BC Chemo Symptoms

[Sara22]

I am currently under treatment for BC. Lumpectomy, Finished EC, radiotherapy, Her2+ DCIS.  Started Herceptin/Taxol weekly two weeks ago.  Have been suffering pain in urethra and bladder area and around the lower pelvis.  Feels irritated, requiring frequent emptying, but not an infection.  Checked with GP who said cranberry juice may be useful, no discharge or itching.  Told Oncologist after first cocktail and she said the symptoms would probably go away as she hadn't heard of these problems before.  But they are debilitating, the pain has not been so bad this week but the urinary discomfort is still unpleasant and only relieves itself just before the next treatment is due.  I am having lots of water and now including the cranberry juice.
What else can I do and is this symptomatic of the chemo cocktail?
I have to continue with this cocktail for 12 weeks in total and then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a further 52 treatments.

[darcytwin]

you might want to check something completely different out...it kinda sounds like intersticial cystis.  I have had it for several yrs now....it feels like a bad uti and possibly worse...id make an appt with a urologist as well, just to be on the safe side....

[Sara22]

Thank you for your response.  Yes, I did an MSU and path. results negative.  GP said he would ring if anything was found and he hasn't rung.  The symptoms are not just associated with the urethra, but also around the entrance of the vagina and anus initially.  A stinging sensation, but no bleeding or "infection" frequency, the frequency is associated with the amounts of fluid I am taking.  I have stopped drinking a glass of wine and most tea and coffee.  The pain is like "period pain", but I am 60 yrs. post menapausal 17 yrs.
My next treatment is today, Friday and my next appointment with the Onc. isn't till the following Thursday 20th.  Then she's off on holidays for 4 weeks......so I would like to have this resolved prior to that......
My premeds. are 10x4gr, dexamethasone, 12 and 6 hours, 2 claratyne 1 hour and 1 zofran 1 hour and zantac intrafused just prior to taxol.  No medications afterwards at all.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi Sara,
I am sorry to hear of your discomfort. The symptoms sound like bladder irritation. The underlying cause could be an adverse effect of the chemotherapy, infection, or other causes.
Some chemotherapy drugs like Cyclophosphamide and Ifosfamide are known to produce bladder toxicity. Doctors call it 'hemorrhagic cystitis'. The drug you are receiving (Taxol, also called paclitaxel, and Herceptin) is not specifically associated with bladder discomfort.
Infection commonly causes these symptoms. The period following chemotherapy makes us vulnerable to infection because of immune compromise. You said it is not infection. Have you gor the urine tests (including culture) done?
Please continue drinking plenty of fluids. Also, some medicines to make the urine alkaline may offer some relief from your symptoms.