Itchy rash/hives from Taxotere???
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I had 4 cycles of taxotere and cytoxan and got done on 5/4. I am still dealing with an allergic reaction from the last two cycles and am so frustrated. After my 3rd cycle about a week later I broke out in hives all over and was super itchy. It started in a small area on my torso under my R breast and within 2 days it had spread all over my torso, down my legs and all over my arms. I went to urgent care (it was Easter morning) and was given oral steroids. I was on them a week and it seemed to go away but then I got my 4th treatment of chemo and 5 days later the rash was back. My med onc's office kind of blew me off (the PA's) so I went to my IM. She thought it was an allergic reaction and gave me more steroids for 6 days. That seemed to help but it was not completely gone after I was done with treatment. My IM then sent me to a dermatologist that day. The derm thought it was an allergic reaction and gave me a topical steroid so I would not have to take oral steroids again. I keep putting it on and it helps a little but I am still super itchy everywhere. The hives come and go but the itching happens most of the time. No one knows what to tell me. My med onc doesn't say much other than you are done with chemo so it will go away. I am sooooo sick of itching. I have scabs on my arms/legs from itching so much. I am anemic from the chemo so I have bruises all over from itching too. This has been going on since the middle of April! I can't take it anymore. I took Benedryl last night and slept better with no itching. I can't take it during the day...it knocks me out. I am going to go get some zyrtec today and see if that helps. Has anyone had this? How long? How did you get it to go away? I have more oral steroids, should I just go back on them? Every time I go on them the itch comes back when I get off them...it doesn't seem to work! Any suggestions??? I am going nuts!
Oh and I have not changed laundry soaps, lotions, etc.......everything has remained the same so I don't think it is from anything else.
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I am on TCH treatment and have oral steroids the day before, day of, and day after. Also have a bag of IV Dex the day of treatment. They tell me it is for any reaction I may have to the Taxotere.
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I was on oral steroids for the day before chemo, day of chemo and day after chemo. I also had benedryl in my pre meds for each tx. I can't get rid of this rash....it has been going on now since before Easter. I am going nuts! No one seems to know what to do about it......I am trying zyrtec today and crossing fingers. Just going to take it now.
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Despite the steroids that I took before chemo, I still had the same reaction after my last round of chemo in December. The rash was so bad that I turned black and blue from scratching. It drove me nuts. My oncologist gave me IV steroids which helped a little, but time was ultimately the best cure. The itching subsided after about three weeks, but the spots left marks for at least six. I was told that I now have an allergy to taxotere and if I ever need chemo again, (God forbid) they would use something else. Hopefully you are feeling better today, if not, hang in there. This too shall pass.
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Thanks joect. Unfortunately the rash is still coming and going. I am itching like crazy. My lower back and legs are still bruising from the itching. Nothing has worked and I finished chemo on 5/4. It has been a month...ugh! So sick of itching! I have tried antihistomines, topical steroids, oral steroids and just trying to moisturize my skin with good lotion. The lotion helps a little but the rash continues to come around. None of my docs seem to care....I am sick of calling them and talking about this when they don't really treat it. The only thing that worked was the oral steroids but everytime I stop them the rash comes back. I can't live on steroids forever...I am sick of being on steroids. I hope time makes this go away. I went back to work today and just wanted to rip my clothes off and itch for an hour!!!
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I did find some relief from Eucerine ant-itch lotion. No, you don't want to live on steroids but I know this reaction is not that uncommon. Not that this is any consolation when you are itching out of your mind. On another note, I have enjoyed your blog. I'm not even sure how I found it...but I was routing for you through your cold cap/chemo experience. Your perseverance will inspire other women!
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Thanks so much......I did a little better today but again I am on steroids. I just want relief so I will take them for a week and see how it goes. I did OK with cold caps...still have hair. Yes it is a bit thinner but no one really notices except me. It was worth it for me.....I have a young child and he does not really know anything about chemo - there was no real reason to have to explain this to him right now. When he is older we will explain things. Life somehow seems more normal with hair - don't know if that makes sense or not.....
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Hi, I've had a very similar reaction to taxotere - a nasty red rash all over my body that itches like mad. I've also been given oral steroids which seem to have helped the visible rash, but the itching is still bad especially at night. How did you manage to combat yours in the end?
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I have recieved only my first tx with Taxotere. I was pre-medicated with Decadron,but after 2 days I developed a severe itching rash, like 'POISON IVY". It started around my neck, armpits and groin-all the hot spots. The docs gave me a Solumedrol pk which helped a little until it was finished. Now the rash and severe itch is on my back, arms and legs, but especially fiery and burning on my hands. I cannot sleep and just have to itch all the time. Went back to the doc, I know he thinks I'm crazy, but he gave me a second steroid pk, so will have to see what happens next. I have tried oral Benadryl, A llegra, topical Benadryl and Caladryl- all have helped a tiny bit, but no relief. It has been over 2 weeks and now I'll have my 2nd chemo- but I've refused any more Taxotere. Who knows with the 2nd dose it could be worse, even anaphylaxis. Can anyone say how long we have to suffer until relief finds us?
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Hard to say....everyone is different. Mine lasted off and on for 3 months.....I know that is not what you wanted to hear. My docs also acted like I was crazy. It was insulting.....like I would make that up. The rash and scabs from itching spoke for themself! I do know that I developed allergies to my laundry soap after chemo....really odd. I had been using that soap which was pretty chemical free for some time before chemo and no issues...then later when I illiminated it the rash went away. I visited my sister who uses that same laundry soap and after sleeping there (in sheets washed in it) I got the rash again immediately. I guess what we also have to realize is that you can develop allergies to things post chemo since it messes with your immune system. I remember how awful the rash was for me...could not sleep at all. I would cry because it was so unbearable at times. I had bruises all over from itching (I had over 20 bruises on one thigh!). Steroids, topical steroids and Sarna lotion were the only things that helped me a little. Benedryl did nothing for me but you can try it. Good luck!
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I am four out of chemo...taxotere andbeforethat Adria,yin and cytoxan and the hives are still appearing on a daily basis and are insanely itchy...have not found anything to relieve the, yet!!! Good luck!!
BC stage 1b....node neg, grade3, estrogenpositive -
I developed a fungal infection on my chest torso area after the 3rd and then again after the 4th treatment. I was given something oral but it wasn't steroids, it was some type of antibiotic. It finally cleared up. I was told to use triple antibiotic cream on the rash itself and it helped with the itching.
I did have an allergic reaction during one of the infusions and was given Benadryl by IV and it calmed the reaction down.
I hope you can find some relief. Being uncomfortable with no end in sight is the pits. -
Hi mdg, I came across this old post as I started getting rash.. This morning I woke up around 5 (I've been having trouble sleeping), and found rash around my eye, on my necks and ears. I'm at Day 10 from my 3rd infusion. The timing is about the same as you described. I just emailed my onc and took Benadryl. I'm icing around the rash now. Hope this won't last very long...
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It could also be from Neulasta if you are also getting that. I was allergic to it and had hives for months after stopping it after the 3rd infusion. Very hard to tease the cause out.
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My onc ordered 6-day course of steroid.... More sleepless nights for me
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I hated to be on steroids. Took both steroids and benedryl at the same time to tame the hives. Still had sheets of red moving around the gody
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I know that this is an old thread, but just in case anyone else finds it in search of help I thought I would add to it! :-)
I had my second TC on 11/11 with Neulasta on 11/12. When I went in to the MO on 11/18 for a checkup, I had developed folliculitis on my scalp. They prescribed me Cephalexin (antibiotic). By 11/19 by face was very red and swollen with swollen lips and a slightly swollen eyelid. I didn't do anything because I have eczema and am used to things like that happening sometimes so I just ride it out. The night of 11/20 though it developed into hives all over my body. MO gave me a prescription for Prednisone but wanted me to try just doing Benadryl until 11/23, then do the Prednisone if necessary.
Well, the Benadryl essentially did nothing. Hives continued to get worse for two more days - it was hell. HERE'S WHAT HAS HELPED: Take a Zyrtec (long-acting H1 inhibitor) with a Pepcid (H2 inhibitor) every twelve hours. I got relief almost immediately. I also used ice packs during the hellish phase to cool down my skin and that helped more than anything else topically. I'm writing this a week later and I did do the course of Prednisone and the hives are not entirely gone, but they are tolerable. They are nowhere near as intensely firey and itchy, nor are they as widespread on my body. I go for hours without noticing them. It's mostly around that twelve hour point when I need to take the Zyrtec / Pepcid again that they start flaring up (but again, it's totally tolerable).
The MO felt certain it was an allergy to the Cephalexin, but I'm not so sure. I had Cephalexin twice prior to starting chemo/neulasta and had no reaction. Part of what the Neulasta does is releasing histamines when the new WBCs are produced, and isn't it doing a lot of that in that timeframe? I don't know, I'm not a doctor but I'm just not convinced it's the Cephalexin on it's own...
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I was allergic to Neulasta upon the first infusion. First reaction was only mildly tender spleen and short lived, though intense, left shoulder pain. Got hives after 2nd infusion, but we didn't pinpoint that on Neulasta. After 3rd infusion I had hives raging all over my body head to toe. Took Benedryl and steroids for two weeks to get it under control. Had the hives for 3 months before clearing up.
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I had a recurrence of Triple Negative BC that began in July--lymph nodes and lungs were too full of tumors to count. I have had six rounds of taxotere, and have had fantastic results as far as shrinking and eradicating tumors are concerned. My onco told me that I was chronic, that I would have to have chemo forever. I went to this thread because bless your hearts, you are dealing with Taxotere and hives and horrible rashes. This all started for me too last night. I was taking an epsom salt bath, and broke out in hives in an armband shape around my right upper arm, no lymph system there to help wash out any poisons, so I think it came out there on my skin.
So once you developed rashes and hives did your Onco continue giving you Taxotere or did they switch it up? Maybe my hives made up my mind for me, no more taxotere for this woman, in spite of the amazing results. Love to all...
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My MO kept giving me taxotere and told me it was not the taxotere. It took months for the hives to go away. It was almost unbearable! My heart goes out to anyone else that had to experience this torture! I also then realized after chemo that from the chemo, I began getting new allergies to things. I got an allergy to some jewelry that I had worn forever and now can no longer wear. I also became allergic to my chemical free laundry soap that I had used for years......crazy! I switched laundry soap and took off my jewelry and I am fine now. I think the chemo messed with my immune system big time! -
That is horrible! What are you doing to build up your immune system? Are you into alternative therapies at all? Thanks for replying!
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I have not noticed any other allergies so it's OK. I use to see a naturalpath when I lived in MI but we moved to Chicago and I have not found one I am confident in yet. I take a variety of vitamins/supplements. Right now I am trying to deal with side effects from tamoxifen. Oh the fun never ends! -
Unfortunately the same thing has happened to me after 3rd round of TC and nuelasta. Day before Easter I broke out in a rash and I woke up Easter morning with a bad case of the hives that kept spreading rapidly throughout the day. I ended up at the ER where they gave me benedryl, predisone and Pepcid intravenously. They also gave me rx of same 3 to take for 4 days with stronger dose then going down to lower dose. I woke up on Monday so much better but today (Tuesday) I woke up with very swollen eyes and hives around my mouth and chin, I took benedryl today and it has helped. My oncologist said to come in tmrw if it's not better. So guess I'll see. I had horrible itching as well and clawed myself like crazy.
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hello! So glad to find this thread. I'm 10 days out from my 4th infusion and yesterday woke up with hives. Took Benadryl which worked but woke up with more this am. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Called on call onc who was so casual and blaze'. said no way could be chemo bec was too long ago. But if other se's develop days after, such as chemo tongue, watery eyes, etc why can't this? It's scary bec when u research it- says hives can be a pre-symptom to other cancers. Anyway I'm happy to read that it cleared up for most of you. I pray does same for me. I have 2 more to go and was literally just considering forgoing #6 bec I'm concerned about what this is doing to my system.
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Thank you so much for posting - especially about the Zyrtek!!!! I woke up with hives 8 days after TC and 7 days after Neulasta with hives like lesions but no red circles around the edges. I was covered like chicken pox - scalp, eye lids, lips, arms, legs, chest, seat, throat. I just found similar discription on the Neulasta site (Drugs.com I think, already closed the box but it even mentioned eyelids etc). And I read this right after I had my Neulasta shot today!! I had a 102 temp after my first Neulasta so I guess that should have been a clue. Benedryl and Zyrtek are in the same family but Zyrtek is longer lasting and I took it for 4 days before the welts stopped. Peanut323 if you are still reading - you are a life saver!!!!!! MaryJC - I am following you! I almost did not have my last TC because my out of range liver enzymes tripled. They decreased my Taxotere 20%. Now I am wondering if the liver enzymes are also a side effect of Neulasta and not the Taxotere. Guess we will see what happens! It would make sense for the rashes to be Neulasta because isn't it an extended release type drug? I wish I had stopped the shot.
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marksgirl- my TCH wound up getting stopped at 4 weeks anyway bec the neuropathy got so bad. I can't tell u how HAPPY I was/am!!!! Taxotere is the devil for sure! I never had to have a nuelestra shot so not sure about liver enzymes. Have you checked the chemo care site? They seem to have more info on the unsual details of treatment. How do you feel tho?
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MaryJC - great new picture! Like you, I am thrilled to be off the taxotere. It was a little nerve wracking to pull up short and not get the full dosage for the last infusion but I am going to have to just let it go, it is what it is and I am hoping for less rashes. I have been out for the count for 3 days, 101 temps, stiff as a board from the last chemo. Each day is a little better (until hives hit it if they do again!). I have one itchy poison ivy looking rash on my elbow so far. I am trying coconut oil. That stuff is lovely. Happy healing all. -
marksgirl, thanks re my picture! Ugh- had the hives too. How gross is that to see your skin raised up like that? But I took benedryl and it worked super fast, like minutes. Yes I've joined onto the coconut oil movement. I use it on my scalp but with prayer lol in the hopes it'll help my hair to start regrowing. I've only used topically so far n not eaten yet. Have you? I'm still learning about all its uses.
I too was a lil anxious about having only 4. But I've read studies about 4 vs 6 and 6 maybe being too much/unnecessary, also that rates btwn the two are minimal. I had wanted to stop regardless of the SEs bec I just felt poisoned and wanted to focus on nutrition. Before chemo my lifestyle n diet was fantastic. Chemo made me eat the worst!!! I had this master plan and nope! One cycle- btwn chemo tongue and funky GI track, I could only tolerate tomato cheese and mustard sandwiches and sugary cereals. I haven't gone down the cereal aisle in God knows how long. And have never given to my child. Didn't even realize I'd never gone down the aisle since he was born until when he saw all the cereals towering over him in the big colorful boxes he saw WOW MAMA WHATS THAT! THERES DORA, THERES A BUNNY, etc etc. lol.
So I was bummed about the chemo and my diet during chemo. Just wanted to get back on course and it's been a struggle. I'm on a fast now. Ate Sunday, next meal will be Wednesday. Hope to cleanse my pallate and resume healthy. Also sugar exacerbates neuropathy and is in so much foods in so many forms.
Also have resumed running. Gotta go to sleep so I can enjoy my run in the morning. Hugs and feel better soon!
PS: what r u doing for your temps? Did you let your onc know? Please do if u haven't. I drank cold water and put ice packs on my feet n forehead when I got sick so it would stay beneath 100.4.
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MaryJC I am in awe at your will power!! I don't know how you can fast like that! I love to cook peppers and onions in coconut oil - adds some tropical or thai flavor to a dish! I can't wait to eat jalepenos again. I tried once and won't repeat that mistake! Today I am finally past the fever days, I have done it each round. I called the first 3 rounds and just managed it for the last one. They are too early to be an infection, just the way I react to the toxins. SO GLAD TO BE DONE!!!! My Onc recommended taking the Zyrtek for about 2 weeks this time. It only took 4 days to get ahead of the hives last round so I don't think I can do 2 weeks (not a fan of taking meds) but I am keeping up on it for now! My elbow rash is the same - poison ivy ish, no better, no worse. But at least they are not busting out on my head right now!
I love your little guy stories! So glad you can enjoy him with no more sick days. Are your rashes all gone now? Keep getting better and run steady!
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Hey MarksGirl, yes I am grateful to be able to enjoy him and his new developmental milestones :') thanks re the will power. Fasting is much more challenging during and after chemo. Funny I'm finding it harder after chemo. Not sure y tho. But I do suspect that my cells need nourishing regardless of the intake bec they've all been poisoned. Of course with the best foods are best.
No more hives. Ewww. Those were gross😤! Not sure if they would have come back with a new infusion tho. But they went down instantly with brhedryl. I had jalapeños on Monday. Yummy! Lemme know soon as u can enjoy again
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