taxotere side effects

On 7/20 was my 4th T/C..my oncologist told me min 4th and max 6 treatment..But in the study doing 6 make not much different then doing 4th..only 5%..with my red blood cell down to 9.5 i really considering whether i want to do another 2 more chemo if that not much different in the study..My oncologist told me if my red blood cell is up (he put me on iron pills) then he want to see me do 2 more..It a confussing issues to me right now ..stop at 4th which he told me is good enough or go for the max..Anyone have some answer to this..Thank

Sharon

ohio4me - I am 4 weeks and 2 days PFC and isnt' it wonderful that we can come on this board and share our experiences of how we handled chemo.... like you said, at the time you never can see the end, but here we are able to share out stories. 

For me chemo worked..... my tumour went from 8+cm solid mass to granular lumps.   I still require a mx and rads but chemo is behind me.  

A/C wasn't too hard of me.   About 6 hours are it being administered I felt as though a truck hit me.  My body felt so heavy and my mouth tasted as though I had been sucking on a mud pool.   I took tylenol for the aches and the only thing that tasted like it should was red apples?!  So I ate plenty.  Aches lasted about 4 days.    Hair went about 14 days in... got that buzzed off before it actually fell out.  With A/C I got about 2 good weeks out of 3.  

Taxotere... now that was a different story.   The dexamethasone made me like the energizer bunny... then the taxotere brought me down.  Well actually it was the Neupogen shots that caused the main problems.  The bone pain was held at bay by T3's.  

Each 3 weeks though my MO assured me the tumour was shrinking and it did.   For me chemo was bloody hard, but it was worth it.  My haemoglobin is still low so I am suffering fatigue but that will also pass.

Remember ladies... each person will have different SE' with varying levels of intensity.  It is a very personal choice on whether you finish chemo or even start.  Do only what is right for you.  

Remember, hydrate, hydrate and hydrate more.

I wish you all peace and comfort with whatever decision you decide.  

More than anything remember what Ohio4me said :

"There is light at the end of the tunnel - just one day at a time"

I like that we can all talk/give our opinions here!  Here is my take on the subjects discussed. 

My iron counts have ranged from the mid to high 9's and my MO dialed my initial dose of Taxatore back very slightly.  She says at every appt "you are still a little anemic" but thus far hasn't addressed it any further.

Regarding dietary sources and iron supplements, I have heard/read the same time, that the anemia/red blood cell issues induced by chemo can't really be bumped up by those methods.

On the Claritin, I have taken it for the pain associated with the Neulasta but haven't heard the same results for pain from the Taxotere itself.

I had 4 A/C and am having 4 Taxotere (with Herceptin).  I am a "let's do everything we possibly can at the onset" type though.

Again, just my thoughts/opinions.

Tax #3 of 4 tomorrow.

Hi KTLB

Looks like you've over taken me now! I was supposed to have infusion three of Taxotere on Friday but could not have it.

My red blood cells count was 8.2 and neutrophils 1.2 so I am having a blood transfusion this week. Chemo should be on Friday. Cannot wait.

Just think, we only have one more round of Taxotere after this!

Good luck for tomorrow.

Alice

Malt-O-Meal was my chemo mainstay . It tasted good the entire time and had good iron, etc. I worked at getting 90 grams of protein daily and lots of water > 8 glasses. I was fortunate my blood levels did good and I never missed a chemo or had a blood transfusion. Don't know if it was the protein and water.... or just the luck of the draw.

Let the countdown begin! Actually, after the 4th treatment I marked the days on my calendar - like we did as kids counting down to Christmas. When I had a tough day I would look at the calendar and say 'only 40 more days'. Worked for me.

Wow, Tazzy, your tumor sure grew fast!! Shocking ! Good thing you did do chemo first. Same with my sister, but her tumor was about 3 cm. glad you are throwing the big guns at that piece of crap!!!

Tazzy: I too am triple negative, my cancer was so agressive the operated right a way to keep it from spreading any further, I started out on taxotere and cytoxan, now they want to add adrimycin to the treatment going in for an echocardiogram tuesday. Was explained to me that it can cause heart problems in some people but i think the risk is worth it in the long haul. This was my week to loose my hair I already miss my hair. I can be so vain at times, but the wig looks good I must say.

OK, this is crazy but... I have had sore quads, right above my knees, and shin splint type feeling for at least 8 weeks. Every time I go to doctors (MO and PS) I've mentioned and asked about it. They look bemused and never seem to think it's related to treatment. Yet I have NOT been exercising in any kind of way during this time that would cause this soreness.I am almost 5 weeks PFC and it has not diminished.

 I saw someone mentioned something similar on this thread. Could it be a Taxotere SE???

lisa2012 - yes, bone/joint pain and aching is definitely a Taxotere SE.  You may start to see some improvement about 6-8 weeks PFC, that seems to be the magic time for the lifting of leftover SE.

Ugh on the legs and shins. Why didn't hey just tell me, then I wouldn't have kept wondering if it was my shoes or how I read with my knees up in bed. Grrr .Wonder how the Arimedex I just started will affect my poor muscles and joints ...



Tazzy, taxi tears almost stopped too! And nails pretty much recovered. trying o get myself to in positive. Trying.

Taxotere #1 of 4 done! Now if i can just convince my body to take a rest for tomorrow's herceptin # 1. Took xanax a few minutes ago, maybe that will help! And, oh, the hot flushes im just getting these past few days. AC didnt get me chemopause. Maybe now.

Glad to know tho. We're definitely moving along.😏

ljhm... thats very interesting about the wheat grass juice - maybe worth drinking anyway - thanks for sharing.  I have my surgery August 2 and may just go and get some from our health food store today.

bcbarbie: just remember, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope you are all having good days with minimal SE's.

Take care xx

Lisa: my MO told me the same thing - almost.  She said 6-9 months for our bodies to be rid of   I still have days where I am so stiff I hobble along like I am 152.. and others where I am 'stiffness' free and have the energy like the energizer bunny.