That seems to help me. . Include fiber in your diet (fruits and vegetables), drink 8-10 glasses of non-alcoholic fluids a day, and keep active. So I queried the need for the remaining 2 docetaxel. Taxotere Chemo: April 29 2010 May 20 2010 June 10 2010 July 1 2010. It was a one-and-a-half-hour dose. Worst effect in Cycle 2 and 3 was in lack of taste and the awful chemical tast in my mouth at all times. I have weaned myself off the Co-Codamol as I don't want to rely on it and the bone aches have reduced considerably now. Recurrence of endometrial cancer in lymph nodes. Lets hope it does the trick and we can put this behind us. Most of the hard work is done, you just need to push a little harder to finish the race! You may notice chills, a sore throat, achiness, and swollen glands and lymph nodes. Take care, week 3 coming up soon! It's an option that, over the last twenty years, medical teams and patients believed was the best course of action. Know that you are two thirds of the way there. I'm fortunate in that my husband is self employed. This combination of meds had the remarkable result of shrinking my very large tumor by a full 50 percent! The ninth-largest drop was . I followed all the advice and recommendations given by the medical team and tried to be positive about the treatment working to fight the cancer but it has been hard. Avoid large crowds and people who are sick (i.e. Get the latest cancer stories, helpful resources, and personalized advice directly to your inbox. No cancer cells were found, and she was deemed "no evidence of disease". I think it would have been better to know just what to expect but as we all react different it's not possible. Sorry to be such a negative misery , I am usually upbeat and positive but wanted to ask if these cycles compound with the side effects as I am not sure I could cope with another 2 cycles. My concern is that with my weight, history of smoking and alcohol my body will not tolerate all of this. The problem some people run into with Taxotere is that the hair loss can sometimes be permanent. Here are six ways to keep your body healthy during chemotherapy treatment: Boost your nutrition. I have a soup maker so maybe I should give it a go. I had infusions every 21 days. Each mL contains 40 mg docetaxel (anhydrous) and 1040 mg polysorbate 80. I have at times reached my lowest and questioned if I can continue to put my body through this poison. Actual exercise. The effects of chemo are cumulative. I got that too. I do have to rest far more than I used to, although I manage to cope with a busy full time job. For now, just concentrate on YOU! Avoid raw fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, cereals, and seeds. I shall follow your journey with hope and healing. for use in the treatment of prostate cancer in the year 2004. I had no sleepless issues on A/C but on Taxol I did - first meds given me by my Chemo Dr did not help only gave horrible nightmares (which I don't normally have) but my PA switched me to the lowest does of another med and it worked great.It's great to ask for input of experiences BUT There are NONE of us who can tell you what your wife will experience - we are EACH so unique in how our bodies handle the onslaught of the battle - we can tell our stories but we cannot tell you that what happened to/with us will happen for your wife.Susan, I too had AC followed byI too had AC followed by taxol. Pineapple is good for helping the nasty taste and I know someone who sucked frozen pineapple cubes and this helped her a lot. Grapefruit can change how your body absorbs this medication. As long as I moved and tried to do those things, even though I felt crappy, I would always feel better afterwards. With Taxotere, I have had bad stomach aches, back aches, extremely low energy, trouble tasting food, and minimized appetite. This can get progressively worse with additional doses of the medication. I lost my hair and everything, but the chemo itself was not that bad. Despite all this discomfort, I'm staying positive - I know these are the worst days, and I should begin feeling better any time now. The drug can cause tear duct closures which can cause permanent tearing. I had been doing the paracetamol and ibuprofen as previously advised but the Oncology Sister told me that ibuprofen is not suitable for chemo patients as they can interfere with treatment and other medications, since switching I have had more relief and felt better. It happens most often in the legs and feet, but it isnt unusual to see swelling in the hands, arms, and abdomen. Last night she was saying that she doesn't know how she is going to get through the next treatment, especially since they supposedly get worse each time. One of the most major Taxotere side effects is epiphora or, in simple terms, watery eyes. Hard to rest with all the side effects of all the drugs but I did my best. I know everyone is different. While it sounds harmless enough, constantly tearing eyes can cause other health issues. Keep the thoughts positive. Found the freeze gell hit the joint areas better and gave relief. We think its important to know what you might expect on your worst days on Taxotere. Your physician will order lab tests throughout your treatment to keep an eye on your levels. I want to speak with the Oncologist about the strength of Docetxel used it it seems very high at 200mg. We started working from home the week after the infusion. Peripheral neuropathy is a toxicity that affects the nerves. In some ways was easier, in others was more taxing (pun intended)! For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. I was so tired, and I wasnt expecting that level of fatigue. Keep your fingernails and toenails clean and dry. It, like other chemotherapy medications, can have severe side effects. I finished T & C on April 1 (total of 6 treatments). If you feel unwell or have any of these signs, tell them straight away. But I am in good health and loving life. He recommended that I halve the dose, but I'd had previous allergic . I am sorry that she is not feeling well. It causes numbness or a tingling feeling in the hands and/or feet, often in the pattern of a stocking or glove. My doctors have been very good and have assured me that they caught it early. Notify your oncology care team if your mouth, tongue, inside of your cheek or throat becomes white, ulcerated, or painful. Really, you already have otherwise you wouldn't be 4 sessions down with only 2 more to go. Your doctor may prescribe medication to take before your treatment to help decrease the risk of edema. Write down how you feel each day, it's surprising how this can reduce distress, upset and even ease SE's a little. Other effects for me are tingling in feet, skin peeling off, mostly in feet, toe nails highly sensitive. I think I am coming to the end of feeling like I have hit by a bus with the chronic aches in all my joints and bones. Today it was announced that his name would be on a car at Le Mans. Do not cut cuticles or ingrown nails. I have no effects, no CRASH, no anything ((. The pain is horrendous and for me it moves from anywhere to anywhere. I've had 2, 3rd one tomorrow. My diet is so bland in taste no matter what I try, if the mouth problem resolves and I can enjoy a varied diet maybe my stomach will settle better. I ended up in hospital 4 days after treatment.. I was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer in may. TAXOTERE was first approved for the F.D.A. Its common to lose hair when youre undergoing cancer treatments. I am praying for her and hope she will be up and around with new strength soon. I had terrible diarrhoea because of neutropenia and had 5 days of IV antibiotics. Take pain killers when you need them. For instance, they may continue to work, spend time with family, and exercise. Cannot speak personally here other than as the wife of a hubby who had chemo at the end of 2012 and was equally 'lousy' with all the side effects. Your labs will be closely monitored prior to each dose of docetaxel and the dose may be decreased or held if your liver function is not normal. If you feel unwell or have any of these signs, tell them straight away. Each course of chemotherapy lasts for 8 weeks. Have had one cycle of that and have the second next week. Taxotere is part of a family of drugs known as taxanes that work by preventing cell growth. As grumpy has already said there are many pills/potions they can introduce to help combat side effects - my hubby still has to take medicine to combat bowel problems due to the coctail of painkillers he is now on. Then i stared my 4 doses of docetaxel. Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment and is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that is not usually relieved by rest. Pain starts on day 3 and lasts 6 days. The Docetaxel/Taxotere is the drug causing this nasty side effect. All rights reserved. Docetaxel works by disrupting the microtubular network in cells, which is essential for cell division and other normal cellular functions. And there is no normal feeling throughout the 3 weeks. You make a good point about teeth, my whole jaw and mouth was aching and was feeling on edge, I have lots of mouth meds to help protect them but need to be vigilant. If you experience nausea, lack of appetite, or other eating problems, discuss solutions with your doctor or nurse navigator. Drugmakers developed it from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree, and researchers sometimes refer to it as a plant alkaloid. (I too read somewhere that grapefruit can make the side-effects of the drug worse). 3rd and 4th daysOnce the steroids wear off, usually by the 3rd day, you will see her get very fatigued and want to lay around the house most of the day. If we can get through this we can face anything. Premedication is required with Docetaxel. Fatigue. Please. Performing regular mouth care can help prevent or manage mouth sores. After the first one, I went back to work on Tuesday, and I realized I had been walking around in a fog all day. Call your healthcare provider if you do not urinate for more than 12 hours, experience shortness of breath, have an unexpected weight gain, or develop swelling in your hands, feet, ankles or legs. You are not alone in this. Taxotere injections can cause your white blood cell levels to plummet. For cycle 2 I used a great mouthwash - Difflam and have had no sore mouth problems since. Docetaxel belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). I was diagnosed in Feb 2013 and had a rt mastectomy op in March. Using unprocessed Doc and both nanoparticles, PRINT-Doc-80300 and PRINT-Doc-200200, Chu et al. Hope you are well now too. Everyone is different in their reaction, however. Platelets help your blood clot, so when the count is low you are at a higher risk of bleeding. The taste improved just before the next treatment. Hope we get a good July and August to compensate for the months we missed on the sofa. Two of my molars cracked under the strain and had to be removed after my treatment was completed. Many people lose alltheir body hair, including their eyebrows and eyelashes. Except she would always end up in hospital as her temp would spike along with the joint pains. (Sarcoma, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Stage 3, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma [UPS]). Avoid any food that you think smells or tastes bad. Taxotere is a part of many peoples cancer journey. It helps with pain so uncomfortable in spasms but endurable if I dont climb too many stairs with lead legs, It may have helped the mouth too, the stronger dose did make me reach for the bonjella where moments before was ok. 10 days of horrible tastes and softer foods has been hard. My last infusion was in December. Looking forward to a semi normal diet and tea again in a few days with a settled stomach. However, our monthly flat rate of just $49 per medication . I was tired and took naps on my days off. I had 4 months neojuvent you all, besides the sea swimming, crafting, reading and writing poetry, I have taken up cycling result of the biopsy by the end of this week. I had four rounds of Herceptin, Carboplatin, and Taxotere. The month of October 2008 was one of the worst in New York Stock Exchange history, with three of the top 10 largest single-day drops ever recorded during the month. No wonder you were dreading it. My GP has just upped the antibacterial and anti fungal meds to double strength to hopefully help clear the thrush. Docetaxel can cause a dose-related reversible sensory neuropathy. I just had my first Docetaxal dose over a week ago.. Have you rang your chemo hotline? Thinking of you and your family, best wishes. Dragged myself to picc line clean at hospital.bad mistake, will have district nurse call next time. You should not drive after the infusion until you know how it will affect you. Hopefully this will continue for the last 2 cycles. How Do Postcards Remain Ideal to Use in 2020? A stool softener once or twice a day may prevent constipation. Then I had actual vomiting, first time ever, because the medications have upset my stomach. the feet problems still continues now and I have now lost all toenails and most fingernails - bu the important thing is that they looked great with fuschia Shellac for my wedding day and honeymoon! If any nails fall off, clean the nail bed well with soap and water and cover with a Band-Aid. Taxotere was my aggressive chemo, and it caused the majority of the side effects the hair loss, nausea, all these different things. On Taxol I was comnpletely exhausted on days 2 - 6 and napping/resting did not help at all. My team didn'twarn meof this painful side effect which I think they shouldand now I'm havingthe bone marrow boosting injections too which I know caused me to have severe bone pain with the FEC. We are all stronger than we think and even stronger than we give ourselves credit for! Researchers spent YEARS finding chemotherapy compounds that could attack prostate cancer cells. Tax is bad, next time compounded it might be worse, roll on July! There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of docetaxel. I struggle to drink which I know makes things worse. keep up the good work you have been doing and are still doing. But it was worth it when looking at the larger picture. Doreen D. (Breast Cancer, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2A,Triple Positive). Days 1 & 7, I was tired but could function to some degree - I made it to infusions. So I feel that is a positive thought. Amelia L. (Breast Cancer, IDC, Stage 1, ER+, PR+, HER2-). 1. You should let your doctor or nurse know if you experience any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or pain in your chest. We can get through it! I have the district nurse for the 5 injections following chemo and also the Picc line flushes as not left the house since last chemo, not had the energy. By 2010, the drug had . Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. You don't sound negative, you just sound disheartened that after following all advice you are still suffering and also that you are finding treatment difficult. Patients on the TAXOTERE arm received TAXOTERE (T) 75 mg/m 2 by intravenous infusion on day 1 followed by cisplatin (P) 100 mg/m 2 administered as a 30-minute to three-hour intravenous infusion, followed by the continuous intravenous infusion of fluorouracil (F) 1000 mg/m 2 /day from day 1 to day 4. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs. While receiving treatment, your WBC count can drop, putting you at a higher risk of getting an infection. x, Dolbycat,I was exactly like you,I couldn't eat and was constantly retching at the sight or smell of food,and was also bad with aches like you,sorry to say the eating thing didn't get any easier during my 4 cycles of docetaxl but the aches got easier with the help of ibuprofen and paracetomol but you have to be vigilant and take them regular basis.I would say just make some nutritional soups and eat them but don't expect to enjoy your food for a while.Just resign yourself to the fact that you need to have the poison to kill the cancer and you have to take food even if you can't face it.It does end,I know how you feel,I was exactly the same ,felt like giving up.Ask for plenty of help and keep drinking water.Stay strong,luv Vicky.x, Thank you for helping me to understand. I was advised to take paracetamol (or cocodamol if you can bear it) and ibuprofen together every 4 hours from the third day after you have the chemo until the pain eases off, which for me was about day 10. Nutrition is an important part of your care. While on cancer treatment, and for a period after, you may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue. For prostate cancer, chemo drugs are typically used one at a time. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Furthermore, the overall response rate for docetaxel in the intent-to-treat population (42.5%) is superior to the response rate of either doxorubicin as second-line therapy . I had my first T part last Thursday and I to have struggled with severe tiredness but worst is the pains in my legs and arms. My skin, when I rub my fingers or touch my face, arms, legs etc feels different, almost plastic-y! Sorry for the extended message but reading these chats means I'm not alone and I'm not a hypochondriac (as believe me I've thought it) Make sure she is getting alot of water, eat fruits and vegetables. I am trying to keep focused and positive to get through this. What Are Some Reasons To Buy A Home In Fireside At Desert Ridge? 83 Likes, 0 Comments - Marley Foster (@marley._.foster) on Instagram: "The last few days of school were probably the worst. Alternative therapies can help for relaxation althrough at th emoment i go for the glass of wine cure. Avoid things that may worsen the symptoms, such as heavy or greasy/fatty, spicy or acidic foods (lemons, tomatoes, oranges). I have previously been prescribed mouth wash, gel and drops to no avail this time round. They didnt feel great, but it wasnt bad. You may also need to take your temperature at home during your treatment to stay on top of fevers. I know that treats are not offically a cure but i try and put nice things in the bad days so not everything is about cancer . Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them. I end up with wet pillows at nightnever had that with Tamaxifen or in 50s. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling . I had the FEC-T chemo first, from December 2013 to April 2014. Men initially treated with Taxotere had favorable outcomes compared to those who were initially treated with Novantrone: Median overall survival was 22 months for men treated with Taxotere first and 15 months for those treated with Novantrone first. 4. Because of my oncotype and how small the cancer was, my oncologist wanted to go for TC. I often feel like it's too much and want to give in. Last reply: 8 years ago. Hopefully the extra meds your gp has prescribed will manage the thrush. Saying goodbye to our 8th graders and saying" Two years after the start of treatment, more than 40% of participants in the trial said they still experienced numbness and tingling in their hands or feet, and 10% rated . So far I have been ok on the 2nd cycle just starting to feel the side effects kicking in this evening . I expected it to be tough but it has nearly broken me. 10 year old is self sufficient. Do not use a razor (an electric razor is fine). If red meat is a problem, eat chicken, turkey, eggs, dairy products, and fish without a strong smell. I have finished 4 cycles so far with 4 more to go. Copyright @ 2019 binews.org | All Right Reserved. They have said I don't need to have a scan which I have found strange as I need the reassurance that all is okay and it hasn't gone anywhere else. Hi, Cycle 1 was not too bad - aching legs and joints, lost toe and fingernails, numness in toes, soles of feet and fingertips, sore mouth (had to eat and drink through a straw) and nausea. Severe symptoms are less common but require dose modifications. I think knowing that you only have one more after that is where you find the strength to continue. Got better on Day 6 and got better on Day 7. Take care. Cancer treatment can affect your appetite and, in some cases, the side effects of treatment can make eating difficult. Even if your menstrual cycle stops or you believe you are not producing sperm, you could still be fertile and conceive. TC. Signs of a reaction can include: shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, chest pain, rash, flushing, hives or itching or a decrease in blood pressure. Exposure of an unborn child to this medication could cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant or father a child while on this medication. In the beginning the changes in taste and nausea started about day 4 and lasted about 1 week. Fatigue is very common as a side effect. Really sorry to read that you having such a s---- time with your current chemo treatment. My experience was that how I felt after my following treatments was similar to my reaction after the first treatment. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of DOCEtaxel. Try to get up and about rather than stay in bed - it was better for me to keep as active as I could and just didn't do anything at all on the really low days. It belongs to a drug class called taxanes. Im not an athlete by any means, but I could swim and I could walk. If you are not eating enough, nutritional supplements may help. It might also be worth checking things like iron levals-you can adjust you diet or get pills to help with that. Was 48mu for EC but took 7Tax was 30mu. None worked. The Complete Guide That Makes Choosing an HVAC Company Simple, Best Broome Tours: A Guide to This Australian Charm. When thered cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. She only took that a couple of times. My wonderful wife took me away between chemo and Rads, it was a truly enjoyable break, 5 days in a cabin in the woods (provided free by The Willow Foundation). What To Consider Before Refinancing your Home, 10 Affordable Materials for Home Renovations, 10 Benefits Of Using An Electronic Medical Record, Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Coaching Business Online, Workers Compensation Insurance What You Need to Know Before Purchasing.