Taxotere

[jwmsclt]

Who has experience with Taxotere?

[Hidden]

I did 6 cycles of Taxotere approximately one year ago. The side effects were very tolerable as they are for most. The first 5 days after infusion were days where I was not very active, sat around for most of those days. But I was still able to do basic things around the house. After the first week, it was pretty much normal life until the next infusion. I had anti-nausea meds but never used them. My feet and ankles swelled up after the third cycle and had almost constant watery eyes. Everything went back to normal after a couple months. It was well worth the side effects. Got my PSA down to 0.19 and also was pain free after a few cycles.

Good luck with treatments if you do Taxotere, let us know how it goes and if you have any specific questions.

[p3d1]

Hi jwmsclt,

I finished 10 cycles of Taxotere a few weeks ago. I found the treatment to be not as terrifying as the image of chemo suggested. I may have been very lucky but I think the way that the Taxotere was administered was crucial. They prepared me by supplying medicine and instructions for each possible side affect. They spent time going over the procedure and made me feel comfortable. It was 10 cycles every two weeks instead of 6 cycles every three weeks. This delivered the same amount of the drug but in a more balanced dose.

I also had to take steroids the day before the day of and the day after the cycle.

The affects that I had experienced generally started on day 2 after the infusion. Taste buds were first, a few stomach issues but nothing that the medicine could not fix. By cycle 4 my hair thinned out, I never lost it all. Cycle 8 my finger nails started getting affected. cycle 9 toe nails started. if the nails become infected they can become sore. Tea Tree oil and hot water usually sorted them and worked for me. Tingling in the hands and feet was present early on but never became a serious issue. I found exercise helped here. Hope this helps.

[redbank]

I did 6 courses of Taxotere and it wasn't hateful however it wasn't a walk in the park for me either. About two days after I felt the nausea and fatigue it would last for about a week and a half but still able to do stuff .Eyes were watering a bit and lost all of my hair including nose hair so be wary of playing in the dirt and mowing the lawn lol. If you have to do yard work were a dust mask it will keep your nose clean and no allergy issues . I have heard of folks using Icing Mitts to help with some of the pain in the fingers never tried it myself it may be something you'll want to look into. Good Luck and keep the faith Brother.

[jwmsclt]

Thanks all. Not sure, but possible I might have 4 cycles in my future - combining with Zytiga, which I am already taking. Everyone take care.

[Ian2017]

Watch out for the longer term effects .. weight gain (up 10-12%), fluid retention (swelling, in particular in ankles and calves), damage to lymphatic system (though not sure how much of this is due to radiation).

[2yearsin]

Had taxotere 6 x 3 weeks. Almond with eligard dropped psa from 2000 to .4. Stayed there for 12 months and has begun to increase quickly. Moving on to xtandi and xgeva, continue with eligard.

For the most part tolerated it very well. Mostly slept for 4 days following each treatment. Hope this helps

[2yearsin]

Also keep your fingers in ice water during the dosing, had some mild nausea and diarrhea, hair loss on my body but not head.

[DSEE]

I did 6 cycles. I will be honest...

The initial dose put me in the hospital for 8 days.

After that they lowered the dose.

I tolerated pretty well after that.

That was all in 2016.

[larry_dammit]

6 rounds of Taxotere followed up by a Neulasta shot the next day for bone Mets , Chemo wasn’t to bad but the Neulasta shot really put me down. It knocked my PSA way down ,then they did a lupron and Xgeva shot monthly. PSA. Is now .005

[jholmq in reply to larry_dammit]

Great response Larry!

[TNCanuck]

You might do a search for Taxotere on this site. I recently posted a VERY extensive overview and tips on avoiding side effects.

[wpopomaronis]

I’ve just had my third treatment and I am surprisingly well. My hair stopped growing but I didn’t lose it. No nausea vomiting, numbness in the fingers or toes. No mouth ulcers. I did have a headache and I think that that was mostly caused by the Neulasta, the drug to stimulate white blood cell production. I hope you are as lucky !

[Reptale]

I agree with most of the replies so far, side effects limited to the week after and tolerable. One tip not mentioned so far, if they prepare you for the infusion with a dose of anti-nausea meds (Zofran), start a daily dose of Miralax a couple of days ahead and keep it up until diarrhea starts. For me this reduces stomach upset and cramping. Hope all goes well for you!

[roseanduwe]

My husband received 3 cycles 3 weeks apart. Main complaint was nausea and fatigue. His hands and feet were in ice packs during infusion and he suffered no nail concerns. Unfortunately the treatment did not work with the cancer as psa blew up over 2200 in just 9 short weeks. Have now switched to Cabazitaxel. Good luck. Side effects are minimal for most.

[Shooter1]

Added Xtandi between cycles 5 and 6. Did 9 and combined effects darn near killed me. 4 1/2 mo after last taxotere, Xtandi had me so far down I was an invalid. See my other posts for more info. Taxotere by itself cost me my hair and nails, but killed most of my cancer...good trade off.

[larry_dammit]

Shooter. 6 rounds of chemo here. Yep lost the hair,nails,most of my muscle mass. As you say good trade off. Got the hair back. Thicker than it was, nails ok finally . Man boobs are still here due to lupron I guess but who cares. Fight the good Fight.