Taxotere/Cytoxan

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avelino1
avelino1 Member Posts: 7
edited October 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Just had double mastectomy surgery 2 weeks ago and treatment plan is to start chemo in about 3 weeks or so. The oncologist is recommending a first round of Taxotere and Cytoxan. Looking to connect with anyone who may have gone through this combination of drugs before. How did you do? Side effects? Thanks for the insight!

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited October 2015

    I did 4 TC's. We are all different, but I fared pretty well. No long term SE's, that I am aware of. Make sure you stay hydrated, exercise, if you are up to it. Make your MO aware of any SE's you get. My MO prescribed an arsenal prior to starting and I didn't use most of it. First TX I felt pretty good. A little thrush, taste buds went South. Started losing hair day 16, I think. 2nd Tx, about the same, yeast infection, some tiredness, puffy face. 3rd and 4th were the worst for me. Heavy legs, shortness of breath, due to low blood counts, Heartburn, some achiness. Rest when you need to and ask for help if you need it! I worked PT and did fine for the most part. It was not near as bad as I had anticipated! I hated the steroids, bc I couldn't sleep. Oh and the constipation was not fun! LOL. I had to take colace and senekot I think. Some people get the opposite SE, of the Bid D! If you get the Neulasta shot the day after chemo, take 24 hr Claritin the day before and for a couple of days after to help relieve some aches and pains. It does something to expand your bone marrow and causes pain in your bones, etc. It was frustrating at times, but manageable. PM me if you like((HUGS))

    I'm sure others will chime in. Best of luck with your recovery!

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited October 2015

    I also had TCx4. It was not fun but doable. I had no nausea at all through all of chemo. I was tired at times and the steroids made me super hungry for a few days around each dose. I lost my sense of taste for a while during chemo which was expected. I did choose to use cold caps to keep my hair. I am glad I did because I also know of 3 other women that did not get their hair back from taxotere. I think the rates of permanent hair loss from it are under represented by the studies. A lot of women experience this, but not all.

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

    You may want to join a thread with a title like "Starting Chemo in October 2015" or similar. Lots of support there!

    I did TCx4 with manageable side effects, some from the Neulasta. I wasn't nauseated or have GI problems. I didn't cold cap and my hair came back. I retained my nails. My WBCs were good. I slept okay. The steroids didn't make me gain weight or raise my blood sugar too much.

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited October 2015

    You may want to check out the Cytoxan/Taxotere Chemo Ladies Feb-March 2013 thread which is still active. You can post any questions there and perhaps find some support. Here is the link: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/....

    I did 6 rounds of this chemo regimen and was fortunate to have minimal side effects. Yes, this chemo is doable. As for the hair, my hair did return.... a little thinner and a little wavier.

    If you have further questions about this chemo regimen, please ask here or in one of the chemo threads.

    Wishing you the best.....and keep breathing........ you are not alone.

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  • avelino1
    avelino1 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2015

    Thank you all for the responses and the support! Was frightened out of my skull when I first heard the chemo word from the oncologist, but feel better now that this is something that I can come through. Appreciate all of you!!

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