Chemotherapy for Stage IV

CalicoCat- Yep I too had brain CT and angio 18 months post chemo. No diagnosis just given leg braces to walk with-6 years later they are gone- thank God. I was told different things to from classic MS to stroke to chemo -Taxol related( none proven by the way). Still have some symptoms but am told not brain mets even tho no more brain CT done. ( Not enough symptoms to warrent supposedly). My brain. fog is clearing and going to gym a couple of times a week. When it comes to Neuro diagnosis there is thing absolute unless they can be sure on MRI- hugs and let us know how things go

beachbum...just found this site. You may have gotten you answer, running nose or eyes, don't remember. I have both from last chemo. Sinus anals restrict and the fluid has no place to exit except eyes and nose. Mine hasn't gone completely away on the new chemo. But it's bothbeyes in morning with runny nose, then just my right eye and right nostril the rest of the day . So it's a but better. Heard you can get stents. My doc said today I won't be permanent...but we will see.

Good luck

Beckster I can't help you with the stomach problems but I have been on weekly Taxol for over 18 months. It really did a number on my Mets and has kept me stable all this time. There is a thread for weekly taxol for stage 4 which is worth reading. You may get some answers there.

Ronnie Kay - are you using Navelbine? I just found out yesterday that Xeloda had failed - liver mets grew twice size in 4 months so my onc wants to try Navelbine. I was hoping for Ibrance/Femara but she is a bit reluctant since hormone inhibitors have failed in the past. Sorry this post is short with not a lot of info - I am still recovering from toxic reaction to Xeloda (feet and hands turned bright blue) and long trek to onc appointment yesterday (250 miles). Anyway she has suggested 2 weeks on and one week off with the Navelbine. I would to hear feedback about this drug from anyone who has used it - success of not. Thanks, Susie

I took it for about 5 months I think, Very little side effects, It failed me eventually too but I hope you have great results with it.

Any one on Taxotere? I had my first treatment a week ago and have not felt well since. I hurt every where, No energy, weak, sweaty. low grade temps. had Nuelasta day after which I am sure is why I hurt but the rest I did not expect at all.

Redroan

Redroan, I can relate to what you are experiencing with Taxotere. I had 6 rounds of Taxotere/Herceptin/Perjeta finished the last one on March 31. That Taxotere is tough. Lots of SE's with it. Fatigue, neuropathy in my feet, constipation then diarrhea, stomach cramping and no appetite. Neulasta shot was bad also, bone pain from my jaw to my toes for about 3-4 days after the shot. I had each treatment every 3 weeks and it took about a week and a half to recover every time so I would have a week and a half where I felt ok. Now I am on just Herceptin/Perjeta every 3 weeks and other than some fatigue and runny eyes and nose it's a cake walk compared to Taxotere. I did find that some of the SE's did subside towards the end of the Taxotere treatments while the fatigue got worse.

Redroan hang in there. I would say that you are doing great even with the SE's you are having. Yes I did lose my hair at about 16 days after my first treatment, my hair just started falling out so I took the electric clippers and shaved it all off. I got two wigs, which I have yet to wear out. I have bought several cute hats which I love wearing when I leave the house, and have gotten lots of compliments on my hats. They are more comfortable for me than the wigs, but my son is getting married in September so I will have to wear a wig for that. No nausea is good, I too was lucky to not have that SE. I look at it as I just wanted to complete all of my chemo treatments and it was a big deal I felt to be able to. So hopefully you won't get any more new SE's and maybe some of them will get better as your treatments go on. It sounds like you have tolerated your first treatment very well. Take care of yourself to be as healthy as you can during treatment. As soon as I felt better after each treatment I started exercising for the week and a half before the next treatment and I take supplements that have been cleared from my Onc to help keep immune system strong as possible. One good thing also was I have lost over 20 lbs. during chemo. Pulling for you to sail through chemo!

Hi, Susie and Rose, I have been on Navelbine, and later Doxil.  The only SE I had with Navelbine was sleepiness.  I usually don't take naps, but couldn't look at the couch without wanting to lay down on it. 

Doxil and I didn't do well together.  The palms of my hands were very inflamed after 2 monthly treatments and I had to go off it.  The inflammation took several months to clear up.  The nurses were surprised it was so persistent, and even asked the drug rep. about it who said it would go away, but could happen if the patient used their hands too much too soon.  Uh, I was babying them as much as possible.  Love how they blame the patient for their drug's stinking SEs! 

xoxoxoxoxo

Calico

Hi, Susie, unfortunately, the Navelbine didn't help.  My tumor markers went up and there was progression on the scans, so the onc switched me to Abraxane.

I, too, had a rough time on Xeloda.  Very painful soles of feet and palms of hands, and the skin in those areas came off in sheets.  I totally get you on the QOL issue.

I sure wish bc.org would get the date order fixed on when treatments were used.  I wrote the mods some time ago and they said the problem was being worked on, but no progress to date.

xoxoxooxoo

Calico

Wow, Susie, I will complain no more about my 2 hr. roundtrip infusion trek.  I can imagine why you're loathe to move.

I have a friend with a bichon frise - darling dog!  We had 5 cats, but sadly lost our 13 yr. old recently.  We hadn't planned on having 5 cats.  Love them all, but 2 would have been fine!

SyrMom's theory is if a person gets the hand/foot syndrome with a chemo that's known for it (all of them aren't), that same person will be prone to get it on other drugs where it's a possible side effect.  That's been true for me.  Another medical mystery.

Take care and seeing Navelbine being a home run for you!

xoxxoxoxoxox

Calico

Does anyone think that waiting for your hair to fall out is actually worse then having it gone! I have been told that mine will fall out again with the Taxotere, I think anticipation is driving me crazy. Keep looking in the mirror on my shoulders and chlothes, after my shower . Oh well what happens happens.

Redroan

Thank you, Susan! I appreciate your feedback. And I hope your current treatment is working for you.

Wishing you the best…

Rose.

Does your clinic not have the Neulasta on-body?

It's a little thingy they stick onto your belly before you go home on chemo day. The next day it injects the Neulasta automatically.

I get the regular shot immediately after chemo. Some insurances don't allow that, claiming the shot isn't as effective when given the same day as chemo. This has been disproven. The shot doesn't actually kick in until between day 7 and 10 anyway.

Either option would save you another two hour drive. That's the lenght of my roundtrip too.

Day 4 post Taxotere,Perjeta,Herceptin.

Ugh. Yesterday was an achy day. Taking the Clariton so I am sure it could have been worse. Today I am a bit achy but better than yesterday.

I have read that the neulasta shots get less achy but the chemo se's become more apparent as the sessions progress? So far the only thing I am experiencing is the bone pain from the neulasta. Tired, but have been so do not think that has increased at all. No nausea nor other problems...I am sure I just jinxed myself.

Than you JC. I made it through the Neulasta and now have a rash on both hands. I know it is from me washing my hands too much..gah. The rest of my body is starting to feel better and now MY HANDS! I want to chop them off.

I fell like I am wasting all my energy fighting pain and the se's. and this is just the first treatment. Taking benadryl for my hands and using monistat on them.

My hubby says "Just allow yourself to be sick"...

Wut?????????????????

I'll survive I know things could be worse.