TCH weekly?

[atdec05]

Hi all,

Anyone done or is doing TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin) weekly? My 2nd opinion is recommending I do 12 weekly TCH for a local recurrence after mastectomy. I previously did AC+Herceptin.

Any opinions on whether that's easier to take than 6 TCH (which is what most women here seem to have done). Will I loose all my hair? Any side effects and ways to avoid them? I've heard of taking Glucosamine.

Anyone done Abraxane instead of Taxtoere?

thanks for any info,
Anna

[Jean]

Anna,
Just left you a post...
I had TCH...but not weekly, it was every three weeks. Maybe your dr.
is thinking that since this is a recurrance he wants to be more aggressive.
I cannot advise how the effect will be weekly. But, on the every 3 wks
it is very doable. The first two were rather uneventful, the third was
a rough, (as the treatments are accumulative) in comparision to the first two.
Then it leveled out with the 4,5,6th...very tired and requiring additional
day to rebound. But Anna, you will rebound!

Yes, you will have what I call "A NO HAIR Day" so get a wig or whatever feel
comfortable for you. Bad taste will also be present on the treatment.
For me it was a metal taste (which most of the ladies say they had also)
especially on my salads. Sweet foods tasted strange also. I did enjoy
cold foods such as ice-cream, sherber or yougart. I would guess the
cold effected the taste buds in a good way.

If you have any additional questions just reach out. Wishing you
the all the best in your treatment choice. I think the TCH will
be positive for you.

Let me know how you are doing.
Hugs,
Jean

[atdec05]

Thanks for the reply, Jean.

The 'metalic' test I remember from the AC. Maybe this means I'll lose the extra 10 lbs. I gained on the Herceptin.

I have a wig from my first chemo, but it was based on my old hair style - thin & straight. My new hair is thick & wavy. So I may look for a different wig. I didn't mind going without in the house, but my kids liked me better with the wig :-)

I think the 12-weeks is suppose to be easier - smaller dose each week. I've heard the transfusion time for TCH is long because of the Taxotere. How long did each of your treatments take?

I've read some scary things about the taxotere (not that AC was that easy), so it's nice to hear from people who have gotten through it.

- Anna

[Jean]

Anna,
The actual infusion time is one hour for each T and C then herceptin was
1.5 hrs, each given separately. Since you had chemo before you know the
delays and waiting for meds to come from the pharmacy (unless you are
at a private office) But it always took longer by the time the entire process was complete. For me I never got out before 5 hours. Take a good book!

The taxotere could effect your fingers or toes with neuropathy. I did have this happen with my toes. Taking vit.B6 helps this. Hopefully this will not happen to you (it does not always happen) ask your onc if there is any med he can give to avoid this before you start treatment, I remember reading somewhere there is a new med out that is being used to avoid this. I will go through my files and try to find it and will update you. There is an old stand by that my onc. gave me and it takes weeks to kick in and it never worked so I stopped taking it after it after 3 months.

Sorry to say I did gain weight on TC but as soon as i stopped I dropped the
weight. The steroids that are taken one day prior and two days after
cause the weight gain and also will interrupt your sleep. (you may also
need something to help you sleep) but by the fourth day it settles down.
Drink water and keep yourself hydrated.

Stay in touch and let me know how you are doing....the TCH combo
is a good one and I am sure this time it will kick the butt out of those nasty
little cells and they will be gone soon enough.

Sending you all good wishes and prayers.
Hugs,
Jean

[Melinda]

Hi Ann,
I am in the same boat as Jean was so I can t speak about the weekly chemo, but TCH is a doable thing, (SO FAR) more so from what I hear than the AC.
I even asked to have dose dense with TCH but my onc would not consider it. I have had two treatments so far and the biggest problem I have had to contend with is lack of sleep from the steroids, ativan has cured that, and that darn metal taste in my mouth. Treatments take me 41/2 hours and that is private practice. I get a Neulasta shot for WBC the next day and that is what really wears by butt out for two days after chemo. The hair is falling,(day 25) and the usual nausua is be beaten with Zofran or Tigan. That and buying stock in Imodium after the steroids wear off.
Jean bless her soul has been a tremndous support to me and I am sure to many more. Thank you again Jean if you see this. There is a thread for more TCH side effects in the beginning of March or so thaat you may want to read. Hoep all goes well, Keep the faith.
MElinda

[chrisy]

Anna,

I had close, but not exactly...

I had weekly TCH but with Taxol, not taxotere. I was fortunate and found it VERY easy. I think because of the weekly (lower) doses, it may be easier. I also had the "no hair day", which was distressing primarily as a visual reminder that all was not normal!

Don't count on losing that 10 lbs; I gained on that chemo due to the premeds (steroids). Try to keep active as much as you are able! You may also be able to get the steroid dose reduced after you know how you react.

One tip on the taxotere, the ladies at who were getting taxotere put bags of frozen peas on their hands and feet during the taxotere infusion, presumably this protects the nailbeds. At our doctor's office, they had a freezer just for folks to store their frozen peas!

You will do just fine, good luck!
Chris

[atdec05]

Hi Chrisy,

Thanks for the frozen peas tip. I had heard about ice, but I was thinking that would be messy after a while. Why did just the ladies getting Taxotere use the pea bags? Doesn't Taxol also damage the nails?

- Anna

[Vanessa]

I was only weekly Taxotere for 3 months. It was doable for me. Some symptoms were fatigue, nose bleeds, mouth sores and weight gain (mostly from the steriods). I also had some finger and toe neuropathy. Most of the side effects, have some kind of treatment available. Good luck!