when to switch chemotherapy

[osami]

I have been on chemo for a recurrence since Aug.2008. At the 2. treatment with carboplatin and taxotere I had an anaphylactic reaction and had to continue on Toxotere only. For the past 5-6 weeks I have had an infection (Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus) under my fingernails, treated with 1. a topical then 2 oral antibiotics. My Nails are discolored, lifting up and threatening to fall out. The dermatologist told me that unless I stop Taxotere they will fall out.
My toenails are not infected but loose too. Question: is it reasonable to ask for a switch in chemo-meds for a condition that is not life threatening, but very much affecting my "quality of life". Taxotere brought me from a CA125 of 900 down to 117-133-102- 188 for the last 4 months. PET-scan is neg.

[osami]

Hi Dian,
it's 11:40 pm in Japan and normally I would be asleep, but then I had chemo with steroids today and you know what that means.
As for my toes, I'm worried because I invited my 3 sisters from Germany to Japan in April and I want to show Tokyo and Kyoto to them. I guess it will be warm enough to wear sandals with socks ( aaah, so fashionable ). But that's a lot of walking, I can just see myself stubbing my toes all over the place, not to mention the osteo-arthritis in my big toe joint and severe hip Arthritis on both sides. What was I thinking? I see lots of taxis in the future.
Did you change  chemo, because of these side effects or are you still on Taxotere?

Hope you can sleep in , have a great day,  Edith

ps. stubbing my fingernails happens aaah so often, since they stick out even cut short,
not pleasant at all !!

[dian07]

Hey there, girl.  I know exactly what you are talking about.  My fingernails are okay buy I managed to lose all but one toenail and holy cow.....here in NW Iowa it gets cold and my toes know it!  Also, it hurts like crazy when I bump or snag those toes on anything.....on top of that; if I wear shoes causing my feet to sweat, my toes break out in a rash.......I know it is like psoriasis but who cares.....it is still a pain in the rear !
This disease is really an inconvenience!
It's 3:15 a.m. here right now......I hope you are not reading this but are sleeping.
Have a great day.
Peace.
dian

[osami]

Hi Gail,
thank you for your response!  I just realized there is a significant typo in my story. The last CA125 was 118 not 188. Meaning it's  ~ stable. That's why they are reluctant to change the chemo. However, after this cycle and another CA125 in early March , they offered to discuss the issue. I"m living in Japan, so it is sometimes difficult to find out which chemos are available here, because approval is much slower than in the states.
And yes, you are right, side effects can be pretty bad, so I wonder If I end up trading for something even worse to come. So grin and bear it might just be down the line for me.
Take care,   Edith

[gah_70]

Have you considered asking about Taxol?  I had an allergic reaction to Taxotere, and stopped after three treatments.  It gave me a severe hand rash (on the tops, not the bottoms like Doxil does), and my doctor wouldn't let me stay on it.  What is your Oncologist saying about your nail problems?  Sometimes the side effects of chemo are worse than actually having cancer.  If your doctor really doesn't want to switch you to something else, I might have to just grin and bear it if it were me.  If Taxotere is working, then I would be hesitant to stop it just yet.  But, if the nails are causing you lots of discomfort, then I would definitely ask if there is something else you can switch to.  When do you get your next CA125?  Can you wait until you get that next report before you make a decision?  

Gail