Doxil feeling pooped + getting ready for 2nd treatment

• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted June 22, 2009 at 9:04 am
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Amazing that you got through Taxol/Carbo with no side effects other than hair loss. I was pretty miserable on that.

I've just finished 8 cycles of Doxil and I found it easier to tolerate than the other chemos I've had. Much less nausea, no hair loss (just thinning) minor problems with cell count, some fatigue. The worst issue I had was a bad flare-up of the hand/foot syndrome after about 5 months. The last 2 doses were reduced because of that. Unfortunately, Doxil stopped working and I now need something else.

I doubt your doctor would lower the dose after just one treatment because you feel very tired unless you are really debilitated by it. You might need to get your white and red cell counts checked. Doxil's monthly schedule usually gives them time to repair themselves, but maybe yours are not and you might need Procrit or Neulasta.

The pain you have could be related to the cancer. When I started Doxil there was one turmor outside the liver which cause enough pain that I needed Percoset for a week. Doxil definitely helped reduce the tumor presence and the pain went away not long after I started.

Talk to your doctor when you go and tell him about what you've been feeling and your concerns. I'm sure he will listen and do what is necessary. I know how frustrating it is when we can't just have "normal" lives - just in hang in there. I really hope it works for you.

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• By JanM
• Posted June 22, 2009 at 9:59 am
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Thanks Favorite Aunt for your reply.Sometimes when you only see your Doctor before the monthly treatment, its nice to get input from other people.
Do you know what your next chemo drug will be?
JanM.

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• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted June 22, 2009 at 12:19 pm
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Yes, my doctor is going to start me on Topotecan, one treatment a week for 3 weeks and then one week off - a new adventure for me. I hope it is reasonably tolerable and, mostly, that it works! The ladies on this site have been very helpful in sharing their experiences, so I've made notes to take to the doctor.

I know it's hard when we're at home, wondering, feeling different pains and discomforts, letting our imaginations run off. Waiting for that time to pass until you see the doctor can seem like an eternity when you don't feel well and are so unsure of things. Knowing that so many of our sisters go through the same thing is actually a comfort: it's not just "me." But we have to try to be strong and not get overwhelmed by things, which is easy to do. So hang in there, and I hope you feel better soon.

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• By JanM
• Posted June 22, 2009 at 2:22 pm
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I put a call into the Dr + they were able to see me. Ends up that my blood was low + I am scheduled for a transfusion tomorrow 2 units. That should help me to feel better before my treatment on thursday. They also sent me for a chest exray as they heard me cough + they want to be extra carefull that I don't have respiratory problems [like swine flu]. I should have put a call into the docter a few days ago [my fault].
Faverite Aunt, it sounds like a new chapter with a new recipe for you. Good luck with the Topotecan.
JanM

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• By strega
• Posted June 22, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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I have had 2 treatments of doxil. Before that I had 9 monthsof taxol. MY Ca125 came down to 77. But now I have a tumor in the liver and that is reason for doxil. I am tired but my hymaglobin and other bloodwork is normal. The only side affects from the doxil is a rash and tips of finger numbness. When I was on taxol I needed blood on several occasions. I was walking around with hemaglobin of 6 to 8. I felt loosy most of the time. I hope you start feeling better and that the doxil works. You are in my prayers.

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• By okeedoakee
• Posted June 22, 2009 at 3:21 pm
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I have recurrent OVCA after 3 years. I am now going for my 4th treatment of Doxil. I am having a little trouble with it. I find that on th 7th day I am feeling very weak and have a bit of a 'brain fog'. I do struggle also with the hand and foot syndrome and get the Doxil rash alot.
I am sure many of my symptoms could be minimized if I followed recommendations more strictly.
I have had the rash since the first treatment. I have it in the bra, waist and groin area. Wearing loosely fitting clothing does minimize the occurance of the rash. Also, my nurse gave me hands-full of an ointment called Biafine. It is a free sample item and if your doctor doesn't have it, ask them to get some for you or write a script.
For the Hand and Foot Syndrome, USE THE ICE PACKS! and stay off your feet if possible. Also, if you get severe drying of the hands and feet try Bath & Body Works, True Blue Spa, Look Ma, New Hands Lotion. It has lots of stuff that locks in the moisture.
When I get the brain fog..l just try to veg out and do nothing that will take much effort as far as brain work. I find jigsaw puzzles engage me and help me stop obsessing over my symptoms.
Hope sharing my symptoms and solutions help others.
Good luck, keep that chin up and keep fighting.

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• By SONGBIRD49
• Posted June 23, 2009 at 11:58 am
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After 8 Carbo/Taxol treatments which I too had just a couple of the rare side effects but loss of every hair on my body. But after having an allergic reaction to the no longer working Carbo I was changed to Doxil. I had my second Doxil yesterday and of course from the pre-med drip I am feeling pretty good today. But I can tell you that I had constant pain my my right front stomach area for 3 weeks (enough pain to have to take Tyneol 3 every nite to be able to sleep comfortably) and pretty much constant diherra for 3 weeks as well and then the 4th week in time for the next infusion, all had gone away. Oh, tingling on the toes and fingers but not to be bothersome. My doc said the pain there was from the premeds. And funny but that same exact spot on chemo 1 (last Nov!) after a holistic healing I had an energy blast (like a slap) in that same exact spot. The healing happened the day after chemo. I do have to say the FATIGUE is much worse (if it can get worse!) than the past 8 chemo treatments of Carbo/Taxol. But I do associate other pains and lack of being able to do certain things to my age (just turned 60) as a natural part of aging than my illness. Recently started seeing some hairs on my head, eyebrows and eyelashes and Nose Hairs! LOL . I did speak with my doc before treatment yesterday about lowering the dosage as I also had a 10 minute thing of 6 sqeezes by my heart the first week but she said it was not my heart but muscle spasams (and I had them years ago so I am okay with that) But I will keep in touch seeing how this Doxil treatment goes in another week. I am sure things will turn around for you. This Doxil is supposed to be a good change.

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• By Shearaw
• Posted June 24, 2009 at 12:20 am
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JanM, I am also about your age, and am having a recurrence of my serous papillary OVCA, also inoperable. I am on Doxil along with another drug in a clinical trial. I'm only in the middle of my second cycle. Yes, there has been some fatigue for me in the first cycle, even though my blood counts remained good. You have been through so much since your diagnosis that it is no surprise your bone marrow is still trying to recover from your initial chemo and radiation. FavoriteAunt gave you wonderful advice (as she always does). I'm so glad that you were able to get a quick response from your medical team.

Another thing to get right on, if it occurs for you, is treating mouth sores. They can quickly go from tolerable to awful. Ask for a Magic Mouthwash scrip. It is a combination of Maalox, Benedryl and Lidocaine that numbs you enough to tolerate foods.

Good luck and prayers for your path to healing.

Sheara

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• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted June 24, 2009 at 9:08 am
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Shearaw mentioned something I forgot - the mouth sores! If they show up, it is unexpected but they need to be treated. That Magic Mouthwash is very good. Just experiment with the dosage. I found the recommended dose too numbing on my throat (it is a "swish & swallow"), so I cut it down and used it more frequently.

During my last month on Doxil the mouth sores were worse than the previous episode so they gave me something new - it's Gelclair Gel - comes in individual packets. It's a clear liquid gel that you mix with a couple of spoons of water. It provides a protective coating (tastes like anise) and actually helps to heal rather than just numb. I found it worked in a day. Good stuff.

Hope your blood transfusion helped and that you are feeling better.

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