taxotere side effects

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  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2013

    blondiex46.

    Prayers and blessings your way. Laugh out loud just because. :))

    Sheryl

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2013

    powermom - I have thought about the UTI or Kidney infection but no symptoms of either.

    fight4two - I have taken Levaquin for this before and for other things in the past.  It just does not agree with me very well.  It is more stomach issues and the last time I almost fainted when I got up in the night to go to the bathroom, but I do not know if it was the Levaquin, Taxotere since I had just had a treatment a few days before, the temp or a combination of the three things.  Also with the Tax and the Levaquin it seemed that my heart was racing more and whenever I run a temp above 99 I can tell it with my heart so all three combined made me feel terrible.  Everytime you move your heart just races, which you know all about since you have been having issues also.  This last time they gave me Keflex but both times, it did not get rid of the temp.  I ran a temp again this past Monday all afternoon and evening, it was gone around 8:30 and as of today have not had a temp again, so I am just wondering if it is just the chemo after all.  I hope they can figure out what is causing yours.  Keep us posted on how you are doing and what they may have found.

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2013

    Halfcan - Congratulations on the LAST chemo.  I am right there with you, just inside your pocket, hope I am not to late to be there with youWink.   I am sure your body is doing the "happy dance", or soon will be knowing this is the last one.

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  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2013

    jeanieb2,

    I hope you are drinking lots of fluid. As you know fever can worsen the already dehydrated state we get from the chemo.

    Hang tough, Sheryl

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2013

    SherylB - I have been drinking lots of water, seems like I drink, run to the bathroom, drink, run to the bathroom, just a vicious cycle.  So far today no temp.  I am hoping it was just related to the Tax.  My last treatment was on December 20, but I just finished Xeloda pills on Sunday evening.  I am still waiting for my energy level to increase, but maybe next week that will start to happen.

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2013

    Jeanieb, Traii - with my hot flashes, the heatwave in Australia and jeanieb's tendency to having a fever I hope you don't mind if I sneak a fan into that pocket of halfcan's we are all in. Halfcan - warn us just before you do your happy dance so we can hang on to each other ;)



    Blondie - with you today also

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2013

    websister - I love the idea about the fan, I think we all need it and of course the warning about the dance would be most helpful Laughing.  We will have to go between blondie and halfcan's pockets so we will definitely be needing that fan.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2013

    Time to dance girls!!! Let's shake it!!! We are done here and now going for a late breakfast! Thank you all for coming with me. Love to all. Xox

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2013

    Dancing, Halfcan - way to go, wishing you minimal side effects!



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  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2013

    Happy Dance for Half Can.  WOOHOOO!!  

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited January 2013

    halfcan - yay!

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2013

    I enjoyed doing the happy dance with you all ... yes, the nurse actually insisted I do the dance and she did it too .. hugs all around and off to IHOP for breakfast. Was all good till I stopped at the pharmacy on my way home to pick up Nuepogen. Bam! My portion... $1050!!! What??? Maxed on extended insurance approval and new deductible for PharmaCare in effect. Called Victory Program and they think my ext. Insurance should help more. Talking again tomorrow...we shall see. I'd say skip shots but blood counts and nuetrophils are below normal already so nervous. Funny to think hospitalization is cheaper! Grrr. Anyway, happy chemo is done....now for the next three or four weeks to pass and start to feel better before rads! Thanks for all your great support ladies! Love to all xox.

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  • bgt
    bgt Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2013

    Everyone is different. I chewed and sucked on ice an hour before my treatment, during my treatment and one hour after to avoid mouth issues. Be gentle with yourself. Do not drink hot liquids until after treatment. Try just warm beverages to avoid irritating your mouth.

    Taxotere is really rough treatment. Expect the best, rest as much as you can and drink a half gallon of water or as much as you can to rid your body of that yucky stuff.

    Tell yourself that you will not be sick, take your nausea meds before treatment as directed. Do not hesistate to take nausea meds if you start to feel nauseous. This is one time in your life where you come first. Do you.. You will get through!

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  • SusanHG123
    SusanHG123 Member Posts: 414
    edited January 2013

    Hi ladies. I am jumping from the weekly Taxol group. I finished 7 but due to SEs my MO is having me finish the last 5 with taxotere. I had 4 dose dense AC. MRI after but had 2 new malignancies in the same breast. After 7 Taxol had a MRI and another new malignancy. Stopped chemo. Had a right mastectomy 12 December. Last week my incision partially opened--go figure--so can't start chemo until probably next week. When I finish the 5 taxotere will have a break before 33 radiation. Then a break and a left mastectomy. Until my surgery my left breast was going to be left as is. But my surgeon put her fingers close together-as in touching as said "you are this shy of inflammatory BC and the left breast must go also.".

    So, here I am. Anxious to get restarted and on the road to finish. It has been a hard road. My *#&5&% walked out the day my port was placed. I accepted a new position the day of the first mammogram and am now serving as interim dean of health @ the university where I work. My youngest of 4 is graduating from university this year and Mom has not been able to be the Mom she needs. 

    Ready to meet new friends in this group.

    Susan

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  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited January 2013

    Hi Susan, welcome to the Taxotere group. ! Sounds like you've already had a rough time Frown

    I've completed my Taxotere on the 12th Dec and started another regime now.

    Tax is rough but I'm sure reading through this thread you will find valuable info on how to minimise SE's !!

    I'm sure your youngest understands the tough time mums going through and that its only another 'bump' in the road before full recovery :)

    Good Luck hun x

    Halfcan, I'm exhausted after that dancing, just as well Websister brought that fan with her for JeanieB and I....lol Hope you had a great and yummy late breakfast !

    Enjoy the next 3-4 weeks before rads with minimal SE's x

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2013

    Adding my welcome, Susan. You have had a rough time of it. I have 4 also, my youngest graduates high school this year. Please also feel free to join the 2012 sisters and 2013 Survivors on the IDC thread. There is also a great thread called 'In shock' with a wonderful bunch of ladies.



    Hope the incision heals quickly for you so you can get on with your treatment.

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited January 2013

    Friggin steroids....I am up at it is 238am.....another all nighter....and nauseous also even tho I took zofran and they give 2 anti nausea meds infusion....WTH!!!

    Sandy

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  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2013

    Hey all my friends I need to whine,

    First chemo Thurs. 1/10 very doable until Sat. then bad pain everywhere, doctor on call ordered me lortab and all has been doable. Actually said more than once on Tuesday and Wednesday ok I feel pretty good, hopefully next treatments won't be much worse. HAhahaha....WTF!!! Went to town with husband around 5 PM last night to pick up new glasses for him, asked him to drive which is unusual for me in first place. My back was hurting, lower back where I have lots of stuff, arthritis, disc etc, but have chosen no interventions until I can't walk (seen to many back surgeries in my >35 years go bad). I even said to my DH what's going on the neulasta should be wearing down not kicking back up. During the night I would wake and be aware of significant back pain, had taken ibuprofen before bed so drank water and dozed back off. Woke up about an hour ago with the WTF pain in back, could feel my pulse in my head and took temp. 100.3. I had a temp Monday 100.8 which responded well to ibuprofen, and mo said to monitor it no antibiotics yet. Been ok since then. I am scheduled to be at clinic at 0830 for a 6 hour infusion of iron, seems my stores have been in the toilet for who knows how long. Anyway just wanted to vent, things always happen when office is closed, that's Murphy's Law, I live about 38 miles away and will need to shower and go maybe to be turned away who knows. I am not so bad that I need to call the doc on call I can wait 3 hrs till office opens. Oh well nothing else to do, will plan a drive on this rainy Florida am. Been in the 80's for days now high of 66 and raining.

    I have to put a positive spin on things now. I am so grateful for this forum, because as soon as I took some medicine and started drinking fluids I got on here and vented. Writing and thinking takes my mind off how crappy I feel so what a gift this forum is.  More to come later, have a glorious day.

    Sheryl

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  • SherylB
    SherylB Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2013

    Susan,

    Sorry for all the crap!! Just wanted to say that if your youngest is graduating from the university then I think you have been the mom she and anyone else would be proud to call "mom". My mom always said that what I did and became was a reflection on her, used to think that was just a mom guilt trip thing, but I bet you feel very proud of your children and that is a direct reflection on you. :))

    Hang tough, Sheryl

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2013

    Yep...I've had a little steroid night too. Woke up again, took my two morning pills but wasn't planning to get up yet. Ha...wide awake instantly.

    Susan - wonder if its the steroids that gives you nausea? I don't take any meds for it on Taxotere at all. But steroids make you feel hungry a bit and if you nibble you may feel better. Hope it gets better soon.

    Sheryl - I have heard of Neulasta causing bone pain but my experience is with the similar Nuepogen (1 shot daily for 7 days instead). It gives me weird pains from my neck spine area on down, hips, knees and feet. Usually lasts a few days and I rotate ibuprophen and tylenol. I know many ladies take daily Claritin but my MO said no. On a good note, I have found the SE's easier after the first Tax. and hoping you will too. Hang in there. For me I'm pretty useless the first two weeks and the couch is my friend...and the hot pad!

    Let's have an easy day ladies! Xox

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  • jeanieb2
    jeanieb2 Member Posts: 319
    edited January 2013

    SusanHG123 - Welcome to our group, I hope just reading through here will help you as much as it helped me when I started on here.  So many of the ladies answered questions for me.  I can not begin to tell them how much I appreciated it and how much it helped me.  The nurses and my onc are great but there is nothing like getting answers from people that have been through it.  You have been through a lot that is for sure and we are here to help as much as we can, sending hugs your way.

    SherylB - I hope you are feeling better today.  My onc said to call of my temp went above 100.5, that is there cut off for the temp so it does not go any higher.  With your lower back hurting could it be a kidney infection or something like that?  I know there should be other symptoms that go along with that, and you have probably already thought of that.   My 6th Tax treatment I had more aches and pains than the others, and also ran a low grade temp for 2+ weeks after.  I asked if it could be the Tax and the nurses and doctors all said they did not think so but to many others on this site have had a temp with it so I am still saying that is what caused mine.  I hope you are doing better today.

    halfcan - Did you feel all of us in your pocket yesterday doing the happy dance?  I hope we did not tear that pocket with all of our jumping and suchLaughing,  hoping you have no SE and that you get through this last one easy.  Sometimes just knowing it is our last can help our minds feel better about all of it.

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  • ziffy321
    ziffy321 Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2013

    Hi ladies!  I'm new to this topic, but not to BC.  I was first diagnosed in 2002, had unilateral mx, A/C treatment (no fun), followed by 5 yrs tamoxifen and 5 years femara.  Thought I'd put it all behind me, but noo-ooo-oo! 

    I just underwent my first Taxotere/Cytoxan treatment (with pre-meds) on Tuesday, and Neulasta yesterday.  So far, no severe side effects.  A little headache, heartburn, and tingling tongue this morning, but nothing alarming.  If only it would stay that way!

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  • carlads
    carlads Member Posts: 241
    edited January 2013

    Hi everyone,

    I didn't post after my treatment last week, I felt good the first three days then on Monday the real headache started.  It is still here nothing really helping.  I am drinking drinking drinking....  I talked to the NP yesterday she thinks it isn't the Taxotere but the Neulasta injection.  Said to take whatever over the counter works.. well so far nothing has worked..  I have to see my Oncologist tomorrow and I will talk to him about it...  I am going to take a nice walk hopefully the fresh air will help... Oh and I did take the Claritin as directed... any tips?

    Carla

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited January 2013

    well was up all night, went to sleep at 7ish and slept until 930 and have been up ever since...cancer sucks!!

    Sandy

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2013

    Quick update cause can't sit still. Lol. Got my insurance squared away and now $30 deductable as thought it should be! Big sigh of relief when pharmacy wanted me to hand them over $1050!! Worth all the phone time today! Steroids are kicking ass and so I'm getting lots of housework done. It feels good but I know the crash will come so enjoying the time.

    Love to all and welcome to the new gals. Xox

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited January 2013

    well good for you halfcan, maybe I should plan on cleaning next week when I get it and steroids again.....2 hours of sleep since last night.....

    Sandy

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  • MsW2012
    MsW2012 Member Posts: 226
    edited January 2013

    Yes, congratulations Halfcan! Woohoo!  I'm right behind you, last chemo Tuesday. Such mixed feelings, although the excitement about it being the last one far outweighs the dread of one more round. The fatigue just seems to last longer each time. I wish you speedy recovery and celebration!

    February is up in the air for me right now. Don't know yet whether the radiation will come before or after the final surgery. The RO and plastic surgeon will decide together which will be best in my case. It'll be such a good feeling to look more normal, but I can certainly wait another couple of months for the best possible result, if that's what it takes.

    Best of luck to you! I look forward to hearing about your recovery! :)

    P.S. Finally got a photo on here. That's the free wig from a local program for cancer patients - my first time with short hair.

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  • fight4two
    fight4two Member Posts: 146
    edited January 2013

    The fever finally went away! Hooray!!  Started taking the levaquin on Tuesday night, and fever was mostly gone Friday and completely gone Saturday (3 weeks and 2 days PFC by then).  The chest xray, urinalysis, and blood cultures all came back clear and my WBC and Neutrophil counts are normal.  I'm not sure if the levaquin helped or if it was coincidental.

    The problem I am having is the SE's from the levaquin.  My left shoulder is killing me and both calves hurt so I have to hobble around.  The black box warning is about tendon problems in your shoulder and achilles heal, so I am very freaked out.  I did not take my fifth dose yesterday even though I know that if you do have a bacterial infection, one of the worse things you can do is stop the medication before finishing the course.  Its just that nothing showed an infection, and now I'm afraid of damage from the drug.  I don't know what to do.  I just want to be healthy for my scheduled surgery on Monday.

    Any advice?

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  • Alicethecat
    Alicethecat Member Posts: 535
    edited January 2013

    Hello ladies

    I've been reading your posts about Taxotere and it brought back a few memories...However, I'm nearly six months past chemo now (finished August 2012) and feel fantastic - and hopefully you will too!

    If it's any help, my onc reduced my dose of Taxotere to 80% rather than 100% and the washed-out, dishrag feeling vanished!

    Always worth considering if the side-effects get too much to bear.

    By the way, I am currently cancer-free. Was it the mastectomy/chemo/radiation that worked - who knows - and I'm still on Herceptin and just started Arimidex.

    Don't know. Just very grateful to be alive.

    You're going through the worst of it now in my humble opinion. Once you're through the chemo, the rads, the immunotherapy and hormonals are a lot easier to manage.

    Best wishes

    Alice

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  • MsW2012
    MsW2012 Member Posts: 226
    edited January 2013

    Did anyone ever just suddenly sleep for hours in the middle of the day, when nothing major has been happening? I laid down on the couch at around noon and woke up and it was after 4! I thought maybe I accidentally got a 3-week dose of Herceptin that morning instead of the 1-week, because it does usually make me sleepy, but never THAT sleepy! And my eyes have been watering non-stop, much more than usual, all week long. Does it sound like I got more Herceptin, or is this just one of those dumb things you just can't explain?  I mean gosh, this whole chemo ordeal is almost over and I thought I knew what to expect by now.

    Best wishes to all for healing and positive thoughts. Thanks for being here. -Elizabeth

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