What You Need to Know About Taxotere Chemotherapy

Learning more about your chemotherapy treatments can help reduce the fear that you feel before starting. It can also help you know what you should be aware of and how you can better prepare before treatment starts. This could increase your survivability. If you have been told that you will need taxotere chemotherapy, there are a few things you should know.

What is Taxotere Chemotherapy?

Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug brand. It is classified as a plant alkaloid, an antimicrotubule agent, and a taxane. Its generic name is Docetaxel. It can be used to treat breast cancer, head and neck cancer, advanced stages of stomach cancer, lung cancer that is non-small cell, and metastatic prostate cancer. It is currently being researched to determine its efficacy in treating bladder cancer, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, soft tissue sarcoma and melanomas, and ovarian cancer.

Talking to Your Doctor Before Treatment

Your doctor will discuss your complete medical history with you before you start treatment. This is to determine whether or not you are at a high risk for certain side effects. You should tell your doctor if you have any health conditions. You should also talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements. Some of these can have a negative reaction to the chemotherapy treatments.

If you suspect that you are pregnant before or anytime during treatment, you need to talk to your doctor. You should avoid getting pregnant during treatment and, if you are male, you should avoid conceiving a child. Taxotere can be harmful to your unborn baby and complications can be avoided by taking preventative measures. You should also avoid breastfeeding during treatment.

How You Will Receive Taxotore Chemotherapy

Taxatore chemotherapy is not offered in the form of a pill. It must be given intravenously with saline fluid. Three days prior to your treatment, you will have to start taking a corticosteroid pill. This will help reduce the chances of experiencing an allergic reaction or fluid retention during your taxotore chemotherapy. The amount and frequency of your treatment will be based on a number of factors, including your height, weight, other health issues, and the severity of your condition.

Possible Side Effects of Taxatore

Taxatore, just like all types of chemotherapy, has potential side effects. Side effects can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe and will vary from one patient to the next. It is unlikely that you will experience the exact same side effects as someone you know. You are also to feel any similar side effects in a different way and severity. The most important thing to know is that there are certain side effects that you should talk to your doctor about.

Low blood cell count is one of the most common side effects experienced with taxatore chemotherapy. This can increase your chances of infection or cause anemia. This generally starts between the fourth and seventh day after you start treatment, peaks around five to nine days after you start treatment, and starts to diminish 21 days after you start treatment. To help avoid getting sick during low blood count times, eat a diet that is high in protein and avoid others that are ill. You may also want to avoid places that have large crowds.

Another very common side effect is changes in the nails on your toes and your feet. In extreme cases, the nail may fall off. This can be a little alarming but, once your treatment is completed, your nails should grow back.

Other common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, pain in your joints, bone pain, muscle pain, low platelet count, and increases in liver function tests. These side effects should also disappear once treatment is completed.

There are other serious symptoms can occur, like heart complications, chest pains, and liver problems. You should talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms. This can help curb any potential serious issues during your treatment.

You should also contact a health care professional immediately if you experience diarrhea that occurs more than 4 to 6 times in a 24 hour period, if you have mouth sores, if your skin or eyes turn yellow, if you experience shortness of breath, if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, if you have nausea that prevents you from eating and cannot be resolved by anti-nausea medication, if you vomit more than 4 to 5 times in a 24 hour period, if you have any swelling in your ankles or your stomach, if you experience weight gain, if you have stools that are tarry, if you have blood in your stools, or if you have a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher. These are often signs of serious side effects that can often be treated with either medication or by stopping chemotherapy for a short time period.

What is RICE Chemotherapy

RICE chemotherapy can be used to treat a variety of cancers, including bone cancer, bowel cancer, melanoma, brain tumors, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and more. However, it is most commonly used for lymphoma, which is a cancer that occurs in the body’s lymph nodes. There are two different types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. RICE chemotherapy can be used to treat both types of lymphoma.

Drugs Found in RICE Chemotherapy

RICE is the abbreviation for the types of drugs it contains; Rituximab, Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, and Etoposide. The Rituximab can be omitted from the chemotherapy treatment. However, the other three drugs are essential to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody drug that is used to treat specific types of cancer while causing very little damage to healthy cells. This particular drug recognizes the protein in certain B-cell lymphomas and then locks into it, kind of like a key. It is thought that this may be how the drug indicates to the body to fight the cancer cells. Some healthy cells may be damaged but the normal, healthy cells will be able to recover.

What to Expect During Treatment

It can be pretty intimidating before your first treatment. And, while your doctor will discuss everything with you, you may forget a few details. While things can be different for each patient, there are a few things that you can expect from treatment, regardless of your condition or severity.

Your doctor should give you a blood test before you actually start treatment. This is to ensure that your kidneys and other organs are functioning properly. The blood test may be done a few days before your first treatment but it could be done as late as the actual day of your first treatment. Your doctor will decide when to do your blood work.

A plastic tube will be inserted either into your arm or near your collarbone to administer the chemotherapy drugs. They may decide to insert what is known as a PICC line, which will stay inside of your body until your chemotherapy treatments are done. If a PICC line is inserted, your doctor and nurse will discuss with you the proper care procedures that you will need to follow while it is in. This will help minimize any potential risks of having the line in.

Before your chemotherapy drugs are given, you are likely to receive anti-nausea drugs. These will probably be given through your PICC line or IV. However, it may be offered to you in the form of a pill. It is intended to help you avoid serious nausea that can often occur with chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy treatments generally last a couple of hours. They can, however, take longer if you happen to have a reaction to the drugs. Reactions are most common with rituximab, which will be stopped and then restarted, if you should start showing any kind of allergic reaction to the drug. This will cause your chemotherapy treatment time to take longer. After all the drugs are completed and you feel ready to go, you will be able to return home.

Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea drugs for you to take home. You should take these exactly as they are directed, whether you are feeling sick or not. Some of the drugs given for nausea are designed to help keep nausea away. However, these types of drugs may not do so well at stopping the nausea once it starts, especially if you have not been taking your medication regularly.

The frequency of your treatment will be determined by your doctor. There are three different schedules that your doctor can follow for your treatment cycles. A number of factors will be considered by your doctor, including the type and aggressiveness of your cancer.

Side Effects of RICE Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy are the one of the big reasons that many people are intimidated. It is important to keep in mind, however, that every person is different. Therefore, you must realize that the side effects that you experience during chemotherapy are likely to be slightly different than what someone else you know might have experienced. Try to stay positive and simply be aware of the potential side effects possible with chemotherapy. Know what to do and how to reduce your risk for certain side effects as well. This will help you feel less intimidated by the chemotherapy treatment before it starts.

The most frequent side effects experienced with RICE chemotherapy include nausea and vomiting. This is why the anti-nausea drugs are given. If you take them according to the instructions, you may be able to greatly reduce the severity of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. Some individuals are able to prevent nausea and vomiting altogether. Just be aware that the anti-nausea drugs can cause constipation. This is something you should talk to your doctor about immediately.

You should also be aware that, during chemotherapy treatments, your immune system will be weakened. This is because your white blood cell count is decreased by the chemotherapy drugs. Generally, low white blood cell count will start around the seventh day of your treatment. It reaches its lowest around 10 to 14 days after treatment starts. Once you pass the two week time period, your blood cells should start to increase. They will eventually, after all of your cycles are completed, go back to normal.

What is Intrathecal Chemotherapy

Finding out you have cancer is more than just bad news. It is downright devastating. The word cancer brings fear, uncertainty, and grief. You do not have to accept this, however. You can choose to follow a treatment plan outlined by your doctor and fight back. You may even find a new appreciation for life, once everything is said and done.

Intrathecal chemotherapy is one of the many types of chemotherapy used to treat cancer. It is done by injecting chemotherapy drugs directly into the spinal canal. Intrathecal chemotherapy is used for certain types of cancer and your doctor will only recommend this type of treatment if they feel that it will give you the best chance at survival against the cancer.

If Intrathecal chemotherapy is performed, it is likely that your doctor believes this is the best method in which the chemotherapy drugs can reach the cancer cells and kill them. This is essential to beating the cancer. And, while almost all people get nervous about the idea of having something injected into their spine, know that the procedure will only be performed by qualified health care professionals.

How Intrathecal Chemotherapy is Administered

There are actually two different ways that Intrathecal chemotherapy can be given. It may be given by injection, directly into the spinal canal. This method is known as an intralumbar injection. It may be painful and the healthcare provider may give a local numbing agent before giving you the injection to help reduce the pain. An intralumbar injection requires no extra treatment after you go home, outside of general care needed for chemotherapy.

 Another way that the intrathecal chemotherapy can be given is through the left ventricle of the brain. This is done by placing an Ommaya reservoir underneath the scalp. This will allow the health care provider to easily administer the chemotherapy drugs into the area between your brain and your spinal cord. Before you receive your first round of chemotherapy, you will go in for a surgical implant of the Ommaya reservoir. The back of your head will be shaved and you will be sedated before the reservoir is put into place. Once your chemotherapy treatments are over, the reservoir will be removed.

The method will be determined by your doctor and it will be based upon certain factors. Where exactly your cancer is located could be one of the determining factors. However, the type of cancer as well as the severity will also be considered when making the decision of how your chemotherapy drugs will be given.

Important Information You Need to Know About Chemotherapy

Following your doctor’s instructions and taking care of yourself is important during chemotherapy. This helps to prevent illness and can decrease the potential of serious side effects. Your doctor should give you detailed instructions on how to care for your Ommaya reservoir if you have one. But there are also some other very important things that you need to know about taking care of your body before, during, and after chemotherapy.

Before you actually start treatment, you need to try and keep yourself as healthy as possible. Avoid coming into contact with anyone who is ill and be sure that you are eating a well-balanced diet. This is not the time to try and lose weight. You will need to continue eating healthy and avoiding individuals that are sick throughout your chemotherapy treatments.

Your diet should be high in protein and calories while you are receiving chemotherapy. Your body will need the extra calories to sustain itself during your treatment. After treatment, until your body produces new healthy cells, you will still need to consume more calories to promote the healing process.

To avoid illness, you may want to stay away from large groups of people, if at all possible. Try to get others to go to the grocery store for you and stay away from children, if you can, especially those that go to daycare. Children can often carry illnesses, even if they are not sick.

You should also drink plenty of water and try to get as much rest as possible. Avoid overexerting yourself. This could wear you out very quickly. Remember, your body is fighting cancer right now. You need all of the energy you can possibly get.

You may experience gum, mouth, or throat sores. These can sometimes be prevented, if you take the time to talk to your doctor. If you should notice these sores, you should notify your doctor. While the condition is not serious, it can become painful, making it difficult to eat.

Dizziness or blurred vision can sometimes occur with intrathecal chemotherapy. Balance problems are also common. Generally, the symptoms disappear within just hours of treatment. You can sometimes decrease the problem by lying flat for a while after treatment is completed.

What is Induction Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often recommended to treat cancer. And, while the idea may be quite scary, it is important to realize that your doctor is doing his/her best to make sure that you beat the cancer. Following the treatment plan of your doctor can increase your chances at overcoming your cancer and living a longer life.

What is Induction Chemotherapy?

Induction chemotherapy is generally used in advanced stages of cancer. It is generally the first step your doctor will take to fight cancer cells in your body. The goal is to attack the cancer, causing the cells to weaken and preventing cancer cell growth. Some types of cancer will only respond to chemotherapy and several rounds may be required to fight the cancer and put it into remission. However, there are other types of cancer that may need radiation therapy once the chemo cycle is over. If the cancer can actually be surgically removed, then chemotherapy will be used before the surgical removal of your tumor. Your oncologist will determine, based on the type and severity of your cancer, which types of cancer treatments will work best.

A Risk of Induction Chemotherapy

Your doctor will only administer the amount of chemotherapy you need. If at all possible, other forms of treatment will be used before using additional rounds of induction chemotherapy. The reasoning for this is that there is a risk to over-treating with induction chemotherapy. If used too much, induction chemotherapy can lead to leukemia, a type of blood cancer that is very difficult to treat.

Induction Chemotherapy Controversy

The safety and effectiveness of induction chemotherapy has been a topic up for debate for a great deal of time. Initially, it was thought that induction therapy could increase the health of all cancer patients. Later trial and evaluation of the therapy, however, showed a slightly different story. It was found that chemotherapy, in conjunction with other types of treatments was more successful. It was also shown that the success of induction therapy depended greatly on the type of cancer the patient was fighting. Overall, it was found that, if at all possible, induction chemotherapy should be avoided.

If your doctor has recommended induction chemotherapy, you don’t have to worry though. Your doctor is likely very aware of the risks and the potential benefits. Your doctor obviously feels that induction chemo is your best chance and it is unlikely that induction chemotherapy will be the only type of treatment used, unless you have a chemo-sensitive tumor or type of cancer.

Induction Chemotherapy for AML

One of the most popular uses for induction chemotherapy is for the treatment of AML, otherwise known as acute myeloid leukemia. Induction chemotherapy is used as the first line of treatment to help kill the detectable cancer cells. Once induction chemo is completed, a secondary type of treatment, known as consolidation therapy is used.

Induction therapy can also be used as remission therapy. In this case, two different medications are used – daunorubicin and cytarabine. These are both used to damage DNA cells while they are being replicated. The replication of DNA is what causes leukemia.

Side Effects of Induction Chemotherapy

Because of how chemotherapy works, side effects are very common. Some side effects are potentially fatal. Knowing what to expect and how to detect potentially fatal side effects can help you be more prepared for the chemotherapy process.

Common side effects that are not usually fatal can include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, constipation, sores in the mouth or throat, fatigue, damage to the reproductive organs, changes in taste, appetite loss, changes in thinking or memory, and weight changes. Some of these side effects, however, like diarrhea, can become fatal if they are not addressed properly. Your doctor can help you deal with side effects that could become dangerous and will advise you on the proper methods for handling them.

Side effects that can become dangerous and even potentially fatal include heart damage, nervous system changes, liver damage, lung damage, kidney and urinary system damage, and bone marrow suppression. Those at the highest risk for potentially fatal conditions generally have other health conditions. For example, individuals at the highest risk for heart conditions from chemotherapy are those that already have heart complications. Some conditions like kidney disease are most likely to occur in patients that are not addressing other side effects properly.

Knowing When to Talk to Your Doctor

Your doctor should discuss serious complications with you and advise you of when you should seek medical care immediately. Some cases that you should seek immediate medical care for include back or chest pain. If you experience certain side effects right after treatment like sweating, stomach cramps, or watery eyes, you should also seek immediate medical attention.

Natural Cures for GERD

Strict discipline is a must if natural cure is preferred for GERD. There are basic things that do not require daily medication. A change in the way of eating and  clothes worn will help. One such way is to change eating habits from regular big meals to  small frequent meals. This  enables the stomach to digest the food smoothly and prevents hyperacidity. Large meals may trigger the stomach to produce more acid.

In terms of clothing, GERD patients should wear loose and comfortable clothes. Though tight clothes are trendy, they press the stomach causing  heartburn. It is good to get rid of tight-fitting clothes  while still suffering from the symptoms of GERD as there will be no use for them. Obese GERD patients should also exercise to lose weight. Exercise does not need to be extensive and tiring. Simple brisk walking for few minutes will do; finding natural cures for GERD is not difficult.

There are appropriate ways of sleeping which will minimize the occurrence of heartburn. GERD patients should know the basics. It is advised not to go  to bed right after eating dinner. There must be at least three hours interval before going to sleep. This interval will give time for the stomach to digest the food. Another way is to keep the bed  elevated with pillows which are placed just below the head. This will ease the discomfort of heartburn at night time as  heartburns are felt more often while lying down to sleep.

Be vigilant on the food you are about to eat. Over-consumption of  carbonated and caffeinated drinks triggers GERD. Each GERD patient must secure their own list of foods to avoid. Acidic, spicy and fatty foods are the most common triggerfactors of GERD and may   worsen the condition. The long list would include fruits namely, orange, citrus and lemons. Chocolates have higher cholesterol level and is included on the list as well. Caffeinated drinks like coffee, cola, soda and tea contributes to the acidity of the stomach. Fatty foods include fried fish, chicken or pork and should be avoided. Have them cooked grilled or roasted instead.

Some herbal medicines -  a natural way of curing GERD, are readily available over-the-counter. Most GERD patients prefer to take these herbal substitutes  since they are a lot cheaper, effective, have no side effects and containno harmful ingredients. Herbal medicines are proven to alleviate and control the acidity of the stomach. Some herbal medicines soothe the inflammation inside the intestines and relax the nerves. Heartburn is oftentimes relieved  with the use of  herbal medicines.

Ginger roots, herbal liquorice and German chamomile are boiled to squeeze their extracts. Cumin, baking soda, lemon balm and skim milk are then mixed with a glass of water. The mixture may be given to GERD patients. Meadows sweet tea and Aloe Vera juice are also effective drinks for GERD patients and may be consumed without limit as long as the patient feels better.

Glutamine containing food reduces the acidity of the stomach and inflammation. Patient may chew fennel seed to reduce spasms inside the stomach. Apple cider vinegar is also proven to be effective - a mixture of a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and  a glass or water will do. GERD patients must also take extra caref when  taking herbal products, making sure there is no  over-dosage. However, there are patients that who are allergic to the components of a particular herb. GERD patients must know if they have allergic reactions to what herbal components.

Triple Bypass Surgery Survival Rate

Families of the patient who should undergo triple bypass surgery may have questions in mind about the survival rate. They can’t help but worry if the patient will survive. They would also like to know what things are likely  to happen after the surgery. In a discussion forum, patients who have undergone triple bypass surgery have expressed their different experiences.

The summary of their discussion sums up that they have a successful surgery. Majority of them have survived and lived normal lives as an outcome of the surgery. The group of patients  discussing consists of nine males and six females. Their age bracket is divided into two for each  gender. The male age ranges from ages 45 to 82 years old while female age ranges from 30 to 80 years old. The blockage that they had on their arteries ranges from 80% to 90%.

To show the results of their surgery, we separated the feedback of the males and the females. According to the males, they lived normal lives after the surgery. They have been living remarkably well with no complications and in excellent mood. Right after the surgery some have experienced few struggles. Those adjustment periods included four days of pain after surgery, chest muscles are sensitive to cold, feeling nauseous  for several weeks, cardiac rehab three times a week for three months and the first year after surgery had been generally tough. One patient presented quite a rare outcome and that is going through another triple bypass surgery 14 years after the last surgery. All of them were physically fit before the onset of chest pains and heart attacks. Their recovery span varied from three months until  a year. After the recovery period they lived well and longer.

Females’ feedback have variations and each with their own stories before having heart attack. One of them is a chain smoker, another one is an active triathlon and others just lived normal lives before the heart attack. Chest pains or angina had led some of them to the emergency room of  the hospital and never thought it was that serious until they were admitted for surgery. Almost all of the females went well after the surgery. However, one of them didn’t makeit to the recovery stage. The woman  was 80 years old when she had the surgery. Her family thought she made it because she did pretty well 24 hours after the surgery.  But unfortunately, at 33 hours she passed away.  One  had the fastest recovery which was about 9 days after the surgery.  She had already gotten  back to work 9 days after her surgery.  Another one stated she fully recovered after 5 months.

Based on this triple bypass surgery survival rate discussion, the mortality rate of the patients who undergotriple bypass surgery is a low  1 out of 15 patients. Only one of them didn’t make it and died. It goes to show that this medical procedure  is still a safe way to extend  the life of the patient and to somehow reduce  the occurrence of chest pains and heart attackin the future. The discussion  somehow alleviates the worrying hearts of the family whose  family member will undergo triple bypass surgery.

What is FOLFIRI Chemotherapy

Finding out you have cancer is scary, especially when you are told that chemotherapy will be a part of your treatment. And, while there is no way to make chemotherapy pleasant, it is important to know that, if your doctor has recommended chemo, it is your best chance at beating the cancer.

If FOLFIRI chemo has been recommended by your doctor, they have taken the time to carefully evaluate your condition and feel that this type of treatment is your best chance at success. FOLFIRI chemotherapy is a type of chemo that is used to treat certain types of cancer – generally colon or rectal cancer. However, it has also been used to treat a variety of other conditions.

Drugs Found in FOLFIRI

There are five different cancer fighting drugs found in FOLFIRI: 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan or Camptosar. The 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan are used to help prevent cancer cell growth. It also prevents the cancer cells from multiplying. Eventually, the cancer cells should shrink and die. The Leucovorin in FOLFIRI is used to increase the efficacy of the 5-fluorouracil.

Before You Start Treatment

There are some things that you should be aware of before you start FOLFIRI treatment that can help prevent any adverse effects and protect you and your children. First, you should talk to your doctor about any medications that you are currently taking. This includes dietary supplements, herbal remedies, and vitamins.
To protect you and your children, you should try to avoid getting pregnant while you receive FOLFIRI treatment. FOLFIRI can harm your unborn baby and it is essential that you take proper precautions to avoid this situation. Do this by taking a good birth control and talk to your doctor immediately if you should become pregnant. If you have recently had a baby, you should avoid breastfeeding while you are receiving FOLFIRI treatment. There is currently no research available as to whether or not FOLFIRI can harm your infant while nursing.

You should also be aware that there is a possibility that you could become sterile from your FOLFIRI treatment. This is a possibility with many different types of chemotherapy drugs. If you plan to have a family in the future, take the time to talk to your doctor about how FOLFIRI might impact your future plans.

Health Conditions You Should Be Aware Of

There are some side effects that can occur with FOLFIRI that go beyond the normal chemotherapy side effects that you normally hear about. Some of the side effects are potentially fatal, so you need to be aware of them. If you display any of the symptoms that could indicate that you are suffering from a potentially fatal side effect, you should talk to your doctor immediately.

One of the most common side effects found with FOLFIRI is heart complications. This is caused by the 5-FU drug found in the FOLFIRI. Some complications can include heart attack, angina, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Those with heart conditions or a history of heart disease are at higher risk than patients that have never had a heart condition. Signs that you may be suffering from a heart-related complication could include back pain or tightness in the chest.

Diarrhea is also very common with the FOLFIRI treatment. This is caused by the drug Irinotecan. Diarrhea can occur within 24 hours after initial treatment or several days after treatment. It often peaks around the eleventh day after treatment. If you experience diarrhea within the first 24 hours, you may need to take atropine, a drug that can help reduce symptoms.

Dehydration is a risk with excessive diarrhea and you should take steps to making sure that you stay properly hydrated. Not staying properly hydrated can lead to other complications, including kidney problems. You should also have over-the-counter Imodium A-D at home before you start treatment and take it as soon as you start experiencing loose stools. This will help to reduce your risk of dehydration. Let your doctor know if you take any type of stool softeners or laxatives because these can worsen symptoms. You should also let your doctor know immediately if you experience a runny nose, flushing, watery eyes, excessive salivation, sweating, or stomach cramps after treatment.

Rare cases of intestinal inflammation can occur during FOLFIRI treatment. Complications experienced with this type of condition can include infection, ulcers, and bleeding. You should tell your doctor immediately if you start to experience rectal bleeding or have sudden abdominal pain. Side effects are often more severe in patients that are older or who have had radiation therapy to the abdominal or pelvic area. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection from the inflammation.