taxotere side effects

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  • MsW2012
    MsW2012 Member Posts: 226
    edited December 2012

    I can so relate. This chemo routine is an odyssey. I felt so happy to pass the halfway point after chemo #3, then filled with dread when #4 neared. Now it feels even better to be able to say "only two more!" But wonder how I will feel when the steroids wear off today, then again when #5 gets close.

    I didnt ever have foot or skin trouble. I do use lotion after every shower and cream on my hands & face. Ever try bag balm, or udder balm? Great for cracked knuckles.

    My greatest prob was stomach and gut pain but learned to manage it with Lactulose (Rx) for the constipation part, and Prevacid starting 2 days before chemo plus Gaviscom tablets like candy.

    Now my tummy still feels crummy but at least I can eat without pain. Biggest prob now is fatigue. It was always bad from post-chemo plus about 6 days but now even on the better weeks I am more and more tired. Muscles giving out too. Hurts to stretch and can't walk very fast.

    My rbc is down to 10.9. MA tells me when it goes below 10 there is a remedy but might not be safe with every case.

    News to me: last week a nurse told me even the tiniest bit of exercise helps recovery. On the couch, just move arms, legs, neck. Get up just for a few steps. It does help.

    Best wishes to all. Good to be here. Thank you for all the advice & encouraging words.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Day 8 post chemo... Still feel like I was run over by a MAC truck. Forced myself to get dressed and go to the store and so exhausted I wonder about my sanity. SEs are improving though. My white, painful tongue is improving and feet and fingers are not tingling now. Just get so light headed when I'm up. I know its the low white count doing it and a few days it will be better just like before. Of course now I'm anticipating the bone pain from the Nuepogen that I expect to show up on day 9 like the last time.
    Well, the sun is shining right now and that is such a spirit lifter today! Hugs ladies...hoping your day is being kind!

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  • fight4two
    fight4two Member Posts: 146
    edited December 2012

    Hi Websister.  I think you got the benefits of my walk without the sore balls of the feet (altho it sounds like you already had those :/)  When do you take the pantoprazole? I haven't started getting the esophagus/swallowing pain or the painful hiccups/burps and abdominal pain yet.  But wasn't sure if this is the kind of medication that is better to pre-medicate, or if I can just wait til the symptoms arise.

    I have my fingers crossed that this round #2 will treat me better than round #1.  At least hoping the extra dex will help me avoid the facial swelling issues!

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2012

    Halfcan - I can so relate, I really have to pace myself activity wise. Glad you had sunshine and I hope it continues, happy your side effects are diminishing and hoping the Neupogen doesn't cause too much discomfort this time



    Fight4two - I was told to take it once daily, symptoms or not so I take it first thing every morning, one half hour before I eat. I was told that, if needed, I could add a dose at bed time. Haven't needed to do this.



    MsW2012 - thanks for sharing re: exercise. Hope the rbc goes up without needing anything to boost it. I've also used Ovol for gas pain and cramping and found it helpful.



    Blondiex46 - hope that you are third time lucky this time around, you've been through a lot



    bcbarbie10 - thanks for the encouragement. Ditching the head wears is definitely something to celebrate. I'll be continuing with Herceptin also



    Traii, Jeanieb and everyone else - hope you are doing OK

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Still exhausted and wishing I could get some energy at day 10.   It feels more so than last time so guessing it is the cumulative effect. I just wanted to check in and wish you all a wonderful weekend with your loved ones. 

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  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited December 2012

    Just letting you all know that I'm thinking of you and sending you all ((((hugs)))) I really feel for you all on T.



    Trish

    xoxo

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited December 2012

    halfcan - Don't get discouraged, it took me until day 12 this time to feel better and today is day 14, am still a little tired but much better than earlier this week.  I also think it is taking me longer and I go next Thursday the 20th for my 6th Tax treatment.  I am just figuring it will take me 12 days or longer then also.  I was hoping it got easier the longer you took it but I guess that is not meant to be.  Hang in there.

    Trisha-Anne - Thanks for the hugs you are sending out.  I am sending lots of them back to you and everyone else that is on here.  We all need our hugs and words of encouragement.  It is always nice to hear from someone that is finished with it and how they are feeling.  It makes me see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2012

    Half-can - Hope things start to turn around a little for you this weekend. There definitely is a cumulative effect. I'm hoping that by Christmas things will be a little better for me, right now my worst side effect is the peripheral neuropathy though, it seems to have gotten worse in the last few days. I have been putting lotion on everyday but it doesn't seem to be helping. The ends of my fingers and my toes feel like they were frostbitten and now the feeling is just starting to come back into them. I hope this goes away soon.

    Trisha Anne - thanks for the hugs

    JeanieB - you have my admiration - your sixth Tax! - enjoy your time beforehand and hoping for minimal side effects so you can have a good Christmas

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited December 2012

    {{{{{{{{{{{HUGS TO ALL OF YOU}}}}} As I said been off and on for a while, back on Wednesday......

    Sandy

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  • fight4two
    fight4two Member Posts: 146
    edited December 2012

    Two eyelashes are laying flat down on my eye but still connected. They stick to my eyeball and have made my eye so irritated and red!! Anyone else have this problem?? Its becoming so bothersome, wondering if I should try and yank them out. Seem firmly attached but forgot what direction they should go.



    Side effects starting today for me on tx#2. Guess I will be spending the rest of the weekend on the couch.



    Jeanieb, hope you are still feeling good and that websister, halfcan and I can feel good right there with you soon! Hugs to all. And leave us alone se's!!

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  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited December 2012

    well chemo #3 day 5.

    I managed to get out and about last night for a party. Main SE's is the neuropathy in the feet ( but soooo nothing like last cycle) this is more peeling and a little tingling. Oh and the mouth, the blah taste and furry tongue! I woke up feeling like my tongue had just expanded, but it's eased a little.

    My eyelashes are thinned but I can wear mascara, haven't had that problem where 2 are lingering around Fight4two....sorry can't help you on that one.....I just pull them any old way (probably shouldn't)

    I figure, 1 week feeling a little 'down' and 2 weeks feeling 'good' then I CAN DO THIS...we ALL CAN DO THIS

    Rest up girlies and hope we all have NO SE's real soon.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Hi ladies, fun day today. Been watching my fever bounce around from 99*2 to 100*5 all day. The fun just never stops so far this first Taxotere round. And its only day 11. It's got to get better from here! Hope you all are having a better evening. Hugs.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    At the hospital ER with 101*. Put me in a private pediatric room to keep me away from germs! Think it's going to be a long night. I'll keep you posted. Xox

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  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited December 2012

    Hi Halfcan,

    Hope the antibiotics have kicked in and that you are kicking this fever in the butt !

    take care xx

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Still at hospital .... Getting iv meds. Nurse had trouble with my port. Going home soon with iv in for daily antibiotics. Very tired.

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  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited December 2012

    Good to hear that they are sending you home , that way you can get the best nights sleep in your own bed Halfcan :)

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  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited December 2012

    Oh halfcan you poor sweetie, wish I could come over there and hold your hand.  Wish I could do that with all of you.

    fight4two - I'd pull those stray lashes out, your eye will feel better, and it's not good to have the constant irritation.

    Hoping for very gentle se's for you all


    (((((hugs)))))

    Trish

    xoxo

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  • MsW2012
    MsW2012 Member Posts: 226
    edited December 2012

    Traii: I love your comment. Chemo sucks but it is temporary. We can do this! I hope everyone has at least a handful of days each cycle that is tolerable.

    Halfcan: I am so sorry to hear about your setback. What a drag. We are so susceptible to colds and flu bugs. Wishing you speedy recovery from here on out. My onco advised me to get a flu shot back in October so I did. I feel like a stomach flu bug is creeping up on me but doesn’t seem to be getting worse. Hoping it will pass before it gets ugly. No fever.

    Merry Christmas everyone. My heart is with all of you.

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited December 2012

    halfcan...they told me to go to the er when fever became 101.4...but last week went when it was 100.4.....am so sorry...the weather is really screwing things up...told a friend of mine to remind me that I can't go to stores with lots of people...too many germs....they had me on isolation last time when I was in....but they tell me too many germs in the hospital.....whatever...good luck....am impressed again that you have a puter, no wifi in my hospital...

    Sandy

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  • RainMaze1962
    RainMaze1962 Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2012

    Chemo round three decided to kick my butt early. It's only day 2 post chemo and I feel like every lymph node on my upper body is inflamed. My face is red and hot. But no leg swelling or pain, so that's a plus. I took ibuprofen but is there anything else that helps? I was ok this morning (3 hours of sleep the night before) but now it's 5:45 pm and I'm already in bed!

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2012

    Feels good to be home even with this IV stub hanging out of my arm. I go back at 9am for more antibiotics. They don't know the cause yet so will see if they get an answer from all the tests and cultures they took. Thanks for all the well wishes ladies. It means so much!!!

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2012

    Halfcan - sorry to hear about the fever and that you had to go in for antibiotics. Hope it all resolves quickly for you.



    Traii - glad you were able to enjoy the party this weekend



    Fight4two - I agree, pull the eyelashes. Mine are pretty well gone at this point



    RainMaze - the dexamethasone can cause the red/hot face on Day 2, hope it didn't last or get worse for you



    Day 13 post 3rd Taxotere/Herceptin for me - I have had a few nosebleeds this weekend and some GI upset during the night on Friday night. Low grade fever but it didn't get high enough to go in, noticed that overnight? the moons on all my fingernails all disappeared, not sure if this means I will eventually lose the nails or not

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  • cowpower
    cowpower Member Posts: 293
    edited December 2012

    Websister, my moons on my nails got huge before I lost them. Hope this is a good sign for you:) I hated the taxotere nosebleeds. I hope they ease up for you. As disgusting as it sounds, I could keep them somewhat under control by using neosporin in my nostrils. Ah well, any port in a storm... Only one more taxotere to go for you?

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  • MsW2012
    MsW2012 Member Posts: 226
    edited December 2012

    Yes, I do the Neosporin thing too. Just don't do it when anyone is looking!  It works! Saline nasal spray also helps relieve that awful dry feeling. Spray first, blow,then lube! lol

    I read that Carboplatin may be the main cause of hair loss, but whether it's that or the Tax, it's weird. My hair came out, but except for the front, it's growing back already and I still have two more rounds of chemo to go. Do I just have strong hair cells? It's growing fast in the lower back part of my scalp.  I also haven't lost any eyelashes, although my brows have gotten very sparse. I guess everyone is different.

    I'm on Day Seven and still have the tender stomach and waves of fatigue. I eat whole oats with applesauce, and Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup. I get short bursts of restless energy too. Anyone else get that? I got up and made soup last night! Sliced and sauteed veggies and went from there, can't believe it!

    Tonight I was looking up music on YouTube and singing along. But then the wave of fatigue hits. Weird stuff. Can't believe it's going to be over some day. It's just so crazy-making.

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  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited December 2012

    Websister, I had the light nose bleeds....but dry skin in the nose is doing my head in just a little !

    RainMaze, I feel all sinusy..... I too had the sore aches etc around the lymph nodes in my neck but had them with the 2nd round as well so know thats all 'part of it'!

    Like websister mentioned, red face / puffy face like I had is the dex I'm sure ...I felt that way and by day 4 I was back to normal .....dex makes me 'crazy' !

    The palm of my hands feel burnt....some parts are purple too....I know it happened on round 2 as well but they are hurting this time around.

    I don't want to look at my fingernails so I've put a coat of coloured nail polish on them......I've had to file them back a few times...not tender like the last so perhaps the icing glove did work with my own ice ontop of them!

    My hair hasn't completely come out...enough for me to have to wear a bandana at home or wig when i'm out but I still have long bits of hair up top and bottom ... eyelashes thinned (but never had full ones thus the mascara or fakeys when I go out somewhere special) ! and eyebrows remain.

    I'm not on carboplatin just Tax so who knows MsW2012 !

    Today is Chemo #3 day 6 and I'm feeling more normal :) a few random SE's but they'll be gone in a couple of days !!

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited December 2012

    Going for #3 this  morning.  Hoping for minimal se's .  I usually have the taste thing hit on thur. or friday and lasts about 5-6 days.  Fatigue.....that's about it.  I take the neulasta shot on Tuesdays but with the claritan no se's so far.  (take claritan, Sat/Sun prechemo and then Tues-Sat post chemo).  so far so good with that. 

    Check in later.  Good thoughts to all.

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2012

    We're 'in your pockets' schoolmom'

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited December 2012

    halfcan are you in pain?

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  • fight4two
    fight4two Member Posts: 146
    edited December 2012

    Now that you guys have pointed it out, I looked at my fingernails and noticed that my thumbs and one pointer finger has large moons now (much whiter than usual), and there is no moons on the other fingernails!  I really don't want to lose any nails! Sounds so painful. Boo.

    Also, how can I tell if my hair is growing??  I have stubbies left from AC, and don't seem to be experiencing additional stubble loss from Taxotere (atleast I don't see any stubble on my pillow or towels).  I look at my stubble, but it looks the same.  It doesn't even look longer.  I assume that if I have to ask, it means my hair isn't growing yet.  I have heard that other people's hair have started growing back while on Taxotere, and for me, that would give me something *happy* during this Taxotere misery.  Oh, to look like a chia.  What strange things my heart now wants.

    Halfcan, how are you feeling today?  Did they ever find out what was wrong?  I hope you are on the mend and feeling better.  Are you on the bi-weekly schedule?  I hope you get to have some good days before your next dose!

    In your pocket, schoolmom!!

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited December 2012

    fight4two - I am still feeling good, this is a good week.  I go on Thursday for my 6th round of Tax so it will hit around noon on Saturday, then I will go on the 27th for fluids and a Neulasta shot.  I will start to feel better about January 2.  I am hoping to find out if this will be my last treatment or if there will be 3 more, whatever it is I am OK with it, as long as my markers keep going down and the omentum is thinning.  I hope you are feeling better and that you can do something about the eyelashes, that has to be really irritating. 

    websister - I hope you are feeling better by now also.  How do you know if you are going to lose your nails?  You were talking about half moons, I guess I have not heard of that.  When do you go back for another treatment, if I figured it right you go about a week after I do.

    halfcan - I hope you are doing well today and that you will not have to go to much longer for the antibiotics.  Have they been able to find out what caused the temperature?  Just hurry and get better.

    I just want everyone to feel good and be doing much better.  I am sending everyone a big hug for Christmas, Merry Christmas to all of you.

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