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11-07-2008, 08:17 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 327
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Taxoere negative reaction
Hi all,
Thanks for the good wishes for the first treatment. Part of it went well; my body accepted the Herceptin just fine. I got an hour between the Herceptin and the Taxotere.
However, when they began to infuse the Taxotere, within 5-10 minutes I had a reaction, squeezing tightness in the chest and flushed face, along with some minor pain down along my back. They immediately stopped the infusion and gave me 50mg Benadryl IV which stopped all the symptoms. The onc nurse said that if the reaction had happened later on they would have continued but not with such an immediate negative reaction.
I still have swelling, tho slight, in my face and systemically even though the Taxotere was given about 2 PM YESTERDAY. I just called the nurse hotline and they told me to take more Benadryl which the doctor didn't even suggest.....
So, now I have to be admitted to hospital next week and let the honcho doctor, who didn't do the infusion but is advising the doctor/nurses closer to where I live (the ones who gave me my first treatment yesterday) about administering the drugs (TCH). I live a full day away from Vancouver where the honcho doc is so that is why I didn't have the first treatment there. However, due to this complication the honcho doctor wants to try the TCH again.....at a major hospital where she can monitor the reactions. I am not sure about this....I guess she can pump me up with cortisteroids or whatever to lessen the effects of the TCH or switch to something else. Is that possible?
This is a real bummer. Now I am another week behind on treatments, except for the Herceptin. Has anyone else had a reaction to Taxotere and found a way to still continue it? I took all of my Dexamethazones as prescribed, and didn't feel hyper...maybe it didn't work?
Also I have no reaction from the Herceptin at all, unless being tired and having heartburn counts. No flu like feelings or aches/pains. Is that unusual?
Diannes.....
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11-08-2008, 04:33 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Dianne
i am so sorry you had a reaction to the Taxotere...just wondering why you are not getting the Taxotere first before the herceptin...and are they giving you steroids before the treatment...I am on Taxol with Herceptin, and I get Steroids and Benedryl through my port before they start the Taxol EVERY TIME to prevent an allergic reaction. And if you are getting the Carboplatin also, you can react to that....they just want you in a safe environment before the next treatment, but make sure you are getting steroids before!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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11-08-2008, 01:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 347
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dex and amoxi
I agree. I'm on TCH and they always start with Benedryl (Amoxi) IV through my port, then a whole bag of dexamethasone (steroids) even though I take dex pills the night before and morning of. Then they do taxotere, then carboplatin, then herceptin. A little saline comes at the beginning and end of the whole thing. Sounds like you could use more premeds.
__________________
"Dancers Against Cancer" in the Eugene, OR Komen Race for the Cure 2010
Diagnosed 8/7/08 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, micropapillary pattern, Her2 3+, ER+,PR-, grade II, positive lymph nodes.
Received 6doses of Taxotere, Carboplatin with Herceptin continuing for a year...DONE.
1/28/09 Left Modified Radical Mastectomy, Right Simple Mastectomy.
Surgery pathology: No invasive carcinoma present and 17 lymph nodes removed all negative! Only small amount of carcinoma in situ in left breast.
March/April '09, Radiation to left chest wall.
Currently involved in Neratinib clinical trial.
"Well being I won
and wisdom too,
I grew and joyed in my growth;
from a word to a word
I was led to a word
from a deed to another deed." (Odin)
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11-08-2008, 06:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 327
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I was told to take the dexamethazone the day before and two tabs the day of treatment, which is what I did. I have no idea why they didn't give me benedryl until AFTER the reaction, and no, I didn't get additional dexa during the Taxotere. I wasn't told to take benedryl tabs until last night when I called the nurse hotline to ask why my face was still a bit swollen. The 25mg I took last night took care of anymore swelling.
I do have a question, though. I am having a bit of a problem with diarrhea (just took one Immodium today after speaking to the cancer center) but is diarrhea something that happens after the first Herceptin? Is this something I'll have throughout treatment?
I do feel a bit chilly and tired today but don't know if that's from the few minutes of Taxotere or Herceptin. What do you guys think? Also, do most of you feel ok after the initial Herceptin? My heart feels like it's working a bit harder, but maybe that's my imagination.
I appreciate your feedback. I'm glad that the chief onc will be doing the next treatment.
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11-08-2008, 06:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 154
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I had the same reaction on my second round of Taxotere. The also stopped the infusion and gave me more Benadryl and saline. About 30 mins later they started it again but only at a slower pace, and I was fine after that. On the next treatments they slowed the infusion down and I never had another reaction. I know that is a real scary feeling when it happens and I'm sorry that you had to go through it. The bright side is that you might not have a reaction the next time!
I hope this helps and good luck to you!
__________________
Diagnosis and Treatment: DX 12/07/07
Male Diagnosed with DCIS at age 39
Mastectomy on right breast
Tumor Stage pt1b NO MO
DCIS Tumor size 1.5 x 1.x .6cm
Infiltration tumor size .25X.17 cm
Bloom-Richardson Grade 3(score 8)
Nuclear Grade 3 with comedo necrosis
Estrogen+/Progestrone+/HER-2/Neu +++
FISH ratio 4.31
Lymph node removal scheduled 1/07/08
17 nodes tested and all negative 1/08/08
Started Tamoxifin 1/29/08
Oncotype DX score 52 (off the charts, according to my onc!!!)
Starting TCH 3/14/08
BRCA I Positive BRCA II Negative
Finished TC 6/27/08 continue Herceptin
8/1/08 Herceptin stopped due to low Muga score
Mastectomy on left breast 11/10/08
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11-08-2008, 07:07 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 347
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reaction
chills and tightness in your chest I've heard can be reactions to herceptin and benedryl should help. I'm glad you're going somewhere else for the next treatment, too. I think you need premeds (benedryl and dex) and more monitoring during treatment. Don't be afraid to tell the nurses and doctors anything and everything you're feeling or thinking. They don't always know everything.
Stay calm, get your rest. This can all be overwhelming mentally and emotionally as much as physically. Stay confident, and you'll do fine. There are many solutions to every problem, sometimes it just takes a while to find the right one.
Celeste
__________________
"Dancers Against Cancer" in the Eugene, OR Komen Race for the Cure 2010
Diagnosed 8/7/08 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, micropapillary pattern, Her2 3+, ER+,PR-, grade II, positive lymph nodes.
Received 6doses of Taxotere, Carboplatin with Herceptin continuing for a year...DONE.
1/28/09 Left Modified Radical Mastectomy, Right Simple Mastectomy.
Surgery pathology: No invasive carcinoma present and 17 lymph nodes removed all negative! Only small amount of carcinoma in situ in left breast.
March/April '09, Radiation to left chest wall.
Currently involved in Neratinib clinical trial.
"Well being I won
and wisdom too,
I grew and joyed in my growth;
from a word to a word
I was led to a word
from a deed to another deed." (Odin)
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11-10-2008, 02:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne Victoria
Australia
Posts: 330
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This reaction happened to me with taxotere. It was scary..but the next time they did more premeds and it went OK. Hang in there!
Jackie (down under)
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11-10-2008, 08:26 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Avilla, Indiana
Posts: 261
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DianneS,
I am wondering too why the taxotere wasn't given before the Herceptin. I took steroids (Decadron) in pill form the day before treatment, the day of and the day after. At the chemo session I was given Aloxi for nausea, more decadron and then Taxotere, Carboplatin and last Herceptin. The first session was very long as they gave each drug very slowly. After that they could speed it up. My face would be flushed after treatment. I called it my Taxotere Tan.
Good Luck and best wishes.
__________________
-Dana-
]
Diagnosed - Nov. 2, 2007 at 45
Lumpectomy - Nov. 13, 2007
Tumor 1.2 cm
Stage 1 Grade 3
ER/PR - Her2 +++ (3.8)
Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin- 6 rounds
Neulasta
Radiation 33 treatments - will be done 6/6/08
Herceptin through 12/08
12/07 MUGA 61%, 4/08 MUGA 60%, 7/08 MUGA 64%
three wonderful daughters, a terrific husband,
Life is Good
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11-11-2008, 02:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Posts: 48
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Dianne - I get Benadryl, dexamethasone, aloxi and atavan before every treatment in pre-med infusions. I also take dexamethasone the day before and the day after and emend the day of and for 2 days after treatment. Also, my onc slowed the speed of the infusion of carboplatin and taxotere when my neuropathy became problematic. I have no reaction to herceptin only treatments, only fatique. Hang in there.
Rebecca
__________________
Dx June 2008, Age 44
Mother Dx age 54, deceased
1.2 cm tumor right breast, grade 3, ER 4+; PR 3+
HER2 +, invasive ductal carcinoma
Quadrantectomy right on 7/30/08
Path report, all 3 nodes taken were clear!!!!!!
Lymphatic/vascular invasion and sent out BRCA testing
Port in on 9/2/08. Chemo began 9/3/08. TCH (MUGA wrong - echocardiogram says 65% cardiac MRI 59% 9/10/98 elevated liver enzymes, PET scan 9/16/08 all clear.
TC ended 12/17/08
Port blood clot and hosp. 1/2/09
radiation begins 1/8/09
BRCA testing done - results NEGATIVE!
cardiologist said go back to coreg as it helps counteract heart effects of herceptin and slowly increase dosage - now 40mg daily.
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11-12-2008, 07:05 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Encinitas, CA
Posts: 1
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Hi there! Like Duga35, initially I had a negative reaction to the Taxotere exactly like the one you described. They stopped the infusion and initated the saline and benadryl and then started the taxotere again at a slower pace. My subsequent treatments were administered at a slower pace and I never had another negative reaction - however, as a result of slowing down the taxotere, my treatment took a lot longer!
Good luck with your treatment! Kathryn
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11-12-2008, 07:33 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 327
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Hi ladies,
Thanks for your input.
My onc called today who will be doing the next infusion at the Vancouver Cancer Centre. She said that when infusing Doxetaxel (spelling?) you do not get pre meds. I think there is some infusion confusion about taxanes; there are several different types of taxanes apparently, doxetaxal is one. She is going to try another drug from the taxane family on me Tues. when I will be admitted overnight after the infusion for observation. She said I may just be allergic to taxanes but wants to try another type again before we think about switching to AC.
I also read an article written by her, Dr. Gelmon, on how long to wait for treatment after dx. Looks like 12 weeks is about the limit and that will be the end of Nov. for me, so I am stressing about getting something going!
I'm glad they did the Herceptin first or I wouldn't have gotten even that. I don't have any side effects from that, apparently, and hope I get another dose Tues.
PLease, need your prayers that the taxanes will work for me this time around. There is so much power in prayers.
Wishing you all well,
Diannes
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