Doxil is next chemo

[jane65]

The next chemo we're using is Doxil which we'll start this coming Monday, and  I'll have a treatment once every 3 weeks. Hopefully this drug will work and we can start to reverse the progression of the OVCA including the induration.

My oncologist said the induration (ugly lumps and bumps) are an external picture of cancer and what's going on inside my body. It's so gross!

He said I need to have a MUGA heart scan before we can start Doxil,  to be sure my heart is ok and I'll have that test done this Thursday.

I know that several of you have been on Doxil, and I'd really appreciate some tips on how to deal with the side affects, the oncology nurse said loose clothing, and be careful of heat. I'm sure they'll have lots more to say next Monday.

Thanks again for all the support, and help.
Jane

[nyc lady]

Jane, if no one comes across with info, send me your email address and I can have a friend of mine fill you in on her experience with doxil.  Ith ink that you have to watch out for mouth sores (ulcers) and such.

I am keeping everything crossed that the doxil will provide the outcome that we are all hoping for.

Best of luck,
Pam

[gah_70]

Doxil sometimes gets a bad rap, but remember, not everyone has the same reaction to chemo.  Yes, heat is something you'll need to watch.  That includes warm/hot water in the shower, and doing dishes.  There is a kit from the makers of Doxil that hopefully you'll get from your doctor before you start.  It includes some hand cream, a card that monitors heat (so you can test the water before you get in the shower), a water bottle that turns purple when there's too much heat, and a few other little goodies.  It also has cold packs for your hands and feet you use while getting the treatment.  You can freeze them, then tie them around your wrists and ankles at the time of treatment.  It slows the blood circulation into your hands and feet to help reduce the chance of sores.  You should also consider eating ice chips during treatment, too, to help with possible mouth sores.  

You'll probably have MUGA scans throughout treatment to monitor your heart.  Ask your doctor if you can take COQ10, which is a supplement that can help protect your heart.  Some doctors think it's a good idea, but others may not.  

Just remember to watch the heat and monitor your reactions, and it should be fine.  Good luck to you, and let us know how you're doing.

Gail  

[Tybear]

Hi Jane...
I don't have any expierence with Doxil but I just wanted to wish you good luck. I really hope you get the results you so very much deserve.
I know Deandra (Brownie) has been on and off of it for quite a while now...you should message her and ask for any tips she might be willing to share.
Good luck to you,
Becky xx

[shewrites]

Good luck, Jane, with the doxil.  The Canadian and UK ladies all call it caelyx and seem to have less trouble with it.  Maybe it would help if you called it caelyx???  

[jane65]

I'll call it the Canadian Mounted Police if that would help!

Be well,
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Pam,
I messaged you my email address, let me know if you got it.
Thanks to you and to your friend, I appreciate her offer for help.

I wish you both good health,
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Gail,
Thanks for your tips, I did get that purple  Doxil pack from my oncology nurse, and I'll follow your suggestions. Maybe I can bring a couple of ice pops with me, what do you think?

It sounds like this may be a difficult chemo drug, but if it works, I'll deal with the side affects.
My MUGA scan is this Thursday.

I'm making a list of everyone's suggestions, and I'm sure it will help to make this easier to deal with. The ladies are so kind.

Thanks again,
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Becky,
I hope you're doing better now, your reply to me was very nice to see.

I'll send a message to Deandra, thanks for the suggestion.

Feel good!
Jane

[sheri938]

hi just finished my 3rd  treatment of doxil  have 3 more to go-my numbers started to climb got up to 33 and so i was put on the doxil i have finished a year of taxol and carbo and surg, total of 9 taxols- so far the numbers went from 33 to 31 and now down to 15 so far, have not lost my hair yet- i'm told  i may not-so far i've not had too many side effects- except the first 24 hours i can not sleep then the next 2 days i sleep- then sort of snap out of the fog,i had a different chemo nurse this time and she told me to make sure and to wear shoes if going to be out side or do garden work,to avoid injuries, i had a small spider bite on my foot and she was very concerned  about it-adv me not to take very hot baths, and to watch  any cuts or   scratches,good luck  and it takes a lot less time for the amount they are giving me,-?keep in touch

[sheri938]

oh yes i had to have the sam heart test before the doxil

[jane65]

Hi Sheri,
Yes, definitely be careful to protect your skin from cuts and scratches. Your immune system is compromised now and you have to be careful of any infections.

The wonderful ladies on this forum have given lots of tips and advice about how to deal with the Doxil side affects, maybe those suggestions will be useful for you too.

Take care and keep in touch with us,

Jane

[gabby55]

hi its gabby 55 i go on caelyx starting monday,sohope it does well for you and for me...keep posting

[jane65]

Good luck to you gabby,
Do you expect to have the same side effects I may have with Doxil?

Lets keep in touch and see how we're handling it. My oncology nurse said I'll be getting mine through my port, and that I should plan to suck on ice chips or ice pops during treatments.
Also, I should ice my palms, and soles during and after treatments to minimize any side effects.

Feel well, and good luck to both of us!
Jane

[Teresa222]

You might want to go to my Journal and read what I posted about Doxil. It got tougher as I moved forward with the treatments. I've had a good response so far, because I am still cancer free. I go back next week for a three month checkup. This will make nine months remission for me from the Doxil treatments.

[jane65]

Thanks Teresa,
I'll definitely read your Journal I appreciate everything I can learn about Doxil so I'll be prepared. That's wonderful to hear that your cancer free! I hope it lasts forever!

So far we couldn't find Udderly Smooth, but we'll keep looking around, or order it on line.

Jane

[gabby55]

hi jane all the info above is what our oncologist told us..to stay cool,no sun etc, well thats ok cause i dont ever sit in the sun,lets do like you said keep each other posted and yes here in canada we call caelyx...but i never had the muga test??what is that?anyways monday is another start and prayfully this will work for us both, they tell me its only 20%chance for me due to my short remiision from this last time,,i keep hoping GOD will step in and and make all of us better,,,until next time love and blessings friend gail...ps r u in usa??  forever grateful to this forum an dits contributors..

[yrrek]

Hi there my name is yrrek, well Kerry and I used to post quite regularly.  I may be starting doxil as well. It is so amazing to get all this info on it.  My marker went up to 33 while on taxol/carbol, we are going to do one more marker and then go from there.  

[sheri938]

HI  AFTER ALMOST 8 MONTHS AFTER THE TAXOL CARBO TREATMENTS I STAYED AT 14 FOR MONTHS THEN IT WENT TO 33 AND I WAS STARTED ON DOXIL, AFTER THE 1ST TREATMENT TO STARTED DOWN SLOWLY THIS WAS MY 3RD LAST FRIDAYS   IT WAS DOWN TO 15 WILL HAVE ANOTHER BLOOD DRAW THIS WEEK, THERE ARE A FEW SIDE EFFECTS BUT NOTHING LIKE THAT TAXOL- BLISTERS AROUND THE WASTE FROM CLOTHING BEING TOO TIGHT, AND BLISTERS IN THE MOUTH, -IT HAS BEEN COOL HERE IN OAKLAND SO HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH OVER HEATING ,I HAD THE HEART TEST BEFORE THE START OF THE DOXIL,BUT THINGS SEEM OK SO FAR-  I SEEM TO HAVE INSOMINA THE FIRST 24 HOURS THEN I SLEEP  THE NEXT 24 AT LEAST, STILL  SHORT ON ENERGY, BUT I'M GETTING OUT AS OFTER AS POSSIBLE,NO PROBLEMS WITH DIET,.-MY BEST TO EVERYONE, KEEP IN TOUCH -AN MAY GOD BE WITH YOU  -OOPS SORRY  about the caps still have my glasses on,best of luck to everyone

[henning]

Best of luck to you Jane, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Penny

[jane65]

Hi Sherri,
Thanks for your information, it sounds like you aren't having a particularly bad time with Doxil, that's encouraging.
I hope it's the right drug for you and me, and that we both do well and get this cancer stabilized or for you in remission!

Let's keep in touch, good luck!
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Kerry,
I agree that the information we get on this site is amazing.

I hope the Doxil works well for you, let me know how you do on it.
Jane

[bravely2]

Hi Jane,
I am a newbie here.  Saw you are in NJ and are looking for Udderly Smooth.  I am in NY but have family in & come from NJ.  You might try Harmon stores I have gotten it there.
Hope all goes well for you,
Rose

[gah_70]

Hi Jane,

I can get Udderly Smooth in the larger jars that come with a pump at my local Walmart.  If you cannot find it and don't mind sending me a private message with your address, I'd be happy to send you some.  Consider it a "Doxil Celebration Gift"...ha!

Hope your treatment went well yesterday...and hope you're getting lots of rest today.

Gail  

[jane65]

Thank you so much ladies, my husband found Udderly Smooth at CVS and got me the jar.
We also saw it at Bed Bath and Beyond so I'll be ok.
Rose I see your new here, If there's anything I can help you with, any information you need, please don't hesitate to send me a note or message. This OVCA is so difficult to deal with and we all need to ask questions or talk about it.
I've been battling OVCA for 3 years and I'm staged 4B epithelial cancer which metastasized to my lymph nodes and Doxil is my 4th chemo drug.

Gail that was so sweet of you to offer to send it to me, you're quite a nice lady.
I got the lower dose yesterday, my oncologist wanted to see how I reacted to it, and next Monday he wants me in to check my blood count levels.

The Percocet isn't doing great for the pain in the lymph node and induration areas, I need one every 4 hours  even during the night. My oncologist offered me a stronger pain drug, I may have to do that, pain is nothing to deal with if it's not necessary.

Hopefully as the Doxil works, the causes of the pain will be rectified.

Take care Rose, and Gail and feel well.
Jane