As regards hydration before & after chemotherapy (docetaxel)........

[whatsinaname]

I have completed 2 cycles of chemo currently and my third cycle is on the 4th of December, 2018.

I am taking 100mg/m2 of docetaxel (taxotere). The chemo session begins with 2 hours of hydration, followed by 2 hours of anti chemo side effects IV's and then 1 hour of chemotherapy. This is followed by 2 hours of hydration once again. A total of 7 hours, give or take a bit.

Is the hydration sufficient or do I need more (I mean in the intravenous form) ??

Thank you very much for any help offered. Much obliged.

[Hidden]

It sounds like hell...7 hours? Dam man! I pray that it works as intended..

[whatsinaname in reply to Hidden]

I have already been through 2 cycles of chemo and am now asking about the third one due on the 4th of December. The protocol I described above is for the third one.

The protocol for the first two were as follows :- 1) Hydration, pre chemo, for 16 hours 2) Anti chemo IV fluids for 2 hours 3) Chemo (100mg) for 4 hours 4) Hydration, post chemo, for another 12 hours. A total of 34 hours. I was in the hospital for 2 nights. From 4pm to 4pm for two nights or 48 hours.

I guess the shorter duration will also work out well. I hope the hydration is adequate.

Thus far, the side effects from the chemo have been remarkably mild. No nausea, no vomiting, no loose motions, no pain in the fingers/toes, not much hair loss.

The second opinion I got from a MO indicated that I was being under-dosed.

Any other opinions, anyone ??

[Hazard]

Sounds like overkill to me - but it can't hurt.

I was on docetaxal 140mL 9 cycles and I had some saline before and after chemo infusion, just to flush out the line, which lasted about 5 min on each occasion. So I would say that you are getting 'sufficient'.

[paulofaus]

I had nothing like this. As I recall, I had a 15 minute 'flush' followed by the Docetaxel at a very slow rate for 15 minutes (in case of an adverse reaction) followed by about 1hour:15mins of the actual chemo at full speed, followed by a 15 minute flush at the end. In and out in under 2 hours.

[whatsinaname in reply to paulofaus]

Thank you, paulofaus. Were you not even administered the drugs in IV form (pre chemo) which attempt to negate the side effects of chemo like nausea, loose motions, vomiting, pain in the fingers and toes, etc, etc, etc ??

I am going to put a fresh question to the board on this issue.

Thanks again, paulofaus, much obliged.

[tallguy2 in reply to whatsinaname]

My total time was 2 hours. This included a pre-chemo drip of the anti-nausea med and saline.

During the weeks following each chemo I drank a lot of those flavored, zero-calorie carbonated waters...available in bottles in the local grocery. Much better than plain water. Keep drinking to keep the groceries moving.

[whatsinaname in reply to tallguy2]

Thank again, tallguy2, much obliged.

[paulofaus in reply to whatsinaname]

No, I believe I had anti nausea injected into the flush. For neuropathy I kept my hands and feet in ice baths and for constipation I used coloxyl senna, movicol and psyllium husks (metamucil).

[vandy69]

Hi what,

I have had 6 cycles of Docetaxel/Carboplatin chemo in last September through January 2018 and now repeating this approach to mets in lymph and in liver.

Never had anything like you describe. I have a port in my right chest which is accessed for chemo.

First is a short push of Aloxi which prevents nausea. Next is Docetaxel which takes 1 hour and last infusion is Carboplatin which takes 30 minutes.

I leave with an On Body Injector of Neulasta to boost white cells.

Best wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta

[whatsinaname in reply to vandy69]

Thanks, Mark. It appears that I am getting a lot of hydration and anti-chemo side effect fluids as well. Well, as long as I am not being under-dosed or over-dosed and am able to tolerate it well, I am good. I will check with my MO though the reason for this protocol.

Just one other thing. I am administered the Neulasta injection approx 24 hours after the Docetaxel (taxotere) infusion.

Thanks again, Mark, much obliged. All the very best to you.

[tallguy2 in reply to vandy69]

I am convinced that Neulasta prevented me from getting sick during chemo...well worth the $4K price tag each time.

[whatsinaname in reply to tallguy2]

Thanks a ton, tallguy2.