Taxotere is a nightmare

Congrats Rachel! Sorry you had a bad reaction, and, of course you would have it your last tx.! Lucky you! LOL. Gotta laugh, or tests would drown us. Take care.

Thanks to everyone. Other than being really zonked from the extra benadryl, I felt pretty good yesterday. Now I'm heading down the roller coaster as usual - Sat/Sun usually is when I start feeling exhausted. I expect this time around to be a longer haul, as they each have been.

Linda - This is pretty much it for me. No rads (even though I had a bmx, I did ask my MO if there was any reason whatsoever to explore rads to be extra safe, and after looking closely at my file, said no). And being triple negative, no tamoxifen or arimidex. It was chemo or bust, and hopefully the ordeal of the chemo did the trick. 

Taxotere may be a nightmare but it was worth evey SE!  Just had a follow up PET and I had dramatic response to tx with complete resolution of all of my lung mets!  YAY!!!!!

Kelloggs - Fantastic news! I'm so glad to hear that.

I think I'm starting to round the bend. Two weeks pfc now. Fatigue, yes, some finger sensitivity. But I'm starting to feel like I'm moving ahead.

Linda - Thanks for your thoughts. I've appreciated all the advice and encouragement from you and everyone on this and other threads.

Thanks. Feet had gone down, but my left foot seems to be poofy again. But I am feeling so much better than last week. My left hand has some odd sensations, so I'm watching it closely, but not the outright tingling I felt a few times during treatment.

Hi Ladies,

I'll have my first Taxotere chemo the week of May 28.  I've completed four cycles AC.  I'm doing neoadjuvant chemo and after the first three AC cycles, my tumor had shrunk 60%!  They are expecting even more shrinkage with the Taxotere.  (I won't get the 4th chemo measurement until the 28th.)

Quick question . . . the cortisteroid pre-chemo treatment . . . is that typically taken 24 hours pre-chemo or can it be 12 hours pre-chemo? 

I live in China and commute (8-9 hours door-to-door) to Hong Kong for my chemo.  Long story.  I'm making my travel arrangements for this next cycle.  I will call my doctor on Monday to ask this question, but thought I'd get a general idea from you all first.  My husband wants to accompany me on the return trip since we are unaware of how I will respond to Taxotere.  (I typically return to my home the day after chemo.) 

I received the Neulasta shot after each AC treatment.  Once we added Emend to the mix, I have had minimal side effects except for crushing fatigue the first four/five days.  I started taking doctor-approved glutamine powder right after my last chemo to help combat the muscle aches that can accompany Taxotere.  (I'm taking 10 grams a day and will increase to 30 grams a day the day before/day of/day after the chemo.)  I also take B100 complex vitamins and CoQ10 supplements.  This is all with doctor approval.  He has also approved my adding vitamins C, D and E (daily recommended doses, not mega dosing) when I start the Taxotere.

Any ideas on the steroid timing? My pre-chemo appointment is 4:30 p.m. and my chemo is typically late morning/early afternoon the next day.  Will that be enough time to start the steriod?  (Under standard dosing . . . like I said, I'll call my doc, but it's hard to wait throughout the weekend to make plans!)

Thanks so much!  

Craftylass

craftylass, I took steroids only the day of chemo and for 3 days after, along with an anti nausea drug - I forget the name of it - never had pre-treatment like a lot of ladies here did. I had no problem with anaphylaxis or allergic reactions, but I sure had lots of problems with peripheral neuropathy (and still do). I also took glutamine starting after the first cycle, and continued it daily through the entire time. Not sure if it worked, or if it decreased the neuropathy, no way to really know. Good luck!

Craftylass - I took the dexamethasone the morning and evening before, got it through IV right before my infusion, and then I took it again the next two days. It's good that your husband is coming with you. I was always fine the day of and after my infusion. It was day 3 when I started to feel tired and achy. But since we never know when we may have a surprise reaction, it's best to have someone along. What a long commute you'll have for treatment! Good luck.

I'm 7 weeks pfc and the fatigue has really lifted a great deal. I still have some odd sensations in my fingers, but it hasn't gotten in the way of my violin playing or much else. I have peach fuzz on my head as well. So I think I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

My last chemo is at 10:40am this morning. I did not think I would ever reach this point. I have had minimal side effects so far. Treatment # 5 was my worst so far,fatigue and lots of tears from my left left only and a running nose from time to time. Annoying but not tolerable.    It is strange that my extreme fatigue did not hit me until day 10 after treatment #5. I literally slept for 2 days. Maybe # 6 will not be so bad. Power of positive thinking (lol). Next it is on to rads along with the herceptin.

Wishing everyone a great day.     Hugs  Eileen

Eileen - Congratulations on crossing the finish line! #6 wasn't easy, but for me it was the exhaustion more than any other SEs. From here on in, every day is day closer to feeling better.

I'm almost 9 weeks pfc (wow! that sounds so long!) and my hair is about the length of a marine recruit, so I'm not complaining. I might consider going out in public in the next 3-4 weeks at this rate. Fingers are sensitive on and off. After my exchange next week, I'm going to look into acupuncture. 

crafty the first round of any chemo it tough because you don't know what SE you will get. Once you know you can medicate before it happens. The heartburn, constipation and back pain were the worst with tx 1 on taxotere. Once I knew when and what I treated before I had the issue. Vary rarely does one have vomiting/nausea that can't be controlled with meds. The ones you had obviously weren't the right ones for you. There are many different ones but other are more $$ so some MDs don't prescribe… be sure to demand something better!

hang in there.

Hi Ladies,

Quick update . . . had second taxotere with minimal side effects!  I took pain relievers as prescribed (as opposed to only taking them as needed) and that kept the pain at bay.  We added claritin to the mix and the pain was MUCH less this time around!  I'd say the main side effect was extreme insomnia.  However, I was counseled to really work with my body . . . to stay in bed, even if I wasn't able to sleep . . . to allow my body to rest.  I did so and I think it made a big difference. 

I am now a week past my treatment and I'm feeling good.  Mild pain, but I haven't taken anything today for it.  Hopefully, later this week my taste will return closer to normal as I'm tired of everything tasting bad.  However, I am still drinking 3 liters a day, so at least I'm staying hydrated. 

July 11 and  August 1 . . . scheduled treatments!  Getting closer to the finish line and then on to surgery!

Craftylass

Rachelvk, olive oil is hard to come by where I am in China, so I didn't go looking for it (it's also extremely expensive here).  However, given the reduced side effects this go-round, I'm not going to complain.  Still have the nasties in my mouth, but I know those will start to fade at some point in time.  I went out and bought some little sourballs today and that helps.  I'm drinking my 3 liters a day so at least I know I'm staying hydrated!  I may try the olive oil trick once I'm back in the States.

I've made my last trip to Hong Kong and will return to the States on the 3rd.  My first appointment with my new oncologist is the 5th. They've really been on top of things for me! 

I have a very thick patch of peach fuzz.  I've always had fast growing hair, so it doesn't surprise me that it's trying to come in.  What's nice to know is that in a couple of months, I may even have a hairstyle.  

I walk around bald all the time.  Can't be bothered with a hat or scarf or wig.  Just not my thing. 

I've not had any finger tingling, other than from knitting.  Hope yours continues to improve.  Are you done with everything now?

Craftylass