First TCH treatment - abdominal pain

vlcarr · 10-20-2009, 09:41 AM

Hello everyone,

I had my first Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin treatment last Thursday. I really didn't feel bad until Monday.

I've had nausea but the meds are taking care of that. However, I started having abdominal pain on Sunday and it just does not want to stop. I've had 3 bouts of diarrhea but not in a 24 hour period and I'm taking Immodium as needed for that.

I felt the worst of all yesterday and my stomach hurt all day and just rolls and makes all kinds of noises. It's like a constant stomach ache. I noticed in the drug info I was given that abdominal pain is a side effect of the Carbo and wondered if any of you had experienced that and if you have any suggestions on what I could do.

It seems I'm having a delayed time period before I feel bad as most of the posts I've read say that you guys felt bad the first 3 days and I didn't feel bad during that time.

Also, wanted to share that during my infusion I did not react to the Taxotere but when they started the Carbo I coughed and coughed for about an hour but it finally stopped.

My dr gives the steroids during infusion so I don't take any orally the day before or after.

Thank you all for being there!

Mary Anne in TX · 10-20-2009, 09:50 AM

Hey girl!
I did Taxotere with Adriamycn, but I did do Taxol, Carboplatin and Herceptin. It hit me on the 3rd day and lasted a couple of days. I had the stomach stuff too, but it went away about the 5th or 6th day and I began to get better and better. I felt good the week before the next treatment, so I planned all my "have toos" during that time.
This won't last forever and just remember those darn ol' cancer cells are screaming their heads off!!! ma

schoolteacher · 10-20-2009, 12:38 PM

Vicky,

I had a hard time with my stomach also from the lst infustion of the Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin. I had my infusion on Thursday, and by Friday afternoon, my stomach hurt, and I had diarrhea. I did not do this with the other treatments. Hopefully, you won't either.

Amelia

BonnieR · 10-20-2009, 01:31 PM

I did not feel bad until about the third day after chemo either. I think that is pretty "normal". In fact, I was fairly wound up the first day after due to the steriods in the IV.

vlcarr · 10-20-2009, 03:57 PM

Thanks to you all. I called my dr and she wants me to come in tomorrow just to check it out since the pain has been constant since Sunday. I had called to asked if I could take Pepto and she said I could.

Hopefully it will be better by tomorrow. Amelia, I also hope I don't have it with the others! Go to sleep with it and wake up with it.

She also told me to double up on my Nexium which I've taken for years, although this doesn't feel like acid reflux.

Again, thank you all for replying.

DanaRT · 10-20-2009, 04:07 PM

Well, darn, the stomach pain. I sure hope it settle down for you. I cycled through constipation and diarrhea with every treatment. I could almost count on the way I would feel.

Feel better soon, Vicky. Rest and don't expect too much of yourself. Float on all this positive energy we are sending.

Love,
Dana

Laurel · 10-20-2009, 05:19 PM

I always recommend quality probiotics. They really help the GI tract during chemo. I learned this after chemo, of course! Hoping you find relief.

Jean · 10-20-2009, 10:03 PM

Dear Vicky,
I had the TCH treatment. I think that what you eat will be very important while on treatment. Are you having yogurt? I would have at least two a day and I think it helped in many ways. Stomach wise and the natural bacteria kept my mouth healthy and free from mouth sores.

Brown rice and steamed veggies ...with chicken will give you the protein you need and the brown rice with veggies will be easy on your tummy and intestinal tract.

Don't lose heart....you already have one treatment down. I remember when I had round 3 I asked myself how will I ever get through to the rest of them? But we do and you will look back on this years from now and have to force yourself to remember each treatment round....I promise that to you. It will fade we don't think so as it happens. But you will be glad that you hit it hard with the TCH treatment.

Keeping you in my prayers for strength and peace of mind.

Best wishes,
Jean

harrie · 10-21-2009, 12:16 AM

I would have my TCH on Fri and wouldn't really feel effects until Sunday. I never did have stomach pains, but I am wondering if chicken soup with rice in it might make it feel better. Jean's idea of yogurt sounds good to help with the bacterial balance.
Another thing, by oncologist's regiment with the steroids (Decadron) was to take the day before, day of tx, and the day following.

vlcarr · 10-21-2009, 02:08 PM

Thank you all so much for your advice and sharing your experiences. Wanted to let you all know that I had my appt today with the onc and just as I already knew, it's all part of chemo. I just seem to be getting hit really hard with the stomach issues.

My stomach has been constantly hurting since Sunday and even when I have diarr it doesn't make it feel better. I thought it was getting better today but flared back up again. I ate chicken broth last night but it just ran right through me.

Jean, I've been trying to eat yogurt (probably not enough) but will take your advice and get it down as I think it will help.

My onc asked me a lot of questions about the stomach pain and did an exam. It seemed she wanted to rule out something, and did, but I felt too bad to ask what it was! I'm glad she wanted to see me--made me feel like she will be on top of things.

I now have a patch for nausea if I need it, as the Zefron 3 times a day wasn't always doing the trick. She also gave me Dicyclomine for stomach spams and some low dose Loritab. She saw some indication that mouth sores were next. I got those on Tykerb, and since my throat has been hurting I was afraid they were coming.

My husband asked my onc to look at my mastectomy scar (I thought it was ok) but turns out it's not. My onc called my surgeon on her cell phone (how cool was that?) and told her what was going on. Seems it's not healing like it should and I have to put neos ointment on it until the black falls off. She said it would come off and have to heal back up again but it should be fine. Of course, the chemo is not helping the healing process.

With all that said, my problems seem nothing to what some of you brave warriors are dealing with right now.

I keep thinking how can I whine when so many of you are dealing with cancer again and again. You are such an inspiration to me and your posts give me courage.

I need that strength and courage now because I sure have been having a pity party the past couple of days, and wondering if I will ever make it through 5 more of these treatments.

Love to you all and I will "Put on my big girl panties and deal with it"

harrie · 10-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Vicky, be sure to stay on top of that issue with your mastectomy scar and your WBC count shown on your labs. What you don't want to occur is a very low WBC and an infection on your scar area.

harrie · 11-12-2009, 12:20 AM

Vicky, have you had tx #2 yet? If so, hows the stomach issue?
Maryanne

DanaRT · 11-12-2009, 04:06 AM

Vicky,

I too am wondering how you are doing? I am thinking it is probably a week or so after your second treatment. Hope everything is OK.

Love,
Dana

margiermc · 11-12-2009, 07:42 AM

Hi, I had TCH for 6 rounds. I followed the American Cancer Society, nutrition, during treatment. Drink lots of water day before and after treatment, hydrate yourself.
Eat or drink any kind of protein. Avoid fresh fruit and veg. as this may cause your blood count to go down. Wash hands well, stay away from people with the germs. Plenty of rest and when you feel up to it, try to walk, even if its in your own house, this helps circulation.

Best wishes, you will do well
margie