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Andrea Barnett Budin · 03-16-2008, 12:41 PM

Tamara, I am in total sympathy re your bathroom drama, including rectal bleeding. And pain!! I developed IBS while on Taxotere. Had a major impact on my life! Big time. I could take 20 Imodium in a day! I reported myself to my onc who asked, after you take all that what happens? I said, I get it under control. He asked, And the next day? I said, I am normal. So he gave me the green light to keep on popping. Then, I learned that 50 mg of Zoloft a day calms my stomach (and me!) enormously! Rarely need Imodium now, and if so, 1 will do!

Also I take Asidophilus Probiotic (friendly bacteia/30 billion viable cells per capsule) 2 X a day every day! LIFE-ALTERING. (Per gastro guy.)

If you have more questions on this terrible topic, ask away. PM me if you want. I have gained control in this area finally and would be happy to share the details with you, Sis...

Take good care of you, Tamara! One issue at a time...
Andi

03-16-2008, 12:41 PM	#6
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Tamara, I am in total sympathy re your bathroom drama, including rectal bleeding. And pain!! I developed IBS while on Taxotere. Had a major impact on my life! Big time. I could take 20 Imodium in a day! I reported myself to my onc who asked, after you take all that what happens? I said, I get it under control. He asked, And the next day? I said, I am normal. So he gave me the green light to keep on popping. Then, I learned that 50 mg of Zoloft a day calms my stomach (and me!) enormously! Rarely need Imodium now, and if so, 1 will do! Also I take Asidophilus Probiotic (friendly bacteia/30 billion viable cells per capsule) 2 X a day every day! LIFE-ALTERING. (Per gastro guy.) If you have more questions on this terrible topic, ask away. PM me if you want. I have gained control in this area finally and would be happy to share the details with you, Sis... Take good care of you, Tamara! One issue at a time... Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...