Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

momat927  

After the first treatment, the peripheral neuropathy was so bad on my left side, I couldn't hold a cup, walk, and my toes would lock up.  The second round I went rogue, because my EX-MO won't let me take B6 or B12 even though its water soluble and research shows it helps peripheral neuropathy, so I took 500 mg then tone it down to 300mg I do every other day. I haven't had the pain like I did the after the first chemo.   

WarriorWoman-for the joint pain, try taking Claritin.  The first chemo I took Claritin and it didn't seem to help.  Then before the next chemo I started Claritin the day before chemo, day of chemo, then 6 days after as the nurse told me it would help with the joint and leg pains. I also get the neulasta shot. I found walking helped over the running I was doing.  I think the furthers I have run since chemo is about 4 miles, because I still have burning in my feet.  

Also something the nurses told me to take when I got home from chemo for 3 days was Children's Benadryl to help with the 1)sleeping 2)rashes. 

I hope all is well.. LAST CHEMO FOR ME WEDNESDAY!   I'll post picture of our theme when we get home. Since I'm having such a allergic reaction the throat doctor is going to head up when they start the T encase I need the epi needle.  

I got a prescription for my rash - - Flucinonide, which worked well.

Momat, I took L-Glutamine powder in my shakes for joint pain and neuropathy.

Neverready, this link might be helpful: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lif...

The first time I went to my chemo infusion was the worse, not sure what to expect. They added Ativan in my IV and calmed me down. You might want to request it if you get nervous or shaky. It made a huge difference for me and I requested it in all infusions.

WarriorWoman -- interesting that your muscle aches are back and legs. Mine have been shoulders and upper body from 1st treatment -- I notice muscle aches in my back and legs only fleetingly when hiking uphill, while shoulders are a constant pain no matter what I'm doing. SC has had back issues, too, and perhaps others I can't remember. Our SEs are all individual -- your acne seems like insult to injury!! -- but at least we can complain together!

Had TC #5 today, after spending an hour early this morning worrying about it in the dark. I should have followed my own advice and gotten up and done something else; but the house was cold, the bed (and DH) was warm, and I couldn't make myself move until the alarm went off.

Treatment went fine, but my dawn worry was more about potential escalation of SEs in the next few weeks. It's so damn hard to turn my brain off even when logic says it's a complete waste of time! I'm mad at myself.

Well, I hope everyone who is in the BGC this week has minimal SEs; and more courage, optimism, faith and joy than I can conjure up right now!

FDM, I hope your last TX goes well tomorrow! Good for you on that milestone!

BGH, I am feeling the same way about my up-coming TX's...this last one has hit me a bit harder and I know you have already done all that I will be doing, total. I hope your SE's don't get worse. My worst SE so far this time has been heaviness in my legs and getting around without huffing and puffing. I am going to try to add some iron to my diet and see if I can get my RBC's up. I read somewhere that Vit C helps absorb iron also. No steroids last night, so I think I got 2-3 hours of uninteruppted sleep! Hoping that will improve in the next few days also. It's hard to get your mind motivated when your body doesn't want to cooperate.  Onward through the fog!!! We've  got this!

((HUGS))

KeeptheFaith - I've talked to others who have had heartburn and I've had a tightness in my chest and I'm not sure if it's heartburn or something else.  Very uncomfortable especially with my TEs adding to the discomfort.  I took some Pepcid and it seemed to help.

thanks WW, Melrose! I am not taking any supplements; trying to work it into my diet...thanks for the link Melrose! So helpful!

called MO's office. Nurse suggested Zantac. Will see how it works! No nausea, thank goodness.

no OJ on TC?  That's depressing.  It's the one thing I can abide.

Oh well, orange juice and lemon water was my primary way of getting fluids into my body.

Hope everyone is well, I'm off to see the PS for another fill tomorrow and then my cardiologist for my racing pulse. I thought it would have settled down by now but it has not.

Lots of fun! Hope everyone is doing well with minimal SE.

We are in the middle of a snow storm with the expectation of 8 - 12 inches. Hope people are warm wherever they are!

I guess I'll have to stick with the brussel sprouts and broccoli for my Vit C! Which is fine by me. I love them.

Got the Zantac, seems to have helped some. I had chicken livers, mashed potatoes, okra and gravy for dinner....mmmmm, was good! Don't think I got my Vit C in though, unless it's in Okra!

Good night ladies. I have already taken my Ambien and intend to sleep tonight! Phone off, eye mask on, ear plugs in....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz sweet dreams:)

I hear you Warrior Woman!  It is infuriating and annoying !!!  I am an investigator as well and have looked everything up...it appears almost all things have been linked to cancer right?  Since no one knows the cause it is hard to avoid eating/drinking things that could cause it..infuriating!!!

My MO also said something odd when I was in the other day, I had a long list of questions...one of them was drinking wine supposedly causes estrogen, so I asked should I avoid it altogether, he said when on Tamoxifen - it blocks the estrogen so drinking wine would be OK and the Tamoxifen would block it??  So assuming that Tamoxifen blocks all estrogen then we could eat/drink anything and be OK??  Or is he incorrect???  How to know??

I am suspicious of what I ate growing up to be the cause...my mother never cooked, we ate tv dinners or ate out at restaurants.  What is in tv dinners?  Who knows??

Melrose- Your links and info. are awesome and so helpful!  You are so sweet to stay on these boards when you are done and help us all out!   I'm sure it's therapeutic for you as well.

I am done with treatments but sure don't feel 'normal' or done yet at all...I am wondering when that will happen?

When I get the port out?  When I get hair?  or a little better each day....I am hopeful.  I cannot have went through all of this for nothing...I am going to have JOY! HOPE! HAPPINESS! LOVE! AND A WONDERFUL LONG LIFE!