointments!!
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I know what you mean Sam. I have two more..one tomorrow, one on the 22nd..and it feels just as far away as when I started.....
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What do any of you know about Triple negative Cancer..... I am trying to make the decision to get the oompherectomy ( what ever it is called) and I am BRCA 2 positive. They removed the tumor and both breasts it did not go to the lymph nodes and I have done the aggressive chemo.... I really hate the sound of another surgery ... what if I do produce hormones? How bad will it really be for me in the long run.... I read and get more confused and I don't really know what my options are. I am seeing a gyn oncologist on the 9th. If you have any info I would love to hear it.
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tracie - I came across this site this weekend that seems to have a lot of triple negative BC information
http://nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/breastcancer101/TNBC/TNBC.html
Also, Constantine Kaniklidis from Breast Cancer Watch contributes there and she is extremely knowledgeble if you haven't seen her website
http://breastcancer.evidencewatch.com/
She reports on recent publications on a wide range of BC topics and discusses their scientific merit.
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tracie23 I think the other risk is ovarian cancer is a bit higher with BRCA+. You should be talking with a genetic counsler and your onc about this.This might be the reason why they are suggesting getting ooph-ed.
I don't know if removing the ovaries is typical with triple negative. There is a gal from the IL forum that is also triple negative that just got oophed. She is in her early 50's. Not sure if she tested BRCA+. Sorry but I haven't done a lot of research in this area.
Source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
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Hi, Everyone. I just found this board and am so grateful to be able to read what others are experiencing. I'm on taxotere and cytoxan every three weeks, neulasta the day after chemo, plus herceptin every week. After the chemo, the herceptin will switch to every three weeks. I've only had one round of chemo and two of the herceptin with the third scheduled for tomorrow. My worst complaints have been severe headache and diarrhea unlike anything I have ever experienced before. My white count was also low last week and I was running a fever, so my doctor started me on an antibiotic, levaquin, which has just upset my digestive system even more. I thought I had read and done a lot of research about what to expect but I was still not prepared for how truly bad I felt for five straight days and I still don't feel very good. For those who have been at this longer than I have, do subsequent treatments get any easier/better? I really have not been able to eat much of anything in over two weeks because of the diarrhea..... liquids, bananas, applesauce and saltines. Lord, please tell me it gets better. I still have a full time job and I'm trying to work through it all. Thanks for any suggestions and/or comments. Peggy
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Hi Peggy! I had taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin so I don't know much about the cytoxan. Do you have 4 or 6 treatments? For me the first one was much harder than the second one. I think everything was just such a shock to my system with the first one. With the second too you can manage the SE's a bit better as well. So good that you have come here. The woman know so many things and have so many experiences to share. These women have helped me so much! I would suggest keeping a journal of your symptoms so next treatment you have a general idea of what to expect and what to do, even though each time it can be different. There is also a thread called 'triple positive group' that is very helpful.
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Tracie... you can have your ovaries removed laproscopically... so its not invasive frm what I hear.
Disneylover... I have been icing my fingers and toes and also using Sally Hanson nail hardener and have no nail problems as of yet and am going to tx #3 on Thursday. I will be taking claritin and zantac on Thursday - Sunday to avoid bone pain (from Neulasta shot Friday) and heartburn... and by Monday, I will feel ok and almost 100% by Wednesda... Of course there is the hair side effect, so I suggest a really good wig... I get compliments all the time...People who know its a wig say there is no way they could tell if I hadn't told them.
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samayofl, I have 100 % empathy for you today. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's Monday…
I have also had a little bit of a rough day today.
My fingers and fingernails also got extremely painful to the point where I could not use them to do any daily activities, and they turned dark at the bases where it seemed as if I had had a hammer hitting each one of them. However, the tips remained normal color and they are growing out. I was lucky to not lose them but can certainly empathize with the pain you're feeling. Hang in there and know that I am sending lots of positive vibes and hugs your way. I won't tell you that it will get better, because I think I will have to do bodily harm to the next person that says that to me also!! 
Tracie, do you still have problems with your teeth? It is been over two months and I still feel as if my mouth is on fire, mostly with my teeth bothering me and a little bit of tingling of the tip of my tongue. I don't have any mouth sores, and the mucus membranes are just fine, but my teeth are driving me crazy! This is the oddest sensation and I don't really have any better way to explain it but it is quite bothersome and I was just wondering if you or anyone else has had any problems with this. I actually called my dentist today to see if she had heard of any similar difficulties with people who completed chemo and she did not know of any, but said she was going to check into the literature on oral pathology.
OK, YIKES!!! I wasn't going to write this much! Sorry I get so long-winded! -
SAMayoFL I'm so sorry u r feelingnlike this and it's hard I don't hAve much problems with nails mine r dArk, but no pain yet. What I do have experience with is with the mouth I know exactly how u feel it feel like my throat is on fire... Have u tried taking acid like Zantac helps a bit also drink alot. The other thing I've been doing is I mix honey with warm water and with a q-tip I clean my tongue takes the white stuff a lot!!
I admire u that u r working through this I never could...u r amazing!!! -
Krista and lago - I saw my oncologist and it turns out I am dangerously anemic. When I started chemo my red blood count was 14 and today was 7. The doctor says it is the reason I am having palpitations and shortness of breath. I have to have a blood transfusion on Wednesday. Meanwhile I have to eat a lot of red meat. Who would have thought? I am so glad I talked to her. Thank you lago for telling me to tell them about all the symptoms, there is no need to suffer. You are right as always.
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omaz: thanks for the links on TN BC ( still confused) LOL
n3ypb: when I eat something hot my teeth vibrate I know that sounds so weird but it is the only way to describe it.
Survivorwoman: I am glad they are able to help you I am sorry you have to go through all this but I am glad they know what is wrong.
Lago: I am so happy you are on this site to you are always so helpful and kind.
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tracie - In thinking about it probably they recommend the ooph for you because of the BRCA+, is that what you were thinking?
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You guys are making me blush.
Survivorwoman I'm so glad they got to the route of the problem. Heart palpitations are not good but I didn't want to totally scare you. Do you need my beef stew recipe?
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Hey all,
Can I say something about teeth?
My last chemo was LAST March and last Herceptin at Thanksgiving...
Just had my teeth cleaned (first time since chemo) last Wednesday and my mouth is still so sore and hurting! My teeth and my gums. Not sure if I should call my dentist or did I just have the extra rough hygienist?
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Iago - I AGREE with everyone! I have really appreciated your knowledge and advice many times.
Survivorwoman - During my FEC treatments, I had heart palpitations like crazy for at least a week or so after tx before it settled down. I would mention it to my onc but she was not really concerned because my MUGA scans have been good. That being said, I did end up having to have a blood transfusion because my counts were so bad. I didn't like the idea of a transfusion - it took most the afternoon to receive 2 bags of blood, but I have to say that afterwards, I felt SO much better and palpitations stopped.
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lago- yes, please give me the beef stew recipe. I am making beef soup today with a lot of veggies.I don't have much strength to prepare anything, but I can just throw things in a pot and maybe after the transfusion I can do it the proper way. Thank you.
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Marjie- thank you for telling me about your experience with the transfusions. Yes, I am a bit worried too, but if it has to be done then it had to be done. I DO hope it will make me feel better after, like it helped you. I am still wating for them to call me and I hope I can do it today asap. Even getting out of the bed or moving about the apartment can give me palpitations. Unreal!
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Survivorwoman - You'll be fine I'm sure but it is scary! I was the same, where just slight exertion would cause palpitations so I really made a point to rest and not let it scare me too much although that's hard. It seemed kind of "par for the course" to my onc, but I'm thinking she was likely trying not to alarm me too much.
I had never really given a second thought to blood transfusions but when you find out you have to have one - it's a whole different thing! I really didn't like the thought of it, but like you say, we have to do what is necessary to get through all this crap! It's painless...just don't look because seeing it coming through the IV lines is a little disconcerting for sure. As I said, the effect is immediate - you feel better and you look better too, my DH said I had some colour in my face.
Funny note - I was in the hospital because of my low blood counts when they decided to do the transfusion and the bags of blood arrived with my lunch. As if hospital food isn't bad enough, lol! Let's just say I didn't eat a lot of lunch that day
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Hey Marjie how was your time at your mothers?
I have a new attitude.... and I walked 3 miles yesterday 1st time since December.... I feel so much better. Today I walked only 11/2 miles but tonight I will do the other half ... I feel like my thighs have shin splints LOL
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Hi Tracie! It was good to see my mom, tiring though but worth it. I have been walking for the last three days but I can only manage about 15-20 minutes outside and my leg muscles are cramping up. I do much better at the gym on the treadmill - I can usually do 2 or 3 miles no problem. I am going to the gym tomorrow with my team (treadmill!!) and on Saturday I am going to try to start paddling again. I can't believe how weak I am but my onc said not to be discouraged and it will all come back soon.
You sound great! It's hard to keep our good attitudes going, I know, but it's definitely no good to let ourselves get down for too long. That is definitely my struggle right now - don't know why...it might be chemopause?? Who knows.
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Good morning ladies! I had a rough day yesterday, and reading your posts really helped me. I slept 5 hours, woke at 3 am, then was able to drift off again and woke feeling better today. The fact that the rain quit is probably helpful, too.
I saw an integrative health doc today - wish we had an integrative oncologist, but the internist is better than nothing. He was very encouraging about the exercise, especially outside stuff. I have been walking 30 minutes a day for the last week (except yesterday) and have noticed "shin splints" in my thigh muscles as well! Please feel free to "nag" me about keeping at it as I have a tendency to stick with intertia and have had such fatigue that I have not been up more than 10-11 hours a day - ughh. So I am determined to get the old energy back by June so I can hike or paddle all day! (BTW, I do not have low blood count or thyroid - all labs look good, so it is most likely just need to get moving!)
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