Hi,
I have been told I will be starting taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin/perjeta next week, provided all comes back clear on my bone scans/ct scan. Anyone else on this combo? Most people seem to be on EC. The oncologist seemed to be saying it is going to be a tough ride! Any shared experiences of this combo would be appreciated,
Cath xxx
Hi Cath
I had TC chemo ( not the other 2) and I think compared to other ladies on here, it was abit easier, especially in terms of sickness. I only felt slight nausea at the start and was never sick. I did struggle with the fatigue, but I think that was partly me! Also, I had chemo every 3 weeks, but I think some are every 4. So you get through it quicker, but obviously there is less time to recover.
Best of luck!
Sue xx
Hi Cathysid - I’m from the May 2017 starters - I believe we have a lady in our group who is on your combo. May be worth puting your question on there. J
I had TCH so your minus the perjeta. I was told that because the Herceptin can damage your heart they don’t give you another drug known to damage your heart unless you are young - breast cancer needs harsher treatment the younger you are.
The “tax” side of the chemo is very tiring but it does not make you sick (as in throwing up). It is tough because all of your chemo is that rather than half of one type and then switching to another. You tend to cope better with that because the side effects are different - not better, not worse just different. Is it better to be tired but not feel sick? Or is it better to feel not too bad but you constantly have your head down the loo?
Make sure that you take claritin hay fever tablets everyday - if not you will get aches and pains from the g-csf injections and possibly the Herceptin.
Thanks everyone x
Hi Cathy! I know you posted this back in Aug but I’m on the same 4 chemo drugs as you. Had round 1 already but would really like to hear from someone else who has been through it too! Most ladies on my thread are FEC… xx
I am on this treatment as well ladies Started 13 Dec and had 2nd one last wed. In hindsight I felt like I breezed through the first one am sure my family will tell me otherwise. I have been a lot more tired after the second one,And my saliva thickened quicker this time as well. The sliminess is just awful but hopefully it will wear off soon . Hope All goes well for you all Cathy x
Hi
I’m just coming to the end of six sessions of TCHP (with Zoledronic Acid) … we seem to be in the minority, don’t we … and yes, I was also warned it is the pits in terms of chemo (by the oncologist). The layman thinks that all chemo is the same and I haven’t found it helpful hearing about people living normally through their chemo, working, exercising … different regimes do different things and TCHP is a toughie. My chemo nurse tells me this every time. I have felt daunted from time to time and not wanted to go on with chemo but I think we all feel that at times … it IS brutal. Loss of hair, dignity, sense of yourself, it asks a lot of us and our loved ones.
I am mid fifties and previously very fit and active and have found it hardest dealing with tiredness and chemo brain fog and being totally unable to concentrate on anything… I had to stop work which was heatbreaking for me (I love my job) and it has felt like a long haul … but I have been relentless in taking all the medication prescribed prior to and after each chemo cycle and I think this has helped with nausea and etc though some ladies have a rough ride. I have had a regular bout of ghastly diarrhoea for a day or two a week post chemo but this has been controllable by great drugs which were prescribed with the treatment. I had a very sore mouth which I was given mouthwash for - ask for it! Also lots of acid stomach which for I was prescribed Omaprazole which was fantastic - made a complete difference to painful swallowing (pain in gullet). I had an itchy sore skin/acne type reaction after the second cycle (very uncomfy) so the onco dialled down the Taxotere which really helped. One of the worst things is your taste buds go on strike so for a period everything tastes like soggy cardboard, it is foul! So it’s hard to eat … I found crumpets with marmalade worked when I couldn’t stomach anything else. It is really really odd when your favourite foods and things you crave taste utterly vile when you try them and it’s a case of trial and error … I love a good cup of tea but even that tasted funky which was upsetting as it is my comfort a big mug of strong tea… but it does come back to normal after a week or so, I promise. I have only just developed a little bit of peripheral neuropathy (needles in feet and hands) but will tell onco before the final chemo so may have carboplatin or taxotere dialled down a bit again. I have sometimes been a bit breathless and always feel cold (lots of hotwater bottles)… I am told often that effects are so individual … I felt really pathetic as so many ladies seemed so capable through their chemo but different chemos also do different things. My nails are sore (finger and toes) and I have black big toenails which will come off and which I took care to keep clean so no infections. The hardest was the tiredness and not being able to do things, just flop in bed and around the house which I found mentally really difficult and has meant I have lost a lot of (my usual) confidence … but ALL these things I am told are normal … chemo messes with everything not just our bodies. Lots of people told me to binge watch TV and just enjoy the downtime but I really havent been able to do that; being at home without energy is hard for me but I am conscious that I have had an easy ride compared to some. Losing my hair and now my eyelashes has been very very hard - I didn’t think I was a vain person but my long, thick hair and long black lashes were my sort of signature (I’m a ‘natural’ look lady, no make up as my hair and lashes I felt were enough to carry me through really) and was always told I looked young for my age … I feel aged but am told it is only temporary (we are being poisoned after all) … but I also have two wigs and lots of bandanas and have learnt to use eyeliner for the odd times I have to face the world and feel I need to feel more normal
…Hoping my honesty is okay … TCHP IS OKAY. Like my haematologist nephew says … chemo is horrid but cancer is horrider. And you are not alone … we are all here doing this thing with you and holding your hand. I’m nearly there and I’m a wimp … so you can do it :-) xxxx
Hey janimals- all I keep hearing is how tough this regime is too. I’m not sure how this compares to FEC / why some are on FEC? I had my second round of TCHP 11 days ago and am only starting to feel more my normal self. I’m really struggling with my stomach this time and felt very nauseous up until yesterday. Glad to hear you are on the other side of it though!! I Just keep counting down each session at the moment!!! Xx
My oncologist did say to me that this TCHP is the hardest treatment they would give to any woman and they class this Perjeta as the wonder drug time will tell on that one x