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Monday November 19, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I’m not crying!

I’ve said that about a hundred times in the last few weeks. While I try to have a normal conversation with people about normal things other than cancer, my eyes fill with tears.
It’s not emotion, it’s a side effect from the chemo. Most people understand. But I feel there are some that don’t hear me say that and believe I’m boo hooing.

The other day, a lady said oh I heard you are a crier. I told her patiently no, it’s a side effect from the chemo. She went on to hand me a tissue and said she understood, it was ok to be emotional! She didn’t digest the fact that it was in fact a side effect.

But I have good news for those of you on taxotere chemo with drippy eyes. Thanks to those of you responding to this blog, I found out about Dr. Wofley here in Birmingham who specializes in this particular side effect.

He has drops and a nasal spray that provide relief for the taxotere eyes. But I’m very interested in how many people have this side effect. It apparently doesn’t happen to everyone. I’m trying to find some numbers or statistics on how many people are hit with this side effect.

If you have had a problem with the teary eyes, please let me know. Also if you’ve found anythng that helps with the neuropathy in the hand and feet, please let me know.

Thanks and God bless to all those who have already shared their help!

posted by Brenda Ladun

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Comments on I’m not crying!
KLM
2:02 pm on 05/08/08
I am about to have my 6th and last chemo and I have eyes that water non stop 24 hours a day. In the morning when I wake up it is obvious it was running all night! I constantly carry a tissue. I never considered people thought I was crying.

Teresa Costanzo
10:15 am on 04/17/08
Hi, I also have had watery eyes for the last 5 months. I actually ended my taxotere about 6 weeks ago and still have watery eyes. I am now seeing an eye doctor and he did give me the nasal spray and drops for my eyes, but did not help at all. I believe the next step will be putting stints in my tear ducts which he said are definitly blocked.

I read an article in the AARP magazine about holistic medicine and it says to take Vitamin B6 for the redness and swelling of the palms.. The March/April issue with Jack Nicholson on the front cover. Good Luck..

Betty
12:42 pm on 03/25/08
My last dose of taxotere was on January 30, 2008. My eyes are still tearing (March 25, 2008)

Janelle
9:36 am on 01/20/08
Cytoxin is one of the chemo drugs I am taking and it causes the watering, dripping eyes. Exactly 6 days prior to my next treatment, my eyes do the watering thing. I look like I am either crying or an alcoholic! Fortunately, it only lasts for 4 days but I have seen pictures of myself during this side effect...I look awful! But it passes and as of today, 1/20, I only have one more treatment so I only have to endure it one more time. God is good. I am praying for you.

Vicki
10:43 am on 01/18/08
Brenda, you are having the same side effect I had while on Taxol! I had treatments in Gadsden at the Cancer Center and after the second treatment my eyes watered all the time. Wish I had known about Dr. Wofley then (this was back in late 2004). Just a tip: now my eyes are chronically dry, so I must use moisture drops several times a day. My opthamologist says it very well could be a lingering reaction to the side effect from chemo. Keep hanging in there! I'm catching up on your blog, as I did not know you had a recurrence. Your book touched me deeply while I was going through my own struggle with cancer. You are in my prayers.

darlene
8:56 pm on 01/10/08
Hi Brenda, I had the very watery eyes last year from my taxotere treatments. Dr. Cantrell expected it to get some better after I finished but I ended up having surgery to correct this Dr. Wolfley did a wonderful job placing a "jone's tube" in each tear drain. This was in summer 2007. I just saw Dr. Wolfley yesterday (Jan. 9 08)and my tubes are still in place and working great! I also had the burned hands on taxotere and did loose my fingernails. they are almost long enough to clip just now That's been almost a year since. You are still in my prayers. Hang in there. Darlene Webb

Nicole Brewer
10:33 am on 12/14/07
My mother's second round of Chemo was taxotere. I e-mailed you a little while back. She did have numbness in her hands and feet, mostly her hands but no burning. The feeling did come back after she finished her treatments. Slowly though not all at once. and on the teary eyes I don't believe she had this side effect but she did actually cry alot. Also another common side effect of this type chemo, your hair could come back curly. Mom's came back straight the first time and now it's curly but the more it grows her roots are looking straighter. We are still Praying for you! and by the way your wig looks BEAUTIFUL!! I would have never known it wasn't your real hair!

Hugs and Blessings!!! ~Nicole Brewer

Ann
9:38 pm on 12/09/07
Hi Brenda,

I have been keeping up with you and praying for you. Your are such an inspiration to everyone. I had Chemo and also had watery eyes. My optometrist inserted some kind of very small plastic plug in the inside corner of each eye to stop the tearing. It did not hurt, and you could not feel them. Later, when I was finished with chemo and my eyes were not watering, he took them out. Good luck to you! Isaiah 53:5.

Amanda
5:39 pm on 12/08/07
I have nerve pain from a ruptured disc in my back and after my first surgery I had real bad neuropathy and I started taking Lyrica I had to come off of it because it made me to drowsy, but I know people that it has helped. Good luck in your fight.

Jo McDowell
1:52 pm on 12/03/07
For the neuropathy, have you tried Cymbalta or Lyrica? Both have been very helpful with my neuropathy from rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disc disease which causes numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. Also there are some compounded creams that penetrate the skin that are helpful. Dr. Robert Nesbitt has a Pain Management practice at St. Vincent's and he may have some more suggestions. Good luck and God Bless!

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