Where did I go wrong (or did I)?- first chemo

[efsculpt]

First I want to thank all of you for the "tips" of dealing with chemo. Thank You!

My first (Taxotere/Docetaxel) chemotherapy treatment is over. I want to bring up the "Chemo Crash" that seems to happen on the 3-4 days. It was hell! The best I could do was lay in bed that whole time. Head felt like in a vise, big time flu feeling, aching joints. I feel like I was 50% a ghost, 100% misery. I kept dozing, having instant "bad" dream, wake up, doze-dream-wake, etc; that went on all one day. I was totally nonfunctional, everything seemed like faded shadows.

So, I am wondering what I did or didn't do, that added to this state of misery.

1. I am sure I was dehydrated. I felt dehydrated, had a glass of water within reach but didn't have the "wellness" to reach for it until 1/2 day had passed. Could that have added to the severity of the side effects?

2. Another thought is that I was taking 10mg of prednizone, had been for a year with Lupron/Zytiga. Is that enough?

3. I stopped Zytiga the day of the chemo.

I did have two antinausea pills, plenty of "plugger upper/bust it loosers)

No pain pills.

Thanks,

Craig

[dlestercarlson]

My first Chemo treatment was one of the worst ones that I had. After that knowing what could happen, I prepared ahead to minimize the side effects.

[billy1950 in reply to dlestercarlson]

Are you having any kind of treatment now? If so, how are you doing? Thanks, Billy

[Canoehead]

My first Docetaxel was also my worst. People say side effects are cumulative, which is certainly true for things like peripheral neuropathy. But for me the acute side effects were worst early. Start Claritin the day before Chemo to lessen the flu like symptoms, which are probably more the result of Neulasta than of Docetaxel. And take a good probiotic.

[billy1950 in reply to Canoehead]

I like your positive attitude! Thanks, Billy

[Hidden]

The only anti nausea medication I took was Zofran. Nothing else worked. It’s nit the Presnisone, in my opinion, as I took 30 mg daily during my six months of chemotherapy. I underwent my infusions on Thursday so that I was able to work a half day or so on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I was so grateful that my employer understood. My best advice is to try and keep normalcy in your daily life. Get out of bed during the day. Take multiple short power naps in a recliner while watch TV or reading. Take a bath or shower everyday and get dressed, drink plenty of water throughout the day (taking in eight glasses of water or about two quarts), stop coffee, tea, and Cokes as they as known stimulants. There are some people who disagree with what I have written, but I have been there; they, well, may have or may not have personally experienced treatment...... have a frank discussion with your Oncologist.

Your description is exactly what I felt after double bypass surgery. It lasted for a week; until i described my feelings to my Cardiologist. His advice parallelled the advice of my Oncologist.

This too will pass. Keep kicking the bastard.

Gourd Dancer

[dlestercarlson]

My doctor has me taking Predizone 5mg twice per day all of the time. Just before Chemo, I stop taking Predizone and instead take Dexamethasone (before and after the Chemo) for a few days. And I drink plenty of water constantly. My first ChemoTherapy treatment was also the worst. I learned from that so that I could anticipate problems before they got bad.

[Reptale]

Hi, efsculpt. Sorry your experience was so bad. Ironically, I came home yesterday from my “week after”checkup following my 5th dose of Taxotere this year. (I did Taxotere 3 1/2 years ago right after my diagnosis with a very aggressive Pca with mets to bones.) My MO asked as usual how the week went. I said “3-4 days were shitty as always and while the diarrhea has stopped I still feel a little tired and weak, in other words, same as always.” He said, “Good. My last patient just reported in after his first Taxotere and he said, ‘Doc, why didn’t anybody warn me it was going to be so awful? I felt like I was going to die.’” Then I came home and read your post. So, some thoughts on the differences in our experiences: first, one’s first dose of Taxotere May BE the worst always; second, different people probably DO experience illness and disability differently; third, our bodies my adjust over time to the Taxotere side effects; fourth, Taxotere may lose its punch over time; fifth, we know different people have different pain thresholds; and sixth, people can get used to anything with practice. So, not to worry: the experience you had is in the normal range and may be a lot better next time. Also two things from your account stand out: you HAVE to hydrate no matter how sick you feel. If you can’t reach for the water, get somebody to come in every hour and make you drink. Also, don’t be a dummy about pain pills. Take Tylenol according to package directions to ease the aches. It really does help. And one final thing, when I’m in the bad days, I can’t concentrate enough to enjoy my usual sickbed entertainments, so I listen to really simple music or choose a very non-challenging book on tape. Bottom line, brother: I hate what you’re going through, love the extra future the Taxotere is giving you, and look forward to your report on the next dose.