Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

I tried all of the above (prunes, supplements, milk of mag caplets, dulcolax, fiber, miralax, colace and pericolace- several of each per day). None of that worked for me. I think my antiemetics were the main cause. Of course, I need those too as a I still get queasy even w/ them.

So now, I have worked harder in between the treatments to get control of this- hoping next time it'll be better. Last time the office had me take a bottle of Mg Citrate one week out. That was not a fun few days. Hope to avoid that this time. 

nmoss- I don't have really much of any side effects from Herceptin. I have a port as many do & so thankful for that. I usually end up w/ IV fluids one week post chemo (have for the1st 2 TCH treatments). The port procedure didn't hurt- it was uncomfortable for a few days (not compared to surgery- just sore & I felt it all the time back then). Now I hardly notice it. Put the pre-med cream on the port site b/f each visit & I don't even feel the needle. Such a nice change from the multiple sticks before the port. I am so thankful to have it.

I do feel dry eyed/teary eyed both alot of the time now (seems to be chemo med related from hearing stuff on this board). 

I just feel I am fighting a cold the last few days. Trying to load up on fluids- eat healthy- and rested alot this weekend. 

Not sure if it's a cold or just not back up to full steam since this stuff is all 'cumulative' (that word depresses me....)

Good luck to al this week- this is a great support network. It truly does start getting better at the worst a week out- I know there are some dark days for me too as others. We wil make it through!

Hope you all have a great Monday. Off to sleep and work tomorrow.    

I got neutropenic sepsis after my first TCH - unbearable side effects for ten days or so before it became clear that my body had gone into meltdown. I was told for TCH2 onwards that chemo shouldn't be unbearable. I was therefore given a 25% dose reduction. I sailed through TCH 2-6 (relative to TCH 1). If you're having an awlful time on TCH you might want to ask for a dose reduction.

Funny how all our bodies are the same but different. I have had D since my treatment but can control it. Being mindful though not to put myself over to the other side. Even though I have had few SEs I am losing weight like crazy-I go Weds for my first H only-I sure don't want them to say NO.

NMoss-maybe this next time won't be as bad. They say it can change from one treatment ot the next. It's late at night when I can't sleep that I keep thinking-"I CAN"T DO THIS" and I know that it isn't an option but I am still so new into this that the "It isn't Fair" and "Why Me" just won't shut themselves down. Kepp reading the boards and look to the ones who have finished. Lago is already getting hair back. Keep thinking about the happy dance that's coming.

I'm more than getting my hair back. My hair started to recede a bit 5 years ago… that hair is coming back too! I'm hoping to go topless in 4 weeks.

Oh and my eyesight actually got better. I no longer have astigmatism. I know can purchases over the counter reading glasses. Go figure.

Also the stiffness is 90% better. Probably would be 95% better but it's cold today. I just notice mostly when I wake up now.  Fingernails are growing out too. It's been 10 weeks.

NMoss you can do this… but feel free to bitch and moan. It does suck but not forever.

nmoss - my BIL is a gastroenterologist and he recommends Miralax for constipation.  I have the opposite problem starting day 2 for the next 9 days so that is all I can offer for advice.  The headache was the worst SE for me on tx#1 but it was really manageable on the second tx.  I hope the same for you.  I think your SE might be attributed more to the Taxotere.  I am hoping that there will be a point in the next few days when you wake up and feel really normal.  That has been my experience - right at a week after tx, same day following week.

Hang in,  Kathie

Sue Welcome! I have TCH tomorrow as well. It will be #3 for me. LisaGH and SpecialK also have TCH#3 this week so we'll all be going through it with you...Be sure to follow the advice of those who have already finished-drink a LOT of fluids which will ease a multitude of SEs and try to get some level of exercise even if it's only a walk around the block on the tough days. Most of all, come here and vent when you need to

nora - I notice that I have more fat around my middle.  When I have been swimming the last two weekends I notice that I float VERY well now.

Matthew...my Onc told me that the MUGA is interpreted subjectively and that the results can vary within five points. So he probably would tell you that the increase is negligible and probably a variant of the reader. And that it didn't actually go up. Thats what he told me when mine went down by five points.

So now this really is TMI? Has anyone had their monthly during chemo? After going from one extreme to the other and having the big D yesterday. I woke up in the middle of the night with the shooting Nuelasta pain in my head and hips. Nauseous and having started my period!! Should I be concerned. I thought this was going to a non issue once I started TX. I am ER/ PR positive also. I called the onc but he takes forever to respond.

I get my first H only treatment tomorrow. I am hoping my counts are good enough. I have lost almost 18lbs since DX in Feb. Cooking and eating have always ranked up there as some of my favorite hobbies-seems sad that I have to lose that along with everything else. I don't have nausea really-or even the bad taste in my mouth-it just feels like my throat is full.

  I too have an overshare nmoss-I have full fledged cactus butt. I have been afraid to treat the D too vigorously because I was scared it would throw me over to the other side. Regretting that this morning. 5 straight days of it coming and going. Still would rather have that than the C-at least D doesn't involve drinking all those foul tasting concoctions.

Good luck LisaGH, Dragonfly and Special K on TCH # 3. I will be avidly following your SEs and hoping they are few and mild.

Good Morning Ladies! 

 I don't know if it's water or not....I am going to keep an eye on it and see if I start gaining now that I am done with the TC part. It seemed I would initially lose quite a bit the first 5 days after receiving TCH and then slowing get to the point where I am at my starting weight and then lose again. Now that I'm going to get Herceptin only on Friday and from here on out, I don't know what my body is going to do. A bit scared at this point because my appetite seems to be getting out of control but still doing ok on weight.....SO FAR!

nmoss  My onc is going to look at my hormone levels on Friday to determine if I will get a hysterectomy and ovaries removed. I am having a hernia repair very soon so if they want to do it, they got one shot at it while I'm already out.

All you gals that are H only now, are you getting it weekly or every 3 weeks? I was told after my 6th TCH I could start into the every 3 week H.  I currently have it weekly and wondered how having a triple concentrated dose would work with fluid retention. Halfway done with this journey and looking forward to the H only.

Same here.....every three weeks while doing herceptin only

I should have added to my previous post, that her port which was placed last Wednesday, mar 23, still hurts like the dickens.  Is that typical for port placements to be so painful a week after surgery?

Nathan~

My port hurt for about 2 weeks before it settled down.

Hugs to your wife...