Bad Pet Results - Questions!

doh2pa · 02-15-2007, 08:08 AM

Hi Stephanie,

I just finished up seven rounds of tri weekly taxotere for 2 liver mets. I took it along with herceptin. My side effects were hair loss, some neuropathy (tingling in feet mostly), and back and rib pain on the 4th or 5th day after treatment. This was manageable with Tylenol. I also began to get some nail issues after treatment #4. They started to hurt and began to turn white and greyish from the top down. This seems to be getting better now and I did not loose any nails. Also after treatment 4 I started to get excessive tearing in both eyes. This was so annoying, I could not wear my contacts and tears would just stream down my face all day long. This is just beginning to get better and I'm one month out. I took B6 and glutamine and it seemed to keep the neuropathy from getting too bad. I also took steriods the day before and morning of (hate them). No nausea, which was great.

My latest PET was good - no activity and my CAT showed the two spots were much smaller so my Onc is calling this stable and giving me 3 months off - yipppeeee!! So hopefully it will work for you. This was my 3rd round of chemo in as many years and I found this much more tolerable than the other two. So I think it's a good combo to try.

Hang tough - you'll get through this.

Donna

janet/FL · 02-15-2007, 08:26 AM

I fogot to add anything about my finger nails. Don't know if this helped, but I used a bag of frozen peas on each hand to protect my finger nails from the Taxotere. I did not use it when I was just on Herceptin. My nails became soft, while on Herceptin, but I did not lose any nor did they become discolored. I never had good nails to begin with!
I did have male pattern baldness--and eventually as it was growing in after Taxotere, I think I probably lost all my hair, but it is doing very well right now. Thick and curly. Boy I had my fingers crossed on that one!
Janet/FL

Jean · 02-15-2007, 10:46 AM

Stephanie,

I had Taxotere and herceptin. The steroids were difficult as I retained water
and gained weight. Drink water to flush your system. Also the taxotere
can cause neuropathy, which I did get in my toes and balls of my feet.
I just read recently of a new drug that can be taken to avoid this.
Will have to check to find the site. I am now taking Cymbalta for the neuropathy which has helped greatly and I have been told it is not permanent. I have had impovement so am hopefully that in time it will be completley gone. I took meds for the slight nausea. I did feel more tired than usual but it was doable.

Wishing you all the best.....good luck with your treatments.

Regards,
Jean

BethSh · 02-17-2007, 09:38 AM

I just finished 12 Taxol and Herceptin and tolerated both very well. Some leg aches, tingling and near the end some numbness in my hands. I didn't like the steroids because it messed up sleep for the first 2 days.

The weird part is that since finishing the Taxol my legs aches have gotten much worse. It's been 3 weeks and I moan and groan every time I get up. Luckily after moving abit the aches go away.

Take care,
Beth

Stephanie B. · 02-19-2007, 02:50 PM

Thanks for all of the feedback. I saw my onc today and he was pretty optimistic. I will start weekly Taxol along with Herceptin on Wednesday. He seems to think this will get the mets. He will have me do this for two months and do another scan to see how I am doing. He says since I did well on Taxol before he thinks I should do ok again. If this doesn't work he will see what else I can take but he made me feel much better about the outcome.

Thanks again

Stephanie