taxotere

Options
eileen1
eileen1 Member Posts: 6

Hi, my name is Eileen, I am 49 years of age. This is my second experience with breast cancer and I have just finished my Radiotherapy(15 treatments) and completed 4 cycles of Taxotere and 2 cycles Zeloda. I am still on three weekly cycles of intrevenous Herceptin. I would like to ask anyone who has been on these treatments, mainly the Taxotere, whether they have experienced arthritic-like pains in their leg joints?And if so,how long did they last? My Taxotere finished in January yet I am still in severe pain with aches in my legs that are severely affecting my ability to walk and carry out normal everyday living. Anyone with similar experiences?

Comments

  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited July 2008

    Hi Eileen,

    I had severe lower back pain while I was on Taxotere and for about 2-3 months after tx was complete. There is a whole thread here on the chemo thead about Taxotere...there are a tons of posts to that with all kinds of aches and pains!

    Sorry you are feeling pain too and hoping you get better soon,

    Traci

  • eileen1
    eileen1 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2008

    Thanks Traci

    Taxotere seems to cause a lot of side effects. I suppose every one is different and reacts to this treatment in different ways. Hope you are now well.

    Kindest Regards

    Eileen

  • slortiz
    slortiz Member Posts: 216
    edited July 2008

    Traci,

    You might try following/posting to "Anyone Just Taxotere and Cytoxin"

  • HeatherBLocklear
    HeatherBLocklear Member Posts: 1,370
    edited July 2008

    Hi Traci,

    Taxotere was horrible for me. I had pain, pain, pain. So far (and I'll probably regret the words), AC has been easier.

    Annie

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Hi Eileen,

    I had 3 rounds of FEC, followed by 3 of Taxotere, then a year of Herceptin.  I had alot of muscular pain from Taxotere, among other things. I endured it because my onc. said Taxotere is one of the best chemos out there for Her2+.

    Has your onc. prescribed any anti-inflammatory meds?  They really helped me.

  • eileen1
    eileen1 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2008

    Hi Caya

    thanks for your response, unfortunately I cannot tolerate anti inflammatorys and am currently undergoing pain management.

    i am trying to find how long i can expect to suffer these muscular pains

    thanks

    eileen

  • wetcoast
    wetcoast Member Posts: 193
    edited July 2008

    Hi Eileen,

     I finished dd ac and then taxol May 22/08. During chemo I had a little tingling in my hands and feet but nothing really serious. Because I had a low wbc I was using neupogen and I could not tell if my muscle and joint pain was from taxol or neupogen. Since completion of chemo my hands feel as though I was hammering nails for 8 hours. My fingers and hands are stiff and ache daily. Upon waking and getting out of bed my feet feel as though they are slapping on the floor and in the heel area it is as though the tendons and ligaments are tight and need to be stretched out. My legs and feet ache usually upon getting up from a seated position. Any one out there who knows how long this will go on?

    laurel

  • eileen1
    eileen1 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2008

    hi laurel

    thanks for your info. I finished Chemo 6 months ago but still have problems with pains in my joints. I can't seem to find out how long these problems are likely to last. Thanks for your reply. Keep well.

    Eileen

  • ShayRN
    ShayRN Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2008

    Hi Eileen,

    I am HER2+ as well and finished my Taxotere, Carboplatin on May 28th(my 38th Birthday). I only started experiencing the pain in my feet and hands the last 2 treatments of Taxotere and it hasn't stopped yet. I started developing muscle and joint pain just this last 3 weeks. My Onc told me it was probably at little bit Taxotere and a lot Herceptin. I guess Herceptin can give you flu like aches and pains. I didn't experience this during chemo but they have now increased my Herceptin since it is the only thing I get now. I just finished my 2nd treatment of Herceptin alone and I think the symptoms are decreasing a bit. I do have a friend who had taxotere 4 years ago and still has the neuropathy in hands and feet. (Not the most inspiring news, I know). Unfortunately, like so much about cancer, it is too individualized to have any "real" idea of what to expect. I find that if I keep moving it is better than when I have been still then try to get going again. Best of luck to you!!!!

    Shay

  • heatherpalmerton
    heatherpalmerton Member Posts: 2,247
    edited July 2008

    Hi Eileen, I have been on taxotere since Jan 08. I will say my first 2 treatments didn't go so well. I fell into that 2% of being allergic to Taxotere.  My ONC and staff have been so wonderful.  They thought I would have to stop that treatment.  I said "no" we would continue. I felt this was going to work.  So they started me on premeds. Plenty of steroids, benydril, lots of liquids and they allways have administered it very slow at the beginning.  I  have this  3wks on 1 wk off  and zometa 1x a month. Treatment has gone very well for me. I do drink alot of water,tea and fresh lemon. so far all blood work is great and even better on some.

    Thursdays are usually my tired day and I like to take naps. When I get my Zometa is when I get a little aching. But have found if I keep moving I'm not as stiff and sore.

    Eileen I also have scleroderma, just a suggestion, with your joints bothering you.  Have you had an ANA test done. On one of the other threads we talked about how many breast cancer patients had autoimmune diseases. I hope the very best for you and that your pain goes away soon. Heather 

  • eileen1
    eileen1 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2008

    Hi Shay

     thanks for your reply interested to hear that your ONC suggests that herceptin could be the

    cause of your joint pains.  I am also convinced that this could be the source of my problems

    however my ONC dismisses this suggestion.  Taxotere is a very harsh chemotherapy and my

    pains did develop midway through the cycles having said that six months later I am still having

    herceptin and the pains are increasing.

    Thanks for the information it was nice to hear from you hope all goes well for you.

     By the way we both share the same birthday only I am a few years older 49 wishing I was 38 again!!!

    Eileen

  • eileen1
    eileen1 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2008

    Hi Heather

     Thanks for your reply, sorry to hear your treatment is not going to good.  On my second cycle

     I had a bad reaction and had to have premeds and steroids and like yourself had to

    have chemo run very slow but managed to finish full course Taxotere is a very harsh

    chemotherapy drug but it is very worthwhile.

    I have not had ANA test but will consider  mentioning it to my ONC.

    Hope everything goes well for you thanks for the info

    Eileen

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2013

    I started Taxatere Cytosan yesterday 5-29-13 and Taxotere was started first. About 10 minutes into infusion I begain experiencing sever low back pain that radiated up my spine and spread across my back (very sever pain) they stopped the Taxotere and changed it to Abraxane. Before the Taxotere I was given Decodron 4mg twice a day the day before the day of and was given Decodron IV with 50 mg of Benedryl just before start of Taxotere. I sailed through the rest of my treatment. Today I am experiencing taste disturbance, slight blured vision, weakness, slightly dizzy. Now I'm setting around waiting for my hair to fall out.... Lol God Bless Us All... Kathy

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2013

    I started Taxatere Cytosan yesterday 5-29-13 and Taxotere was started first. About 10 minutes into infusion I begain experiencing sever low back pain that radiated up my spine and spread across my back (very sever pain) they stopped the Taxotere and changed it to Abraxane. Before the Taxotere I was given Decodron 4mg twice a day the day before the day of and was given Decodron IV with 50 mg of Benedryl just before start of Taxotere. I sailed through the rest of my treatment. Today I am experiencing taste disturbance, slight blured vision, weakness, slightly dizzy. Now I'm setting around waiting for my hair to fall out.... Lol God Bless Us All... Kathy

Categories