Recurrence

[Lorent]

Hi Ladies spent the last week in hospital due to Ascites, had 5 litres drained, port fitted and start carbo/Caylex tomorrow morning, any advice of what to expect on this combo, as had carbo/taxol first time around and wasn't too bad on it.

Loren x

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Lorent, I have finished 8 treatments of carbo/caelyx with little side effects and good results, I had the usual side effect with chemo, tired ,dry skin, use plenty of moisturizer for the dry skin, the good thing about this comb it's every 4 weeks.

I was given steroids with treatment and had 3 tablets to take home, this was good as I had 3 days with energy, tried to get my house work done before it wore off, I did ask if I could have more but no.

You know we all react differently with chemo Caelyx was right for me I hope you get the same good results.

Take care Lorraine xx

[Lorent in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thank you Lorraine, hoping I follow in your steps 😀, I have the steroids at the ready... Hope you are doing well Loren x

[Katsmum]

Hi Lorent

It’s easier for most than carbo/taxol and a shorter infusion time. Constipation is quite common, I took laxido from the night before treatment which sorted it out. You may get mouth ulcers though I didn’t but the dry skin particularly on my feet has been a nuisance so do moisturise. Otherwise it was not bad apart from the inevitable tiredness especially after a few sessions. If you search on this site I am sure you will find loads of accounts from the ladies who have had it.

Hoping it works well for you, love and hugs, Jane xx

[Lorent in reply to Katsmum]

Thank you for your reply Jane, this site has such an amazing amount of ladies with tons of information. Hope you are well

Loren x

[Hidden]

Hi Loren. I had this combo for 6 months. You'll know what to expect from it and on what day - the side-effects are regular. You don't lose your hair - just 10% my onc said but it wasn't even that much - no one noticed except me. Gave me dreadful mouth ulcers, sore teeth (gums), bad constipation (get that under control or it will give you problems). I'm sure you know not to pussy-foot with senna or fruit, cos the caelyx will laugh at it; go straight for the industrial strength laxative. It will last about a week. Hands turn a shade of orange (it's a red drug) and hands become sore - I had 'paper cuts' on the lines on the palms of my hands & fingers (none on the backs). That's the bare bones of it. But perhaps you'll be like Lorraine above and side effects will be few. After 2 doses, my side effects were so bad, my onc reduced the dose by 10% - all bearable after that. It can affect your vocal chords and give you a husky voice. My onc said it affects everything except your hearing. If I've put fear into you, I don't mean to. It did a damn fine job. Even with the 10% reduction of dose, I went straight into remission. I'd do it all again. Best wishes - you'll be fine. Pauline.

PS I had a port fitted too - a god-send.

[Lorent in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your reply Pauline, as long as it does the job of a remission I will be happy, you are right about the port had it fitted on Thursday and was a great asset this morning, hope you are well

Loren x

[Purple-iris]

Hi Loren

Good advice from the other ladies , I have no experience of this combo but wanted to send you a big hug . Do know how bad the ascities makes you feel as had 5 litres drained when I was diagnosed , could hardly eat and walk so hoping you’re feeling more comfortable now .

Good luck with the chemo and hoping your side effects are minimal and it gets you back to remission for a long long time . Love and best wishes Kim x💜

[Lorent in reply to Purple-iris]

Thank you for your reply Kim, oh yes Ascites not very nice, had 6 ltr drained so much more comfortable, they left the drain in so I can do DIY 😵, over the next two weeks...... Hope you are doing well

Loren x

[Numi]

Hi. Hope you're feeling better after having the ascites drained. I had 6 rounds of carbo/caelyx for recurrence last year and side effects weren't too bad - constipation for the first 2 or 3 days, but Laxido and docusate sodium dealt with that. Just had to remember to start it a day or so before treatment. Had no hair thinning. I did have a husky voice for a few days each time too, and slightly blurry vision - carbo/taxol the year before did that to me also. Treatment takes so much less time as well. A nurse at the cancer unit warned me to expect bright orange wee after treatment, andit didn't happen immediately, but a day or so afterwards.

Hope your treatment goes well and is successful, and that you have few side effects too. My daughter's wedding came in the middle of my treatment ,having been postponed from the previous year because of my illness, and I was able to be fully involved, before and during the big day. I was very tired afterwards, but it was worth it.

[Lorent in reply to Numi]

Thank you for your reply Numi.... Feeling pretty positive from the feedback from you amazing ladies.... Hope you are doing well

Loren x

[Maxjor]

Hi Loren--everyone I have read about reacts differently and the nurses scare you a bit about the hand and foot syndrome but better to be prepared. I had my 5th of 6 of them a week ago and my most prominent side effect is neuropathy--it comes and goes (heat surges in my feet) which I did not have with Carbo/Taxol and that 10% hair loss only I notice. I lather in cream at night (find it hard to do all day since I work) especially around the nails beds on the hands and so far have avoided any of the effects mentioned in hand and foot syndrome.

The nicest part about this combo is the 4 weeks between treatments.

Good luck!! ox

[Lorent]

Hi Major thank you for your reply all went well today, so hope the side effects are minimal 😬...... Hope you are doing well

Loren x

[Lorent]

Thankyou Wonkylegs for your reply, yes you are right expect the worst then hopefully be surprised lol, hope your regime is not too hard on you , wishing you well

Loren x