Dose Dense A/C

I DID "DD" and I believe it was the cause of my neuropathy. I did it in order to go back to work sooner. Backfired on me big time. Took almost 2 years for me to return to work, and now it is just part time.

I did very well with DD AC ---- started it last yr 1/23/2007 --- what kept be healthy during all the AC txs was the Neulasta shot that u get the next day after each AC tx ----

I didn't find the AC bothering me much until after #3 and #4  -- I was a tad more fatigued -- never had any real issues with nauseau but would highly recommend u stay on top of the meds they give u - after my first AC tx -- heck that nite I went to a HS basketball game  -----  everyone is different - and other then this BC -- I was healthy otherwise .... it was the DD TAXOL  that really pulled me down at the end with EXTREME Fatigue....

With all of this I was fortunate that I didn't really have an outside job -- I do make candy bqts out of my home and retail at 2 locations - and I was able to continue this level of ' work ' during my chemo txs.....  A year later -- Im doing GREAT -- sure there are days that I get exhausted easily -- but as I continue to exercise  -- this helps it alot .... more energy

I would say to my onclogist  NP --  heck I could be ' poster child ' for the chemo  AC   ......   hugs  and prayers you will do fine too

It is doable .....       

I did 4 dd A/C, then surgery and 2 more A/C tx and did very well on it.  Slight bit of nausea/queasiness, but just eating and sipping on things took care of it.  Never had any fatigue.  I was healthy (outside of the bc), and pretty much kept up my regular level of exercise.  The Taxol was a little worse because of neuropathy.  I did 6 doses, but not dose dense. 

I finished my DD of AC last month, it isn't easy but it can be done. I am now on 1 wk taxol, it seems like its slowing me down more than the AC did. Then again it could be all of the treatments catching up on me all at once, Good luck

Not only is it faster, it appears to be more effective. If your onc. is suggesting DD, go for it.



From my oncology report of my first visit-



"I explained that the results of a randomized trial comparing dose dense ACT vs ACT given in an every 3 week schedule in women with lymph node positive disease showed that the women receiving treatment every 2 weeks had 7% benefit in disease free survival an a 2% benefit in overall survival."



I'm on DD ACT. I've finished my 2nd A/C with no major complaints. I shaved my head on day 14 when a few hairs were coming out. Given my hardy 5 o'clock shadow, I might still have a head of hair (day 24) but I was more freaked about it coming out than about baldness.



No nausea thanks to wonderful anti-nausea meds. Fatigue is there, but not as bad as I thought. No side effects AT ALL from Neulasta. About 24 hours after treatment I go to bed and sleep for 3 days. After that, I am mostly normal...



I don't think the side effects are that different in dose dense v. the older protocol, you are getting the same meds over a shorter time. Plus, you get Neulasta to keep up White Blood Counts. Dose Intense would mean more meds...



good luck



stephanie



1.9 cm IDC, DCIS, LCIS in Rt breast. 1/23 LVI+ ER/PR+ Her-2 neg Bilateral mast w/ expanders. Dose dense ACT underway, then rads...

I did the A/C on a DD regimen because my doc said it would offer a better outcome for me what with node involvement.  I didn't really have any problems except I needed Neulasta for WBC and Aranesp for anemia caused by chemo.  Right after I finished DD A/C I noticed an increase in reflux problems which I still have.  No nausa during chemo thanks to IV Kytril (great stuff -- really worked).  I then had Taxol every 3 wks apart so can't comment on DD there.  Good luck to you -- I think you'll do well on DD A/C if you choose to do it.  They'll give you good pre-meds.

Tiff,

I had 4 dd A/C and 4 dd taxol.  The A/C wasn't that bad, 4 dd Taxol was a little harder but more from an accumulation than anything. Guess now they recommend Taxol weekly than dd for better outcome. Dose dense is very doable.

Sahalie, I agree the nuelasta shot was my problem too, I guess. I loved that shot though, made me feel more protected. At treatment 5 and 6 I was running 101-102 fever for 2 weeks. Guess they determined nuelasta was the culprit, it sure kept my white count up (34,000) better than nuepogen(sp?) (9,000) and I liked 1 shot versus 5 shots and trips back to the center every day. They now have nuelasta listed as one of my "allergies".

Bluesky, I don't really have joint stiffness but definitely pain. Did any of your physicians tell you that taxol can cause this? I am 8 months out of chemo and it seems to be getting worse but my docs. just shrug their shoulders. It sounded like you might have been told your joint stiffness was from Taxol, is this correct? I see where you take tamoxifen too and I know it has side effects, just wondering what you had been told about taxol and joints?

Thanks and good luck with whatever way you go Tiff,

Wink

Tiff,

I gather that your name is Tiffany.  I am a Tiffany also and from my research it looks like we are getting the same treatment.  I am having a/c every 2 weeks for 8 treatments.  Started the first last Tuesday.  Didn't really have any trouble until Sat night.  Started running a fever and had to go on an antibiotic and 3 shots of Neulasta this week.  THEY HURT!!!!   It would be fun to keep the Tiffany's in touch as we travel through this journey.  I'm more freaked about the hair loss approaching than anything.

Hugs!

Tiffany 

I did dd A/C 4 doses as well.  This was not a problem for me.  I found the Taxol was harder to handle.  I also received the Neulesta shot the day after as well.  One thing I found with the A/C is that they had to reduce the amt. of steroids they were giving me.  Once they did that there were no problems.  I also was able to keep working through chemo.  Took 2 days off after my tx then worked part time that wk but by the next wk I was back to full time. 

I am 4 months post chemo and I can say I am still tired, but on the road to recovery.

Tiff, I did DD A/C about a year ago and had no real problems (that I know of).   They did give me a Neulasta shot the day after each treatment but that wasn't a problem for me, either. 

Had absolutely no nausea from any of the tx but they gave me Emend to take the day of and the next two mornings.  I think that is what helped so much.  It's very expensive, though your insurance should cover it.