Blocked tear ducts from Taxotere

I begain chemotherapy Nov. 2008 and finished end of April 2009. I was on Taxotere/Carboplatin for 8 rounds, 3 weeks apart. After the 4th chemo, I started having watery eyes, a side effect of Taxotere. It continued throughout the last 4 treatments. My left eye was more watery and would spill over if I did not dab it dry. At my month after last chemo doctor's appointment, he referred me to an eye doctor to check if it was blocked tear ducts. As I discovered from research, Taxotere can indeed cause blocked tear ducts.

Yesterday, the eye doctor unblocked the right without too much problem. She was not sure she could unblock the left but was surprised when she was able to do so. However, she did say that it could become blocked again, which it did - later the same day. Scar tissue can form which makes it difficult to remain open. A stent will open up the duct so that is probably what I will have done soon.

Please be proactive about this possible, not too common, side effect of Taxotere. Talk it over with you oncologist if you begin the more commom side effect of watery eyes so she/he will be aware that the less common side effect may happen. You will want to see an eye specialist sooner that later so scar tissue does not form so much that you will need an operation to open them up permanently. Be assured that this problem can be fixed.

By tg4love
Posted June 10, 2009 at 12:18 pm
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I have posted else where about this problem. I am glad to hear I'm not the only one. Sorry you too have to suffer from this stenosis. I have alerted my OC but she just never heard of the term before she said. Well, I found out other OC don't know of this either. Even the large UNIV. I've contacted. My eye specialist said all oncologist were notified about Taxotere's side effect with the eyes. Are they listening or should I say reading these reports? Do they care? I know the cancer is the first thing to take care of....no brainer there. But, we end up having war scars, which I rather not carry for the rest of my life, IF, it can be prevented. My eyes water, running down my cheeks all day long! Both eyes, and I was told by the specialist I should have the stents put in, however, I am also on Avastin which causes bleeding. So, I must wait....
What do you think is the best way to get this information out to our doctors?
I'd welcome any help and I know dragonflynan would too. Thank you for your comments.

By FavoriteAunt
Posted June 10, 2009 at 1:26 pm
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I'm on Doxil and sometimes get watery eyes and a runny nose. My onc. said it can happen. I was on Taxotere for 3 treatments early last year but didn't have a major problem.

You brought up a topic that is often overlooked but which is very important for all of us to know, just in case. Thank you.

I know my Mom has "dry eye" (nothing to do with cancer) because of the constant watering of her eyes. She had the plugs put in several months ago and they have been great and solved the problem. It is a simple office procedure with no discomfort. She uses Rx drops twice a day, and can also use over the counter drops any time they are needed.

By dragonflynan
Posted June 10, 2009 at 1:55 pm
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In hindsight, I would have asked my oncologist to refer me to the eye doctor sooner. If it was just watery eyes, I would have been relieved; however, if I did have blocked ducts, I could have received relief so much sooner.

Do your research on Taxotere and blocked ducts and take it with you to your doctor's - and leave her/him a copy!

By rsdsboys
Posted August 3, 2009 at 5:09 pm
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Hi All
I was treated with taxotere for breast cancer and I suffered from the tearing eyes. I have to say that was the most annoying side effect I had. I went the the eye dr and they opened my tear ducts with an instrument but that only lasted for two or three hrs and then it was back to watering. I had trouble driving because of the tears and I hated to go out side because the wind would make my eyes tear even more,. I had the ducts opening up a total of three times before the dr put plugs in my tear ducts and left them there for a month with hopes of keeping my tear ducts open . At the end of the month, my left eye functioned normally and my right eye is getting better now. It certainly is a serious side effect in my opinion and my oncologist told me just to let it run its course. I felt uncomfortable with that so I went to the dr on my own.
Now I am dealing with my fingernails seperating from the bed of the nails and have band aids on them to hold them on. I have clipped them down as far as I dare and now a few more seem to be doing the same thing. Anyways, I am done with chemo, radiation and now just trying to get back to normal life, or as normal as I can. Well thanks for letting me vent on this site. Please reply if you would like. It is good to vent to others that are in the same spot that I am.

By tg4love
Posted August 4, 2009 at 9:38 am
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Here is my question....what can we as a group do to get our doctors more aware of these side effects? I always here,"I've never had any other patient have this problem before" or, "you are the first one to have this side effect", or worse yet, say nothing, never get an answer. But yet on this website I see (as above) many sharing the same side effects. I feel awful that there are those without a computer, like I was until Jan., how do we get the word out to them? I suffered from being alone for 13 yrs without the support of this website. How and what can we do? I have thought of putting together a booklet for the doctors office to hand out, but then, I don't think they would like that either. I just hate others are unaware of all the things we now know. I just read about another helpful hint today. You just never know what wonders of information that we share with each other.

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