April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

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  • Vanmama
    Vanmama Member Posts: 103
    edited May 2015

    I had an anaphylactic reaction to Taxotere within a few seconds of reaching my vein. The nurse was sitting directly in front of me and had already instructed me to tell her if I feel anything, no matter what. My reaction was immediate and so was hers...she was up the second I said something and 3 other nurses magically appeared. They reversed it immediately and "fixed me up and sent me home", as my MO put it.

    I will not get Taxotere again. It was the worst reaction they've ever seen.

    The nurses were on the ball. If you react during the infusion, you will have immediate care.

    Laura

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited May 2015


    Whst kind of reaction was that? How did you feel?

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  • Vanmama
    Vanmama Member Posts: 103
    edited May 2015

    Anaphylactic is a severe allergic reaction. I told the nurse I felt a bit short of breath and she jumped up immediately. Before she could disconnect the Taxotere, my face felt like it was blowing up like a balloon, it felt red hot, my tongue started swelling, I was getting short of breath, and my hands were swelling badly. I closed my eyes because I felt very dizzy and things were starting to fade.

    Instantly, the IV was stopped, saline was flushing it out, oxygen was on, etc. after the flushing, I had a round of Benadryl. I had no lasting effects except I was very tired that night.

    My MO said my reaction was "spectacular". He called me an overachiever, laughingly.

    I do have a history of an allergy to a specific tree. While they aren't related, Taxotere comes from a tree, so I have to really be careful now.

    It's always something!

    Laura

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited May 2015



    Oh, my! Glad they were watching you carefully! Thank you for the information

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    vanmama, that sounds terrifying! Did they switch you to something else rather than taxol?

    Ksusan, do you ice your hands and feet? I'm scared of neuropathy, and less so of losing my nails although that will suck...

    How about nausea and mouth sores on Taxol? I'd trade my nails in a heartbeat to avoid more GI issues....I'm afraid this last AC will finally take the bottom out of my stomach...

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  • Vanmama
    Vanmama Member Posts: 103
    edited May 2015

    I got switched to CMF. It's an older treatment and much less toxic. My side effects are not as severe, it seems. It was pretty much the only other option. We're really just "mopping up", trying to catch that one little cancer cell that might have gotten away, so I'm fine with it.

    Laura

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Littleblue,

    I was given a bit more steroid (a visiting pharmacist had cut the dose) and then Taxotere was restarted with no trouble.

    I do not ice. I have diabetes and I don't think hours of cold would be good for me. In addition, my MO has concerns about icing. So far, very little additional bad sensation in fingers and toes. I just added L-glutamine, which my MO agreed to.

    I haven't had nausea or mouth sores on TC. I'm drinking around 100 oz of water in sips night and day, rinsing with warm water and salt + baking soda 2-4 times a day, and being careful about sharp foods (like chips).

    I hope you get some relief! You've had a hard go of it thus far.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Thanks Ksusan! Good info! My MO is all for icing...what were your MOs concerns? He routinely prescribes it for anyone who really needs to maintain their dexterity...I Wil definitely ask about l glutamine. My MO is very against supplements of any kind, he insists you get all your nutrients from a healthy diet. Well....clearly he has never had chemo before because as we all know, food of any kind, let alone a carefully balanced and crafted diet, is problematic. Used to eat paleo, now I eat McDonald's a few times a week lol.

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  • thsizit7
    thsizit7 Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2015

    Hi all of you fabulous ladies!

    Addie- be sure to tell them immediately if you feel anything unusual, they will stop the infusion and take care of you! They gave me Benadryl, steroids and Zantac, waited about 20-30 min and I took the rest of th bag without a problem...hence the double steroid from now on!

    Kbeee- Ccount me in on the Virtual Piña Colada!

    Mysunshine- don't let this get Devil in BC form get the upper hand, I thought for me it would be depressing to watch my hair fall out! So I took control and buzzed it as soon as it started coming out, and it is the best thing I Have done for myself so far! As someone earlier posted...it's empowering! We have to stay ahead of this thing!

    Gkodad- I will be 64 in Aug so you are not the only One who has grandkids. My 4 are 6 to 16! And a step that is 21!

    I go for 2/6 tomorrow. Since I had the reaction to Taxotere last time I have to double my steroids. I took two today, will take Two in the morning and they will double what they give me in my drip before chemo! It is midnight here in Ms and I am wide awake! 5:00 a,m. will come too soon!!! I really will be bouncing off the walls after all the steroids tomorrow, but I guess that's a good thing, because a quick visit from my sister and brother, this Thur and Fri, who live in different states, is fast turning into a family reunion!!! Hopefully the energy will help me get everything ready for this growing event!

    Praying that everyone has a fabulous low SE day!


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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited May 2015

    During my TC the nurses put ice on my hands and feet to constrict blood vessels and prevent the drugs from getting to the nails and causing problems. I have only had the one cycle so far but no issues with the nails.


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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2015

    thizit7 I also had a reaction to the taxotere last treatment my throat started feeling tight and I was getting flushed they instantly stopped and gave me More iv steroids and Benadryl and we were able to finish but it was a terrible feeling and do not want it to happen again..I will ask my oncologist at my next appointment you are doubled up on the dex pre treatment and double the steroids they give iv right before treatment? Did that seem to help? I don't like that I only see my oncologist the day before my treatment I feel like that's weird is that when everyone else sees their oncologist?

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited May 2015

    I see my oncologist immediately before my appointment. Usually I have to arrive 45 minutes before my appointment to get blood work and meet with my MO

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2015

    I have a lot of friends who've done Taxol and AC and all have said Taxol is easier. I had Taxotere last time, which is similar, but not the same. Partly it depends if you are getting 4 treatments or 12. Taxol tends to cause less "yuk" feeling or nausea than AC. It can still hit your blood counts hard. The fatigue tends to be cumulative. As others have mentioned, it can cause nail loss and neuropathy. I see a different MO before my first one since mine will be on vacation. Since my last one OKed it during Taxotere, I am going to go ahead and ice this time too until told otherwise. I did during Taxotere and only lost one nail; I had no real problems with neuropathy. Taxol can also cause quite a bit of joint pain. It you get the 4 doses and have Neulasta, it'll obviously be worse. I was able to handle the pain of Taxotere with ibuprofen, but it varies person to person. I believe most MOs use Benedryl and steroids as preinfusion drugs, but that may vary. I start it on Tuesday, so I'll report back for sure on how it goes! Most everyone I know though, says that Taxol is much, much better than AC.

    I am a person who mosquitoes absolutely love. Most people like being around me outside because bugs will eat me up and leave them alone. When I was on TC, I never had a single mosquito bite; apparently the mosquitoes did not like my poisoned blood. They must apparently feel differently about AC. I have a mosquito bite bigger than a quarter on my bald head. Seriously. I pretty much always have a wig or a hat on, and was only out for about 5 minutes over the weekend with nothing on my head. I hope that mosquito faces a long, excruciating, painful death from my AC poisoned blood. I hope bugs do not like Taxol. I'd like to have a bite-free summer.

    Hoping everyone has a good week. We are almost halfway through May. The days keep ticking on by.......

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited May 2015

    Karen that's funny you mention mosquitos! They will LITERALLY land on my hubby then fly to me. I have FIVE from Sunday even though we sprayed! I thought maybe AC would make me task yucky too!

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  • thsizit7
    thsizit7 Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2015

    Stephmoen I am on my way to my 2/6 treatment today. I took 2 dex yesterday, 2 this morning, then they will double it in my IV. I will let you know how it goes. My reaction was a throbbing pain in my lower back that traveled all the way up my spine into my head about 20 to 30 min into infusion. By the time that got in the room which was quick! My blood pressure and pulse had jump sky high and I w as having tightening in my chest. I remained calm and as soon as they unhooked the drip and got the Benadryl in my vein it started slacking off. In a few min I was fine. It was really a strange sensation! Hope it doesn't happen again!

    I go in get bloodwork, see my Oncologist, then go for chemo all the same day. She gave me her cell number and told me to call anytime I have questions. I think that is the norm with this group. But I am truly blessed that my stepson is an Oncologist! He can't technically treat me, but he set me up with a dr in his group, she is wonderful, and so is he, of course my stepson had input on any decisions made, so I just call him instead of her if I have questions and she is fine with that! Imust say I do get a little "Royal" treatment there😉 PTL🙏

    On the mosquito situation...my husband is one of those people they are drawn to! We can be sitting together outside and they don't touch me, but they will eat him alive! He says he has "sweet meat" LOL!

    I kept ice chips in my mouth the whole time I was getting chemo last time and I have had no mouth issues, so I am doing that again. Praying everything goes well today for me and all of you!😎


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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited May 2015

    Hi, good morning April ladies. Sorry for no update yesterday - I had my third AC infusion, worked before and after, then went to a LGFB seminar. Long day. It as also DS's 19th birthday, but we had celebrated on Sunday. I made him his favorite dinner and requested cookie/oreo/brownie dessert. I woke up with tummy feeling funky and still have my tounge sore - I did buy some OTC benzocain film stuff that helped temporarily. It seems to be getting better, and I think that's from the Lysine. I have been rinsing, but there's no way I can get to it 4x an hour, just mainly doing it every trip to the bathroom.

    I have not seen my MO since 1st infusion. I've seen NP 2x now, I think I see MO next time, and that's probably to talk about the switch to Taxol. The NP said that they wouldn't be planning on giving me Neulasta shots during Taxol. I am having DD Taxol, so I hope that's the right choice.

    Tina, I didn't realize we were on the same schedule. Yahoo to having #3 behind us!

    Addie, I can't remember if I formally welcomed you to our group (chemo brain). You and I started on the same day, but I switched to Mondays. I have a cheat sheet of everyone that's checked in on the list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Goesf6x_13... that can help with screen name/real name, etc. Feel free to add any info you'd like to share - I added your screen name already (alphabetical). I feel so badly for you young casualties of this disease.

    mysunshine4 - it falls out on its own, whether long or short, but it's less to deal with if it is already short. I cut mine in a short style over a month before it started falling out. I figured that even when it starts growing back in, it will be short for a while, so try to make the transition a little normal. Everyone seems to mention the shower - it must be the main thing between buzzing it before it happens and letting it happen. Mine was falling out with hands through it or brush, but it was went I showered that it was coming out so much that it covered the drain and water could not get through. I couldn't rinse it off my face unless I turned my head all the way facing shower. It was disgusting and I buzzed it to #2 (have a kit at home) right after that. The hair kept falling out, and shower was still bad, but easier to clean up. Also, flushing is when your face and sometimes your whole body gets red and hot. Like a hot flash, except with redness too - you can feel it.

    Andrea, loved your story - I want to be a grandmother! I am a geezer mom (started at age 32), so I have a ways to go - DS doesn't even have a girlfriend. I think I need to remind him that he's the age when his father started dating me.

    Addie, KB, and Jen, this might be a little making lemonade out of lemons, but I've really enjoyed Pineapple fruit water (they have coconut too). I also love the pineapple Greek yogurt. I also make a smoothie with pineapple juice, banana, frozen strawberries, some milk or yogurt, a squirt of chocolate sauce, and crushed ice. It tastes like a banana split. Gives me the satisfaction of a pina colada.

    Ok, I gotta get back to work.

    Lynne




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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited May 2015

    ha that's funny. The hubby and I were outside last night and the bugs were horrible with him, I however didn't get one bug bite. I told me husband they don't want my toxic blood.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Littleblue, my MO is a very conservative doc and want to see data to back up her treatment decisions. I could have pushed for ice if I wanted to. She's taken me off everything except D and CoQ10 (I said I wouldn't do treatment without it, and we compromised on half my usual, otherwise I get terrible muscle cramps in my legs). I made non-spicy lentils last night, my partner is making chicken salad for lunch, and I made congee (rice broth) for dinner.

    Yesterday I did nothing but eat--high calorie, high protein, and I feel much better today. Now I am merely in pain (port-related), sweaty, fatigued, and sore in the mouth, eyes, nails, and scalp. A bit of an allergy earache--took a Sudafed and pressed the acupressure drainage points. I can go to an ear infection very quickly.

    Grading 125 undergrad exam today and tomorrow while walking on a slow treadmill. (I have a shelf attached over the treadmill arms. It holds 1 laptop, 1 Gatorade, and 1 cat.)

    I hope everyone's doing okay this morning.

    Edited to add: I sent polite inquiries to my providers asking for the repeat echo results. I sort of need that information to decide how much to push myself and whether I need intervention!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Yay! My echocardiogram is normal and unchanged from the last one.

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited May 2015

    Great news Ksusan!!

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  • kbta032803
    kbta032803 Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2015


    awesome ksusan!

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited May 2015

    had chemo today and while I was there a woman gave me this lei. It was her last chemo. She came over wished me well and rang that lovely bell. I can't wait for it to be my last treatment. Only 13 to go. image

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited May 2015

    I just had my follow up from my last hospital stay and echocardiogram gram looks good and so does the treadmill stress test. Yay for Ksusan and I on that one. My liver fiction test is still high. I have TC #3 tomorrow. I see Onc before chemo wonder what he will do about that? Lower my chemo? Also I have the neupogen thing to discuss. I know that it was the neupogen that landed me in the hospital with dizziness and palpitations. I don't want 7 day course of it. I'll do 4 but spread out. I should have some say right ? I will post bio when I get on my laptop later

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Good news on your cardiac functions, Rockerwife!

    Addie, how sweet!

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited May 2015

    Lisa, what do you mean 7 day course or doing 4? I have 1 shot 24 hours after chemo. Done.

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited May 2015

    Wow, this sucks - after 5 year clear:

    Real Housewives of New Jersey's Amber Marchese Undergoes Partial Mastectomy in Second Cancer Battle : http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-...


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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited May 2015


    Positive Spirit, thank you for the offer! I will definitely be in touch once trip plans start. I love the picture you posted!!!! :)

    Sue, I was given the choice of 2 different treatment options. I went with the more aggressive AC x 4 doses, T x 12 weeks, Herceptin for a year. The less aggressive course was TC every 3 weeks for 6 or 8 treatments, Herceptin for a year. I'm Triple Positive, 3.5 cm tumor, with 0 nodes involved. I had already had a bilateral mastectomy in Feb before I consulted with an MO. Any or all of those factors could have played a part in the treatment I was offered, but HER2 + was the biggie I think.

    MySunshine, I cut my hair short when I started treatment. Once I noticed stray hair on the sink and everytime I ran my fingers through it... I went and got it buzzed. I didn't want to deal with big clumps coming out at once. I'm lucky in that my cousin is my stylist and she met me at her shop when it was closed. But, she has had other clients in our situation.....I bet most stylists have so its not that unusual for them. If you call ahead, hopefully they would work with you on a good appt time when they arent very busy. She cut mine super close, but didn't shave it. I had a good bit of stubble left .... every now and then it will start itching/stinging. When that happens, I get out a lint roller and go over my head to get the loose hair off. I just had AC#3 and I still have stubble. The hair thing totally stinks, no way around it. But, it hasnt been as traumatic as I thought it would be. The ladies here have passed on their courage to get through it!

    gkodad, same here with reconstruction, for all the same reasons! I may eventually see a PS to get rid of these danged dog ears, but no new boobs for me.

    StephMoen, its the same with my MO, see her the day before treatment. Since I get treatment on Tuesday though, I have to see her the Fri before since she isnt in on Mondays.

    kSusan and Rockerwife...great news on your tests!!! :)

    Addie, that was so sweet!!! Hope you are feeling well!!

    Kbee, will you still be getting Nuelasta once you start Taxol? My chemo nurse told me last week that I wont continue getting it once I start my 12 weeks of Taxol. I am going to ask the MO about this on Friday.

    I hope everyone has a good evening. This is an off week for me too, and today I actually feel GOOD! YAY!




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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2015

    I was really bummed to hear amber from the real housewives has cancer again not because I watch the show but when I found out I had breast cancer I looked up her story and realized we had similar diagnoses and I thought if she can do it so can I! Now she's got it again makes me realize even though I'm going through all of this it can come back at anytime. I truly appreciate all you ladies going through this for the 2nd time I can't imagine how difficult it Must be but I know if it happened again I would be strong and stay positive because that's what us women do!

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited May 2015

    Lynn,

    I am doing Neupogen and he had me do 7 shots starting the day after chemo. It was after the 4th shot that I started having dizziness and heart palpitations. So I am concerned about doing another 7 days . If I only did 4 and he spaced them out, I might be okay with that.

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited May 2015

    Oye actually right now I feel absolutely horrible. My stomach is very nauseous. I'm Sipping some ginger ale and having some saltines. Counting down until 8pm hits (kids go to bed) and I can go to bed. And l those meds are making my heart race but that will die down- it always done. On a good note I only have 1 more a/c treatment then online weekly taxol.

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