Topic: taxol side effects

I had alot of bone pain with Taxols found out later well after treatment to take vitamin D3 and Vit A supposed to help with the bone pain.  Also read that while on taxols always wear sunglasses as taxols are hard on the eyes. About the fingernails just found out about a week ago its a fungus, some women used listerine, I used alot of the hand cleaner with alcohol in it and my nails turned purple brown but the thumbs were the worst still are. So keep them clean and try the listerine.  As Flalady says watch your temp my last onc told me day four to seven were the worst.  Good luck and really hope things go a bit more smoothly for you.

I haven't heard the 'nail fungus' thing before although many of us experience problems with nails while undergoing taxol or taxotere treatment.  My finger nails hurt and I lost a layer of skin around my toes.  After treatment was over, a few finger nails became discolored, rippled/ridged and I lost a couple of toenails.  Not an uncommon SE of a taxane.  Hand Foot syndrome is the name given to these problems I believe and in extreme cases skin cracks, bleeds and can be very painful. 

what is hand foot syndrome?

My onc said it was not uncommon with Taxotere, so perhaps not all Taxanes (i.e. Taxol)?  In any case, I did fine with AC (other than the hair loss) but had the hand and foot problems with Taxotere.  As you point out Teresa, it happens with AC too.  My friend L also had problems with AC.

Oh G**, the hand/foot syndrome.  

I couldn't walk without crying out in pain, I could hardly hold anything without wincing.  My fingers and fingernails HURT and were just bright red and hot.  I got really good at using my pinky fingers to do stuff because those hurt the least. 

I was ordered NOT to do the dishes, especially with gloves on, because that amplified the condition.  That was pretty cool! 

I'll be 2 years out of chemo next month (2.5 years past dx.), and I'm sad to say that my toes still hurt like a mo-fo (goodness, excuse my language-I never talk like that, but that is really the best way to describe it!).  My fingers are ok.....all my nails are still disgusting-especially my thumbs and all the toes. 

Gotta love that chemo.  

Hope the pain is easing up.  Careful with it-I developed body pain from the first day of chemo, and took the maximum dose of vicodin from that day until this past January.  I still hurt, but just didn't want to have to depend on vicodin any longer.  Scans show now that my body is full of arthritis.  

I still wonder if the chemo just set off what was already there?!?! 

I digress......
Love and prayers, Deb

"Funny thing was, while I was in chemo, I kept saying that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  It just seemed to be the gift that kept on giving!"

BrendaF,

I think you hit the nail on the head with this...it keeps giving... or should we say taking from "us" are hard earn quality of life?

Flalady

So glad to see you post again, Carolyn.  I've been wondering how you have been doing.  I just had my 4th taxol with avastin on monday.  My nails have been very sensitive since my last a/c treatment.  I don't know if you have had this problem but I have been having lots of bone/muscle pain.  Its driving me mad.  On the really bad days I must take 3 hot bathes to just get some relief.  I also am looking forward to some warm weather soon.

Take care,

Teresa

Brena, I'm very done with my taxol (see above), but I very much remember having bright red hands and feet from hand and foot syndrome. 

Does it hurt?  That may be the culprit. 
Love and prayers, Deb

Brena,

Oh yes I do have a rash on my hands, the tops of them.  It actually has gotten better the last week.  I got hand/foot syndrome with A/C and so far my feet are better since being on taxol (paclitaxel).  My doc also was curious about the rash, if it was being caused by the avastin because he had never seen it with the taxol or A/C, maybe its the combo that does it.  I don't know. 

So are you doing 12 weekly taxols? 

I find it so amazing that more and more people are taking this trial.  I hope this stuff (avastin) kicks butt.

Teresa

Hi all,

I'm taking Taxotere and Avastin. My oncologist keeps asking if I've got a rash on my hands and feet yet (I don't, but am only halfway through the combo just mentioned so still have plenty of time to get that problem too ). Apparently it's an expected SE of the taxol/Avastin regimen.

And yes, there are a number of breast cancer clinical trials where Avastin is now being used, especially in triple negative cases. My BS ventured they're hoping Avastin will become at least partially the targeted therapy of choice for triple negatives in the future.

I hope so too.

Annie

I can't wait to tell my onc about this....that others have had this rash too.  He called the people over the clinical trial and they weren't sure either but they said they would be noting it as a possible side effect. 

Annie,

The papers I got from the trial itself showing the side effects didn't list it.  I just am relieved that I'm not the only one.  It's an ugly rash but heck its just temp.

 I have my 5 taxol tomorrow....7 more to go...yea!!!!

Teresa

Teresa,

Each week that goes by (completed my 8th) the rash gets worse, only applying Chamomile tea on the rash reduces the burn (mild) but continues to stay bright red.

Missing my shot this past week definitely reduced the rash. The next shot will determine if this was only a temp relief.

my unblinding is scheduled for May 2nd.

keep in touch

Hi Brena and Teresa,

I'm in a trial called B-40 (the name is longer, but that's the abbreviated form used on the files). It has six arms, and I was randomized into arm B1 that receives four rounds of Taxotere and Avastin, then rounds of A/C and Avastin. Then surgery and radiation, followed by yet more Avastin for a total of 13 months in all. Skin rash can indeed be associated with Avastin; please see the abstract for an article on that subject below:

Abstract:
Bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy as first-line as well as second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer improves survival. Although skin rash (type unspecified) has been described in some patients following infusion of bevacizumab, it is not a common toxicity of bevacizumab, while acneiform rash occurs in more than 90% of patients who receive cetuximab (Erbitux), the severity of which appears to be predictive of response. We report a patient with colorectal cancer who developed a rash secondary to bevacizumab that correlated with response. A 40-year-old patient with stage IV colorectal cancer received FOLFOX-4 and bevacizumab, which he tolerated very well except for a skin rash related to bevacizumab. The rash cleared every time bevacizumab was eliminated from the chemotherapy regimen. When use of bevacizumab was resumed, similar rash reappeared. Therefore, we believe that this observation of the rash emergence was linked to bevacizumab administration. The most common toxicities associated with bevacizumab include hypertension, hemorrhage, gastrointestinal perforation, arterial thromboembolism, wound healing and proteinuria. Exfoliative dermatitis and a nonspecific rash have been reported with bevacizumab. This case report, we believe, is the first report of a possible correlation between a rash and a positive drug response associated with bevacizumab, and may initiate further investigation of similar observation.

I just hope we all get through this OK; I'm not feeling very sanguine today for some reason.

Hugs,

Annie

Hi all,

Teresa: Hi again. I have been following your emails and seeing how you are doing. I have been busy at work and had a busy schedule this weekend at the Air Base that kept me running. So my weekend was shot.

Brena:  I am glad there is another one on this trial.  I am not sure about the Shot you are talking about. I am on the paclitaxel and avastin.  I do not get a shot.  I finish my last treatment on May 5th!

I just had my 8th infusion today.  I have not had any rashes but the Saturday night I went to put on my military dress uniform and the pants (wool/polyester) really irritated my waist. I tried them on twice and had to take them off it hurt. Did not get a rash from it.  The next day i put them on and was fine?? I have had sore thumbnails for the past week or so.  Told my onc today and he said that on the 12 wk regiment that you shouldn't notice tingling in fingers til the 10th infusion. Two more to go.  I do take acety l-cartinine 3-4x a day (250mg). It was okay'd by my onc. The italians did a study and (i think i got it off the MD site) they found w/cancer patients and diabetics this herb helps w/neuropathy.  My onc says the the US did a study and it was good for fatigue.  I do not do dishes anymore except to put them in the dishwasher.  Husband has taken that one on. I still have a runny nose and sometimes (not quite daily) it bleeds.  I use a saline solution to keep it moist.  The funny part is if I cry from reading something at night that hits me, my nose feels much better the next day.  I really don't want to get in the habit of crying everynight.  I am feeling well but do get tired.  I am still working full time.  I am looking at the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am glad that there are a lot of strong women out there helping to determine what path science will take and hopefully find a cure if not treat each individual cancer as it should.  Hope all the rashes go away.  Not sure if taking a milk bath would help w/the rashes.  I know it will soften the skin.  Well, i've rambled on way to much!  Take care and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Carolyn