Weekly Taxol group
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My last taxol was mid Nov, but also still have all SE except bloody nose. Neuropathy, swelling in hands and legs. Docs say neuropathy could take few months to a year to subside. Tuesday lost half of my big toe nail. I think it was separated and I stubbed my toe which caused a split which allowed it to come off. At least with the neuropathy non of this hurt.
Merry Christmas all.
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I will start weekly taxol in 3 weeks - last of 4 AC next week - I am aware of the rashes, fatigue , neuropathy , nail loss , eye lash eye brow loss, and steroid crash. - what else should I know - what should I prep for? I have a 4 year old and 7 year old -I nearest relative is 3 hours by plane and my husband travels a few days a week every 3 weeks or so - we are looking into dipping into savings to get a nanny 3 days a week - my treatments will be on Friday so Monday and Tuesday will be my bad days?
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Hi Cookies!
I did 12 weekly rounds of Taxol, and it gave me diarrhea on Days #3 and #4. It was mild and I managed it with Immodium AD. Otherwise, the worst thing for me was the death of my taste buds. Most foods tasted pretty bad for me on Taxol, except for sweet things like cookies. I've heard of ladies doing ice chips during Taxol to preserve their taste buds; I used them during AC to ward off mouth sores, but didn't think about it with Taxol. Even though I had my last Taxol on December 3, my taste buds have not quite recovered yet. Good luck!
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Going down to Sloan Kettering today for #9 of 12 weekly taxol treatments. Then I am DONE with chemo! Hope all are doing well and that 2015 will be blessed. Love, Jean
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Jean my friend, congrats!! Are you finished after 9?
Hugs
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jean good luck with #9 today. It won't belong now at all. I just finished #12 so I am all done. I have to do neupogen shots though. My neutrophils were low again, but oh well
Nancy
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Finished #9 today. Only 3 to go then done. Love, Jean
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HOME STRETCH!
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On to #10 tomorrow and in the home stretch. The fatigue is whopping me. Would love to get some feedback on how long it took some of you to have the fatigue begin to subside.
Have other SEs darking of nails but not lifting or nail sensitivity, mouth sores, taste buds are absolutely gone, no eyelashes and eyebrows are thin. Silver lining hair on head coming in nicely and coverage looks good. Not so good the mustache is beginning to show
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hi everyone:finished #11 of 12 Taxol today. Only one more-thank goodness!!!
For newer folks, an update on SEs after #10:
I decline Benadryl so I am good on infusion day.
On the day after I start to tire and my eyes are sensitive -similar to migraine halos.
Two days after-I become more fatigued
Three days out-so tired that I can't move the entire day. Eyesight is poor. I can't describe the fatigue.
Four days out-IBS-took Immodium; very tired. Neurapathy in 8 out of 10 toes. Hands very red and tingly
Five days out-IBS, took Imodium. Neurapathy still present. Terrible sore throat-no fever but very red and sore.
Six days out-somewhat tired, blisters and sores on fingers. Less neurapathy present. MO says first stage and let's push through for last 2 treatments.
Just want to tell everyone that I had a much harder time at #10 and the side effects seemed to compound for me. I have about an 1/8th of an inch of hair on some portions of my scalp. Have some eyelashes left and brows still there. Half my nails are bruised and very sore.
The toughest part for me is the diahrrea which I call IBS. It is unpredictable and horrible for me. I am afraid to leave my house. The Immodium takes a few hours to do its job and I end up taking more of it.
Well, I am grateful that I was able to do Taxol instead of Carboplatin and Taxotere. I hope it works for me and for everyone on this thread. My MO said I was taking a slight risk since this is not out of Phase 3 but I was afraid of the SEs from TCH.
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so proud of all of you ladies! Just an updaate: most of you know I had to stop taxol after 3 due to burn on hands and feet. Pretty severe.
its been six weeks since I had last one: now doing CMF: my nails got yellow, and I lost one. I am trying to hold on to the rest: hopeful, but not sure
I did not lose my brows or eyelids, and hair coming back. Still swollen off and on: not sure if it is still taxol in me or from CMF
You gals hang in there: prayers for all and the most heartfelt wish for a healthy, healthy healthy and happy New Year
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Happy New Year everyone! I haven't posted in a while but I have been benefiting from your sharing - you are walking me through Taxol! #6 of 12 weekly this Tuesday. Worst of it has been since I remain anemic, I've been getting iron infusions at the same time which means 6 hours or so on Tuesdays. The fatigue has morphed into something stronger, but I'm slogging through it. I don't look in the mirror, much, since I've lost lashes and brows I really looks like a stranger! I'm remaining grateful for so much, but this all still stinks. Thanks for walking with me.
Nancy - finished with chemo!!!!🎉🍻💃Did you want to stay and celebrate or run out the door?or both? Congratulations, my friend!
Sharing a blog I received last week that really was right on the mark for me, right now. http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/I-am-strong...
Hoping for a good day for all of you. Lind
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Hi Linda - wanted to wish you well on taxol # 6 this Tuesday. I will be thinking of you. I read the the blog to the link you posted. Isn't that the absolute truth what the woman wrote? She said it all perfectly. That could have been me writing it, but I don't think I write as well lol.
Oh and when I was leaving the chemo room for what I hope is the last time ever it was more of a feeling of losing my security blanket. Weird huh?
Nancy
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My mom just finished round 4 of taxol and is doing ok. One question I have is actually about oral CT contrast. After both times she has had the oral contrast she developed diarrhea that had a terrible fishy odor. This is the only time I have noticed this. Had this happened to anyone else?
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Nancy - I felt the same way about that blog! Both, that there wasn't a word in it that I couldn't have written, and that I'm glad there are writers like her to express those thoughts for me! Not strange that leaving chemo nurses, care, familiarity feels scary. Ive heard this before, and I'm sure I'll have those mixed feelings. Better the devil you know, right? Are you enjoying this time "off" before radiation? Linda
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Now that I am almost done with the chemo, I am getting concerned about the upcoming surgery. ALND is scheduled for February 12. Hope all have a blessed day. Love, Jean
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Hi everyone... I am new! I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer on October 2nd. I am currently half-way through Taxol and it's been pretty smooth. I will start AC every other week in February. Do you feel differently with AC? I was looking forward to only having to go every other week but from what I've read on here it seems stronger? Thanks for your input.
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I have been dealing with a stubborn cuticle infection for over a month now, following the dermatologist instructions with 2 courses of antibiotics, vinegar soaks and a prescription topical. It just isn't getting better. I am concerned because I am scheduled for ALND surgery on February 12 and the infection is on the surgery side. Has anyone here gotten an infection while on taxol? I don't know what else to do. If surgrey is postponed I may miss the deadline for starting rads.
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Jean, covering yu in prayer!
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Toby, thanks for the prayers. I spoke with my surgeon's nurse yesterday and she said the cuticle infection probably won't delay surgery! One more Taxol next Tuesday and I kiss chemo goodbye! Love, Jean
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Hello all! I am new here...but have been reading your helpful posts for a while. My mom was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in Sept. Had a double mastectomy and lymph node dissection done in Oct....Started A/C Chemo in Nov....she had REALLY bad side effects from that. 24/7 nausea, Severe fatigue, neutropenic fever...and needed 2 blood transfusions, hand/foot syndrome (the chemo gave her 3rd degree burns on her hands/feet), severe dehydration (had IV therapy 3 times a week)...plus the "usual"... losing her hair, Chemo brain, loss of appetite, mouth sores, constipation.
She just started Taxol on Tues...she will get it every week for 12 weeks. My concern is because she had such uncommon & severe side effects from the red devil chemo...I'm not sure what to expect with Taxol. Currently she is extremely fatigued (which is common)...but she has very bad pain in her bones..esp. the pelvic area. Has anyone experienced that or any other uncommon side effects?
She does ice her hands & feet during her Chemo treatment to try & prevent neuropathy. Has anyone done that...did it help?
The nurse suggested Advil for the bone pain...but that isnt doing anything....suggestions?
THANK YOU!!! XOXO
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Mamma, she will need to ask her oncologist about taking Glutamine powder. I take it three times a day and it helps. I can definitely feel a difference if I miss a dose. My oncologist also has me taking a Claritin daily. It locks some of the histamines and that helps the pain too.
I was horribly sick from AC too and have found Taxol to be much more manageable. So have hope.
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Mamma - you are a great daughter. Trust me when I say I know how much your care matters to your mother Weekly taxol has been much easier for me. Extreme fatigue, joint pain, and a little numbness in fingertips and I'm at week 8. Oh, yeah - and I feel slow and zombie-like in my head.
I take I-Glutamine, B-6 and B-12, and Claritin. Ibuprofen works for me and Advil does not. Epsom salt baths are soothing for my joint pain, and I get massage every other week. I am icing hands and feet during taxol and keeping Sally Hansen nail care on my nails. Also I massage tea tree oil into my nail beds when I remember. Ah, our little rituals! So far so good. Who knows if it's helping, but it doesn't hurt. I am ready for acupuncture if I do get neuropathy in my hands and feet. All these tips I learned on posts from women who have been through this. Of course, your mom's MO will need to okay any supplements. And KEEP DRINKING WATER!!
Hoping for the best for you and your mom, Linda
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Hello All! Thursday I am going for for #4 of 12 Taxol treatments. The first 2 I slept through the whole treatment and it took a long time to wake me up. Last time they cut back on the Phenergan and Benedryl and gave me Aloxie and I did much better.
Yesterday when I was washing my hair, it came out by the handfuls! Thankfully I had saved a couple of wigs, so it was ok. My daughter is going to cut it today so it doesn't get all over the place. It was just starting to grow out so nicely. Oh well. The wigs are really going to be hot this summer!
Have any of you used tea tree oil for your nails? Any tips or tricks are welcome. I am blessed with a doctor that is open to possible prevention of SE like neuropothy. Please share any successes that you have had.
Thanks!
Birdlady222
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Jean- I had an ANLD 12 days ago. Ask your surgeon if she can request the anesthesiologist do a pain block at the beginning of surgery (lidocaine injected into your rib joints). It helped a lot with the pain the first few days. I definitely noticed an increase in pain the 4th day as it was wearing off, so I can imagine the first few days would have been rough without it. Other than that, the worst pain is the nerve pain you get down your arm to and side. If you've ever had back issues that sent pains down an arm, that's the closest I can come to describing them. They can be intense, so I've stayed on pain meds 1-2x a day IF needed, and my surgeon says this is completely normal. Also, start trying to do the exercises they'll give you and move your arm around as much as you can GENTLY, making sure not to raise your elbow above your shoulder until your drain is gone (I have one drain). SO, my suggestions are don't try to drop the pain meds as quickly as you probably did with other surgeries, and be as active as your body lets you and your doctor allows! Twelve days out of surgery, I've had MUCH improvement over the past few days especially.
Mamma- Tramadol worked for my bone/muscle pain when Advil wouldn't cut it. My onc gave it to me. Also, my onc wouldn't let me take it, but so many women swear by the L-Glutamine, I'd definitely ask. I also took Magnesium, B vitamins and a daily antihistamine (Zyrtec) even when my tummy wouldn't let me take anything else.
Mamma & Birdlady- I iced my fingers and toes during each 45min Taxol drip as well as kept all my nails painted black with a good protein basecoat all 12 weeks of Taxol plus 4 weeks after. While I had a very hard time on Taxol overall, my nails stayed healthy and I had a lot less neuropathy than others I know. I have no idea if it was the ice, the dark polish or a combo of both, but I'd heard good things about both and am so glad I was able to escape at least those SEs!
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Finished #12 of 12 Taxol treatments last week. I have to say #12 was really hard for me. I am so glad I am finished and my body can begin to heal. I am one that I would defintely say that Taxol was a lot harder for me than AC. I had two SEs show up after #12 that I hadn't experienced before dizziness/vertigo and headaches. I slept most of day Saturday - Monday. I am taking today (Tues) and tomorrow (Wednesday) off.
Birdlady, I used tea tree oil on my nails. They all turned purple but none lifted or were sore. I also iced my fingers and toes during the Taxol treatments, kept dark polish on my nails (even though they turned purple) and used a good basecoat. I took L-Glutamine daily with the approval of my MO. I had a hard time on Taxol in terms of fatigue. My nails turned early in the treatment. I didn't start to get neuropathy until treatment #10. This is my experience and would say I would try too see what works for you. I still kept up the routines above which may have minimized the SEs and will probably keep my nails painted and take L-Glutamine for a month PFC.
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I'm done with taxol. 12 of 12,today. It hasn't really sunk the yet. Just herceptin / perjeta every 3 weeks now. These are vaccines, not chemo. Thanks for the tips texas, I am trying to not stress about surgery except thaI am hoping it's not posponed due to the cuticle infection on my finger. Love, Jean
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YAY Jean congrats on finishing taxol. Be proud of yourself. I just finished 3 weeks ago and am still tooting my own horn lol. Good luck with the upcoming surgery
Hugs
Nancy
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Hi, all! I could use your expertise tonight. I had #8 taxol today (hooray) and tonight am experiencing pain and tingling in my big old ugly feet. I knew to watch for this as a SE but what do I do? Thanks for any advice, Linda
8 taxol (hooray!
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Hi Linda
This happened to me after #8. My onc hit the nail on the head and said neuropathy usually starts around taxol #8 or #9. I got it in both my finger tips and toe tips. I told my onc right away. It never got any worse and hasn't (still have it) affected me doing anything at all. Hang in there
Nancy
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