Hi all, I am currently through 6 treatments out of 8 planned with Taxotere and Avastin. My immune system really cannot take it, although other side effects do not worry me at all.
Almost unfailingly I end up in hospital with some infection or another. So far I have got through just one out of the 6 treatments without antibiotics and injections and/or a hospital stay - up to 10 days once!
Is there anyone else with this problem? I get really upset after each treatment worrying about what infection I will get this time, even after taking every paranoid precaution I can think of to avoid infection, my body seems determined to outwit me and devise something else to cause a problem. I boil all of my food, clean and sterilise as much as I can think of and stay in to avoid all contact with people.
Has anyone any suggestions? Does anyone get injections or antibiotics in advance of their immune system disappearing?
What with all the hospital stays prolonging things, I feel as if this is never going to end.
Hope someone can suggest something.
Ariadne
Hi Ariadne
I’m on my 8th Taxotere (plus carboplatin & herceptin). It is a vicious drug. I was admitted to hosp with neutropaenic sepsis 8 days into my first cycle with neutrophils at 0.04, but have had neulasta jab the day after each chemo ever since since and that has kept me out of hospital. I’ve still run a few fevers and had minor infections & four loads of antibiotics. Are there any particular kind of infections you’re getting?
x
Dear Ariadne
Sorry to hear that you are having what sounds like an exceptionally rough time on Taxotere. I’m having it too at the moment and it’s no fun at all! Have so far managed to avoid infections - I’ve had 2 out of 6 scheduled treatments.
It sounds as tho’ you are doing everything you can to avoid infections. Do you have a line of some kind of line in? I know that they can very often harbour bugs - I had one a few years back that did and I ended up in hospital three treatments running - dreadful experience.
Afraid I can’t offer much more than my sympathy - but I do know what you are going through.
X
S
Hi Ariadne,
Like ripley, I had the neulasta injection - this helps to keep the blood count up so you are less likely to get infections. You have to have it between 24 & 72 hours after chemo. I would be sent home from chemo on a Friday with the injection to keep in the fridge, then the district nurse would come in on the Sunday to administer it. I never had any infections.
hiya
I’ve had two out of three tax after 3 x fec. I get the injection day after and have to take antibiotics from day 5 for 10 days and so far (touch wood) no infection
x
Speak to your onc. Although I got through tax fairly OK (only one bout of infections but huge tiredness) my onc said 6 was enough (with avastin) he did say you can have eight but the benefits are minimal for the last two (in his mind). Also the less you have now the more you could have in the future if they ever need to recycle chemo.
Geraldine
Lisa
Do you have the injection + antibiotics routinely or because you had some earlier problem? I had TAX 1 last week and ended up with an infection, taking penicillin and other antibiotics in massive doses at home, but want to avoid this next time if poss. (Had 3 FEC with no really low blood counts)
Hope you get something sorted Ariadne
Thanks
Kinden
x
Hiya Kinden
they give it routinely to avoid hospital stays and infections, my counts usually quite low but the injection sends it sky high! I would ask, I said I woudl take anythign to avoid hospital and infections. Would say that the injection is the base of all my side effects, for about 3-7 days my body feels like its been hit by a bus and go from being 35 to about 85 but its worth it. Hope you get sorted
x
Thanks Lisa, I’ll ask next time
Kinden
x
Hi Aridiane and ladies
I too seem to be gettng a problem with infections. After last chemo it was a urine infection and following my 4th tax on Monday today I had to see the Onc again because I now have a breast infection from the scar of the operation I had 2 months ago.
The treatment does seem to be getting more difficult as it goes on, I feel like I don’t have many good days any more.
I’ve got another 4 to go of this Taxotere also, not looking forward to it one bit but its got to be done.
Hope you all feel better soon
xx
I had neulasta too I believe it is expensive but there is an alternative GCSF which is a series of 5 injections they can be given at home by your district nurse.Do ask your onc before your next chemo it sounds as if you need it.Love Vxx
Thanks to all of you for all of your helpful comments. Very sorry some of you are suffering so much like me from the vicious effects of this chemo on the immune system.
So far I have had urinary infection, tooth abcess ( suspect I had both of these before chemo started and my immune system was holding them in check quite happily). Then staphylcoccus, then infection from Picc line put in after portacath taken out on suspicion that it was infected (it wasn’t). So far I have spent 4 weeks in hospital on neulasta injections and IV antibiotics, which have cost a fortune, plus cost of piccline and putting back port.
I will ask for neulasta injection and antibiotics immediately after next chemo - I will also ask why not suggested earlier - would have been much cheaper. I have never felt so ill in my life as when suffering from neutropenic sepsis. The fear of it has made my life a nightmare.
Piccline is apparently prone to infection, but a portacath seems to be the much safer option. I do not have a choice, FEC totally messed up my veins.
As far as I can make out I am having 8 treatments rather than 6 because blood marker still showing marked decrease with each treatment.
This has just got to finish sometime but it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.
Thanks all of you for your helpful comments.
Love, Ariadne xx
Hi Ariadne
I do sympathise, this last week has been a complete write off for me I’ve been in bed, weak, in severe pain with my breast infection. My boob looks like a red balloon and keeps oozing. I’m on 3000 mg of oral antibiotics for 10 days, by which time I will almost be due my next chemo.
It feels like this is never going to end at the moment I am so weak from it all and can’t imagine how I am going to get through the next 4 chemos.
Chin up and hope we all have a better week
xx
Hi Peacock, so sorry you are suffering so much at the moment.
Hope you are feeling a bit better by now, my thoughts are with you.
Big hug,
Ariadne xx