September 2013 Chemo Group

Srmill: I thought my agony was due to the Neulasta too, but this last time I got my Neulasta a day later than usual and still got near bone-crushing pain. I would say the combo definitely sucks. (Taxotere, Taxol, potato, potatahto) I would say that it is more likely the Taxol that is causing your pain because the Neualsta should only be affecting the points where you produce blood cells, so it shouldn't be affecting your lower body as much, except your hips and the distal ends of your long bones. I feel like a bruise covered in a sunburn with Taxotere: bone, muscle and skin pain all rolled into one. I also get a rash over my face and back sometimes but it isn't itchy.I still wouldn't say it isn't from the Taxol though. Sounds like an allergic reaction to me. My last infusion I started sneezing and got really stuffed up in my sinuses and so they stopped the infusion and it went away after awhile until they started the infusion back up again. I guess they just figure some allergy to the chemo isn't a big deal. Have you tried L-Glutamine for the neuropathy? I was taking it but I finished the bottle and haven't gotten to go buy another yet. My neuropathy is worse than it has ever been by far; my feet are numb all the time about up to my ankles. I don't know if it is just because I ran out of Glutamine or if it is just because it is so soon since infusion. The last infusion it did go away after about a week or so except when I was in the shower. What about Benedryl? And Claritin, of course. Hang in there!

has anyone did the AC without the port?

Also, does the AC cause toe & finger nail issues or was that just a taxol thing.

My wife has her first AC tomorrow and were a little nervous.

I have the Claritin ready for her to take tomorrow. Should we tell the onc?

art - you can get fingernail discoloration, but not lifting with AC.  It is important if she does not have a port that she reports any stinging or burning at the IV site as Adriamycin is a skin/vein vessicant and can cause damage.  You need to inform your onc of any OTC meds your wife is taking - here is a link to the study on Claritin and Neulasta:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01311336

thanks for your help. We read about the vein thing so we got freaked out.

I'll tell onc. Should she take Claritin same day if chemo or next day.

Just concerned with all the steroids Benadryl nausea pills all on same day.

I really appreciate all your help and knowledge. It's made it much easier for me to deal with this and be a resource of info & support for her.

art - just make sure to allow a minimum of an hour prior to the injection.  I took Claritin for all of my Neulasta injections, but forgot on #3 and took it 30 minutes after, and I noticed a difference.

Happy Anniversary 70charger!

How are you going PFC, given that it is winter and your immunity is down? What are you doing to boost your energy levels, which you obviously have? How many days PFC are you?

Sorry for all the questions but I finished last TC a week ago and am still suffering from a sore throat and really low energy levels. When will I get out of this hole?

Speaking of wills and children and all of that.... my situation is really ironic. Hubby and I have been married for over 12 years and our kids are 12 and 7. He has had a will for over 20 years because he has an older son. So basically his will gave everything to my stepson. I never had a will. We'd been putting it off forever, and finally went a couple of years ago and did it. We named our first, second and third choices for taking the kids should something happen to both of us. Same thing with life insurance. Hubby had a small policy which of course named my stepson as beneficiary. I had none. Went last spring and purchased a policy for me (and changed the info on his). A few months later I was diagnosed. How fortunate was THAT timing?!?!? And, with me being BRCA+, they can ask you if you've ever had genetic testing, so if I had to get life insurance now, I'd probably be denied.

For those who put dark nail polish on during their Taxol treatments, how long did you leave it on?

Mamastewart, yikes I hope everything turns out ok! I'm sorry you don't have more help, I'm sure all of us would pitch in if we could!

Art, I did 4 rounds of AC without a port. Nurses had to be careful during the A push, but no issues with the infusions. Good luck!!

Mamastewart-hoping that you are ok and glad that someone is able to be there with your kids.  Keep us posted.

Today is day 4 after my last taxol - weird new sensation - can't tell if my ribs/sternum hurt, if I have heartburn, or it's shortness of breath. 

Hugs to all - it just never seems to end on this chemo train...can't wait to get off, yet dreading my first AC on Friday.

Pam - I put dark polish on the day before & leave it on for a few days. Then I take it off & put on a clear coat of nail strengthener.

mamastewart - Oh no! I hope they get to the bottom of your issues at the ER. I'm glad your babysitter has your kids. {{hugs}} I hate that you feel so alone.

Wow, seems like so many of us are feeling lousy and dealing with crappy side effects. Yuck. I'm in the honeymoon phase - the 2-3 days before my next treatment is when I feel the best. Just in time for it to all come crashing down again. My eyes have been watering NON STOP. I don't know if it's a chemo thing or if I'm getting a cold or if it's just because I have very few eyelashes left.... whatever it is, it's annoying!

I've also started taking all of my vitamins & supplements in the mornings (I was splitting some in the a.m. and some at night) in case one of them is causing my restless legs. Last night I took an Ambien to get some sleep, so I'm not sure if it worked or not.

MamaStewart: I really hope that you're ok and don't need to be admitted but if you do, it will be the best place for you to get the care you need. Please keep us updated and many warm healing thoughts coming your way!

Cougarlicious, how are you and the baby? Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was not too stressful and you had a bit of happiness during the holidays!

Kbee hope you start perking up! You are done!!

Mamastewart- praying for you to get this resolved and get feeling good again, and thank God for your sweet baby sitter to step up..I wish we were able to help you in person as well.

lhl- Hope your anemia goes away...and you get more energy..

I am in 'honeymoon' phase too I guess, as next round Thursday and I finally feel more normal, except for port put in today, that has me stiff and a little tired...

I am interested to see how the neulasta effects me, with TC and I am going to take Claritin...I had some body aches without the neulasta the last round...

Thanks for the update 70charger! You are eleven days ahead of me. Following your footsteps-take care!!

Good morning everyone! Thank you for the well wishes. I am home. I got home after midnight last night, and I still really don't know what it going on. They did blood work and gave me fluids. I guess dehydration was what was making my brain so foggy...seriously, I had to sit and think about how old my son is and even after thinking for a bit I wasn't completely sure... It was BAD. I feel much better on that front. I am about normal for chemo brain but I developed a HORRIBLE headache when they were giving me fluids for some reason and it still hasn't gone away. Blood work was all okay for a chemo patient. They called my onc before they even got my lab results back to see if he wanted anything else done and he said that he thought it was just all going to be chemo toxicity related. Well WTH did he tell me to go in and call me out a Ciphro prescription? I was so mad by that point. I hate going in for no reason; it makes me feel like an idiot sometimes. I'm still having the cold sweats (of course they didn't happen when I was in the ER and my temp was 98.1) I just recorded my temp at 95.5 during a cold sweat this morning. I know the thermometer is accurate too because it is the one that my son's nurses use on him every morning. Who knows what is going on. It does seem to be better though. I only got woke up once last night with cold sweats; it has been a dozen or so times. Just one more to go... ONE....MORE....