Forum Discussion

Nadi's avatar
Nadi
Member
10 years ago

Arthritis, TCH chemo and hair loss for Christmas

Hi ladies

It was a tough day yesterday. Hubby and I met with the oncologist to discuss my chemo cocktail. I am starting next week on docetaxel, carboplatin and herceptin just in time for christmas. Walked out of the hospital feeling completely down. Hubby admitted he's finding it tough and overwhelming. He's normally a rock but I so appreciated his honesty as this is not affecting just me but the whole family. I think we are both getting exhausted and chemo hasn't even started yet!!!

I am not getting much sleep, only 2-3 hours a night, thanks to a flare up of osteo arthritis in knees and feet. It's very painful to walk even just around the house. The only things that give me relief from the pain are ice baths and endone but the endone makes me feel so sick that it is hardly worth taking. I am worried that because of my joints I won't be able to get through chemo. I know how docetaxel gives some people joint pain. 

Just wondering if anyone with osteo arthritis has had docetaxel, and if so, did it make joint pain worse? What do people take for pain?

Also, given that my first chemo dose will be on 16 December, when should I shave my hair? I can't remember if they told me how long after the first dose it falls out. I am very grateful to Gillian for the wonderful head scarves that will help me with this. Thanks Gillian!!!

All the best to all

Nadine

 

chemotherapy
hair-loss
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  • Cavemouse's avatar
    Cavemouse
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine, 

    just thought I'd wish you all the best with your chemo.  Hope it all goes well for you .  

    Thinking of you audreyxxx

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    Having chemo in summer there could be a silver lining to all of this. My neighbour down the road had the same treatment last year and she said not a fly or a mosquito or sand fly would touch her the whole time she was on treatment. Fingers crossed it works for us too.

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks for the suggestion Karen. I had not thought of a TENS machine. I think I definitely need to buy one, even if I hand't got BC, as my arthritis is getting worse as I get older. I am only 47 but my bone scan lights up for arthritis like a christmas tree! Thankfully it also shows that the cancer hasn't spread. I think a TENS machine will be a good investment.

    All the best

    Nadine

  • Cook65's avatar
    Cook65
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine

    I also suffer with Arthritis as well as autoimmune pancreatitis.  I was given taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin (TCH). It made me dreadfully ill and they had to change the carboplatin to cyclophosphomide half way through. I had to have neulastin injections as my neutrophils dropped to zero. This caused a great deal of pain in my hips and legs but I was put on large doses of cortisone and this helped. I have a tens machine and it has been a life saver. It cost me $260.00 and was worth every cent. You will get through. It's not pleasant but it's doable. One day at a time and just keep telling yourself short term pain for long term gain. Good luck. Karen xox

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Tracey. I made an appointment with my GP before chemo starts on Wednesday. I'll ask about Targin. Hopefully she'll work with me on a plan to deal with this. Thanks for the suggestion.

    Cheers 

    Nadine

  • JacquiP's avatar
    JacquiP
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine

    i suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have had to come off my mess for this whilst having chemo. I to am on docetaxel (second dose also the 16th). The joint paint and nine pain I suffered the first 2 weeks was very grabbing and would stop me in my tracks. I was taking endone. Good luck to you. Big hug and warm thoughts for you xx

  • Tracey62's avatar
    Tracey62
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadine,

    im so sorry you are going through this difficult time, and yes, it's even harder at Christmas. Someone told me that jewellers always show diamonds against a black backdrop because their beauty shines even brighter against the black. In the same way, those things in our lives that we value are even more precious during this awful time. There is still much to celebrate this Christmas.

    i have debilitating arthritis pain that I usually cycle through Celebrex - you can't take that while on chemo. After 3 rounds of a chemo cocktail with NO joint pain thanks to the steroids, I changed to Docetaxal and the pain was out of control. After days of trying to tough it out my GP put me on Targin which is like slow release Endone mixed with anti-nausea med. I took it for up to a week after each of 3 x Docetaxal. Now that I've finished chemo, I no longer need it. Talk to your team and put a plan in place before you start the chemo, preparation makes all the difference.

    good luck with your treatment next week and remember we are here for you. Sending you a great big hug,

    Tracey ??