September 2013 Chemo Group

So today is graduation day. For my efforts I get rain changing to a whole lot of snow with 50klm hr windsThank goodness for Ativan. Can't wait for winter driving everyday for 3 weeks of rads. UGH!

Talked to NP about stomach/side pain. She wasn't too worried about it. Keep eye on it, if constant or really intense call in. If fever call in.

Have to attend an endocrinology class in Dec. I had asked her what the 2nd drug is that I will be on & she said that will be discussed in class. All I know is that I get Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 yrs then switch. I hate not knowing, can't do research.

Good luck to all today, big hugs to all who need it. I will be wearing big pockets today.

70 - if you are switching after Tamoxifen then it will be an aromatase inhibitor. Arimidex, Femara or Aromasin. Arimidex and Femara are more similar, Aromasin has a steroid component. The side effects from these three drugs (that disable the conversion of androgens to estrogen by interfering with the enzyme aromatase) are pretty consistently the same. Many women have to switch around all three drugs, and in some cases the manufacturers, to find the best fit. I have been on Femara twice using two different drug makers, and Arimidex. There are numerous threads here on BCO devoted to each drug and their respective side effects. Here is BCO's take on AI drugs in general:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/aromatase_inhibitors

JellyK - thanks for the laugh!!

Hot flashes have picked up for me, too. Last night I woke up so hot and sweaty, and this morning on the way back from bringing the kids to school I had to put my window down. Thank God it was only 37 degrees out so I cooled off pretty quickly. I've always been cold natured (and still am in between hot flashes!) So this being hot is so bizarre.

Anyone have nosebleeds on Taxol? I haven't had a bloody nose since I was a kid... Until last night. It was bad and took FOREVER to stop!

I've been staying pretty positive throughout chemo and just trying to go about my life as usual, but I'm really starting to feel it now (mentally). I'm like peacock- waving the white flag. I only have three weeks of chemo left and after thirteen weeks of it, that should feel like nothing, but it just seems like it will never end and every freaking day brings on another new stupid side effect it seems. I'm just done.

I too had spontaneous nosebleeds after round 2. Did not have after round 3. But then I had mentioned it to my NP. I have never been told if they change my doses, so maybe they did. I used saline nasal spray. It seemed to help a lot for me anyway.

Oddly, I'll take the pseudo hot flashes for now over a potentially horrid period from hell again. With my hemoglobin low and RBCs in the trash can I just can't survive another one. I'm kinda wondering if that last one I suffered between chemo #3 and almost entirely thru #4 was the final "death throes" of my poor lady parts. I'm only 44. I really didn't want to slam into menopause like a brick frickin' wall. Oh the woes of chemo.

I haven't had a nosebleed yet (knock on wood) but have wondered when one would show up since I read that is always a common SE. I put some Vaseline in my nose often when it gets dry.

2 Xanax and a zyrtec did NOTHING to help me sleep last night. I asked for a sleeping aid (ambien, lunesta? something! never taken either before) and my onco told me just to take 2 Xanax for bedtime. Will demand something different this next appointment. Have oxycodone for pain and it does make me sleepy or I can use Phenergan for sleep too but too much of the dreaded constipation comes with those. I hate this completely insane merry go round/roller coaster combo. If I could just exercise at the level my old healthy self was used to I could sleep like a rock. Nope. No way. Taking a shower gets me winded these days.

screw it. I'm going to go ride a horse today.

jellyK, I'm glad you're back, you make me smile. My buzzed hair is still growing. I feel like a chia pet

Hi Lovely ladies

Has anyone had any allergic reactions to TC? I had my 3rd treatment, which I found tough and today have broken out in welts and itchiness. I feel like this is a allergic reaction to the medication but wanted to hear your thoughts. I HATE chemo and do not want to go back to do my last one after this problem. K

I've been having some sharp pains on my left "breast" any one with surgery going thru this. I have called my breast surgeon and my PS no one is calling back.

Nose bleeds- only when I blow my nose, but I am on taxotere.

I feel so tired and my knees hurt.

Alfranco,

My knees hurt too!  I can't decide if it is from all the laying around or the neulasta.  But it is a pain!

Nosebleeds - a combination of inflamed and dried out tissue in the nose and low platelets caused by chemo. Platelets are the clotting factor in your blood, so when they are low - combined with damaged and dry tissue from chemo, creates a perfect storm for nosebleeds.

AdvilPM and TylenolPM are pain meds with Benadryl - if you don't want to take the Advil or Tylenol - just take some Benadryl. Acetaminophen is hard on the liver which is already being challenged by filtering chemo drugs, and Advil is hard on the stomach.

Ekaterina - sounds like it could be a taxane allergy, have you told your MO?

On the Chia Pet deal - I actually looked like one - my hair grew out stick straight, no curl. Since it was growing uniformly it looked very Chia Pet-ish! Or, like someone who had been electrocuted!

lighthouse-

try saline nasal spray and ayr ointment, just put some inside all around your nose with a qtip before bed and in am....

That is a reaction to taxotere, call your dR! Take some Benadryl too

hey audra, chemopause? sheesh doctors don't know. my onco told me I would likely go into "chemo pause" during treatment. when I complained about the 2nd period he said well it usually happens after treatment ends. Um. No. That is not what he said originally. Hence my "they don't know" comment. I had chemo #1 on Sept 13th. Regular period came Sept 25th. A second HIDEOUS one came Oct. 15th and lasted until after chemo #4 on October 25th. I discussed the whole deal it with the infusion nurses at chemo #5 (because nurses are typically women and usually awesome ...unlike my oncologist), one said that if they do continue to keep coming that my doctor may want to Rx birth control pills. Oh holy hell. Really? No thanks. I'll take a transfusion before that.

I pretty much have followed along right with Lighthouselady's experiences/side effects/issues on this magically fun ride so I expect no more periods as she is discovering now.

ps-thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at the barn and with the horses. I haven't felt this good all week. Such good medicine!

mankatostat thank you I am relieved to hear that this went away eventually. But was wondering how long it took?

SpecialK I did tell my Onc but the usual take Benedryl and go to ER if you have breathing difficulties. My hand and foot have been swollen and I have really bad Bain in my upper back but inside my body? I am just really worried that these things will never go away. What happens if you only do 3 our if 4 treatments?

Really worried? K

I know we talked about this before, but can't remember if there was a solution. My eyes are getting crusty during night time and wake up to shut eyes. I think this is also causing me to lose my eyelashes. 

Also I have been having fainting spells, not constant but during the whole chemo treatment. I've had three. Not fun, hate the feeling, Dr said it could be my pressure, dehydrated, etc... in other words they don't know.