Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin

Thanks SpecialK. I will talk to my MO. I didn't even think to associate the muscle tightness w/ my low hemoglobin. Maybe I should eat more spinach!

Yes Speedy it does get better! At about 6 weeks PFC my thigh muscles stopped hurting. And about the same time I started to feel a lot better.  My eyes did stop tearing at about 8 weeks but then started again about 12 weeks. I have been to the eye doctor and they do not see any problems. I still use eye drops b/c they think it is from dry eyes due to chemo. I will be very happy when this residual SE leaves for good!

mcmacey - Been out and about the last couple of days, so I just saw your question about the Neulasta.  I never had it.  I asked my onc about it and she said she didn't like giving it for two reasons: 1) the side effects and 2) the cost.  I had to have tx's #'s 4,5, & 6 put off for a week because of my low white count, but they were JUST under the threshold.  I actually felt as good as could be expected when I went in for #4 and 5, but the blood work showed otherwise.  Since it's a long trip for me to the center, I asked if I could just put off #6 for a week, to save the trouble of having to make 2 trips.  She was fine with it, but said from there on out, my Herceptin will be every 3 weeks, no ifs, ands, or buts. I don't know if my situation is what made the difference, but I was put on this chemo regimen as a precaution.  At my last chemo, I asked if I had anything else to worry about, and she told me she wasn't worried about me from here on out, for the rest of my life. (encouraging) After my last Herceptin, I asked, again, if I had anything else I needed to worry about, and she told me she was never worried about me in the first place, she was just being extra diligent in my treatment to keep it that way.  Made me feel really good, but now, everytime I get the slightest weird pain, or experience something physically different, I always think...Uh-Oh, here it is again.  THAT I would like to get past, but maybe that's normal.  Anybody else feel that way?

I ended up on Carafate, Prilosec and Pepcid after my surgery, with some Prevacid for a few days, too. (We tried everything!). Heartburn started after round 5 of chemo, and the antibiotic+ pain meds+ anesthesia with surgery made it unbearable.



But now I'm 6 weeks out from surgery and finally my tummy is happy again.

Miss Moon .... too funny -- here is my pooch, Cooper,  he is a Morkie....

chickaD - so cute!

Thanks on Cooper..he is 8 weeks old today and he will remain that small..under 10 pounds..he is a registered service dog which my cancer center helped me acquire!  Here is one of my big dogs, Samantha,  with him...just to give you an idea of how small he is...the other is me and Coooer...

Awwww too cute

Great pics!!

ChickaD, you have a great disposition and it comes through with your posts!!

I hope the remaining treatments are easy for you!

Welcome ukkate! Of course you can join our merry little group, everyone is welcome here. I have 4 more tx of H only and I have found them to be very easy compared to the TC tx. The only SE I have with H is a drippy nose. I am sure others will stop by with their experiences too, but overall H only is so much easier to do. There does seem to be some variance on the amount of time that each center has the infusion run - between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. Some of us have done better with the longer run time and some are fine with the shorter one. If you start with a shorter run time and have issues don't be afraid to ask them slow it down. I don't get any pre meds with mine, just a saline flush at the end.

I have to wear my wig everyday for work too. In the beginning I found it to be uncomfortable and tight, but as it loosened up it became more doable. But there are still days when I rip it off my head as I am heading out of the parking lot!

Any ideas about nose bleeds?  Just had #6 last week and haven't been able to stop the skin inside my nose & nasal cavities from scabbing & cracking & bleeding since #5.  I've been using Vasoline to coat and couldn't get any other suggestions from MO or from the infusion center.  My poor nose is soooo sore & I wish I'd bought stock in kleenex.  Thanks in advance for any tips.

Thanks Special.  You're right on both causes.  I'll try Aquafor tonight.

MinusTwo I had terrible nose bleeds on chemo/herceptin that were really hard to stop. My onc said it was from the Herceptin and it was winter so the dryness didn't help. I think the chemo made it harder to stop them. When I was only on chemo they weren't as much of a problem but it was also spring/summer. If they get real bad they can cauterize but you would have to see an ENT for that. At least my onc's NP warned me if they got worse that's what they would have to do.

BTW MinusTwo after I posted I took a shower… and I got a nose bleed! Ha ha I do get them sometimes when my nose is too dry. Usually not in the summer but being on Anastrozole now for 2.5 years I think everything is drying out

Just finished 4th (and last) chemo-  yay!  Now on to Herceptin for a year and Tamoxifen.  Anyone else doing that after 4xTCH?  

My biggest trouble right now is severe insomnia and hot flashes.  I have tried every sleeping pill and nothing gets me to sleep through the night.  I am always lying awake when the alarm goes off.  

Onc thinks its anxiety and wants me to see a psychiatrist but I have read that Herceptin causes hot flashes and insomnia.  Anyone else?  I am prone to insomnia anyway but usually a quarter of an ambien does the trick.  Nothing helping now...