Hi, Just wondering if anyone else has had any stomach probs with taxotere? Had my first lot early September,was exhausted afew days after but recently had horrid feeling in my stomach esp later in the day. Anyone else experienced this?
Smiler
Hi Smiler
For me what you’ve described is quite normal. I had chronic stomach ache and diarreah after my first tax, then for the subsequent 3 I had constipation for the first few days then the stomach aches arrived with the diarreah. All was usually better by about the 12th day and I was fine for the last few days before the next course.
However, since having my 4th tax 4 1/2 weeks ago (haven’t had my 5th yet as having a chemo break due to an infection) although I haven’t had the bad stomach feeling I still have a “loose” tummy, especially first thing when I get up.
I think from reading through these threads you will find its a common SE, along with wind - although I haven’t had that particular problem myself.
Thanx for taking the time to reply Peacock. It’s always comforting to know that other people have same side effects as yourself isn’t it? I also had constipation for the first few days, i put it down to the large amount of steroids? Hope your infection clears quickly. How many tax are you having? I’m having 4, though theres talk of reducing the strength of next dose(nxt wk) Cos I ended up in hospital after this first one with temp and zero neutraphils! I had 6x AC before op and that wasn’t too bad. Hoping next dose of Tax is an improvement on 1st! Hope things are improving for you.
Smiler
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What dose are others having of taxotere. I am having 180mg which seems small in comparison to the horrendous amount of FEC I had to have! The side effects i have had after one are extreme tiredness starting on day 6 now on day 11. Tiredness begins with feelin cold and then extremely tired and have to go to bed usually starting mid day. Painful nails for about three days. Terribly itching skin under left arm (other side of mastectomy) and what appears to be swelling under left arm (which I am really really worried about), and terrible itching around pubic area. I have put on tea tree cream which seems to help. Red lumps on arms where blood has previously been taken. Oh and terrible mouth for 3 to 4 days. Has anyone else had any of these particularly the itching. I took a Piriton as well which seemed to help.
Hi all
the full dose of tax is calculated by your weight. 180mg is the full dose for anyone with a normal Body mass Index. Remembet that taxanes are particularly viscious, so don’t wish for more!!
I have had 5 of my 6 Tax otere which I’m having in conjunction with Doxyrubicin and Cyclophosphamide. I have been very different in each cycle, with lots of side affects, mostly gastric, I have GCSF by injection on day 2 and haven’t had a problem with neuts at all. Not may centres do this as GCSF is ‘expensive’ but we’re certainly not talking the mega buck for staying in hospital with IV antibiotics if they do drop and you get an infection…! A false economy on their part I’d say…
Anyway, my side effects are mainly gastric - bowels (both ends of the spectrum) severe heartburn, difficulty with digesting, can’t tolerate either chocolate OR alcohol (possibley the worst symptom!!)painful mouth ulcers, difficulty spelloing, watery eyes and nose, skin erruptions, over sensitivity to sun (I’m liking the poor summer!) hair loss everywhere (my pubes and head hurt too when it was coming out there), painful nails, stripy nails, lifting nails, dry skin, aching joints (due to GCSF) sleeping problems, swelling (severe, stomach, legs and lungs!) and menopause. Sure to have left something out.
BUT if you ask me how it is I say, it’s ok. Gotta be done. I don’t dwell on it, but am sensible with more severe side effects (like not being able to breath!!) and take a huge amount of drugs to make it better. god knows what it’s doning to my liver!!
In the scheme of things, this too will pass…
Good luck to all
Big love Td xx
I too had bad diarhoea [very sore] stomach ache,bloating and a strange ‘fizzing’ sensation.Lots of other side effects BUT THEY ALL WENT!!!I finished May 2007 and am glad I did it.
Hi everyone
I had my 5th taxotere today, possibly another 3 to go, or maybe a change of chemo with the next one they’re not sure yet and are adapting treatment each time depending on what they think. My abscess/infection is better, but still hasn’t cleared completely so I am having a neu… something injection tomorrow to kick the white blood cells into action.
I have actually gained weight since starting chemo - I started at 68 kgs and today weighed 72 - shock, horror am I the only one who has gained weight? My dose of taxotere was 182mg but started at 175mg so guess I’m in for a rough ride.
My poor bottom is so sore from the diarreah, I’ve been using pile cream but it doesn’t seem to be helping. I’ve found tablets called Spasfon quite good for the stomach aches and usually start to take them as soon as I feel the horrible griping.
The itching skin - I am taking Atarax anti histamines for this and it has got better, but my skin is generally very dry and I so wish I could buy oilatum here, but they don’t seem to do it.
Since the 4th taxotere I’ve had painful, numb, tingly feet I know it is a strange combination but that is the only way to describe it. Sometimes the skin on my feet feels like its coming off. Fingers and lips get like this too, but this seems to wear off quicker than the feet.
And the rest… well day by day there seems to be more, sense of smell increasing, runny nose, weepy eyes, fuzzy vision, aches and pains …you ladies and everyone knows exactly what I am saying I’m sure but, one thing for sure is that this strong chemo is hopefully doing its job and in the end it will all be worth it.
We will look back on our treatments and remember it, like Horace, perhaps even somewhat fondly of what we manage to get through.
Good luck to you all and hope you all have a nice weekend
xxx
Hi Smiler
I’m having Taxotere, too.
I have everything - at some point on each cycle - that is on everyone’s else list, except piles. I can, however, add ‘down below thrush’ to the canon of SEs.
You are not alone!
X
S
Hi
Seem to be so many SE’s with taxotere. Hoping my 2nd dose isnt as bad as my 1st…fingers crossed.
Smiler
Never fondly love just glad its all over,it was so often tempting to say,'I cant take any more of this.'The thing is that being triple negative I knew there was nothing else,no Herceptin,no hormonal drugs just chemotherapy so I’m glad I did it because I have given it my best shot but I sure wish I hadnt had to!As for side effects although most went I have still got peripheral neuropathy and no eyebrows and limited energy.I just hope it did the job and the cancer stays away.Love Vxx
Starfish
I had terrible itching on the bare skin of the outer labia on the outside, it drove me mad. I used some sudocrem which seemed to help.
Smiler
I suffer all digestive symptoms too. Tomorrow I’m having my last TAX and having i/v Ranitidine with it, and Granisetron for anti-sickness. I have had diaorhea and hard poo which resulted in 2 anal fissures (tears) and piles. This is really difficult to deal with (I’ve had a thread on it); I may have to wait until after chemo to sort it. I also have lots of other horrid side effects, like everyone, but it is only for a short time.
Hope 2nd is not too bad for you
HUgs
Kinden
x
Hi all
Kinden I just wanted to add that you are not alone - my variations between diarreah and constipation have resulted in a bottom like a bunch of grapes (sorry if too much info) as well as cracks which cause bleeding, itching and soreness!
No one tells us about these side effects do they?
Hope we all suffer less and less xxxx
Thanks Peacock, and I share your wish that we all suffer less
Kinden
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Hi Peacock and kinden, sorry to hear you are suffering horrid side effects aswell. I’ve got my 2nd dose on wednesday and I’m dreading it cos they told me there is more likely to be an allergic reaction (swelling up?) on 2nd dose!! Gr8! They said not many get it but they have to tell you! So it’s back to steroids tomorrow and probably looking like I’ve been in the Bahamas for a week by tomorrow night…i wish!!! How many Tax have you had Kinden? Good to hear from you
Smiler
x
New Side Effect today!!!
Peripheral neuropathy - numbness in feet and fingers - feet getting worse by the hour, and onlyin right little finger as yet. hope this one gets better soon!! - can’t do my job without my hands!
Td x
Hi
I had that in my toes after 1st tax. Seems to have worn off but had 2nd tax yesterday so spose it could be back! Don’t think theres anything we can do to get rid of it is there?
smiler
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Hi all
It may be long shot, but try asking at your hospital for ‘ice mittens’ and ‘ice slippers’. You can sometimes get them for when you are being given Taxotere. I think they are a sort of ‘cold cap’ for the hands and feet and help to minimise this type of side effect.
I’ve been given them for each Taxotere I’ve had, except the first (decided to try without them and my hands and feet went very peculiar) and I think they’ve made a real difference. I’ve had 4 Taxotere now and I have no peeling and no peripheral neuropathy.
Good luck!
X
S
Thanx for that advice Bahons will certainly ask about that next time if SE’s return with this last lot of tax.
smiler
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