Terrible time with Taxotere??

ymryan · 03-23-2010, 10:04 AM

Hi Suzanne,

I have completed 3 cycles of TCH. Following treatment, days 2-6 are the worst for me. I don't have the same level of pain you describe. Instead, I feel much like I have the flu. I am sick to my stomach, my stomach hurts, no foods/drinks are appealing to me, and I have all over body aches and pains (the type where it is hard to get comfortable). My doctor has prescribed me medicine to help with the nausea. However, I cope with the pain by taking ibuprofen and a nap (when my body lets me know I need one). I also make sure I get in a small walk in the morning and in the afternoon (even if all I do is walk to bathroom down the hall instead of the one closest to the sofa). I agree with the others that for some crazy reason movement helps with pain management (at least the pain that I experience). The other thing that I've noticed is that my body does not react the same way with every treatment. I had many more body aches and pains following my 1st treatment than I did with my 2nd and 3rd treatments. Hopefully that gives you some hope.

Best wishes for diminished pain.

Skip · 03-23-2010, 04:49 PM

Suzanne,
My wife is on Taxotere & Herceptin every three weeks, the first treatment she experienced headaches and as she describes "spastic shooting pains that come out of nowhere" all over.

Her 2od treatment was ok, just flue like symptoms and chills.

Third treatment was the worst, bad shooting pains all over, bad headache, chills she was miserable, made 3 trips to the hospital to manage side effects.

It last a few days and then things go back to "normal" a week or so before the next round of treatment.

We think its the Taxotere, but everyone handles treatment a little different.

Hope next time is easer for you

Catherine · 03-23-2010, 08:07 PM

Suzanne,

My chemo was almost 4 years ago. I had the most pain with Taxol (is it the same as Taxotere). It was not half as bad as what you are having. One night, I could barely stand up and I was scared. We called the doctor and she prescribed Decradon (sp) as I recall. I know it was a steroid. Anyway, I know it really helped. I was towards the end of treatment so I only had to take it a few times, but I still remember feeling helped by the drug.

All the best, no fun to hurt, I hope the doctor can get you some relief.

Catherine