Starting Chemo in March 2014

Xrayalli · May 2014

Thanks princessrn, I will ask about something topical. Also, thank you Sarahsarah43 for sharing, that is so very helpful, I hope you realize that, we appreciate it. These boards are wonderful and priceless!

Sinsin · May 2014

Sarah, welcome! I am suffering from depression too that started before my diagnosis and I would totally crash and burn during my period and I struggle after each chemo infusion too. Chemo can and does wreck havoc on your hormones and emotions. I have had 5 drug changes now trying to get me balanced and we're still not "there." I take Seroquel XR 600mg, Lexapro 10mg and Xanax or Ativan as needed. I am not diagnosed as bipolar but I do struggle with racing thoughts and can get obsessive over things. I empathize with you completely so hang in there!! This shit just sucks period!

JoTro · May 2014

Thanks Sarah, I'm roughly the same diagnosis and chemo as you and the way you described the 21 days is what I've noticed too. That first week I'm in a lot of pain also, body feels better by week 2 but really sad, teary and DH doesn't know why I's sad if I feel better! then week 3 is fine, just tired.

Sarah are you having Radiation too after this? For all the ladies out there going into Radiation next has anyone heard about the film that can be used to reduce Radiation wounds? I think its called Mepitel Lite. It's a silicone dressing you put on that has been clinically proven to reduce radiation SE's

Hugs to all

Jo

maryland · May 2014

Sarah, I am on TC also and my weeks sound just like yours, shitty, then depressed then fine. The 3rd round left me really fatigued for 2 weeks also, like even my feet were heavy and my arms were tired. Now I'm on day 16 and I feel good except still tired in the middle of the day. I took a 2 hour nap today and thats so unlike me. I have tx #4 on Friday and at least now I pretty much know exactly what to expect. I've been lucky compared to a lot of what I've been reading on here. My MO put me on Effexor and I think it's helping, she picked that one because it's supposed to help with the hot flashes, which were waking me up all thru the night. Can't totally blame that on the chemo, I was going thru that before. I am sleeping better since going on it.

Hope all you moms out there had a good Mother's Day!

CaliKiwi · May 2014

Hope everyone had a good Mother's Day. I'm so disappointed that my switch to taxotere has brought side effects with it. I felt sure that after having side effects with the FEC I'd be let off the taxotere round. I've spent the last week (first week after infusion) mostly lying around trying to cope with the muscle/bone pain. I ended up taking the vicodin I had prescribed for my surgery, that I never felt the need to take then. It took the edge off so that I wasn't crying in pain, but that's about it. Today I'm reduced to a fluish body ache which I can handle, but I'm really not looking forward to the next infusion in a couple of weeks.

Last night I washed my hands and went to switch the light off. I thought I got an electric shock from the light switch then realized it was the effect of my nails touching the switch. I've got numbness in a couple of fingertips also. So ready to be through this part of the journey!

Xrayalli · May 2014

Kiwilady-so sorry to hear you are having trouble, are you on a double dose (or dose dense) or something? Can you be switched to weekly? My neuropathy didn't start until treatment 8 of weekly Taxol. the meds they put me on doesn't get in my system enough to help much for 6-8 weeks, I'll be done with Taxol and on to AC by then, wasn't too happy to hear that today. The nurse also said if the damage looks like it's becoming irreversible than they have to do something else, crap, we definitely don't need that!

megomendy · May 2014

I wonder how they can tell if it's going to be reversible or not?

Xrayalli · May 2014

Meg-I am not sure, I'll ask MO on Thursday. I meant 4-6 weeks, not 6-8, on the meds thing.

TxPlanner · May 2014

Hi Everybody,

I am going to ask (Who am I kidding..INSIST) on a physical therapy/lymphedema consult ahead of my surgery and after. I'm worried about arm swelling, but Xrayalli and megomendy bring up another good point: I worry also about any of these crazy side-effects being permanent, even in a less-intense way. I'd like to know what to watch out for. I've been asking about neuropathy because I've recently realized I'm getting blisters on the bottom of my feet, but am not on Taxol yet. But now I have learned (correct me if I'm wrong, please) that neopathy FEELS like your feet are burning/blistering when they're not, and Adriamycin can cause actual blistering of the feet but you don't feel it until the blister appear.

Sinsin- Had the extreme tired thing hit a few times, like you were describing. It's not subtle. This weekend I had a book I was reading in bed drop out of my hands and smack my chin and chest. I don't even remember starting to feel tired. It was SO sudden: Awake, Asleep, Bam!

So, does anybody notice they get more and more anxious the days/hours right before their next chemo infusion? My 4th AC infusion is this coming Wednesday morning. I'm getting increasingly more weirded out. I feel like it should be the oposit because I'm used to it. But actually I worry about it more and more each time. I try to be logical, try to be positive, etc but another part of my brain is yelling "Are you kidding me?! Not THIS again.. geez!"

Sinsin · May 2014

OMG TxPlanner! That's exactly me too! Today I couldn't even wake up until I got my steroids and Benadryl in my infusion today. All I could do was a 50 yard stare out the window until it kicked in. And I'm just as "graceful". LOL I don't have anxiety over next infusion but then I'm on Taxol and it's agreeing with me much better than my previous chemo.

As to neuropathy, I think it starts out as tingling like when an appendage falls asleep. I haven't experienced it yet this far thankfully, but I iced my fingers and toes today during infusion. I do have red lines through the crescent moons on my nails though that's nurse said was a SE from the Taxol. Not sure if that is a precursor to neuropathy.

heroldman · May 2014

TxPlanner. My wife had the blisters and foot pain. Her MO said it was hand and foot syndrome caused by the Adramycin. As I understand it, what you wrote about the neuropathy is correct. If you have the blisters, it is chemo induced hand & foot syndrome. (Google it) This happened after her 3rd infusion. She was told to stay off her feet as much as possible, elevate her feet and use a skin cream like eucerin on her feet. If you have not already reported this condition to your MO please do. Her MO did not give her the dose of Adramycin in her 4th infusion. The feet are getting better. The ankle/foot swelling gets worse when she is on her feet and gets better when she is resting. Resting is not a easy thing for her, so she has a lot of swelling. To me the blisters spots did not look exactly like a friction blister and she had some places that sort of looked like a callous. I hope this info helps.

srdc2013 · May 2014

I have found that hot baths with epsom salt helps enormously with the pain from the taxotere.I get sore and achy from head to toe starting about 48 hours out. (Sometimes I add baking soda too to help soothe my bottom. The taxotere causes me horrible GI issues) I also dread each session, not so much the actual day but the horrible SE, depression and general malaise that comes after for those first few days. I have found that IV fluids on the 3/4th days after helps alot to get over the worst of it and give you some energy back. I have a home health service set up to do that and I've also gone back into the clinic. Vastly prefer to do it at home.

jmg58 · May 2014

I'm also getting anxious about #4. It's supposed to be last one (although I have other issues they have to look at afterwards) but I'm not even happy about that. I'm just dreading it. I just want to cry when I think of going through it again. On top of that, my mom is in hospital and I really don't think she's going to make it. I go and visit her and come home and cry my heart out. I'm just not up for it this time and all that follows.

TxPlanner · May 2014

jmg58- I'm SO sorry to hear about your mom. It sucks enough just going through this without something heartbreaking going on in addition. When's your next chemo? Mine's tomorrow. Let's drag ourselves through it.

See everybody on the other side of chemo #4, good night, and jmg58- fingers are crossed for your mom to recover, and I really hope she does. But make sure you're taking care of yourself too.

jmg58 · May 2014

Thank you, TxPlanner. :-) Mine is Thursday. I will see you on the other side! Good luck tomorrow, hope it is a nice surprise and all goes so well for you!

Sinsin · May 2014

Jmg, I'm so sorry! I hope your mom pulls through and that your final chemo is easier on you! Hang in there!! You can do this!

jbdayton · May 2014

Jmg as hard as it is you have to take care of yourself first. I am so sorry you are having to deal with all the emotions for your mom at a time like this. You will be strong and persevere. I do honestly believe this.

Last year I had to put my mom in nursing care when I started Chemo because I was her primary care giver and would not be able to care for her. I do understand how hard it is to put yourself first but you must do it.

Prayers are being sent up for your strength and I hope this round is not too difficult for you. HUGS.

Jodi040812 · May 2014

Hi ladies! Just dropping in to maybe help anyone havin a weird SE. After I had #3 AC I immediately felt woozy. I had the same in and out feeling the next day. Forgetting parts of conversations like I was drugged. I mentioned it to my MO and there is something in the pre meds. She took it out this time and I feel way better! Clearer. My stomach upset isn't as bad either. It is still there, but not as bad. That was my last one- 12 taxols 4 AC's rang the bell. Moving on in the 3 weeks for rads. I'll keep dropping in to make give you a heads up on things before you get there! The ladies on my board are ahead of me and they said don't expect hair growth until week 5 post chemo. Good to know so I don't drive myself crazy looking everyday. Much love ladies!!!

Sinsin · May 2014

Grats Jodi and good luck with the rads!!

lgoldie · May 2014

I have two Taxol DD left. Had 3 yesterday. Does anyone have dark purple stripes in fingernails? MO said out of ordinary and I am really sensitive...I find that hard to believe. Taxol 1 gave me a big rash on forearms second night....waiting to see tomorrow. 2 more and I am done. Talked to a lady today, 81 and on chemo 3. Would you do it?

Xrayalli · May 2014

Jodi- YEAH! Thanks for the info, too!

Lgoldie-I have had 10 Taxol and I have the purple lines and neuropathy and MO says common SE from Taxol. BTW, if I was a healthy (no walker, lol) 81 yr old I would do whatever I could to keep going.

princessrn · May 2014

lgoldie. I had 4 TCH. I got the purple bands under my nails. Plus swelling Of finger tips and painful neuropathy. I stopped at 4 cycles due to that. I did get a custom made cream that helped with the pain.

Hope you feel better soon

Sinsin · May 2014

igoldie, I have the lines in my nails too! I've had 3 weekly Taxols thus far and my infusion nurse was the one that noticed them. I have no idea what it means though, like if it means I'm going to get neuropathy or my nails coming off. I ice my nails though during treatment/infusion.

Sinsin · May 2014

Is anyone in menopause from treatment and can taxol put you into menopause or keep you in it? I'm at my OB/GYN and she says I'm officially in menopause but my paperwork on the taxol doesn't say anything about it. My first chemo regiment of Epirubicin and Cytoxan though can and does put women into early menopause. Just wondering if Taxol will keep me in it as for once, I'm not on an emotional roller coaster ride and I'd like to keep it that way. Who knew one could be happy to learn they're in menopause? Haha!

Kazzy115 · May 2014

hi Sinsin,

My gyne told me at a pre-chemo visit that women over either 40 likely get pushed into permanent menopause , that it was unlikely cycles come back. For what one doctors perspective is. Thought I'd share.

My cycles were never much of a problem and I am sorry to see them go given all the menopause side effects. Ok, mostly worried about the weight gain and what seems to be thicker waistline and I'll add the general drying out of skin. But if the chem works, it'll be worth it.

CaliKiwi · May 2014

Mine told the opposite. He told me that if my cycle stops it is very unlikely to be permanent and will start again once I finish the taxotere.

I've had my 3 FEC treatments and still had my regular cycle, however after my first taxotere it is now overdue a few days, so I'm thinking I may be over them for a while.

Jodi040812 · May 2014

taxol put me into chemical menopause! Hot flashes and no cycling. Then, AC followed and I had a cycle last Friday:(. So taxol did for me and not AC. I did ask about the hormone medicine Tam whatever and she said it can cause hot flashes but since I'm under 40 I would probably still cycle. Under 40 til November! So who knows!! I'd rather they stop since I was estrogen positive, she didn't seem concerned about that. I sure am!!

Did a chemo victory dance! Put it on my FB cheer for Jodi page if you want a laugh! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Sandydoc · May 2014

Advice please ladies!

I had my first paclitaxel last Wednesday. I'm on the dose dense every 2 weekX 4. My MO made it sound like it would be a breeze, as I was a trooper through my AC. Not.

Regarding the AC, I didn't mind the anemia/neutropenia/fatigue/steroid induced mood and energy fluctuations, as well as indigestionand yucky dysguesia so much, as it wasn't painful, just annoying, and I figured temporary.

I never really had any effect from the Neulasta either, and had waay low WBC counts. I am still anemic from the AC, and just standing up causes my heart rate to rise to the 120's.

Yesterday I noted my finger tips were sensitive, and typing was a bit uncomfortable. Last night was lousy. I had flu like body aches, and my heart is still pounding. Still achy today. Wondering if I'm finally responding to Neulasta, and this is a temporary hump, or what. Concerned that glutamate decreases the efficacy of the chemo against the cancer, so I stopped taking it after researching it's mechanism if action. I live in Maryland, so cannabidiol is not legally available, but there is excellent research showing it's safe and highly efficacious for paclitaxel induced neuropathy, FYI.

Macintx · May 2014

Sandydoc, I am doing DD Taxol also. I had the all over body aches on day 3, but by then end of day 4 they were mostly gone. I took Extra Strength Tylenol every 6 hours and a nice hot bath. Hang in there, and I bet it will pass. I also had no effect from the Neulasta during AC.

Sandydoc · May 2014

Mcintx, thanks for the encouragement!! It's easy to get carried off on worries, and wonderful to hear your experience.

Starting Chemo in March 2014

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