Tch Side Effects

Laurieanne · 08-24-2008, 02:58 PM

Hi Everyone,
I'm twelve days out from my first Taxotere,
Carboplatin, Herceptin and I'm totally exhausted.
I went to the grocery store came home and couldn't
even make dinner until I took a nap.
Is this normal? I thought I should have some
strength back by now.
I'm also on Herceptin on my in between weeks. I
was hoping to get back to work soon. Now I'm getting
worried about that. We need my income to make ends meet.
Thanks , Laurie

Chelee · 08-24-2008, 03:33 PM

Laurie, I did TCH and all I can speak from is my personal experience with it. Everyone reacts a bit differently from these drugs. One thing that seems to be pretty common is after infusion its usually the 3rd day when it hits you. So you always want to make sure you take your pre-meds for nausea even if you think you will be ok.

I think what your feeling right now after 12 days is very normal. I felt kind of bad from that 3rd day I mentioned until about one week before my next scheduled infusion. It was so hard for me to do anything...I was so tired all the time...weak and exhausted. I napped and layed down much of the time. It was an effort for me to feed the dogs...so don't be hard on yourself.

I will tell you that I thought each infusion would get worse and actually around the 4th one things got better for me. Maybe my body adjusted some what to it. I still felt tired but was able to do more then before. But I do know alot of women on these boards worked through their entire treatment. God bless them. I don't know how they did it. Talk about warrior women. So give yourself some time...take one day at a time and see how it goes. If you have to work talk to your boss and see if he/she will work with you. If there are any other questions I can help you with let me know. There are others here that will reply...several have done TCH. Jean did TCH and worked through her treatment...I'm sure she will be along soon and will be happy to reply. Hang in there.

Chelee

Laurieanne · 08-24-2008, 03:44 PM

Chelee,
I also feel really hot. Not feverish just a burning
kind of feeling on my face and head. I was wondering
if it's something I should worry about.
Sorry to be a pain, maybe I'm worring to much!
Laurie

Alice · 08-24-2008, 04:26 PM

I also seemed to be very tired on the TCH. My rounds came after 4 rounds of adramiacin/cytoxin and one other that I can't remember (chemo brain). I thought that it was after affects of the A/C. I wasn't able to work all through treatment but I know people that were. I think we all react in individual ways. I also felt flushed especially the first couple of days after infusion. Not like a fever but just similar to a hot flash that didn't go away in a few minuets. Good luck, I'm sure you will do fine.
Alice

BonnieR · 08-24-2008, 05:09 PM

Laurie, you are not being a "pain". Don't ever think that.

You might be more tired because you are doing more now that it has been several days? Pushing yourself a little harder??
Heck, I just came home from the grocery feeling worn out and I finished treatment last month!
I hope you will ask your doctor about your concerns. (you will not be "a pain"!)

Sherryg683 · 08-24-2008, 05:50 PM

The taxotere will produce that "fever" feeling. I had it everytime after infusion. Don't try to be superwoman, listen to your body and rest if you need to...sherryg683

Chelee · 08-24-2008, 06:06 PM

Laurie, As Bonnie already said, your not being a pain...we are all hear for you. You would not believe all the things I worried about while going through chemo. My husband worked gravyard so I was alone at night and I admit I would get scared being by myself when I first started my infusions. I would constantly check my temp because they said to make sure I didn't run a fever & I always felt a bit on the warm side. That might be what your feeling?

I also ended up with a really red face...not from the steroids they give you. They think it might of been the taxotere. My face was fire engine red at times and felt cooked. I had to put a cold cloth on it to cool it down. That burning type of feeling your having sounds just like what I had. Alot of this is overwhelming because you don't know what to expect and what's normal so sometimes you can get a bit of anxiety over it. (Well I did!). Just make sure to always check in with your onc or chemo nurse if your worried about something that doesn't seem right. For me my chemo nurse was my angel.

But I did feel warm alot of the time. I would feel like I was going to get a fever but never quite made it there. Don't be surprised if you lose your appetite and get an awful taste in your mouth. I believe that's from the carbpotin. I found it very difficult to eat while doing TCH...I lost a total of 35 lbs. Make sure you keep hydrated. Drink as much water as possible...it helps. If water gets to tasting too bad find something else...but you need liquids. You will probably start feeling better in about 3 days. I always felt good about a week before it was time to go back for my next infusion. Just try to take it easy and take care of yourself. Be good to yourself and let others help you right now. It's not easy but you will get through this.
Hang in there and don't hesitate to ask me anything that's on your mind.

Chelee