While being administered docetaxel..........

[whatsinaname]

What else were you guys given ??

I was hydrated for several hours, then given anti-chemo side effect drugs (IV) for two hours, then docetaxel/taxotere (slowly) for four hours and then finally hydrated once again for several hours. The total process took well over 30 hours. My MO says one of the reasons I was able to tolerate the dosage (100mg) so well was because of the hydration and the anti-chemo side effects infusions.

How have you guys been administered chemotherapy (docetaxel) (taxotere) ??

Please do reply. Many thanks.

[Hidden]

My Taxotere sessions were around 2 hours. They didn't give me any anti-nausea meds and my dose was the standard 75mg per square meter.

It's good that you were able to get through the infusion OK, but my concern would be the intermediate and long term toxicity. I would keep a sharp eye on your body temp, particularly when your white blood cells hit their nadir at 7-10 days usually. And the longer term toxicity issues such as neuropathy after a few cycles.

[whatsinaname in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, gregg57. I will check with my MO as regards the dosage.

I was able to withstand both the cycles very well, thus far, touch wood.

For sure, I will keep your suggestions in mind. Thank you very much.

[Fairwind]

Greg57 makes some very good points..Compared to other chemo drugs, Doce is not to bad... Much depends on your overall condition before they start..The treatments (I had 6 three weeks apart) lasted about 2 hours, beginning to end.. They do a fresh blood test right before they start...The "Chemo Crash" for me came on the third day after the infusion. I felt pretty poor for 2 or 3 days. I lost my hair after the second infusion..The neuropathy Greg mentions is sneaky. Since you never had it before, you don't realize it's happening..In my case, it came on slowly, kind of made my feet tingly and the palms of my hands itchy. My thumb nails and big toe nails became discolored. Even today, my toes feel "funny" like they had been asleep and are waking up..As the treatments progressed, the side-effects got a little worse each time..They were going to continue the treatments indefinitely had I had a good response but my response was only "fair" , dropping my PSA from 239 to 160. My PSA had been doubling every 30 days so at least it stopped that...But when, after my fifth infusion the PSA started to climb again, they stopped the Dose and I'm now working on a new treatment plan which includes Jevtana (cabazitaxel), which promises worse side-effects than Dosetaxel..I would like to try BAT a simple and in many cases effective treatment but outside a clinical trial, nobody is willing to do it..The "Vision" trial (Lu-177) interests me but I would have to travel to a location where it's being performed....

I hope the Dose works well for you...

[whatsinaname in reply to Fairwind]

Thank you, Fairwind. Very interesting indeed. Also, quite scary. Thus far, touch wood, its been pretty smooth sailing for me.

Thanks again and all the very best.

[Hidden in reply to Fairwind]

Fairwind,

I think you might find the side effects of Jevtana better than Taxotere, especially the neuropathy. Taxanes are pretty bad for neuropathy and as you know, it's somewhat cumulative. You can easily be limited by the neuropathy with Taxotere.

From what I've read, Jevtana can cause a bit more myelosuppression than Taxotere.

[larry_dammit]

Anti nausea drip with water. Taxatone. Other drugs I’m sure. First round was about 4 hours. Came back next day for a nulasta shot. Lupron and xgeva. Monthly. Did 6 rounds of Taxatone

[whatsinaname in reply to larry_dammit]

Thank you, larry_dammit.

Well you are the first to go more than 2 hours, apart from myself (on this board, thus far).

I went 30-36 hours for my first two cycles.

I too had the Neulasta the next day, approx 24 hours after the chemo infusion had ended.

Thanks again, much obliged.

[larry_dammit]

They told me when I started the chemo that I would probably be there 12 hours but got along with the drugs ok so didn’t take as long. Neulasta made me sick, put me in bed for a couple of days.

[whatsinaname in reply to larry_dammit]

In my case, I tolerated the chemo infusion very well indeed.

I was kept longer because they were taking extra precautions (and also making much more money, I pay myself, no insurance) and hydrating me a lot.

Thanks for all the help, larry_dammit, I truly appreciate it.