Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

I did have my ovaries removed along with my hysterectomy 3 months ago, but am still on Tamoxifen... I think unless you need them removed, it may not relieve you from taking hormonal medicines. BTW, even with ovaries removed, our bodies still make some estrogen. Just not very much...

I am glad to hear that your scans were clear. My dad was just diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and is 3 chemo treatments in (out of 6). He will not be doing radiation. Just surgery and chemo. He had his PET scan a couple weeks ago and all clear as well as signs of his lymph nodes where it was originally detected reducing in size. I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with cancer AGAIN. One of my fears is that something I've done to get rid of this cancer will cause another... I suppose I have to fight the monster in front of me, not the one that might be around the corner.

Just waking up and after starting to make note of some yesterday, I am noticing increased body, joint, maybe muscle pain?? Mainly achiness in body and joints, and I am not taking the Neulasta shot so I cannot blame it on that. Assuming it is the Taxotere. I am going to read up on SEs, but of course coming to you ladies first.

I did just have TC #4 on Tuesday and stopped taking steroids on Thursday. I remember mild aches in previous infusions but honestly wrote it off to other things like sitting too long. This is more chronic and obvious. Maybe a detox bath will help. Thanks for help ladies

I am also beginning the chemo journey on January 9, 2018. Thank you all for such good information.

Hi- I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node excision on Dec. 7th. Removal of ILC w/associated lobular carcinoma in situ, tumor in left breast, 3.1cm... and small satellite tumor, Invasive Tubular carcinoma, 0.3cm. My node pathology came back clear. Just met my oncologist who is recommending 4 rounds of Cytoxan & Taxotere before radiation and hormone therapy. She is recommending chemo "based on size of tumor and mixed diagnosis." I asked about getting the oncotype test before making a decision. From my reading here, I had assumed that the oncologist would have already ordered the test and I was surprised to have to bring it up myself. She was fine to order it and said that it could give me clarity to my decision either way. (So, why hadn't she ordered it?) From my reading, I see studies that show that chemo is not that effective for ILC. I also see in the forums, a great variety of treatment for ILC for tumors of the size, grade, and hormone receptor status. I am worried that the oncotype scoring is based more on IDC benchmarks and wonder if that is why she hadn't ordered it previously. (I will ask when I see her again)- I have quite a list of questions at this point. I'm also worried that if I use the oncotype to make my decision, what do I do if the number falls in a gray area somewhere between low and high? Also, why have some had mastectomies vs. lumpectomies with the same diagnosis as mine but with smaller tumors? The protocols seem to be all over the place and so confusing. And lastly, where and how does age fit in as to deciding treatment options? Is age all about pre-menopausal or post- menopausal or ? Thanks so much!

Hi all, Buttercup here. Is anyone else having multiple side effects from TC/Neulasta, in spite of doing all of the suggested pre-meds and counter-measures? It's hard for me to tell what side effect is from what drug, but I felt like I was overwhelmed in every way after my first dose. I think I will not be one of those lucky people who sails through chemo.

Thank you, Melrosemelrose.

buttercup, I found that Claritin did wonders for alleviating the bone pain from Neulasta. I did not take it with my first treatment, but did on the rest and it was so much better

Thank you, all. Doing better in the past several days after spending last weekend in the hospital with a fever. Today I woke up with handfuls of hair coming out. Think I will have to deal with this and get the buzz cut in a few days. Many thanks for the advice and cheerleading!

I think it would be a little easier if my co-workers didn't appear to be making plans for my immediate demise! I reminded them that I'm not dead yet.

No more taxotere for me, apparently. I got through the cytoxan, but a few minutes into the taxotere IV, I blacked out and was unresponsive, ending up in the ED. Will have to see what's next for chemo round 3.

Thanks, Melrosemelrose- Home now and resting well. There are still lots of options ahead so will see where we go from here. You are right, this is recovery time for a few weeks.

PrincessButtercup: I don't have a muffled sound but every now and then I wonder who's jack hammering in my ears! I'm over 4 months past my last chemo and still have side effects not as bad and slowly going away.

I had this. My MO nurse prescribed Claritin. It seemed to help

Hey there ladies! I just started this regimen yesterday. At my center I don't think Neulasta is an option-- you leave with the patch or make arrangements to do the shot at home or back at the center. I'm hoping the Claritin helps. I'm also going to do the baking soda, salt rinse after each meal.

Hi ladies - had my first of 4 TC infusions today, and all went pretty well.  I started Decadron yesterday (total dose 16 mg), and doing another 16 today and then tomorrow (day 3).  Also had Zofran anti nausea prior to the infusions, and started Claritin this morning in preparation for tomorrow's Neulasta.  So far just a little bit of "taxotears" during the infusion and for a few minutes after but then it stopped.  Nurse stayed with me for the Taxotere for the first 15 minutes to watch for any reactions, and made it through without any.  Drank a liter and a half of water plus cranberry juice - staying as hydrated as possible.  Came home, did a little grocery shopping (thinking ahead), and then took a short walk.  Getting ready to settle in.  

Infusions 25% down!