Xeloda & Taxotere

[Tri78]

Any experiences with Xeloda & Taxotere?

[Staysha]

Hi Tri78,

I’m going to tell you my experience because I had no idea what to expect. I hope it helps and doesn’t make you more nervous.

I was on Taxotere herceptin and perjeta every 3 weeks for 8 rounds. I’m not going to lie.... it’s not fun. I’m still on herceptin and perjeta and basically have no side effects now. The taxotere did cause misery but I was never hospitalized and my blood counts stayed good enough that I never had to put off a treatment. I did go on 2 family vacations in Florida during that time also.

You get 2 Tylenol pills before it is administered. I took 2 decadrons in the morning then again at night on the day before, the day of, and the day after. You will probably get iv steroid and Benedryl before it is administered. The benedryl made me really sleepy during the treatment. I never took nuelasta. The night of the first treatment my face got hot and turned red and my chest. They said that was flushing and it was ok. It was the middle week between treatments when I felt the worse. I was really tired and that’s when all the side effects were the worse. Big chunks of my hair started coming out before I had my 2nd treatment. That’s pretty fast so be prepared. Good news.. my hair is growing back now and it’s seems as thick as before. I had the mouth sores also. Get some of the magic mouthwash. That started after my second treatment. I had 2 uti s during my time on taxotere too. I went to a walk in clinic got an antibiotic and it cleared right up. After about 4 treatments my tastebuds changed. Things I use to love was horrible. This was the worse. Being able to taste food is a sense we definitely take for granted. I lived on watermelon and popsicles. Meats were disgusting except for lobster tails with the dipping butter. I liked juicy fruits that were kept in the frig. Ice cream was still good but it messed with my stomach. I lost weight. I tried to be good about my diet but I had to just try and eat any kind of calories. It took about 3 or 4 weeks after I stopped the taxotere for my taste to return. My finger nails looked gross too. I kept them painted. They started breaking way down in the “quick”. It didn’t hurt. They turned black and looked bad. Most of my toenails fell off leaving only a little piece on my toes. My fingernails look good again now but my toenails still look gross. I’m definitely going to have to have a pedicure when spring gets here. My toes and fingers started having the numbness so I was stopped after 8 treatments. I admit I was glad to stop it. The numbness is still there but my last treatment of taxotere was in July 2019. Maybe it will go away soon. There were times when I felt sorry for myself because I felt so miserable. But I made it through and it got rid of several tumors and significantly shrunk the others. I now have only 4 lesions in my right lung. They are very small. I am having sbrt radiation on 2 of them. Hoping the perjeta and herceptin take care of the smallest ones that they say aren’t measurable.

I wish you the best as you start this part of your journey. Just remember that the taxotere is not forever and it works. I hope this helps you. You got this girlfriend!!

💗,

Stacy

[marleneb56 in reply to Staysha]

Has anyone ever heard of taxotere causing pulmonary edema and or pleural effusions.? (Fluid in the lungs and or fluid in the chest cavity).

Lucy

[marleneb56 in reply to marleneb56]

I am the daughter of marlene56