taxotere side effects

It took 6-8 weeks for the aching thighs and legs to go away for me.  You are almost there!

Does the Arimedex cause the same Kind of stiffness or different? I know some who have had it, others not. I've been on it 8 days ok so far, but as I am still coming off taxpayers I don't know! Thanks for the taxo time frames. Mild thrush that reappeared almost gone.

Exhange surgery aug 7. Wish me luck. Hope healing post chemo is as smooth as healing pre chemo was.

I think the first 7-10 days were hard and then things eased up for me. Still had weepy spells and emotional pressure drops, and food had little taste and/or I just wanted very bland stuff. I never felt great but I did feel somewhat better in the middle.

Thinking of you today ljhm.  

bcBarbie... You never have to apologize for whining. That is what we are here for.  Your friends and family can give you all of the emotional support possible but it isn't the same as having 'sisters' who are going thru the exact same thing you are.  I tried the claritin suggestion from my MO and I can't really tell if it is helping or not. I didn't have a lot of aches and pains after the first treatment and I know it isn't any worse this time but I HAVE noticed that I am getting some pretty nasty headaches!  (I am prone to and on daily meds for migraines.)  I wonder if the anti-nausea meds has something to do with them.  Another thing that makes me go hmmmm lol

After having a weird and weepy Friday and Saturday, I'm happy to report that the evil side-effects have slithered back into their hole to await round 3.  How many out there get a strange 'floaty/numb' feeling a few days after treatment?  Is this what they call chemo-fog?  I feel like I've been to the dentist and he's given me a whole body shot of novacaine and it's either not enough to completely numb me, or it's wearing off.  Also feel like I'm listing to one side when I walk and my distance vision gets fairly blurry. Apparently this is going to be par for the course on Friday's after treatment.  

On a brighter note, my 25 yo daughter moved in with her boyfriend this weekend (HAHA, I blamed my teariness on the chemo!!)  and yesterday I was able to make a nice dinner for our family to sit down and celebrate together.  Of course I couldn't taste it, but it was just nice being with everyone and doing something special.

That leads me to my next question... what to you ladies miss more, your hair or your taste buds?  
For me it is HANDS DOWN my tastebuds because I LOVE food.  My hair and I have always had a love/hate relationship so that was not as much of a big deal.  

Oh, here is a little funny story...  I am 45 years old and pre-menopause (VERY regular yet).  So I thought one of the 'bright points' of chemo would be the chemo-pause?  OH HAIL NO!!  Would you ladies believe that I STILL had 'it' this month!!!???  I whined to my DH that I would be a 100 year old woman sitting in a home and STILL be having my monthly visitor!  He came back with "You have an indestructible uterus."  grrrrrr  

Huh, thought i posted but it disappeared. Tazzy, thanks for the surgery thoughts. I can't wait for it to be done, I'm ready.

And this weekend taxotears really stopped. 5.5 weeks it took!! Soo glad not to have rivulets dripping down my face!!

Hi ladies - one week post TX and feeling ok - I had a little bit of nausea this weekend which was unusual for me after Taxotere.  Seems to have abated.

Nail question - I have had 3 rounds with no nail issues.  My fingernails are still fine - although bitten and ragged as usual (horrible habit) but I just noticed an issue with a big toe the last few days.  It feels sore as if I am getting an ingrown nail.  I took off my nail polish last night and there is a bit of a brown spot where it is hurting - could this be taxotere issues?  Just wondering what I could expect with this.

PA - I didn't stop my period until probably after round 3 of A/C.  No sign of its return, thankfully!

kltb - when I have my Taxotere they put these wonderful looking frozen mitts and booties on me - going for my 3rd treatment on Friday, so far no nail issues....hope it stays this way.  Can only wear clear nailpolish -- had just had a wonderful pedicure before I started and had to take the lovely color off.

kltb - Nobody iced at my center either - except me. Some centers have the mitts and help you, others don't want to have to deal with it themselves and cause more work for the nurses.  My onc gave me permission to ice but I brought my own frozen peas and cooler and we handled everything ourselves.  There are some thoughts that it is the harsh chemicals in nail polish remover damaging the nails, and this is why some say only use clear, but I had also read that painting with clear nail hardener 7 days in a row, then removing it and starting over would strengthen the nails so I did this along with icing.  I also painted mine navy blue or dark gray on the day of chemo (night before) because I had read that blocking light from the nail bed would also protect the nails during tx. 

PAeagles Fan, LOL about the indestructible uterus!  I too got my period along with a face full of zits after 1st tx.  Am due again but wonder if my  body will prevent it with tx 3 tomorrow.  Having hot flashes every night   What are you ladies doing for those?  It is my understanding that I can't use any hormonal products so what is a woman to do?

In regards to Claritan, I had better luck with taking Advil after the Neulasta shot. The Advil seemed to help both muscle aches and bone pain.

I hear you ladies about the emotions and wonder is it the bc, chemo, or both?  I am grateful for this db, I think friends and family get overloaded with what is going on with us. My boyfriend has told me about how stressful the whole bc thing has been for him. I am grateful that he goes to my appointments an now have offered that he drop me off tomorrow and p up when done but he says he wants to be there.  Anyone have suggestions on how to destress our significant others?

I highly advocate icing!  I did so with both treatments and so far no tingling, pain, or nail issues.  I use a bag of fozen peas on top and bottom of my hands.  As they begin to thaw a bit, I dig my fingers and nails into them.  I also use ice packs for my feet and no issues there.  Don't expect your MO to recommend icing.  I think the nurses think I am a kook but hey it works!!!  I wish the MO offered mitts and socks like I've heard they do in Canada and other countries!

I keep ice in my mouth the whole tx and so far no mouth sores.  I do get the metallic taste  and sore throat for about a week  Before chemo I was enjoyed a diet Pepsi each day but now both diet Coke and Pepsi taste horrible.  I guess there is a silver lining-I may never have a taste for it again!

Tazzy, I love your sense of humor 

Hope surgery went well for you lisa2012. 

I read somewhere to count on 1-2 months/treatment.  I didn't start feeling like myself for at least four months -- but I'm doing Herceptin every 3 weeks and that stuff wipes me out.  

I had the weakness and swelling in my thighs for about 6 weeks -- unfortunately did not know this is a side effect and thought I was packing on the pounds/out of shape.  

I'm figuring that I'll be back to full strength six months after my last Herceptin -- i.e. next summer.  Hard to believe.  Of course, it is ALL hard to believe! 

6 weeks post-last infusion. Most physical side effects are mostly gone: watery eyes, painful nails, sore legs.Head hair is starting to do the peach-fuzz thing. Still feel emotionally unstable. Accidentally embarassed my son at a dinner with other people, just wasn't thinking well. My son who has been SO there for me!!I feel so bad about this.  What have the last six months done to me?

I wonder if I will ever function well again on a regular basis.

Thanks for the gentle support, melrose. I do have a counselor but haven't been for a few weeks. Might help as I get through this next surgery and head right back into extremely hectic beginning of school year. Hope I can manage being in my high profile lead-the-school role....having been home and seen people less for over 3 mos, it will be a shock.

Mpetago

Thank you so much for posting!

Great to hear from an eight-year survivor and counting.

Your post gives us hope.

Alice the Cat

Thank you, alicethecat, for the tip. I am at present having that really bad backache 12 days after my first taxotere. So bad i can hardly move. Will ask my dr if he can reduce the dose.