Caelyx

I am half way through my second shot of Caelyx/doxil and I must say it is making me crazy. I have rashes and discolouration all over my body and my hands and feet itch and burn. I have been using cream 2 a day as prescribed - "utterly smooth" with little relief. I also had 6 mouth sores but the doc prescribed a steroid dental paste that cleared it right up. My question is has anyone had this kind of reaction what did you do to relieve it. is there a menthol cream or something to cool the burning? The funny thing is I am 27 years old and the lady I have chemo with is 60 and she is breezing through it. Also I have been having mild chest pains has anyone exdperienced this?

[freshair]

I don't like the chest pains. The doxil affects the heart. I'm sure you were warned of that. You're getting more reactions probably because you are younger. I learned awhile ago that Taxol causes more bone pain with younger women. I did the Doxil for 3 treatments this summer. I didn't like the drug--it did weird things to my mind. I was full of apathy, negative and it was a hot summer. Then I had friction problems (rubbing toe against sneaker). I never had the sores but my feet and hands felt weird. I felt like I could have gotten mouth sores but didn't lucily (I don't know if the Tom's baking soda toothpaste will help you but that is what I used).

Its so strange some women do better with topotecan and others do better with doxil.

Best of luck that your numbers come down and the pain subsides.

[SimplyStar]

Funny thing that you should mention the older ladies getting chemo, Leslee mentioned this to me several times, she noticed these 4 "white haired" old ladies come in , sit down , get their chemo, grab up their purses and say  "well girls" meet you at the mall.

[Best59]

For burning, try warm water with bakingsoda... Help.
Sue

[Helmar]

Wearing loose clothing will alleviate any brown marks caused by friction. If you wear anything tight, then that is not good with this chemo. I even 'diched' my bra while doing this one. I had 4 treatments, with the only side affect large sore mouth ulcers. They were a curse, but my Oncol wouldn't allow me to put anything on them containing steroids  so I'm not sure if it's a good thing to have a paste with steroids or not. I know it will get rid of the mouth ulcers, but I had to tolerate them, as my Oncol. said a definite no to anything with steriods in the mouth.
I too, would be concerned re the chest pain, as this drug is know to damage the heart. Did your Oncol. have you take a scan on your heart before treatment started? I don't have heart problems, but had to take a scan first.
With regard to older women managing the chemo better than younger ladies... maybe it's just that older women don't get so upset about all of this stuff. They have experienced more life, and perhaps more resilient to things happening in life. I've been in the Oncol. unit, when a couple of younger women have been present, and they get themselves into a real tizz about things,which is understandable as it's one terrible load for young women to have to endure, and my heart goes out to them.
Just want to wish everyone well.....Helmar.