Chemotherapy - taxotere, general anecdotal reports

Anecdotal Reports Relating to Chemotherapy

Taxotere

Author: Howard Hansen

Date: 1 May 2008

Introduction

Anecdotal reports provide some indication of what might happen to one or at most a few patients. At most they provide a starting point for gathering more information. Not all patients are impacted by side effects. Their incidence is usually listed in the prescribing information and the papers documenting the clinical trials that established their U.S. FDA approval.

Anecdotal Reports

Patient Query(wife): My husband will be starting Taxotere shortly. Any ideas on the side effects? We are trying to figure out what day is best to do it on. I must add that he hasn't done well with other things as far as side effects. I was wondering if he is going to be sick for a few days and if so does it start the next day or a few days later.

Patient1 response: I am prone to side effects also. I was on Taxotere q21days for 3 cycles only. I made up a list of side effects for my own reference.

Patient2 response: I did eight cycles of taxotere at the 3 week interval last year. Fatique was worse for me by day 5 or 6. That is, I had my treatment on Friday morning. I usually felt most tired on the following Tuesday or Wednesday.

Since I normally only work three days a week, I would typically take Tuesday off on the weeks just after a treatment.

Patient3 response: I am getting the 75 mg/ m2; once every 3 wks. Have had two treatments so far 4 Jan 08 and 25 Jan 08. Minimal side effects... Nothing for 2 days.. constipated for 3 days,,, the diarrhea 1 or 2 times for 2 days, not bad at all. I am having sores/ rash on back of hands, (first wk., now same on tops of fore arms-- 2nd wk.) Do not itch, but somewhat tender. Hair Loss-- nothing for 14 days, then started coming out in clumps, if I rubbed my hand on sides or back of head... So I decided to give myself a Buzz cut.. which looks good & is in style.. Still have some on top of head ( 50 %).

Patient4: I recently underwent 2 infusions of Taxotere for my metatastic PC. The side effects were mild. The most bothersome one was fatigue. I had hints of nausea, but they were so mild that I did not even take the anti-nausea pills given to me by the onco. A little hair fell out, but that went unnoticed. Only the fatigue affected my daily routine.

References

See Dealing With Taxotere Side Effects by Richard Lam, MD.

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