Hi everyone, I haven’t posted for absolutely ages - not much of an excuse really but had a bad time with the last 3 FEC cycles (apparently sensitive to one of them, and keeps bring wbc down). Will pick up on some of the threads, as didn’t want to lose touch with everyone. My first one of taxotere is next week, but they are also going to start herceptin. I was expecting herceptin but thought it would start with rads in October, they have just changed the way that they do it. Has anyone else had both on the same day? It would be good to know what sort of things to expect. Have had lots of side effects and infections, hospital stays with FEC so now filled with dread. Started off really positive with FEC, not so positive now, bit worried that a combination will be really bad. Have clinic on Monday, so ready to ask lots of questions, but any advice/comments would be a really great help. Thanks in advance. Lots of warm wishes Alice
Hi Alice,
I have had herceptin with Tax on the same day… I had 3 cycles and then I have had 2 of 3 FEC(last one tomorrow!!).
As you are having herceptin for the first time they need to keep you in the chemo suite for 6 hours after to monitor you for any reactions. I took a slight reaction and they made me take 2 paracetamol before the next 2 lots. They gave my herceptin first after a flush the I got a bag of dexamethasone then the Tax. After first which I was in for 8 hours, the next two I was 3-4hrs in chemo suite.
The reactions to Tax can very as with FEC, people can have problems once the steroids stop which is when it hit me. Around about day 4 I had sore bones and fluey symtoms, doctors advise paracetamol or anti inflamatory for pain. Best to check with nurse what you should have if you have had trouble with cell count. Did you have cell boosting injections? you’ll get them I would imagine?
Mouth problems too, get them to give you mouthwash, thrush can also happen. I had nystatin to hand for this. mouth can be generaly sore(mouth ulcers) and taste can be bad. My taste has been bad on FEC too. On 2nd treatment I was told about sucking ice whilst getting chemo to prevent mouth problems. I had to take my own in and they kept them in the freezer, I found it really helped and my mouth wasn’t as bad…
Best thing is to be prepared and as your symptoms occur you can treat them. Keep a symptom diary, that’s what I did.
Hope all this helps
Best wishes
Fiona xx
I had x3 FEC first then 1 cycle of Tax on it’s own (to check I didn’t react) then the next 2 cycles of Tax were with Herceptin immediately afterwards. Then the other 16 Herceptins were on their own.
Hope this makes sense and good luck
E xx
I had 4xFEC and 2xTAX then 2xTAX & Herceptin together. Apart from being there longer did not notice any extra side effects having taxotere with Herceptin. All the side effects seemed to be from taxotere and now I am on just Herceptin no noticeable side effects apart from veins given up and maybe increasing tiredness but I have just had dose 14. Taxotere is the tough one I found.
Hi
My first Herceptin was given seperately to tax, but I was only in the “chemo” room for an hour in all, they just did usual blood pressure etc. and I didn’t have any heart scans before hand. I do believe this was wrong and not usually the way its done, since I’ve changed hospitals I understand that normally they do like to keep you in overnight for your first Herceptin. I didn’t suffer any untoward SE, maybe in the circumstances that was just lucky.
My 2nd Herceptin was given with taxotere, but again just the usual treatment round, given over 1/2 an hour.
I have now had 18 Herceptins, some alongside tax, and although I am now having some SE my heart has stood up to treatment very well. The side effects that I have now that I am putting down to Herceptin is tiredness (but nothing like on tax), diarreah, coughing and breathlessness - but I still have 2 more to go and in the end it will be worth it.
Good luck