I have a choice between 2 chemo regimens.

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Zenmushroom
Zenmushroom Member Posts: 41
edited January 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hey everyone.

I am Stage 2, 2.5cm tumor, Her2+ Est+. 30 years old. Finished surgery. In good health (aside from the cancer of course).

I got two different options for chemo treatment.

Doctor #1 says I should do the TCHP (Taxotere Carboplatin Herceptin Perjeta) plan to reduce side effects. Infusions once every three weeks.

Doctor #2 says I should do the AC + T + HP (Adriamycin Cytoxin Taxol Herceptin Perjeta) plan because it has been around longer and has more tests proving its effectiveness. Infusions once every three weeks, except for the Taxol, which would be once a week. Doctor #1 says I should stay away from Adriamycin because of its side-effects on the heart, and I should avoid Taxol because I'm a writer, and Taxotere is less likely to give me peripheral neuropathy (although permanent hair loss is more likely). Doctor #2 says I'm young and healthy enough for the side-effects of Adriamycin to be slim (as long as my heart test proves my heart is in good health), and that chances of getting neuropathy from Taxol or Taxotere are so close they are almost equivalent. I've just heard lots of bad things about Taxol in general though.

Doctor #2 will be my chemo doctor, I can't see Doctor #1 anymore because of insurance change, but Doctor#2 has made it clear that I can do either plan option I like.

Doctor #1 told me I will be able to work during my treatment, since I work from home as a writer and editor, and will just have fatigue.

Doctor #2 said she would recommend taking several months off (which sounds weird to me, because most people I've talked to say you can work during treatment, provided that you're staying away from people when your white blood cell count is low).

Halp!

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2018

    Hi!

    Each regimen can have its own side effects. Taxotere can be tough on your gastrointestinal system (think diarrhea, heartburn, etc.). Adriamycin can be tough on your heart. Taxol can cause peripheral neuropathy. And, some people have problems with Herceptin + Perjeta.

    I did AC + THP because my oncologist said that, in her experience, more of her patients finished this protocol than TCHP. I did work through it, but I worked as much as I could at home. I also took it easy, and asked my boss if I could temporarily reduce my workload. (He agreed.)

    AC gave me more chemo brain and fatigue; Taxol gave me mild diarrhea, but my head felt so much clearer! It was so much easier to teach while on Taxol. (I teach college kids.)

    Some people sail through chemo; others are wiped out by it. I was 46 when I began chemo, and it was OK. I just don't get many side effects from medication. Good luck!

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  • Zenmushroom
    Zenmushroom Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2018

    Yeah, I'm thinking that I'm probably not going to need to stay in bed for 3 months doing nothing (like what this Doctor #2 was making it sound like) because I'm young, healthy, and the nature of my work is not physically intensive at all (I sit at my desk at home all day and do reading/writing/editing/research/verbal communication). Also, I'm willing to bet most of Doctor #2's patients are in their mid-50s and up. I'm sure I'll be really tired and spending a lot of time on the toilet, but that doesn't mean I can't work. I've done my job with bad hangovers and the flu.

    My biggest fears are chemo brain followed by peripheral neuropathy (since I need my mind and my hands for my work). I am willing to suffer through the gastrointestinal stuff of the Taxotere (provided my doctor gives me some kind of supplement or over the counter meds to help), if that means lower chances of a Taxol caused neuropathy.


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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2018

    I did 4 A/C and 1 taxotere. I'm about 20 years older than you. For a few days after a/c I needed to lay low. So if you could do chemo on Thurs you'd have the weekend to recover. I had a MUGA study on my heart prior to starting. All good, and 5 years later still is. Had a little chemo brain, lasted about 6 months. I'd blank out mid sentence but eventually got the word.

    I do have CIPN in my feet from taxotere. I had a severe allergic reaction to it. Was supposed to be 4 treatments. My hair is very thin now, but at least I have some!

    The docs have meds for everything, the nurses are great. Keep them informed on how you feel you can do it.

    Keep us posted how you're doing 😄.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2018

    I didn't get much peripheral neuropathy from Taxol -- just a little on my fingertips that went away after I finished chemo. Like, it wasn't easy to button up blouses. But, otherwise....

    Sometimes, BC patients start one regimen and switch to another if it becomes unbearable. So, that's a possibility. I was just happy to finish my chemo without too much drama.

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