docetaxel and Luekine

[ken12491]

Just finished my second shot of docetaxel - did ok... My WBC was low on the injection so the Dr added daily injections of Luekine to boost WBC ( I do at home ) --- the combo has taken a pretty hard hit on me. Loss of appetite - taste buds are gone - fatigued. PSA is now 0.53 has anyone had a similar experience? Despite how bad I feel - I'm still getting nutrition ( and it's hard ) and some moderate exercise - but it's difficult. Water even tastes odd and it seems like I have a bad cold. Is it a combo of both hitting me now?

Thanks..

[Tall_Allen]

Try chewing on ice chips during the next infusion to prevent dysgeusia.

[ken12491 in reply to Tall_Allen]

thanks, Allen - should I do throughout the entire infusion and cold capping?

btw -- doing the cold capping and its working but truly torture along with the gloves filled with dry ice during infusion - how did your friend make out? I shed some hair but hardly noticeable. I did lose my beard and don t have to shave now.

Capping starts 45 mins before infusion, then during infusion than another 4 hours after the infusion - every 15 mins the guy changes the cap - a great guy I have from the company working with me.

I'll do what I have to but I can't even enjoy a cup of coffee - will not complain, there are guys in worst situations than me - my PSA is now at 0.53 from 31 - 3.5 months ago.

[Tall_Allen in reply to ken12491]

My friend still has a full head of hair after 4 infusions so far. He didn't like the hands and feet cooling. He said he noticed some tingling in his toes last time. But he is just doing the cold cap for now. He didn't chew ice chips but hasn't had any dysgeusia so far. Everyone's different.

Dry ice? Can't you get frostbite from that?

[6357axbz in reply to Tall_Allen]

Yes! Frostbite and freezer burn! I learned the latter the hard way

[ken12491 in reply to Tall_Allen]

the caps are kept on dry ice, then moved to the head - glad to hear its working..been told if after two you would know - he did 4 he's probably solid

[ken12491 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Do you have any recommendations for the burning on the face - slight red patches as well, but only the face?

[Tall_Allen in reply to ken12491]

I don't know. Does an antihistamine help with that?

[kidclutch]

hey! my dad was having quite a bit of fatigue trouble among a few other issues after cycles 1 & 2, and they did a 25% dose reduction for 3 & 4 and it's helped a lot. fresh scans were done two weeks ago and the liver mets are shrinking (docetaxel only) with some tumor flare in the ribs and spine. they're discussing adding carboplatin to the remaining cycles. PSA falling slow but steady. dropped from 172 to 76 after one cycle. bounces around but trending down.