taxotere side effects

thanks gwenny, I don't get the neulasta shot and don't take claritin, i did and need to go again.....

Hi Chelsaeash- please forgive me if this doesn't make sense, but am rushing as I said. Your Mom will need for her chemo lifelines-

Vaseline and earbuds- her nose will drip constantly, and it gets very uncomfortable. Gently wipe the bud around the inside of the nostrils.

Nappy cream - the nether regions- back and front tend to get burnt. Put some on to protect the skin. She must also drink lots the first few days to dilute the chemicals. If she can't stomach water - any fluids will do. 

If she can't eat - try soup, as you can force yourself to swallow soup.

Sweet almond oil- when your hair falls out and after every chemo your scalp gets really sore and itchy. Rub it on and leave it for a while before washing it off.

Re the germs. You don't have to be too paranoid. Just make sure you wash your hands, and change out of your uniform. Keep her well clear of anyone with a cold or diarrhoea and vomiting. Small children are germ traps so be careful of them, and stay clear of crowded places in the first 10 days.

The breathlessness and the throbbing you can feel as the blood pumps around your body are normal, as is the palpitations of your heart. They are scary - please reassure her. Take care

I received Emend and Ondansetron with FEC which is very similar

I hate to say, but my taxotere treatment was brutal.  My doctors told me I was through the hard part after the AC but they were definitely wrong!  I felt like I was doing something wrong since taxotere was supposed to be "easy".  I've since learned that every person really has an individual experience with each chemo. med.

I had terrible pain all over my body including chest and abdominal pain.  That got me CT scans of both chest and abdomen with no findings.  I could barely get off the couch because of fatiuge. I actually had to move into our guest room because I couldn't climb the stairs to my bedroom.  I also got terrible sores in my mouth and a gross white coating all over my tounge.  

During two of my taxotere treatments I spiked a fever for no good reason.  That got me hospitalized both times until my counts came back up.  I took neulasta which I think helped but gave me considerable pain in my back and chestbone.  

I was resistant to pain meds at first.  Once I gave in and started taking them regularaly I was much more comfortable.  I used a Rx mouthwash called Rocky Mountain Mouthwash.  It is a combo of a few numbing agents.  It helped me be able to eat.  The trick was to use the wash and wait 20 minutes for it to kick in before I tried eating anything.  I also took Ativan for anxiety which helped me relax and not focus on the pain so much.  

On to better news....I am two years out from treatment and doing great.  I'm healthy, back in the gym regularly, my hair has grown back, and I'm able to take care of my two-year-old full time.

Hang in there!!!  Treatment is temporary! 

what to do for itchy scalp its killing me I shaved my hair 2 weeks after T/C and had round 2 as well still itchy sometimes painful help!

I'm back.  I feel much better know.  I guess the Claritin and Benadryl actually work.  I slept for 5 hours last night.  There is still some body aches but they are manageable with Tylenol.  However, my throat is dry and the film in my mouth is horrible.  I take steroids right before the Taxotere (2 pills at night and 2 pills in the morning).  I did not take these with AC. 

Chelsey/Ashley  My half sister and one of my best friends are both RNs who took care of their moms during cancer treatment.  They both told me to go to hospital if I have bad symtoms and cannot see doctor.  Your moms symptoms sounds like an allergic reaction.  I hope that she feels better soon.

Well I feel good enough to go to work for a few hours so I am logging off.  I need focus to draw identical eyebrows.

Ladies,



Have any of you experienced a hoarse voice with chemo? My mom is on day 10 since infusion and has a really raspy/hoarse voice!



It isn't sore. No fever. But I am concerned that it could be her getting sick. It's been this way for two days.



She also has a heavy chest.

I would call her oncologist but he NEVER gets back to us!



Help?

Thanks!

She had no voice when she woke up this morning! It slowly comes back but it's so raspy!

Guess I need to either call her doctor or bring her in. I hope it's normal!

Is there a nurse you can talk to instead of trying to get to the doctor?  I'm sorry to hear that your doctor isn't offering more support.  

I had two oncologists during treatment because my insurance changed half way through.  I'm sure my first oncologist was giving me good medical care and was making responsible decisions about my health.  But, I didn't like her much.  She was abrasive, a little disrespectful, and not very emotionally supportive.  I adore my current oncologist.  She listens to what I have to say, she asks my opinion about treatment options, and she truly cares about me and my family.  Having a doctor you like does make a difference in your treatment.  It is important to feel well taken care of and supported.  If you can I suggest finding a new doctor.  Even a different doctor in the same practice/group may be a better choice for you guys.  Good luck!!!

Hi jeanieb: I had blurred vision off and on during chemo too, especially after the first few rounds. It would get better, then get worse after the next round. I never did ask about it, figured it was just the fatigue. The tic sounds like stress to me - however it never hurts to ask. There are so many potential side effects from these meds, you never know.

yogafan: My experience has been similar, recovering from the chemo. I did finally get my big toenails back after about 2 months, and my hair is growing soooo slowly, except for the back! Couldn't it be the front? lol I did exercise as much as possible during chemo, usually a short walk around the neighborhood. It helped a lot with energy level and I feel like it helped me feel better between rounds. By the end I was worthless on the elliptical but I am back at it and slowly regaining my ability. Now that it's over, yes, exercise makes all the difference! If I miss a few days, I feel awfully tired and moody.

Yes, hang in there, but always ask about new symptoms or anything that is really hard to bear. Ultimately, it is up to us, the patients, to decide what to do based on the onc's recommendations. It does get better!

MsW2012 - Thanks for the info.  I do have the blurry vision and tearing eyes some times but the twitching comes and goes anytime and started about a week or two ago.  I go Thursday for another treatment and may ask, although sometimes the doctors do not know all of the minor side effects like people that have taken the drug.

slv58 - I know exactly what you mean about getting glasses for short term, that is why I have put it off since last September, that is when I started, then had a 3 month break and am back at it.  It is getting to the point that I really have to do something so will ask the doctor on Thursday about it.

I have lots of twitching and some blurred vision......................

Thanks for the info on the eye twitching, blondiex46, Worrywart93 and slg76.  As for not having eyes checked for 6 months, that will not work as I only get about a 2 to 4 month break before going back on it so I will try and remember to ask my onco tomorrow when I get another treatment.  I appreciate the feedback.

Hi ladies,

My mom took her 2nd round of TC on the 18th. So far her side-effects haven't been nearly as bad as the first one. However, today she has had uncontrollable nausea and vomitting. She even threw up blood. My question is: Is it dangerous that she is throwing up blood?

It isn't a lot - but enough to see and for her to taste. She tried taking her meds to control it but they just come right back up. I looked on her list of serious side-effects and it doesn't say anything about throwing up blood.

Insight?

Thanks