Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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Pat, since I live in dry dry dry Colorado, I've always got a dry dry dry nose. It's actually not much worse -- so far! -- on chemo than not. I use a lot of plain saline nose drops that I mix myself from NeilMed sinus rinse packets and bottled water (2 packets in one 16 oz bottle of water). I get the smallest box of plain packets (without the sinus rinse pot) -- it's not expensive, convenient, lasts forever, and it know it's sterile. All the OTC "saline" nose drops that I've tried have had some kind of preservative that my nose hates -- I just bought a few bottles to begin with, emptied them out, and refilled them with my plain saline. My theory is that it works like the salt+bicarbonate mouth rinse my MO is having me use -- keeps everything moist, flushed out, clean and soothed. -
i found the saline sinus rinses really helpful too and my dry sinus only lasted a couple of days. I also use cpap that has a humidifier attached so that helps. I used Ayr gel too. -
And yes we have a whole house humidifier as well. The first summer we were here -- after living 40 years in the snow belt of upstate NY -- I was completely amazed to have humidity readings in single digits every day for weeks. Who even knew it was possible to have RH of 7%! (Of course, it's usually more like 30%.) What's even more amazing is that your body quickly adapts to it -- but the saline nose drops really help -
My MO said I can take claritin and zyrtec, which I do regularly bc of seasonal allergies. I get a little blood sometimes, too, but not all of the time. I use saline spray twice/day.
I had neulasta after my first TX and had some aches and pains. I have been told it is not quite as bad the following times bc the bone marrow has expanded a lot from the first shot...will see how true that is next week. I think I will be getting one each TX. I could tell my RBC's were low this past few days bc of fatigue, but feeling good as new today! I think my nadir is over:)))
audra, hope your US has good results! your scarf does look awesome!
Hoping all of you having TX's this week do well!
((HUGS))
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Thanks Virginia! I thought I wrote about US already...it seemed good, he thought fibroadenoma and my plastic surgeon says it is suture it will dissolve in 6 weeks, he said lots get them after surgery...I am to recheck it in 1 month per radiologist just because of the 'cancer' history...nice. I'm feeling the same way like labor/ this is so the same as pregnancy in some ways isn't it? I did 'natural labor with all 3 babies and I swear the nuelasta was worse! Or maybe I just can't remember the agony...??
I worried myself into a stew the last 2 days and am exhausted now...
the nose bleeds- I have them too in ams and when blow too hard...I use saline spray and ayr ointment when it seems dry, with a qtip just put ayr inside nose at night...
The constant runny nose I have a lot anyway...so that's sortof the same for me...
hugs to you all!
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I had runny nose and watery eye on left side only (go figure). The Aquaphor on a Q-tip at night helped a lot with the bloody boogers. Now that I haven't had any T for 4 weeks, it has dried up, but there really wasn't anything that helped when I was getting T. And because of the hives I had, I was taking Benedryl every 4 hours, and I took Claritin with the Neulasta -- neither one helped the nose.
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No worries Audra - u did in the other thread...
. Hard to keep track of what we post where sometimes Was stuck in the house due to the snow.....did laundry, shoveled, baked cookies, wrapped presents and shoveled again. Tired now lol. Will be very aggravated if I don't sleep
Bluegrass- the guy that replaced my furnace a few years ago put a humidifier in, but I can't tell the difference. Guess I ought to check the setting and make sure it's cranked up
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I had to be my Oncnurse to make me sit in the chair longer for Chemo #2. Within 20 minutes of T being started I had Tongue swelling/Throat swelling shut, Lymph nodes in my neck area swelling, and ears ringing and feeling clogged. Chemo#1 I could not breath, swallow, or talk. Last time I called my MO and they gave me penicillin and steroids. I called my MO this time they would not prescribe it, "it was ineffective", told me to go the ER or see my GP. My GP got me the medicine and I avoid the 100+ fever I had last time. I fired off an email requesting an new MO and my MO called me. MO doesn't not believe the Taxol is causing me to have these issues. MO has never had a patient complain about these issues. The MO wants me to see a otolaryngologist they day after Chemo #3. My reply was "maybe I"m your outlyer". Now I"m trying to schedule a throat doctor for my day after chemo. Has anyone else have this happen to them?
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FdM, Taxotere is KNOWN to cause allergic reactions, and what you are describing sounds like an anaphylactic allergic reaction. I would absolutely see a new MO. allergic reactions tend to get worse with each exposure, so you may need an alternative to Taxotere. I am so sorry you had that happen. Be sure tocarefully keep track of any and all symptoms as they come up. Scary!
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Fairy, I agree. Maybe your MO has not read the SEs but allergic reactions do exist. Read TeamKim's. She had to change to Gemzar.
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Fairy- I'm with everyone else.... get a new MO. The mere fact that he hasn't had a patient before that has an allergic reaction to Taxotere makes me a little suspicious of his experience and how much he knows about his patients. I would think that the infusion nurses would be a little hesistant to administer Taxotere to you after the reaction you had after Chemo #1. If you have time, you may want to use a calendar to write down your side effects and symptoms after each round of chemo so you will have that info when you go see a new MO. I know you may be a little scared to get a new MO but it appears that your body cannot tolerate the Taxotere and you need to find an MO that is there for you .... one that is working with you rather than one that tells you that you need to find someone else to handle a medical situation.
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http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/edema-overview
This are the allegic reactions to Taxotere, from WebMd amd the ones below from Mayo Clinic .com. Both mention swelling...
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for others by doing certain tests.
Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Black, tarry stools
- Blood in urine or stools
- Cough or hoarseness (accompanied by fever or chills)
- Difficult or labored breathing
- Difficult or painful urination (accompanied by fever or chills)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever or chills
- Heart problems
- Hives
- Itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- Lower back or side pain (accompanied by fever or chills)
- Noisy, rattling breathing
- Pinpoint red spots on skin
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Tightness in chest
- Troubled breathing while at rest
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Wheezing
Rare
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
Docetaxel sometimes causes allergic reactions, especially during the first few treatments. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice back pain or itching during an injection. Your doctor or nurse will be watching out for other signs of an allergic reaction while you are receiving this medicine, and will be ready to treat any serious effects right away.
A kind of leukemia called acute myeloid leukemia [AML] can occur if you are taking a combination of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide to treat your breast cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a lot of infections, experience bone or joint pain, or have a fever.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Swelling of abdomen, face, fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Weight gain
Less common
- Red, scaly, swollen, or peeling areas of skin (severe)
Rare
- Decrease in blood pressure, sometimes with dizziness or fainting
- Increase in blood pressure, sometimes with dizziness or headaches
This medicine may also cause the following side effects that your doctor will watch out for:
More common
- Anemia
- Low white blood cell count
Less common
- High or low blood pressure
- Low platelet count in blood
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Congestion
- Diarrhea
- Dryness or soreness of throat
- Nausea
- Skin rash or redness (mild)
- Sores or ulcers on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
- Weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common
- Bloody nose
- Body aches or pain
- Change in color of fingernails or toenails
- Congestion
- Dry, red, hot, or irritated skin at place of injection
- Headache
- Hoarseness
- Loosening or loss of fingernails or toenails, sometimes painful
- Pain in joints or muscles
- Pain, swelling, or lump under the skin at place of injection
- Runny nose
- Tender, swollen glands in neck
- Trouble in swallowing
- Voice changes
- Vomiting
incidence not known
- Burning, dry or itching eyes
- Burning upper abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Difficulty having a bowel movement [stool]
- Discharge from eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Mood or mental changes
- Pain all over body
- Pain and redness of skin at place of earlier radiation treatment
- Rapid breathing
- Redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
- Stomach pain
- Sunken eyes
- Tearing of the eyes
- Wrinkled skin
This medicine usually causes a temporary loss of hair. After treatment with docetaxel has ended, normal hair growth should return.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
DR601849Portions of this document last updated: Dec. 1, 2012
Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex
Copyright © 2013 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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FDM -- Allergic reaction is nothing to mess around with, as the reaction usually gets worse each time you are exposed, and can be life threatening. Absolutely get a new MO who will listen to you. And YOU should not have to ask the nurses to respond in any certain way -- they should be monitoring you for reaction during the infusion and watching you closely. Allergic reactions during infusion often call for administration of Benedryl via the IV.
As Headeast mentioned above, my skin rash/hives reaction has caused my MO to change my regimen for the last infusion. Since my reaction was delayed, there was no way to know for certain whether it was Cytoxan or Taxotere to blame, but Taxotere was the LIKELY culprit, he felt. Just to be sure, I was given the Cytoxan by itself last week and I was also told to call the onc nurse each day to check in with my SEs. He said that a 4th infusion after having the allergic reaction could be dangerous for me, so I urge you to listen to your own body and be proactive in finding an MO who will help you figure out your reaction.
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Pat, turned out my platelets were very low; consequently, nose bleeds and bruising. Nurse said these symptoms very typical for low platelets. If nose bleeds become uncontrollable, then dr needs to be called asap. Maybe you want to have your platelets checked too? Good luck, Amy
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SchoolCounselor, haven't seen you post recently -- hope you are okay!
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Thank you all for the advice. I have printed tons of information out the last couple of days. I'm meeting with my MO tomorrow. My ears are feeling clogged and ringing and my throat is still sore. I know these are SE. I'm just frustrated by the responds I got from the MO. If I need Benedryl that is fine. Next Chemo#3 is Jan2nd. I even had a lawyer draft a letter regarding my SE issues. That at least go my MO to call me about it. I appreciate all the support.
momat97- hope the platelets come up.
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Will be thinking of you tomorrow FDM......best of luck with your MO!
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hi bluegrass. I'm here slipping into a funk I think. The constant fatigue is getting to me and I am using the Ativan to regulate my mood and sleep.
Developed back pain such that it hurts if I stand for too long. Next and last chemo in January 2nd. I'm so ready to be done with this.
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Schoolcounselor -- hang in there -- can you take Motrin or Advil (check with MO)? Lower back pain is a common SE from Neulasta -- I can't remember if you are getting that, but if so, it may be the culprit. I took Ativan quite a bit after tx 2, and I found it seemed to depress me, and create a moodiness that I didn't need, so I tried not to take as much (or break the pills in half) after 3rd tx. I understand you being in a funk -- I cannot believe the way this chemo has aged me. I feel like I am 78, not 58!
By the way, SC, you were exactly correct when you suggested that my hives after last tx were precursor to a life threatening allergic reaction. Been going through a lot in the past week with possible chemo changes, etc. I have finally decided that I am done -- the risk outweighs any minuscule benefit I might get from another half treatment tomorrow with either Taxotere or Gemzar. I meet with the MO tomorrow, and unless he makes some really compelling argument, I will tell him I am done.
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I am now on day 13 of chemo #4 and feeling really good. I'm surprised at how quickly I'm rebounding this time. The first 7 days were pretty bad, with a new SE - extreme dizziness, which lasted two or three days and was intense. But now I'm feeling remarkably normal. I can eat anything and am not sensitive to smells as I was after the previous chemos. The only remaining SE is some fatigue. I really feel like the worst is behind me! Hang in there everyone, it does get better.
Also today I had a bone density test to see if I can handle arimidex, and the results came back normal. That was a pleasant surprise since I am 60. So it looks like I'll start arimidex in late January after radiation. Tomorrow's my CT/simulation for the radiation. A little nervous about that.
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bondsy- don't worry about the rads simulation - after chemo it's def easier. I imagine they will make the pillow form for you and give you your tattoos (I got 2 - one between my breasts and one on the side...small dots). They do all this so they can position you on the table the exact same place every day. Anyhow - I'm sure I'm just telling you everything you already know!!!! Sorry for the insomniac rambling.
SC - hugs........feel better soon!!!!!
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FairieDoggie, please let us know the outcome
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SchoolCounselor, I developed horrible back pain on round 1: it started at day 7 and went through day 14. I was in the hospital and the Dr there felt my back and said it was in a complete spasm. She prescribed a muscle relaxant to take with the pain pills my MO had already prescribed for what she had thought was bone pain. Shows the difference between a Dr who actually touches you and one who just talks. Sigh, I wish the hospitalist was my MO. This round, my 2nd, had the same exact pain, exact same timing. It's debilitating. My MO said I'm probably in the minority of women Claritin doesn't help. Oh well. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone!
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School counselor-
I had it too this time and it was neulasta I think...I used Valium for spasms that I had left over from surgery. can't use with Ativan but instead and it relaxes muscles...
AND OMG- ONE MORE??!!! That has to be exciting! Get rested and strong and then just ONE MORE! YOu can do it!!!
Team KIm-
That sounds like a good decision - let us know what mO has to say...
Bondsy- LUCKY you! So happy for you and you give us hope and encouragement that this will end someday in our near future and we will feel better!
PatAlameda- I'm in that minority also as I took Claritin like they said also a week before, then I actually got chest pain and palpitations so I am going to try NOT to use neulasta this time...scared to get low wbc though....damned if I do damned if I don't isn't it???
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Ladies you have no idea how much you mean to me. Thank you. I was isolating myself and the pain was unbearable. I asked the infusion nurse and she said it was unlikely. Today I called my MO. He said to keep taking the Claritin, I had stopped and to use Motrin/Tylenol for the pain.
Team Kim I'm glad they stopped that chemo with you, you had all the pre signs on anaphylaxis.
Pat and Audra thank you. Thank all of you, virginia, head.
This is truly a process and I have one more!!!!!!
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SC - I truly believe the Neulasta shot is evil lol. It gave me incredibly achy bones... That is what lays me up for a week I'm convinced - not the chemo.
Pat - I feel like the Claritin does NOTHING for me..... I still get crazy bone pain..... Is the Claritin supposed to help with the bone pain?
I basically have decided to just live with that bone pain as I believe the benefits of the Neulasta prob outweigh the discomfort I get from the bone pain...
FDM - anxiously waiting for word on how you make out with your MO.
Kim - sounds like the best decision for you!!! You are practically at the finish line anyway!!!
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SC, I hope you can get some relief. if the Claritan and motrin are not cutting it, call and let them know that...call more than once if necessary. You should not have to suffer like that. The taxotere is bad enough, but when you add the neulasta, it is torture. I hope you get some relief.
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SC, like KBee said, get relief if the Motrin doesn't cut it. My MO gave me norco.
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TC Sisters -- Thanks for the pocket party!!! I felt your strength standing behind me as I made my case to my MO. He made a halfhearted attempt to spin one infusion of Gemzar as a good thing, but said he was completely OK with my decision to be D O N E with chemo! I gave my holiday treats and thank you cards to the gals in the infusion room, and I am home doing the happy dance, wrapping presents, prepping for DS to be home from college tomorrow and blasting Christmas Carols -- my feet are barely touching the ground!!!!!!
SC -- Hope you are getting some relief from the Tylenol/Motrin, but if not, don't hesitate to get something stronger (if it is Norco, be aware that constipation is a side effect and take measures for that). Hang in there! Almost done! Xoxo
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TeamKim. I am so happy you got the ok from him. I think he would have pushed harder if he thought it would make a difference so you really have completed what was necessary. I can feel your excitement and am so happy for you. Have a great holiday with your family.
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