Helpful hints

Hi Susan

I can't give exact Taxotere advice as I've still 2 FEC to go but....because of my big problem with extremely low neutophils I have had to have extra neupogen and neulasta injections, causing significant bone pain particularly lower back, hips and femurs. My oncologist didn't hesitate to give me endone which in the end I only had to use for 3 doses.

It might be worth asking!!

All the best, Dette xxx

Hi Susan,

I was advised not to take any non steroidral anti inflammatories such as nurofen as they can upset your stomach and chemo might already do that as it did with me. I was luckily enough to be prescribed endone which I only used on day 3 to day 6 of my cycle. If you want to keep pain at bay you can take regular panadol such as 2 tabs four times a day but do not exceed 4000mg in a day. If you are going to take panadeine which also is effective remember this has panadol in it  and can make you constipated. I would wait and see if you get any pain and how bad it is before deciding on anything. You can then talk to your oncologist before your next cycle and discuss options of pain management if needed. I didn't have too much pain and I had an injection called neulasta which caused some bone pain more than the Taxotere. I was really tired and had a horrible taste in my mouth. Try hard not to think about what may happen, easier said than done. Everyone has different side effects and each round of chemo may bring on different side effects also. Just remember to discuss it all with your Oncologist and right down any questions or concerns you may have as not to forget them when you have your next appoinment. Good Luck.

Renata xox

Hi Susan

I have my 2nd Taxotere tomorrow (after 3 x FEC) and I am not looking forward to it.  Just when you are feeling good again you have to go back for more.

For me taxotere was no walk in the park but it was quite manageable with panadol and nurofen plus.  I was quite nervous for my 1st round so I took the chill pill and that helped with the butterlies.  I also had a reaction to it which was very scary but the wonderful oncology nurses got on to it quickly and it all settled within a few minutes.  The side effects kicked in about day 3 - aches and pains in my joints, fatigue, furry mouth, sore nails and sensitive hands.  

This is what I did -

Fatigue - I made no plans for the week and spent a lot of time on the couch watching chick flicks.  I know that's a hard thing for a mother to do but you just have to suck it up and rest, I find if I over do it then I am down and out for longer.  I am lucky as the mum's from my girls school deliver our meals for a week and my mum comes each day to help around the house.  Hubby does all the running around for the kids.  As this was round 4 chemo for me I think the fatigue is getting worse and it is taking longer each time to bounce back.

Bone aches and pains - panadol and nurofen plus was enough, I had no need for anything stronger.  It was like having the flu without the head cold - uncomfortable and miserable for a couple of days but not agony.

Furry mouth - yuck! Heaps of water, strong mints and icypoles helped me.

Sore hands & nails - I cut my nails short and use revitanail.  The soreness does settle week 2 but it is amazing how many times a day you knock your hands on something or catch a nail.  Use gloves when washing dishes.

By week 2 I was out and about again but still careful not to over do it. Then I forgot and last wednesday I was feeling great and did a 4.5 km walk with a friend - not the best choice as was wrecked for the rest of the day.  This time I am planning short walks more often instead of doing it all in one go.

Stay warm - I'm in Melbourne so tend to hibernate at the moment - hate to think what my heating bill will be!

Take Care and good luck

Ann-Marie

 

Hi Susan

I have my 2nd Taxotere tomorrow (after 3 x FEC) and I am not looking forward to it.  Just when you are feeling good again you have to go back for more.

For me taxotere was no walk in the park but it was quite manageable with panadol and nurofen plus.  I was quite nervous for my 1st round so I took the chill pill and that helped with the butterlies.  I also had a reaction to it which was very scary but the wonderful oncology nurses got on to it quickly and it all settled within a few minutes.  The side effects kicked in about day 3 - aches and pains in my joints, fatigue, furry mouth, sore nails and sensitive hands.  

This is what I did -

Fatigue - I made no plans for the week and spent a lot of time on the couch watching chick flicks.  I know that's a hard thing for a mother to do but you just have to suck it up and rest, I find if I over do it then I am down and out for longer.  I am lucky as the mum's from my girls school deliver our meals for a week and my mum comes each day to help around the house.  Hubby does all the running around for the kids.  As this was round 4 chemo for me I think the fatigue is getting worse and it is taking longer each time to bounce back.

Bone aches and pains - panadol and nurofen plus was enough, I had no need for anything stronger.  It was like having the flu without the head cold - uncomfortable and miserable for a couple of days but not agony.

Furry mouth - yuck! Heaps of water, strong mints and icypoles helped me.

Sore hands & nails - I cut my nails short and use revitanail.  The soreness does settle week 2 but it is amazing how many times a day you knock your hands on something or catch a nail.  Use gloves when washing dishes.

By week 2 I was out and about again but still careful not to over do it. Then I forgot and last wednesday I was feeling great and did a 4.5 km walk with a friend - not the best choice as was wrecked for the rest of the day.  This time I am planning short walks more often instead of doing it all in one go.

Stay warm - I'm in Melbourne so tend to hibernate at the moment - hate to think what my heating bill will be!

Take Care and good luck

Ann-Marie

 

Hi Susan

I had taxotere which was horrible, but not as terrible as I thought.  My first chemo was the worst but every single symptom I had was addressed promptly and subsequent sessions were much, much better.  There were alot of drugs involved to combat the chemo drugs and you feel like you're on a roundabout but I knew it was what I needed to do to get through it.  I asked alot of questions about the drugs and also why I couldn't have others like the pain killers etc and once it was explained to me I found that I calmed down.  I too suffered headaches and joint aches but nothing was permanent and a 4 hourly regime of Panadol works extremely well, as it turned out! 

Take all the advice you can - you will still be able to filter out the good from the not so good and do what you need to do to get through it.  All the very best to you - I know you've probably heard it before but try to go with the flow for now - it'll make the process alot less stressful.  Believe me, I wish I had from the start!!  :)

Hi Susan

I had taxotere which was horrible, but not as terrible as I thought.  My first chemo was the worst but every single symptom I had was addressed promptly and subsequent sessions were much, much better.  There were alot of drugs involved to combat the chemo drugs and you feel like you're on a roundabout but I knew it was what I needed to do to get through it.  I asked alot of questions about the drugs and also why I couldn't have others like the pain killers etc and once it was explained to me I found that I calmed down.  I too suffered headaches and joint aches but nothing was permanent and a 4 hourly regime of Panadol works extremely well, as it turned out! 

Take all the advice you can - you will still be able to filter out the good from the not so good and do what you need to do to get through it.  All the very best to you - I know you've probably heard it before but try to go with the flow for now - it'll make the process alot less stressful.  Believe me, I wish I had from the start!!  :)

Hey there Al,  I know how you feel....but we have different types of cancers mine is a triple negitive which means it doesn't feed off the horemones and its a nast little mean bastard that comes back much sooner than later if you don't have the chemo.  I only have my own family here with me & my husband works offshore and has 2 week on & 2 off but he's been here with me since I was diagnosed thank goodness & with be here for my 1st chemo as well but he will have to go back to work not long after my chemo dose, he's used up 2 years worth of holidays by staying with me but I'm guessing he's thinking thats a small sacrifice to make.  :-)

Try to stay as positive as can be ( God know's thats easier said than done!)

I'll be thinking of you on Friday as you embark on this dreadful journey.

Brightest Blessings, Susan xxx

Hey there Al,  I know how you feel....but we have different types of cancers mine is a triple negitive which means it doesn't feed off the horemones and its a nast little mean bastard that comes back much sooner than later if you don't have the chemo.  I only have my own family here with me & my husband works offshore and has 2 week on & 2 off but he's been here with me since I was diagnosed thank goodness & with be here for my 1st chemo as well but he will have to go back to work not long after my chemo dose, he's used up 2 years worth of holidays by staying with me but I'm guessing he's thinking thats a small sacrifice to make.  :-)

Try to stay as positive as can be ( God know's thats easier said than done!)

I'll be thinking of you on Friday as you embark on this dreadful journey.

Brightest Blessings, Susan xxx

I had to take panadiene around day 4.I had the most awful headache and bone/muscle pains.I think I stayed in bed for about 3 days-it's a blur now.But the panadiene helped.I didn't vomit but rather lost my appetite and food tasted weird.My mouth felt like it was lined in fur.I could only eat vegie soup,crackers,lemon cordial and lemonade iceblocks.Taxotere is abit harder on your white cells so you have to stay away from crowds/germs.Be very diligent with mouth care.If you get anxious when you get to the onc unit you can always ask for a "calm you down "pill.It helped me -no medals get handed out for bravery there!!

                                   Tonya xx