TCh vs. ACTh
Comments
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Kimbly,
thanks for your comment about Ativan and its sleepiness effect. Today i am still very tired and i think it might be due to taking it last night. I might try stopping and see how i feel the next day. Right now i ready for a big time nap and have been dragging around all morning without my morning cup of coffee. Maybe i just need a double latte! -
I was on here for the first time last week because i had my 4 rounds of AC and when to start weekly TH x 12 last Friday - my muga scan done at the end of the 4 rounds of AC went from 75 to 53 percent - huge difference and because of that i didn't get the herceptin - i am scheduled for another Muga in 2 weeks time - hopefully there will be an improvement - i wasn't given an option of ACTH or TCH. Really consider what will be best for you.
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Mwaaaahhhhh!, I'm such a sissy. Have been having trouble with my tummy. Mostly acid reflux and feeling like some things I chew and swallow are like a rock hitting my stomach. I have to learn how to handle my tummy. Have been taking Zantac but seems like by the 4th or 5th day I shouldn't have to be continuing with the anti-nausea meds. I prefer compazine to Zofran. Yuck, I'm not looking forward to the next round. Please tell me it gets easier...
Hate to be a party pooper... -
Dear MyGlassHalfFull,
I hope and pray your MUGA improves. I am with you girl! I think most of the doctors don't give you a choice unless you know to ask for one. Case in point, my oncol was not going to give me a choice but was very supportive when I told him what I wanted to do. Thank God for that! I've had doctors before who were NOT supportive and just said it was their way or no way! I think the ideal situation is they tell you that you have choices and let you decide. Just tell you right up front--no need to hide anything we are all adults here... good luck with your MUGA I had my baseline a couple of weeks ago and no one even told me what it was....
E -
Erica - I had alot of gastro stuff after my first chemo and my onc prescribed Aciphex. She said I should take it all during chemo and for two moinths after to protect the esophogus, etc. It totally eliminated the problem. Maybe you can ask about it.
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MaryAnn--Thank you so much!!! I'm going to ask for it.
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Dear Erica - i hope your stomach issues get better - I had them for about 24 hours after each of my AC dosages - I haven't really had any with the Taxotere. I read somewhere that however you are with your first treatment is usually how you will respond to each one - it certainly seemed to be that way with me - i am also taking losec twice a day for reflux so that could be really helping any stomach issues i may have.
Hang in there - you can do it.
Elaine
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My oncol nurse told me I could take two ibuprofen with another pain reliever I have for the pain (can't remember which pain either portacath surgery or pain for Neulasta shot)....anyway I have since read that chemo patients should NOT be taking ibuprofen. Makes sense to me. I have two prescriptions phoned in one for Aciphex and the other a coating like medicine to take as needed. I think I'm going to need both of these cause I thinking I may have developed a few ulcers that need healing. I am having a bit more symptoms than simple acid reflux. So I think I need to be very careful over the next couple of weeks to try and heal from this. Never had stomach problems before so hope this will resolve over time.
It's always something. Out this morning to pick up more meds... -
Hi again Erica, I hope the Aciphex works as well for you as it did for me. Can you tell me where you read that chemo patients should not be taking ibuprofen? I took it after my first chemo to help with the bone/muscle aches from Neulasta. After starting Claritin with the second chemo, I didn't need any pain killer at all and haven't taken it since.
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MaryAnn, the Aciphex has been helping. I am eating now without pain I hope it continues to get better. I am taking twice a day. I went back looking for the citation but couldn't track it down. I did read if platlett counts are low don't take any blood thinners and this would make clotting even worse. They included both aspirin and ibuprofen. I didn't know ibuprofen acted as a blood thinner. I take the fish oil for this but I am temporarily subsiding until I feel my sure about my stomach...actually the latest that I'm reading is that blood thinners (all types) help chemo work better and slow the spread of cancer.
The other thing you should all be aware of is the recent FDA finding for early breast cancer that Procrit and other anemia drugs feed the cancer. So we all have to figure out what to do with this news. What are the alternatives for those of us who are anemic. A friend of mine who used to be a nurse to an oncologist tells me I am much less likely to become anemic than the problem with the low white blood cells.
As far as the ibuprofen goes I'm just thinking I need to steer clear of it cause it is hard on the stomach and anything that is hard on my stomach I need to avoid.
Hope this helps,
E -
MaryAnn, I read with the Aciphex we should be taking a B12 supplement. I went and got some today. Not sure what amount but it said on the leaflet an oral B12 supplement. Just wanted to let you know in case you didn't read this.
Doing better today...
E -
Hi Erica - glad you're feeling better. I did nnot know about the B12. I am taking B6 because I heard it helps prevent the possible neuropathy from the Taxotere. Will add a B12 now also!
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Cathy - how are you doing? Hope all is well with you.
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Hi MaryAnn -- Thanks for asking. I had round 3 last week and the bad taste buds are probably the worst SE I'm having. Nothing tastes good and I'm having to force myself to eat and drink. I'm concerned that they may not come back between cycles and I'll be like this for the next two months. The good news is, I'm now half way done!
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Cathy - great to hear that you are doing so well. I have the bad taste thing for about ten to fourteen days then back to normal. So last time around, I lost ten pounds the first ten days and gained back eight the next ten! Congrats on being half way there! I do chemo number four this Thursday.
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I'm envious MaryAnn and Cathy,
I had so much stuff with my first chemo. Latest on my list is a yeast infection. I have so many pills to take. So I'm a little scared going into the next round...will I have all the same stuff to deal with all over? Or might it go a little easier. Have only lost 2 pounds--wow MaryAnn 10 pounds and then gaining 8 back in such a short time. I think the decadron must have helped. I have been starving all week but couldn't eat well until my stomach healed. At least I can eat now.
You two are strong women! -
Erica - I'm going to ask about the wide swings in weight. I think it's simply due to just not being able to eat much the first 10 days after the chemo and then when I start to eat again, it comes back quickly. Must be some water weight involved. Sorry to hear about the yeast infection. They are annoying, I know! In my experience, the side effects are the same after each cycle with the exception of the ones they can prevent with meds (like the gastro problems resolved with Aciphex). I try to remember that they are just temporary and realize that I can put up with most anything that has an end in sight.
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And now for the grand finale--a major attack of hay fever...I used to get these years back every Spring until I started a serious program of nasal irrigation in the spring just before I know they were coming. This seemed to fix the problem. I think the chemo just weakened me to it again.
On the plus side they told me I was negative for the P53 genetic test I took a few months back...what a relief...
Hope you all are doing well today...Herceptin is so easy compared to the chemo so at least I have time to recuperate. Yesterday they did my CBC and everything checked out fine. That was a relief too.. -
Erica - glad to hear you are doing well (other than the hay fever!). I agree that the Herceptin alone is much easier to tolerate. I've had a good week this week also. I go in for my fourth chemo tomorrow so I will be one closer to being done!
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Thanks to all who post on this thread. I've been following it closely. My dx is almost exactly the same as Cathy-Ca, except I was dx in January. After healing from mastectomy (next Wednesday), I will begin TCH. Each of you is an inspiration to me and I've learned so much about what is ahead of me.
Thanks!
Sue
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Hi Sue, Glad you have been following the thread so that you have a good idea of what to expect with TCH. I had my fourth treatment today. It went very smoothly and by now I can almost predict what day each side effect will start ... mine are all manageable so I hope your's are too! If you don't mind my asking, how did you come to the decision to use TCH and not AC-TH?
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Sue,
Welcome to our little group. I had a host of problems from my first round but all are being managed now and hopefully some eliminated in the next round. I guess the first one is the big mystery round so is the toughest psychologically. Thankfully (triple knock on wood) I never had the nasty taste in my mouth that is reported by so many. I had one evening where a grape popsicle tasted weird but none of the foods I like have ever tasted anything but yummy and I have always felt like eating. I think keeping your nutrition up is key, crucial, and important. I asked my oncol's PA yesterday about vitamins and she recommended the B-complex vitamins. I have my next and 2nd chemo scheduled for the 24th. I am hoping to be all over with my cold my that time. I can't see getting chemo with a cold especially with a cough because they are so tiring anyway.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Sorry about the circumstances...
Erica -
Sue -- Welcome to the group. I have found TCh to be a very manageable chemo. I have not missed a day of exercise or of doing things I want to do.
Erica -- I am soooo jealous that you don't get the taste bud problems. I'm 10 days out from my last treatment and things are just starting to taste okay.
MaryAnn -- congratulations on being 2/3rds of the way done! My next one is March 24th and then only two more.
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Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
MaryAnn - I didn't make the decision, my onc did. When he told me I'd be doing TCH, I said, "I've read on breastcancer.org that that's good for ER-PR-Her2+. You're good." He told me thanks - I think he got a kick out of my approval!
Cathy-CA: I'm so inspired by the fact that you go to the gym after chemo! My 45 minutes on the Precor is really important to me, so it's good to know that I can keep it up.
Erica: Thanks for the nutritional advice. I hope my taste buds do as well as yours! Hope the hay fever is better, and wonderful news on the test results! I just had my PET scan Friday, and I was literally a nut job waiting for results. Luckily, all was good.
Thanks again and best to you all.
Sue
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Sue -- The trick is to listen to your body and not get discouraged if you have days that you need to dial it back a bit. My normal treadmill speed is about 4.2 mph. I do a fast walk rather than a jog for four miles every morning. The week after chemo, I may still do four miles but at a slower pace or break it into two half hour sessions. I participate in Jazzercise, aqua aerobics and yoga. I use lower weight hand weights in Jazzercise and take it a bit easier in aqua aerobics that first week. Yoga is an interesting thing for me. The instructor wouldn't care if I just laid on the mat practicing breathing the whole hour, but I don't like not doing what the rest of the class is doing. So, I normally don't go the first week because I find that having my head down for some of the poses makes me queasy. You will be able to do some exercise and it makes you feel a lot better, so do as much as you feel is right for you and adjust day by day!
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Cathy,
You go girl! I was hoping I would continue going to the gym to exercise but I have not been doing it. I may go today or tonight and over the weekend. I am going to try and get back into with some regularity...
I know your right--once I do it I always feel better. Have a great weekend. It's comforting to know you all are right here.
Erica -
Would appreciate some serious discussion about how to avoid constipation and somehow have a regular toilet routine. That is what I think is my most bothersome SE. All ideas appreciated. My husband has a friend who has been on chemo off and on for 10 years for lung cancer. She told him that she would love to talk to me to reveal her chemo tricks. I will let you know what I learn. I have to wait a few days before I can speak with her because of my laryngytis.
I out almost 2 weeks and my old habits have not yet resumed. There has got to be a way. I have not had an issue with diarrhea.
All ideas appreciated. I haven't tried my Senecot yet and would prefer to deal with it through diet. Maybe I should use the Senecot.
Happy weekend. Beautiful Spring day here in NC! -
Hi Erica -- I lost a lot of weight on Weight Watchers and fiber is a key piece of the program, so I speak fluent fiber. I make sure to have lots of high fiber food the first few days after chemo and have not had much of a problem.
My favorite is Fiber One which makes cereal, yogurt and bars that are very high in fiber. The original Fiber One cereal has 14 grams of fiber in a half cup. I, also, make sure to have lots of fresh fruit. A cup of Fiber One cereal with berries for breakfast, Fiber One yogurt with granola for mid-morning snack after the gym, and a Fiber One bar for a mid-afternoon snack with some milk is more than 40 grams of fiber. Also, I try to avoid binding food like potatoes, bananas, rice, etc. for the first few days. Once I get to about day 5, I need to cut back and start adding binding foods, because while I don't get full on diarrhea, I'm no longer having any problems if you get my drift. By about day 10, everything is back to normal until the next round.
Another favorite high fiber food is a product called "Alternative Bagels" by Western Bagel. They are low calorie, high fiber bagels, but still pretty yummy. Not sure if they are only a West Coast thing, but if you can find them, the regular Alternative Bagels have 7 grams of fiber and come in wheat, white, blueberry, cinnamon and onion. They, also, have one that is called Perfect 10 which has 10 grams of protein and nine grams of fiber. I eat those when my mouth is at its worst and nothing much tastes good because it seems the easiest way to get my protein.
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Hi all -
I hope you realize how valuable all of this is to me as I prepare to begin TCH next month. I am SO glad you started this thread and that all of you are so generous with your advice and inspiration.
OK - time for the inevitable newbie question - when do you think I'll lose my hair? I'm losing my boob on Wednesday, but I'm still worried about my hair!!!
Thanks,
Sue
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Hi Sue -- My advice is to wait and see on your hair. I am a week away from round 4 and still have hair. It's thin and I normally wear a cap or hat if I'm going out just because I'm self-conscious about it, but the hair I have is enough that I never wear anything around the house and I'm not cold. I had my hair cut really short (think almost like a buzz) when it started coming out after round 2 and I think if I'd left it longer it probably wouldn't look so thin. If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely wait. FWIW, I still have a hair (although thin) everywhere.
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