Weekly Taxol group
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SusanHG
How many weeks will you be getting the taxol with herceptin? I am going to be having the same treatment. Had 3rd A/C on Wednesday, side effects so bad. I've heard SE not as bad with taxol, how about herceptin? Anyway, thanks.
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Hi Waiting. Please do not base your expectations on my experiences. My MO and nurses (and I am a nurse) have decided I have every SE known and then some. I had 4 dose dense ACs. Was supposed to have 4 dose dense Taxol--but had a hitch--2nd MRI had a new "area of concern" as did my 3rd MRI last week. Had 2nd titanium clip inserted Friday morning. I am on 12 weekly Taxol--have finished 6. The week i had to miss Taxol had the Herceptin anyway. Plan now is to finish Taxol. Wait 4 weeks. Have surgery. Wait 3 weeks. Restart Herceptin. Wait 3 weeks. Start radiation. Someplace start oral chemo.
I had awful SE with AC. As a nurse they kept my port accessed and I administered my fluids at home after the first time I dried up like a prune. Had (and still have) horrid nausea. Vomiting has decreased. Bone pain from Taxol and neupogen--but have drugs which I do take now. My finger nails are peeling to shreds and hurt. Skin of soles of feet peeling. Not many eyelashes or brows left. and more.
But--am almost laughing as I write this. I joke about it--as the poster child for SE chaos.
What SEs are you having? I might have some tricks.
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Oh Susan, You poor dear.
Questions, Did you get Emend 3 pack? It totally killed the nausea for me.
Did you take 8 days of claridin starting the day of naulasta or neupogen?
I did and had no bone pain. Got the advice on these threads. Oncologists approved the claridin.
Hugs, and I hope you feel better soon.
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Yes-I did the Emend with the AC and Claritin with both. Helped. I am one of those women who vomited through out pregnancy--had IVs during also so was not surprised with the chemo. I still take nausea meds with the pain meds. But sometimes it just hits--a smell and am done....
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Susan, am so sorry. Hope it improves.
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SusanHG
SE's from A/C just awful, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, pains, nothing tastes good. I cant tell you how many times I went w/my husband to lunch, take 2 bites of a salad, can't eat anymore. Nothing tastes good, things I love, coffee, chocolate, I can't even tolerate. Really dont begin to feel better till one week after AC. Only one more left, then 12 weeks Taxol w/ herceptin. I am HER2+. I dont know what after. I want to revisit the mastectomy issue. I had a lumpectomy, but am willing to have a mastectomy, just to have it done with. My MO thinks I will do better on the Taxol. I hope the SE's are much, much less than AC. Also, herceptin, I don't know what the SE's may be with that. All this and that's not even counting the neupogen shots. Any advice so appreciated from any Taxol sisters.
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waitingforthenextstep - I am sure you will feel much better on weekly Taxol than you do now. As I mentioned a few posts above, I have very few side effects from Taxol. No nausea, no taste changes, no pains anywhere (I know some people do experience bone or joint pain, but I haven't). I have the usual sleep problems due to the steroid, I am constipated (easy to treat) and I have a bit of a bloody nose only when I blow it. My energy level is maybe a bit lower than normal. I have (unfortunately) gained about 7 or 8 pounds during this time, although I am going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. I am also on Herceptin. My blood counts are holding up fine. I have treatment #8 on Thursday - I'm on the home stretch. Taxol and Herceptin is it for me - I did not have A/C first.
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Hello ladies
I my last taxol 10/2/12 and doing good. My nails are still black but never lost any. My hair still continues to grow, started around 7th or 8th treatment. Eyebrows and eyelashes back. I never experienced any bad SE and no lingering issues. Hang in there it does get better
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#10 done...2 more yay!
wicked muscle/bone pain on Sunday/Monday and that was a first for me. Let's hope that was it. I have experienced a little of every SE but fortunately it passes. Taxol has been better than AC...for sure.
Congrads to all who finished...will join you in 2 weeks
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I start Taxol next week for 12 weeks. I had A/C years ago when I was first dx'd. I rememer the girls in my support group on Taxol had bad bone pain, but no nausea. Wondering if I should cut my hair, it is pretty long and if I am gonna lose it - I probably should cut it. Anyway good luck ladies with the rest of your Taxol treatments. xoxo
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My hair was gone prior to Taxol. Have had 6 treatments out of 12 and no hair regrowth other than prickles. Nothing else. My eyebrows are almost gone and very faded. Lashes--down to about 25 total for both eyes.
I am sorry you are having to do this again.
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Karenmarie, I am using cold caps to save my hair. I've finished 8 of 12 treatments and still have all my hair. I've tried to find data on hair loss with weekly taxol, and haven't found much, maybe because so many people have A/C first and lose all their hair anyway. But I think it's NOT a given that you will lose all your hair on weekly taxol. Good luck - it sounds like you've been through the wringer.
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Waiting for the next step,
I am also HER+ and have completed AC (with nausea, hair loss, bone pain, fatigue, etc) and just completed Taxol/ Herceptin on Oct 18. With Taxol I had fatigue weight gain and lack of sleep. When they asked every week what my pain level was it was never painful but constantly uncomfortable. You are strong and will get thought this, keep tough and come here for support and advise! Prayers and blessings...0 -
KarenMarie: It is very likely that you will lose your hair on weekly Taxol for Stage 4. I should know, cause that's what I'm doing.
I've been doing weekly Taxol for about 5 months now. When I started, my TMs were 2,600. At last count, they were 100. And, the scans look good. Needless to say, I'm loving the results. You are so lucky to be looking at 12 weeks only.
I looked into the cold caps, but it was self-pay, and as my regime will continue until I am stable, I just couldn't see my way around it. Plus, I worry - just the tiniest bit - about the cold caps and skull mets. I want all the Taxol in all my bones.
Take care,
Jennifer
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Thank you everyone for the encouragement, Wednesday is my last A/C treatment. I'm having a hard time trying to shore myself up for it. It's not the treatment, it's the shitty week after. Stomach cramps, nausea, can't eat anything, and worse don't want anything. Not even tea, the basic comfort of life. I've lost weight, about 9 pounds. News flash to the world! don't eat for a week, you'll lose weight. Anyway, I am going to ask the MO to give me some Ativan, I resisted it so far, but if I can sleep for 8-10 hours, just wake up the next day. I'm trying to focus on the good things about taxol, the nurse said it infuses faster, so not so long at the hospital, and at some point my hair will start to grow. I wish everyone no SE's, and a blessed week. One week closer to being healthy again.
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Ok Waiting, Wed. is my last A/C also. We'll be mentally holding hands. We can do this one more time. Hang in there. It should get better.
I've lost about 10 lbs since all this started. When everything tastes sour, I find I can get a chocolate milkshake down. I can get down a bottle of water with a small Almond Joy.
Just one more bad week and this part of the trip will be over. Most people say the Taxol is not so bad. At least we can hope. Hugs
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Cindi and Waiting- I had 4 DD AC and I just hated it.Yuck! My weekly Taxol treatments are SO MUCH BETTER. This week will be Taxol #11 and the only SEs are the sleepless night after treatment and one small dark spot on my toe. All other nails are fine-I use Sally Hansen Hard As Nails....I get tired early in the evening but it is so doable!
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Thank u madalyn for this encouragement!!!! I am dreading going back Thursday and wil start taxol. It scares me because its something new and it's every week!!! I don't want to be down every weekend. So you are encouraging me!!! I am praying so hard that the taxol will be good to me. One can hope!
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I know everyone is different but Taxol has been very manageable. A lot of people take supplements but I don't. I felt better at Taxol #3 than I did at Taxol #1...I believe because I was further away from AC. I remember having A LOT of anxiety not knowing how I will react to a new chemo drug. The nurses are ready if you start to have a reaction...it's a little nerve racking! You will be fine....it's a journey and now you are one step closer to the finish line!
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Madelyn - Thank you for your encouragement. I will start 12 weekly Taxol treatments on November 19 and am very nervous about it. I completed 4 dose dense A/C treatments on November 5 and all four were difficult for me.
Timbek2 - My sentiments exactly! You will do great tomorrow and I will do great on Monday, right? It is overwhelming to think of a new drug every week for 12 weeks. Once we get one or two under our belts, I'm sure we will feel better about it. My prayers are with you!
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Yay! One more Taxol. Struggling with a bad cold right now after our little one got sick. Luckily no fever but I am watching the temp very closely. The Benadryl yesterday at least cleared my sinuses for a little while so I could breathe. Hopefully I will be back on these boards soon.
Best of luck to everyone near the end of Taxol. Like Madelyn, it has definitely been very doable, even with the weekly Herceptin I am taking.
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I'm starting taxol and herceptin next Tuesday (20th) for twelve weeks with the herceptin to continue for a year. I'm so nervous about this new drug combo, I mean the AC was bad but at least I knew what to expect, but the taxol/herceptin scares me. I'm afraid of allergic rxn, I'm afraid of heart toxicity, I'm just afraid of all the unknowns. Maybe I am just worn down from the brutal AC. Some days it's just so hard to stay positive. People are always telling me, "you look great. you're doing great." And I feel like it's a mask I'm wearing.
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Timbek, 7312012 and Kimber, and everyone else just starting out, be of good cheer! I did not have AC, but the taxol has been a piece of cake compared to what I read about AC. I will have #9 of taxol and herceptin tomorrow. They will give you premeds to counteract any allergic reaction you may have - I have had none. For me, minimal side effects, no nausea or taste changes, no nail problems. Be prepared with over the counter stuff for constipation and diarrhea - it's been mostly constipation for me. Be prepared to get L-glutamine to counteract any neuropathy in hands or feet - I've had a few tingles in my feet but I've been choking down the L-glutamine plus vitamin B6 and that seems to work. My WBC has been normal throughout. My hemoglobin is a bit low, but still well above the level at which they would stop treatment or give me a transfusion. So - you can do it! Good luck to all of you!
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#11 done and so far so good! No neuropathy and no muscle pain so far this round.
teeballmom and Madelyn, we are almost at the finish line!!!
Kimber1963. I felt the exact same way after AC as you do. It was brutal for me as well. The night before starting taxol I had a major meltdown and I want you to know it is nothing like AC. You can do it, it is just overwhelming right now. We understand. As Madelyn said, the further away you get from AC the better you will feel. Hang in there
Timbek and 7312012 you can do it...one day at a time
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Just got home from treatment and crashed into a deep Benadryl coma. Never was so tired after treatment. Best part if day was that I sat next to a woman starting ac f
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Just got home from treatment and crashed into a deep Benadryl coma. Never was so tired after treatment. Best part if day was that I sat next to a woman starting ac first dose. I was able to talk to her and give her some tips. We played UNO. She hugged me and I told her I would pray for her. Her name is Connie. That gives my life meaning. Being able to help others. I hope I can always do that. Thanks for the encouragement here. Love you ladies!!!!
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Will be having surgery 12 December instead of early January. Finished Taxol 7 last Wednesday. Will have final 5 after recovery. Surgeon and MO decided time for surgery since last two MRIs showed new growth despite chemo. Am ready for this damn killer to leave my body
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I had my 6 rounds of AC years ago and it was not fun!
So far with one treatment under my belt, a bit of restlessness and nausea the first two days and then some bad fatigue, muscle pain for a couple of days. I think I will be ok as long as the fatigue does not get too bad. Happy Thanksgiving, Ladies! Karen
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Well Ladies, I had my first taxol/herceptin yesterday and it went fine. No wierd side effects so far and no allergic reactions. I'm feeling better with that first one behind me and the farther away I get from AC.
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement.
One question, my mo is pressing me to have genetic testing and I'm not sure I want to do it. I mean, I've already had cancer which puts me in a higher risk group, I have a family history which also makes me higher risk. I have no close female relatives who would benefit from knowing my genetic status, and I'm not sure I want to carry the burden of knowing my body may be coded against me living a long and cancer-free life.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Kimber
DX 08/2012; lumpectomy with sintinel node biopsy; stage I/grade 3; erpr- hr2+
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Kimber1963
I would go ahead and have the testing. The more you know, the more you can have a treatment plan set up. Good luck, whatever you decide.
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