Taxotere is a nightmare

I'm 2 1/2 months past chemo. Did 6 rounds of taxotere/carboplatin starting in June. Didn't have any problems with nails until the week before my last infusion in September. Ridges and pulling up some, no loss. The hair is long enough for me to go topless now at work. Started exercising again on dec 1 because I was just achy, especially if I'd I sit too long. Is that one of the lingering effects anyone has? Shoulders, hips and knees are the most sore joints. Hands too in the morning.

There was actually a study that came out recently - and I think it was posted on bc.org - showing evidence of chemo brain in general, and finding that women may begin showing signs before they start chemo, raising questions as to whether it's actually directly related to the cancer. It was interesting - I can tell you my concentration and memory has been crappy since my dx, and that could very likely just be due to the fact that when you get a dx like this, yes, it will mess with your mind.

I had my first tx today. I did ice my fingers and toes. So far I'm feeling fine, just tired. Need to go to bed soon. Hoping (?) to work part of tomorrow before going in for Neulasta. I also hope I can make it through Friday night before I get hit with any of the other symptoms. Stomach so far is behaving - had a martini and turkey burger with friends at a local pub tonight. I was going to skip it, but I felt pretty good and figured I want to grab as much normality as I possibly can.

Regarding that study on gloves - I found them on Amazon marked down to about $100. I could get them, but I think I'll stick with the ice (or possibly buy the frozen peas - I never remembered to pick them up, but the fusion center had crushed ice that worked well).

I think my onc and the nurse did a good job at going through all the possible SEs - they were impressed that I was aware of them and had done my research. Of course, I was reassured that many were rare. The nurse in the infusion center said she's seen women who chew ice during Adriamycin have had mixed results with preventing mouth sores. I tried it anyway. If anything, it was a more interesting way to hydrate as opposed to slurping more water down.

Anyway, I hope these lingering SEs that you've all had eventually clear up. Right now, my #1 goal is to wipe out this cancer, but it's so frustrating that we sometimes wind up sacrificing so much when all is said and done. Good thing we're all strong. 

rachelvk, Here's hoping you sail through with very little SEs!  Wishing you well. 

windlass, I hope you are feeling better very soon!  We all seem to experience some sort of emotional upheaval with all that we have to go through.  It seems that most of the ladies on the boards are on or have been on anti-anxiety or anti-depressants.  I declined them when my MO suggested them, but I think now that I should have taken him up it.  It would have made my last 6 months much easier.  BC is such a HUGE thing to have to deal with!  (((Hugs))) to you and hope you feel better soon!

Anandagram: My onc prescribed something called Evonail. I brush it on my finger and toe nails every morning and so far so good. It goes on clear and you don't even notice that you have it on. My nails started to turn black during my last cycle of FEC, so I am glad to have something to help with my nails. I also am given an icebath for my nails, so hope this helps too.

windlass: Thank you so much for letting us know when to expect the SE of Taxotere to kick in. I had my first Taxotere treatment last Monday (Dec. 12th) and my Neulasta injection yesterday. I am expecting the bone pain from the injection, but so far I am feeling pretty good. With the 3 rounds of FEC, I was really nauseated for about the first 4-5 days post chemo.

Take care!

rachelvk my chemo nurse said the same thing about the ice chips in the mouth (in my case taxotere). She indicated it rarely works but it was my onc who recommended it when I started to get a sore tongue. It worked for me. I also wonder if that's why my taste changes weren't so bad either.

I got my bone pain from Nuelasta 24 hours after taking it. The first was the worst. Aleve took the edge off of it for me but ask your onc if it's OK. Aleve can thin your blood and chemo does that too.

I experienced the same as lago and bettyd with bone pain 24 hours after Neulasta.  I had the pain in my thigh bones and lower back.  Like they said the first time was the worst and it was less noticable with each shot.  I took tylenol after the first shot and it helped.

Ladies remember to take a Claritin the morning before your Neulast shot, then afterwards for 2 days.  Helps with the bone pain.

Anyone with ideas for the tongue and throat swelling & pain?  I always lose my voice 10 days after the big T.  I took some OTC naproxen / Aleve this last round but it messed with my platelets so I won't be able to do that this time.  

Well I don't have chemo brain. Not sure if it's because I still take the Acetyl-L-Carnitine. It is a memory booster. I swear my memory got better on it so I kept taking it after chemo too.

MJLToday if your throat & tongue are swelling that sounds like an allergic reaction. I would talk to your onc about that. Not sure if benadryl or steriods would relieve that.  

Yeah I talked with my onco about it, and he suggested a low dose of steroids the day(s) my voice got bad.  I'm trying to avoid that if possible since I hate pred so badly.  I guess I could try benadryl too but that really puts me out sleepy.  Yuck. 

Windlass you are not alone, Taxotere made me severely depressed. Compounded with excruciating pain from Nuelasta I was a literal basket case. I am now 6 months PFC and still in therapy and reeling from the dark places the treatment took me to. I am almost myself again and it does get better, the hard part was remembering it was the drugs and not me thinking/ talking. Hugs to you,

I'm having a tough day today....and I blame it all on Taxotere.  My nails are close to falling off and make it difficult to perform even simple tasks, except for typing.  Buttons, separating papers, scratching my head stubble are all dangerous as no matter how short I clip the nails they are still at risk for lifting off.  Can't even wear a necklace because I can't do the clasp.  Was at 8 fingernails involved when I went to bed, now all 10 are dying.  Just feeling sad today and tired of the side effects 7 wks pfc.  Eyelashes continue to disappear....hair growth is slow...ankles still swollen.  Just want this all over with.  Glad this thread is here, maybe my depression today is residual drug induced.

Thanks, Linda.  My DH can help, but it is a pain asking him....I'm just having a bad day and indulging in a little self-pity I guess.  Not usually like this but getting worn down.

hi , i had a reaction to my 2nd taxol. my last 2 chemos are taxotrete, had 1st,tues. just had to comment OMG taxotere is a NIGHTMARE!!!!! LORD HAVE MERCY!!!!

thanks tracie, i had trouble breathing and throat closed up. my mo had a baby, she had me take neulesta after each of my 4 DD a/c and 2 DD taxol. but my sub mo says we'll do texotere 3 wks apart so no neulesta, i had a UTI between a/c and first taxol, very painful.

idk, he was surprised my mo gave it after my DD taxol. i don't have much confidence in him, he asked if my mo had dicussed hormone therapy, i said i am triple negative. oh, no hormone therapy then! Read my chart,please!!