taxotere @70/m2side effects-oral

[hazel 125]

I have had my first tx of Cytoxan600, taxotere70 w/dexamethasone 4 mg q12 starting the day prior to tx and celebrex qd ot increase apoptosis, also starting day prior to tx. Received additional dose of dex, anzemet and ativan prior to chemo tx. Neulasta 24hr post tx. About 3days /p tx my mouth became sore,rough,senstive.This has cont for now d6. Some is improved but tongue still sore @tip. It actually kept me awake last night. My MD said it should be feeling better by now but more improvement in back of mouth than front.  It actually is affecting my lips now as well.  Lip balm helps the lips but what can I do for the tongue other than ice cream.  Labs are fine, no white spots on tongue.   Will this be same, worse or less on subsequent tx.  I plan to start using Glutamine swish and swallow w/next tx @ 10 gm tid.
Thanks for a great web site and any suggestions are appreciated.
2nd ? I understand the hair loss w/Taxotere is gradual unlike the acute effect w/Adriamycin.  Can you provide any details on how gradual, is it effected by frequency of tx (dose dense q2wk sched) doseage or fairly predictable for all.

[hazel 125]

Mabel-wabel
Thanks for the idea. I used the ice chips throughout my tx Thurs and for the next 12hrs hoping this will continue to work better throughout the time the taxotere is still in the system. Will let you know if this helps at all.  Have your symptoms been similar for all your previous txs?  I am also using the glutamine supplement for 5 days to see if this helps to reduce the time it is so bothersome.  GI cells have a 3 daya turnover and have a very high affinity for glutamine and are also reported to increase the NK (tumor killing) cells improving the tumor cell kill naturally by the bodies defense system.  Heres hoping.  I hope your tx is sucessful. Smiles,

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear hazel 125, Although some side effects to treatment are more commonly seen depending on the chemotherapy, the severity of a side effect varies between individuals.  It is likely that the side effect of mouth soreness will recurr with your next treatment.  However, knowing this has been a problem in your last treatment, you may be armed with taking measures to lessen the problem.  For some suggestions on treatment of mouth sores you can check out the website www.chemocare.com and look under side effect management.

Regarding the hair loss, loss varies and it may be more or less noticable to you.  Usually hairloss starts to happen about two weeks after treatment begins.

[mabelwabel]

I have had 3 rounds of Taxotere and will get my 4th on Monday.  This drug has affected my taste buds for at least 10 days after each treatment.   My tounge gets rough, bumpy, my throat hurts, and the texture of food is often disgusting.   My last treatment which was my 3rd I had figured out I could eat only smooties, fruit ones.  

Meat, even cereal were out of the question.   I love food, so this was shocking to me.    I have been told to suck on as much crushed Ice as I can during my next treatment.  I plan to give it a shot.

Maybe you could try this too.    You are defintely not alone with the mouth problems and taxotere.   keep gargeling with bakingsoda and salt every night.