Anyone had AC-T chemo combination for breast cancer?

Hello...I wanted to know if anyone received all 3 Chemotherapy medications:
1. Cyclophosphamide IV Formula (Cytoxan, Neosar,Endoxan)
2. Doxorubicin(Adriamycin, Rubex)
3. Paclitaxel(Taxol)

For Invasive DCIS w/Lymph node involvement?

This is what Oncologist recommended?

Any feedback will help...
Thanks

From my experience, these choices are based on your diagnosis. For me, I was only to get the "Red Devil" every 3 weeks. But, I had my genetic test back, which gave me two others. I had Brca2 and received Carboplatin and Taxol. I got the Adriamycin (Red devil), only one dose following my 12 weeks of the other two. I had a blood reaction called Pancytopenia and did not get the final 3.
I had DCIS, Stage 2 with Brca2. At Surgery time it was noted no lymph node involvement in the 3 sentinels.
It seems your 3 might be the protocol for the lymph node involvement.
You will get more responses, but this is mine.
Keep us posted.

Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

If you don't mind me asking...why is it called "Red Devil"?

I had all three chemo drugs you listed. Red Devil is nicknamed that as it is blood red, and your urine after each treatment will be red for a day or two. It is also so toxic that there is a maximum lifetime dosage. You'll probably be told to hydrate well to flush it from your system asap. I always took a large water bottle with me to drink during treatments and drank a minimum of 10 glasses of water per day Ask your infusion nurses what to expect and what you need to do or take to prevent or alleviate side effects. I had anti-nausea meds that worked great. I had a lumpectomy, chemo (16 infusions) and radiation. I was stage three and had lymph node involvement. I'm 3 years out and currently taking Letrozole to prevent it returning.

@dmosssadler, I merged your 2 discussions into and modified the title to be more specific to your question. AC+T is one of the common types of chemotherapies for breast cancer, AC + T includes three drugs: doxorubicin (Adriamycin), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and a taxane drug (Taxol, Taxotere). By updating the title I'm confident you'll hear from several members in addition to the helpful posts you've received already from @dlmdinia and @katgob

Before @roch started on this same regimen back in 2018, she started this discussion and got great tips that you may appreciate:
- Preparing for Chemotherapy
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/preparing-for-chemotherapy/

@dmosssadler, when do you start chemo?

It is odd that Adriamycin. I heard of it as Red Devil and as has been said, I was told my pee would be red/orange. It was on that the day I got home and the day after. For me, I had what is called pancytopenia. I only had one dose of the Red Devil, as i was hospitalized due to severely low blood counts. I had heard it was the toughest chemo. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT!! I had 12 rounds of the other two. One set a week. Cumulative doses were too much. I was stage 2. No lymph nodes. I went on "parib" pills, but the 1st one did the same thing to my blood. Surgery was to be scheduled in 3 weeks. I got Covid!! One more month. Surgery.

I wanted to add that I would love to have been treated at the Mayo. These boards are very helpful.

I had this treatment in 2014 for the same diagnosis. I had a port placed in my chest for the infusions. 4 infusions of the AC (#1&2 combined) done every 2 weeks, and then weekly for 12 infusions of the Taxol. I believe it is the "standard" of treatment for this particular kind of breast cancer. AC is called the red devil because it is red in color and it can be unkind to your hair. This is the one that more than likely will cause hair loss. Mine started a few days after the 2nd dose. You'll probably have labs drawn before starting treatment as well as possibly an EKG. I would highly recommend asking for the medication EMEND, it is an antiemetic to help prevent nausea. I am sorry if I am giving too much information, it's the nurse in me. . . . I wish you the very best and please ASK, ASK, ASK questions of your treatment team, don't be intimidated, it's your body, your life.

I had that combo -- 8 rounds of A/C every other week and then 12 weeks of the Taxol.

For me the worst side effect was the constipation, I would recommend doing *everything* you can to prevent it.

Another thing I regret, for my A/C they had me chew ice to prevent mouth sores and I hate chewing ice, so when they told me to ice my hands and feet during Taxol to prevent nueropthy I didn't and I got it in my toes on the last treatment. 🙁

Good luck!

Original diagnosis of invasive breast cancer not DCIS, but I took these drugs.
They called it TAC, presumably because they gave all three at once. It was a very hard regimen of drugs, I was lucky to have the support I had at home.
My best advice is make sure you have plenty of nausea medicine, and rest when you need to. You will likely have good and bad days, but it won’t last forever. I just counted them down on the bad days and celebrated the good days.
You said end of November which reminded me that I started in December, 20 years ago. It was certainly a different time for oncology patients. Are you due to start soon? All the drugs at once or separated like some of the comments above?