Annie - I think the Nulasta could also go in your thigh since it's sub-Q. Or the other side of your tummy.

Melrose, I am 1 week post 1st chemo. I had an allergic reaction (flushed face, difficulty breathing, hip/lower back pain) during the infusion, so they had to stop for about 1/2 an hour and give benedryl. The rest of the infusion went well. They will start all future treatments with benedryl. I am also cold capping and icing my hands/feet. I think the ice on my hands and feet was the worst during infusion. Just made my whole body cold. Someone in another forum mentioned that it is not proven to help with neuropathy, so if it doesn't I may decide to forego that on future treatments. Need to do some research on that. Symptoms were fine until day 3. Once I had my neulasta pod injection, I had a very bad headache and bone pain in my sternum, spine, neck, and ribs. Nurse said to try Claritin. I did and the next day was significantly better. Not sure if it was the Claritin or not, but I will be taking it the day before, of, and after my neulasta injection next time. Also, I had some pretty bad heartburn. Some prescription strength Prilosec took care of it within about an hour. I am supposed to stay on it for the duration of my chemo. Of course nothing tastes the same and all my taste buds feel burnt. I've been swishing with salt water and baking soda 2-3 times per day and that seems to keep the thick feeling away. Ears feel achy and so does my picc line arm. Last, I just feel dizzy/loopy a lot of the time. I am working and the 1st day back, I was not functional. Think I may take that day off next time. The rest of the week has been ok and I've put in full days. Yesterday, I felt really good. Almost normal. Today is shaping up pretty well too. One concern I have is that part of my skin from radiation is not healing. I've got a call into my RO, but it's been 2 1/2 weeks and about a nickel sized area is still very weepy. It does not look infected, just not healing. I see my MO today and get labs, so maybe he can take a look at it too.

My husband has been great and taking such good care of me. I need to do something nice for him. My kids seem to be handling everything ok and I think maybe they were expecting me to be worse.

I hope everyone else is doing well! Here's hoping that the next 2 weeks are relatively normal now that the worst of my symptoms seem to be resolved.

I was taking b6 to prevent neuropathy,biotin for hair, iron, fish oil, digestive enzymes, probiotic, vit d, and calcium. All approved. However, my liver enzyme levels were too high on my last labs so am off everything except probiotic and antibioticto give my liver a break until it returns to normal.

Hi all!

maybe this is old news, but I hope it's helpful re: order of administration:

http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/81423-102

Reduction of toxicity by reversing the order of infusion in docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC).

Subcategory: Cytotoxic AgentsCategory: Developmental Therapeutics - Clinical Pharmacology and Immunotherapy Meeting: 2011 ASCO Annual MeetingSession Type and Session Title: General Poster Session, Developmental Therapeutics - Clinical Pharmacology and Immunotherapy Abstract Number:

2576

Citation: J Clin Oncol 29: 2011 (suppl; abstr 2576)Author(s): D. Miura, M. Fujii, T. Iwatani, T. Takano, H. Kawabata; Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract:

Background: Although TC (docetaxel 75mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600mg/m2, q3w) combination is among the most widely used neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer, allergic reactions including rash and edema are occasionally met. This study aimed to determine whether adverse events (AEs) particularly allergic reactions were more common in TC, docetaxel infused prior to cyclophosphamide compared to reverse TC (rTC), cyclophosphamide infused prior to docetaxel. Methods: Retrospective analysis was done at a single institution in consecutive 85 patients treated with TC or rTC for stage 1-3 breast cancer from 2007 to 2010. TC was used in former 2.5 years and rTC in latter 1.5 years. Dexamethasone was administered to prevent allergic reaction in both. Two tailed Fisher Exact test was used to evaluate the significance of proportional differences in AEs between two regimens according to CTCAE ver.4. Results: Among 85 patients, 50 were in TC and 35 in rTC. Baseline characteristics of two groups were not different. Significant decreases in fatigue (11% vs. 72%), edema (11% vs. 48%), neuropathy (14% vs. 66%), and myalgia (6% vs. 48%) were observed in rTC as compared with TC. There were also decreased incidences of grade 3 and 4 edema (0% vs. 2%), neuropathy (3% vs. 10%), myalgia (0% vs. 2%), and rash (6% vs. 10%) in rTC. All 2 cases who did not complete their treatments were in TC due to rash. Hematologic AEs were not different in 2 regimens. Conclusions: Patients receiving cyclophosphamide infused prior to docetaxel were decreased risk for several toxicities as compared with docetaxel infused prior to cyclophosphamide. The immunosuppressive effects of cyclophosphamide may reduce hypersensitivity reactions with docetaxel by reversing order of infusion.

Mothership - if you check active topics, there is always a 'starting chemo' thread in the works. Might be Fall 2016 or September 2016 or... I also found it useful to read the one for the period before since that group was just finishing up. Sorry you have to join us, but you will find great support.

Also if you go to my profile and put in your 'stats', people will be able to respond to your specific issues.

My port was easy & I had my first infusion the next day. I would recommend that you do NOT shave your head at all. I cut mine like a short butch cut after listening to several women say stubble was uncomfortable. Just keep a lint roller on hand & consider a sleeping cap after the 2nd week.

Hi Mothership,

I had my first TC infusion 2 weeks ago. Last week I buzzed my hair (#3 on the hair trimmer) as the wig shop recommended no shorter and no shaving for wig comfort. It's very liberating to have little hair and for me better control for the hair loss to come. I haven't even wore headscarves yet!

Good luck with your port this week - I don't have one. Word of caution on reading a lot about chemo on these boards in advance....it made me very nervous seeing others report their SEs. Just remember that people tend to post when they feel poorly versus when they feel okay.

I'm sure they sent you what is needed for your treatment. You will do well. Good luck tomorrow

Mothersip...glad to hear you are doing well and continue to plan to do well!!!! I had same treatment as you, in fact our DX is almost exact! I never got sick and didn't have very many side effects at all. I felt tired more than anything. Drink lots of water and rest! My taste was off, but you can deal with that. Keep us posted how you are doing!

My docs had me get Colace before any surgeries as a stool softener, and told me to use Senakot D when ever I take pain killers, the same that Melrose is recommending. Personally I had the opposite with chemo - lots of Big D. If things don't get better, don't let it go too long,. There is a useful & amusing constipation thread on these boards. Lots of great recommendations for ongoing 'relief'.

Thanks! I do have the stool softener - forgot to mention it. And this morning made a shake with lots of fruit and fiber. The wait goes on...

Late day four, started to see what might be more significant SE. Aching, flu-like feeling, but today seems to have passed. Still feeling blessed I've not had some of the problems so many people have, especially with taxotere.

Hey guys - I'm still trucking right along, just over 8 months pfc. My doctor has me on tamoxifen now and I have to say - the hot flashes / night sweats are killing me. Obviously, I can't take hormone therapy - do any of you have any suggestions? I really miss not being able to get a good night's sleep.