Topic: Abraxane

Jun 14, 2012 09:45 AM formygirls wrote:

I am starting Abraxane today. I was on Navelbine for three months but my scans last showed progression everywhere. I hope this chemo will work.

Jun 15, 2012 12:44 AM soleil505 wrote:

I was on Abraxane for 3 months.  When I started my liver mets were doubling in size and growing exponentially.  For me, it worked.  I was upset with the stats when I began the drug.  35% effectiveness did not wow me.  Doctor said that stat can be higher considering your variables.  Whatever my variables were, they thought my chances would be better.  Right now, the mets are gone or shrunk remarkably.  So, I'm giving this drug a thumbs up.  Hope it does the same for you.

Side effects weren't too bad.   Of course the hair....WAH! 

 I took a steroid before infusion.  So, day 2 I was a hopped up bunny who always collapsed Day 3 .  Day 3  I was fatigued, slightly nauseaus and just kind of a mess.  Other than that, I felt pretty good.  I walked every morning and every evening. That helped.  As time progressed, I was able to bicycle. So, I switched up the walking.  I felt so much more energy after that.  All, in all, it wasn't bad.  I wish you luck and good scans.

Jun 15, 2012 01:47 AM formygirls wrote:

I was supposed to start yesterday but when I sat in the chair they said no chemo as ins auth did not come in for Abraxane. I ended up getting Navelbine again even though I had progression on it. I just wanted some chemo on me. So hopefully I will start Abraxane next week. I have major thinning on Navelbine so not upset by hair loss. It is almost gone now at the top but have shoulder length hair at the sides. Looks horrible because I will not comb it. If I comb, it will come out.

Thanks for the tips on Abraxane.

Jun 15, 2012 01:40 PM soleil505 wrote:

I drive to Chicago.  Its about 2 hours each way.  I drive by myself and its okay.  I was egged on by other board members.  One of them, forgot who, said she had Abraxane, had lunch , went back to work.  I'm not quite that strong, but I did manage to get home, and hit the couch.  I'd say its doable

Jun 15, 2012 01:52 PM CoolBreeze wrote:

I'm on Abraxane.  It's a very easy chemo for me.  It's quick, only about a 30 minute drip.  I haven't had any side effects except hair loss, and even then it's been really slow.  I've had about 3 rounds now and I am in a wig but still have plenty of hair.  I don't look bald, just like a woman with very thinning hair.  

I've driven myself to and from all my chemos.  Even the ones that had premeds like benedryl.  :)  You don't need premeds with Abraxane so you'll be fine.   Well, I take it back, you'll be given an anti-nausea.  But, you won't need anything that makes you sleepy.

Jun 15, 2012 02:30 PM surfdreams wrote:

OH! and nail issues - coming unattached - but keep Hard as Nails polish on them and so far, they're hanging in there.

Jun 16, 2012 04:06 AM kita wrote:

I started Abraxane last week because I showed progression on Ixempra. Going for my second dose today. Hoping this one does the trick. Only side effect I've had is headaches which scares me so my dr ordered a ct scan for next week.

Jun 19, 2012 03:27 AM holdontohope wrote:

I was on Abraxane for five months.  Soleil, I was one who had Abraxane infusion on Thursdays, ate lunch, went to work.  By Sat., I was very fatigued, but could still accomplish things at home. 

I found Abraxane to be an easy chemo overall. 

Jun 20, 2012 09:51 AM bourscheid wrote:

I am on Abraxane for the 2nd time.  The first time was my first tx. upon diagnosis in 2008.  Worked great!  This time is for my 3rd recurrance.  Have been on some sort of chemo since Oct. 2008 with no break.  This time I am on a stronger dose once every 3 weeks.  Knocks me on my butt for about a week then I feel better.  Neuropathy/bone pain are my biggest complaints.  Having some stomach aches this time though.  See onc tomorrow to see what the next steps are...more abraxane or a scan.

Jun 21, 2012 04:39 AM reesie wrote:

Formygirls,

My onc put me on Abraxane after AC last year.

He didn't tell them in advance so thee chemo nurses started me on Taxol because a lot of insurance companies require trying Taxol first before Abraxane and "fail" somehow (reaction or failure) and will deny it as a "first" line treatment.

She was surprised the next week because they approved it right away and didn't require the Taxol failure. So I only did one weekly treatment with Taxol before moving to Abraxane.

I was glad because the Abraxane had no pre or post meds (not even anti-nausea) so was a 20 minute infusion (took the pharmacy longer to prepare it than the infusion).

Like holdontohope I also drove myself to infusion, picked up lunch and went to work.

I never got neuropothy (thankfully) or any of the other outward SEs. My platelets were hit hard though and after missing twice and two reductions finally got a level where the stayed high enough for chemo.

I only stopped in july after 6 rounds because of how well chemo worked. I had two surgeries (pins in tibia/femur and BMX) and moved on to Anastrozole.

Good luck with the Taxol.

Jun 23, 2012 07:56 AM cookie97 wrote:

1701jms,

How are you doing with the Abraxane? Finished my second treatment this morning. I didn't see the onc to see about ditching the steroids this time, i just decided to use my time more wisely and get the heck out of there. Blood work looked pretty good too. Hpefully this is the magic that will kick some serious cancer butt!

Did I mention that I hate cancer?!

Edie

Jun 23, 2012 08:33 AM cookie97 wrote:

You are a sweetheart Alesta! I read a lot of your posts, I think your son and my dd would be great buds; they both seem to persue the arts areas. She's musical theater, vocals and piano. I love to listen to her sing!

Edie

Jul 15, 2012 10:41 AM bourscheid wrote:

Good news last week on the Abraxane!  PET scan showed that the area around the heart and the adrenal glands are both clear!  The two lesions in the liver are slightly smaller and less metabolically active!  Woohoo!  Going to continue with abraxane however we are slowing the infusion down from the 30 min. to 2 hrs to try to combat the leg pain from neuropathy.  Much better this time!  Still some achiness but not the pain from the last two rounds.  Anyone having stomach/intestinal pain?  I seem to get it several days after chemo along with a lot of indigestion.  Taking protonix but it isn't helping much.  Thinking of switching back to prilosec which worked before.  

Jul 15, 2012 12:05 PM WifeandMom wrote:

I have horrible stomach cramps from the Abraxane. But when I take the supplement L-Glutamine on an empty stomach 2-3 times a day for a week, beginning 24 hrs after surgery, the stomach pain is almost all gone.

Prontix works great for my acid reflux.

Karen

Jul 16, 2012 09:27 AM justjudie wrote:

Formygirls, Your Cigna Ins. should hang their head in shame!!! Imagine insisting you use Taxol instead when it failed you in 2008!! I think that stinks and so does Cigna!! Taxol must be cheaper than Abraxane? This should happen to whoever made this cheap decision or to a member of their family. See how they like it. I know what a downer it is to have to fight with Ins on top of dealing with this disease. I am so sorry they have done this to you. Many gentle hugs your way.