Taxotere side effects?

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  • ilovejesus
    ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2007

    Harley, I wish I was done. Actually I have 1 more in 3 weeks. God willing then I'll be done. How many are you having? Someone told me to finish even if it's for those who love me particularly my 2 boys. I dedicated yesterday's to my 12 year old and I plan to dedicate the last to my 6 year old. At least I can tell them that I didn't quit and I didn't give birth to quitters! Take heart Harley from most of what I've seen most people don't have as a hard a time as I've had. I'll be praying for you on Tuesday!

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007


    Thanks! I thought I was getting CMF, and even though I didn't want to have to do SIX months, I was ok with it, since I would maybe not lose my hair, and I would have less se's.

    But, now, I was supposed to go with my dh when he retires, at the end of August, and stay with him in DC. But, now that they are starting the chemo, I won't be able to go. They said that they can't alter the schedule... I don't believe this.

    I AM SO PETRIFIED!

    HARLEY
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Cynthia,

    You are nearly finished! YIPPEE! Oh, I am only just starting and I don't think I can do this! I can't even imagine all the se's and then on top of everything, I have to lose my hair. When did you lose yours?

    HARLEY
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  • ilovejesus
    ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2007

    Oh Harley, I forgot to tell you. Please try to stay ahead of the more common side effects like constipation and thrush. I take laxatives, stool softners and eat fresh pineapple. Sometimes I forget and then I pay heck. In my experience being constipated can sap all your energy! It's painful if you get impacted. It's just not worth it. With the thrush last time my onc RX'ed Diflucan and this time said just take it starting Sunday. Also i'm taking pro-biotics in hopes of keeping friendly bugs in my digestive tract. Your health food store should have it or maybe the grocery store. It has to be refrigerated to be most effective. It may cost more, but it's well worth it! I haven't found anything to help with the fatigue! Just do your best to take care of yourself if you don't have anyone in your life forcing you to like myself. Waaah. Check back on this thread and if I think of anything else I think might help I'll post it! God bless.

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    I started losing my hair on day 14 and had my mom shave it that same day. It sucks, but it's not THAT bad. I never wore my wig, just scarves and hats. I never completely lost my eyebrows and eyelashes (so far, that is) but they look like they've been in a cat fight. I attended the ACS's Look Good, Feel Better program which I liked a lot.

    I also concur that it's important to treat symptoms right away. It'll make you feel much better. I never developed thrush but the big C has been an issue so I also take stool softeners and magnesium. I also use the Biotene brand of toothpaste and mouthwash and it's kept the mouth issues in control. As for neuropathy, it's less common with Taxotere than Taxol. I've had some tingling, especially the first few days after each tx, but it goes away completely before the next infusion.

    Cynthia
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  • ilovejesus
    ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2007

    Hi Cynthia. I'm a 3A also. my doc said the cancer is pretty agressive. Great! I did my next to last T yesterday. Last one in 3 weeks. I have no hair anywhere. Losing my eyebrows was the worst. But I have a co-worker who WAS a Stage 4 and she said the eyebrows are the first to come back in. She was right. In between the last 2 treatments I could see them coming back in. I'm sure they'll wither up and drop again. I told someone in the chat room last night that i'm tempted to draw some Spock eyebrows on just to see if anyone will say anything! I think you're last treatment is the day before mine. On another subject I lived in Monterrey for 1 year and half. Visited SF several times. All that area is gorgeous but the cost of living bites.

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  • ilovejesus
    ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2007
    Oh Harley, I forgot to mention stomach cramps. Maybe you won't get them. I would be interested to know if anyone on this thread had stomach cramps and what they did for them.
    Thanks
    ilovejesus
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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited August 2007
    Hi Ladies,
    It's been awhile since I was online. My dad passed from lung mets and I've had (still have) family in town.
    I also just had my 2nd of 3rd Taxotere treatments 7/26.
    I had severe back pain. I took all of the hydrocodone my doc prescribed me.
    Also, my mouth turned to leather and my toungue (sp?) split into a bunch of pieces. Eating anything spicy or acidy was out of the question.
    Thankfully now, 8 days later, I am starting to feel better.
    I went in for blood work yesterday and my red blood cels, hgt and hct were out of wack. That was the first time that has happened throughout my chemo treatment.
    I thought the additional fatigue was the death in the family and all but come to find out, it was the Taxotere.
    One more treatment to go. Thank God. This Taxotere has been way worse than my first three of the other three drugs. All that did was make me sleepy. This stuff hurts.
    In the good news department though.....my nails are o.k. I've been changing my polish and buffing them and keeping them short and so far.....so good.
    I missed y'all while I was away and hope everybody is o.k.
    Hugs, Traci
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  • ilovejesus
    ilovejesus Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2007
    Thanks for the info Traci. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Couldn't have happened at a worse time though i'm sure there's never a good time for any of it to be happening to you. I've just got one Taxotere left. I hurt so much! If I'd remembered how much it hurts i might not have done it!
    God bless
    ilovejesus
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  • GoodMommy
    GoodMommy Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2007
    Harley,

    Going through chemo is the pits; but everyone is different and you might get through it with flying colors. I had 6 TAC treatments Spring/Summer '05. My onc. gave me Emend the day of and 2 days following treatment and other meds. for the nausea. I never got the barfs; but third day after treatment, I just felt yuk! I slept as much as I could; food tasted bad, but I didn't lose any weight because of the steroids. You will get through this. Remember, you are fighting a war and you can win! Keep open lines of communication with your onc. If you feel bad, let her know. There are several meds to try if one or the other doesn't work to fight the side effects. You are in my prayers as all of our sisters.

    God bless,

    Chris
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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    Traci - I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My sympathy to you and your family. I'm glad you're starting to feel better. Do you use the Biotene mouthwash? I also take Lysine for my mouth, too. I still get the coated tongue and a bit of burning, but nothing too bad.

    ilovejesus - my last tx is Aug 21st. I can't wait! Are you doing radiation as well? I'll have 6 weeks of it.

    I've been having a lot of bone and muscle pain today. It's kind of hard to walk. I think it's from having the neupogen the same week as tx. So far, though, I haven't had to use the Darvocet because 4 ibuprofen have been enough. I don't want to use the Davocet until the big C resolves. Wouldn't want to make that worse. I don't really get the stomach cramps (knock on wood, lol).

    Sorry about your eye brows. I so don't want to lose the rest of mine, but it's probably gonna happen. Glad to know they grow back quickly.

    Take care everyone and have a great Weekend!

    Cynthia
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Wow! There seem to be SO MANY se's from this treatment!

    Do they give you the Taxotere first, and after, they hook up the Cytoxan IV, the same day? The nurse told me that I will be getting BOTH on the same day, just not ALL AT ONCE! Is this true?

    My dh and I went wig shopping today. I got one that looks nice, but feels uncomfortable.

    I really am dreading Tuesday, but I bet it comes quickly and I am so SCARED!

    Have a great weekend,
    HARLEY
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  • sharebear
    sharebear Member Posts: 332
    edited August 2007
    Don't be afraid. You will make it through it. I just look at it this way...what's the other option......... Positive thinking and keeping a good attitude helps in healing. Your eyes will tear some. Get a good pair of sun glasses for when you are outside. Everybody is different. Not everybody is effected by all the side effects. I'm 44 and doing quite well.

    Good luck!
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Cynthia,

    Thanks for all the great advice! When is your last treatment?

    HARLEY
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Thanks!

    BTW, is everyone here who are taking TC dealing with EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER? I read that they only use this for ADVANCED breast cancer, so why am I getting it??

    Thanks
    HARLEY
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    I am 44 also. Are you also ER+ and early stage, stage 1, neg. lymph nodes?? I read that only ADVANCED breast cancer was treated with TC.

    Thanks
    HARLEY
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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    TC is approved for early stage bc. It was originally approved for advanced bc, but now it's used for both. The Cytoxin will be given via a small bag hung on an IV pole and so will the Taxotere. I don't know which order they are given in because I didn't have them together. So, you'll be given one followed by the other. Prior to this, you'll be given a bag of saline and premeds (for nausea and such).

    Cynthia
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  • Traci40
    Traci40 Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2007
    Thanks Cynthia for your words about my dad.
    I'm feeling pretty good today although, my eyebrows and eyelashes are all but gone. And, like you the hair on my head has started to come back.
    Also, the hair on my legs and my private....I've got ingrown hairs down there that are driving me crazy. Don't mean to be gross but damn.....what a pain in the private! I'm excited about my hair growing but the eyebrow thing has really made me look different. (Dark brown, thick eyebrowns before.)
    Anyway, Glad to hear you girls are doing o.k. and for the ones just starting.......it sucks but, you will get through. It sucks really bad but....you will get through.
    Did I say it sucks? It has really sucked. I've never felt so out of sorts, ugly, tired, achey, moody, bitchy, fat and uncomfortable in my 41 years of life.... (never had a baby) but, I'm almost done and I know...I will get through this.
    : ) I heard a funny joke but I can't remember it. Damn chemo brain.
    I sure hope my nails stay o.k.....
    Talk to y'all later.
    Oh yea....I refilled my hydrocodone script in anticipation of my last treatment. I can't wait to get this over.
    Last treatment.... 8/16. WOO HOO!!!!!
    : ) Traci
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  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited August 2007
    Hello everyone, I've been away for a few days and see this thread has been busy. I just got back from the Boston 3-Day breast cancer walk. What an experience!

    I've had 4 AC treatments and 1 out of 4 Taxotere treatments so far. I was able to comfortably cover the entire 60 miles of the walk in very hot weather plus two nights of camping.

    For side effects from the T, I do have the eye tearing. Feels like I have gunk in my eyes. I had no sense of nausea from T and only slightly from AC. I do still have my eyebrows and eyelashes. Not sure how much longer. I get dd T every other week with the 2nd of 4 treatments this Friday.

    Like it has been said before, everyone is different. You really need to take one day/one moment at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself in anticipation.

    What I love about this forum are the suggestions for what to do when you do cross a bridge or face a side effect. There are so many great ideas for how to deal with these annoyances.

    Walking around camp at the 3-day with my bald head, I met so many healthy, positive, "alive" women who came up to me to say "you look like me last year" or "that was me 8 - 12 - 25 years ago". So many wonderful, positive stories. If you have an opportunity to participate in such an event, e.g. come out and cheer, support a team, walk some with others, it is well-worth it.

    Debbie
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  • Bernadine
    Bernadine Member Posts: 49
    edited August 2007
    hi there, I had 2 Taxotere and my last one next tuesday and yes your eyes are tearing, and it's boring I have a kleenex all the time and if you go outside and it's windy wow it's boring.But it's better than nauseated or vomiting I can tell you that.... Good luck it's not that bad it wil past past you'll see....
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    I will be having my 2nd TC tomorrow...and NOT looking forward to it.

    I have had tearing/dry eyes back and forth, a lot of nausea for at least the first 8 days, although it has lingered on through-out the 3 weeks. However I did not have any vomiting, so far. I was very constipated for the first 2-3 days then it turned to diahrea. The worse part of the first few days was a terrible headache. It was so bad I had to keep ice on my head, constantly. My hands and feet have hurt a lot. I have had 2 carpel tunnel surgeries and the pain in my wrists feels very similar Carpel pain, but worse. The last SE has been a almost constant stomach ache. I was worried that my years gone ulcer was about to reappear. (I had one many years ago. At one time I required 8 units of blood. I do not want to go thru that on top of the BC)
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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    Jean - sorry to hear you've had such a difficult time. The headache could have been from the Neulasta shot. You might try taking some Benedryl to see if it helps because the headache is considered an allergic reaction, I think.

    I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. I hope you have less side effects this time.

    Cynthia
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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited August 2007
    Lady Jean,
    How are you doing?
    My onc prescribed Hydrocodone for me for the pain. It helps.
    I hope your o.k.
    Cynthia....I have the biotene but it sure makes my wine taste yucky. lol.....
    Traci
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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    Traci - ROTFLOL. Thanks for the laugh. So, alcohol is okay while in tx? I've been wanting a class of wine, but I couldn't remember if it was "allowed".

    Debbie - Wow, you're amazing! Glad you finished the walk and had a great time, too. My SIL was one of the volunteers there who ride around in the vans assisting the walkers.

    I'm doing great this cycle in regards to the se's (so far). The worst of the bone pain is gone. The acid reflux is lessening. The hot flashes are fewer. The fatigue and leg muscle weakness isn't as bad, either. My heart is still unhappy with the neupogen, though, but it isn't keeping me up at night anymore.

    Now that the end is sight, I'm very impatient to wrap up this part of my tx. My daughter is getting over a cold and still has a cough. Every time she coughs on me I yell at the poor thing. I'm so tired of worrying about germs! We went to a buffet style restaurant tonight and I just kept thinking that I hoped my counts were good as I hate salad while my daughter coughed on me. lol

    Healing wishes to those experiencing side effects. I hope you start to feel better soon!

    Cynthia
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    Cynthia

    Yesterday was a nighmare. I had ordered all my nausia drigs and one premed at the pharmacy next to the hospital. There was an issue relative to the emand ($580 - 3 pills) it had not recieved the order.Friday it was recieved, but they said the insurance wouldn't pay for it. (same with the Zofran ($280 -9 pills) That, with the thirs drug Ativan woudl bring the total clost to $900!
    This was gong on from 10 AM until almost 3, my chemo time was 3:30. FInally the insurance comapnay, my husband's word and the Dr called it was there pick it up ASAP. The emand MUST be taken before the chemo starts.

    We don't go thru enough having BC, a zillion tests (ok I over acted a "lttle" bit.), but having to go thru all this sutff is probably the reason so many cancer paitents give up or just die. I felt like vomiting on the way to the chemo today.
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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited August 2007
    Jean - it sucks that you've have such a difficult time, but I'm glad you got your meds before chemo. I am surprised at how much the Ativan cost you if I understand you correctly. I got mine at Costco and paid around $6 for 40 1mg generic pills (without ins). I hope you don't feel too awful this week!

    Cynthia
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    Cythnia - I never thought o Costco, I will try them for y next chemo, I still have to handle insurance and I believe I was given the generic Ondansetron for Zofran (9) 8 mg, & Lorazepam generic for Ativan (20) 1 mg

    The outragious one is the EMend, over $580 for 3 pills first one is 120mg (i think) #2 & #3 are about 80 mg

    I've got to get to sleep.
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007

    Jean,

    Glad to hear that you finaly got your meds.! Hope your treatment went well, and that you don't have too many se's this week.

    I had the diarrhea, tearing eyes, sore throat, and yesterday I was SO TIRED!, but my dh said it was like a light switch. I was ok, and ... BAM! it hit me! So I laid on the couch the rest of the afternoon. We went out to try a new restaurant last night for dinner, but I didn't like it... it was too high priced, and they had neuvo cuisine... even ostrich! yick!

    Hope you are feeling ok today. I have to go to the surgeon Tuesday to see about the port, and Wednesday, blood work! EW! Does it ever end??

    Thinking of you,
    HARLEY
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  • sharebear
    sharebear Member Posts: 332
    edited August 2007
    My worst med was the neulasta shot $3,000 per shot and I needed 5 of them and my insurance didn't want to cover it under my perscription coverage. I finally got them to cover it as part of my medical treatment instead because it had to be administered by a professional. They sent a nurse to my house with the shot. I really lucked out on that one!

    Sharon
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  • sharebear
    sharebear Member Posts: 332
    edited August 2007
    Ladies,
    After the last T treatment I started getting the leg cramps at night. What does everybody do for those? I also noticed I'm getting a little winded. Like I need to catch my breath. Is that normal? Since I'm getting weekly treatments, I would now be on my last round. I'm half tempted to ask If instead of getting the normal 3 weeklys=1 treatment, can I just get the 1 big treatment and be done with it!!!!!!!

    Oh yeah, I've also put on 10 lbs from the stupid stuff. It's ruining the tummy tuck portion of the tram flap surgery. I know, a minor set back, but come on!

    Oh, 1 more complaint, sorry, it's just one of those days. On Friday I had a check up with my surgeon and he did a biopsy on a hard spot I've had since surgery kind of just to the left of the breast. He thinks its fat necrosis but wanted to make sure and since my white count is doing so well on the taxotere he felt it safe at this time to do it. Ouch! Talk about insult to injury! Then after he took the sample he squished some white milky stuff out of it like a zit. Now I wait and hopefully I'll know by Wednesday that its just a fat necrosis (or a boob zit as I called it).

    O.k. I'm done whining. Thanks for listening!

    Sharon
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