Weekly Taxol group
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Hi Sawyer - I know everyone's experience is different, but I had heard that, compared to AC, Taxol is a breeze, that has totally been my experience. It's like going from 10 to a 2. NO nausea or fatigue. The worst side effects for me have been from the steroids. (And I'm someone who got laid up for days after each AC tx). Stay positive if you can - there are no guarantees, but the odds are in your favor that Taxol will be much easier for you.
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Getting ready for AC #3 tomorrow morning. Happy New Year to me. I'll be 75% done with the AC. Trying to stay focused on the positive. Lots of hair shedding after #2, so shaved it. Much less stressful. Thinking of all of you in this group and wishing you a great new year.
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I'm one of the few that taxol hasn't really been easier on. On AC my worst side effects were weakness, mouth sores and heartburn/digestion issues. But I always had almost a week where I felt good on AC. On taxol , other than infusion day, I have 2 really good days and 3 days with extreme exhaustion and aches. I have one day that is half and half. The diarrhea is also a big problem. I never had the extreme exhaustion on AC or diarrhea. I would say for me AC was an 8 out of 10 in badness and taxol is a 6 or 7. I just really don't handle tired well. I can do pain, weakness, yucky feeling etc. But I have 8 kids and I just can't sleep or rest whenever, I need to be able to keep going and taxol isn't letting me do that.
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I just had #7 of 12 weekly and am starting to experience neuropathy in my fingers and toes. HERE IS SOMETHING VERY INTERSTING MY ONCOLOGIST SAID TO ME TODAY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO STUDIES EVALUATING the difference between 8 or 12 weekly treatments with Taxol, and no one is really certain how 12 was arrived at over 8, but everybody on weekly gets signed up for 12. Dose dense is every other week x 4 treatments, so why isn't weekly x 8 treatments? He told me this in the context of my neuropathy. He felt it would be reasonable, with probably no ill effect, to stop my pacitaxol after 8 treatments if the neuropathy gets severe. Has anyone discussed this 8 v. 12 with their oncologist? Honestly it surprised me.
Comments? Insight?
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Jodi - your hair looks great! Can't even tell you have been shedding at all.
Sawyer - both my BS and MO have said that Taxol is in general one of the more tolerable chemos. I am 4 treatments into 12 (I am also getting Herceptin) and have had breakout/rash on my face, neck and chest as well as some slight fatigue. I have also had an annoying headache for the past week. That being said I am still working full time and am a single parent to my two active kids (13 & 10 - they are with their dad 1/2 the week so I do get a break). MO did warn me that it will probably get harder as the weeks go on. I just keep drinking my water, trying to eat healthy, get my rest and accept the offers of help from friends and neighbors.
Homeschool4us - you are Wonder Woman. I could not imagine all that you have to juggle with 8 kids plus going thru cancer treatment. I hope you have a good support system around you.
Auggiesmom - very interesting about the 8 vs 12. I am going to bring it up at my next visit. I think I was so relieved that my recommended chemo was Taxol only that it never occurred to ask about the number of treatments and how they arrive at that number.
Cyndi
Cyndi0 -
Thank you for the positives! I am hoping it won't be as bad since it is every week. The AC has me feeling crappy but then right before its time to go back I start to almost feel human......I will think positively the Taxol will be much easier! It really sounds like everyone is so different but I find hearing from others at least gives me the heads up. I am a nurse so I try not to "over educate myself" too much; there is so much out there but I find talking to those experiencing it far surpasses too much reading on the internet.
I had to call the MO last night; I got severe belly pain but it wasn't plumbing related and I noticed that was a Zofran red flag so i called but she wasn't too concerned. told me to rest and keep and eye on it. It is better today.
Thank you for the welcome to the group! Nice to have people going through the same thing to talk to.
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I had some minor acne on Taxol but it cleared up very quickly. I think it might have been the steroid but who knows? I would get it around day 3 and it would clear up by the next infusion. Then I would get it again the next week.
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Delighted go to your dermatologist and ask for retin a cream. It's the only thing that helps the acne. Your dermatologist will have to write a letter to the insurance company to get it approved because we are too old lol! But I got it approved no problem and it works wonders on the acne, which is from the steroids.
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I had AC first so my hair was gone by week two ofAC. I'm experiencing hiccups with shortness of breath any one else. Up till now I thought Taol a breeze compared to every two weeks of apAC. Had AC on weds and was hit hard sat and Sunday.
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I'm also on treatment 4 of 12. They were going to make me skip this epeeek because of a cold but I have been taking Tylenol cold and sinus. White cell count was ok and I had no fever. It's the hiccups and shortness of breath that is sorting me. Just spoke to my GP WHO IS A FRIEND THAT SAUD SOME TIMES THE CGEMO INTERFERES WITH A NERVE AND I MAY HAVE TO GO OR ASHOT.
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I've had no nausea. They give me anti nausea intravenously s
During infusion and second day on hydration. I am doing hydration day 2 and get ani nausea then too. They told me I might not need the hydration but I spoke to the nurse that advised do it because so many people think they are drinking enough but what they give you concentrated really makes a difference, it's this hiccup thing and shortness of breath that is concerning me. AC in retrospect was not so va
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I too didn't have diarrhea on AC but do have it on taxo
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Is hair loss inevitable with Taxol? I start weekly Taxol/Herceptin treatments on Jan. 15. I'm torn about getting it cut short before it starts falling out or just leaving it as is (shoulder length) and hoping for the best.
Btw, does anyone know how long a Taxol/Hercepting infusion takes? I haven't been for my teaching session yet. I have six different doctor appointments the week I start chemo. Oh, and my first grandchild is due that week. Timing couldn't be worse.
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eamcpa, I kept my hair on taxol but I had to wear a cold cap. I lost eyebrows, eyelashes and pubes by the end of 12 sessions and my head hair was thinning but still looked normal(ish). You hair doesn't come out until 2-4 weeks after the first infusion, and with weekly taxol it may stay thin (but still there!) for many weeks. BUT if you lose it, it will be many months after the end of the treatment before it comes back. (I am just getting eyebrows again now)
The taxol infusion is one hour. If you use the cold cap it has to stay on for an hour after the end of the infusion. I had Herceptin as an injection under my skin - took about 5 minutes and now I'm giving them myself from home (I finished taxol 8 weeks ago).
hope this helps
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Eamcpa - hair loss on Taxol does seem to differ from person to person. After #4 I am shedding everywhere but it is not yet coming out in clumps. I am prepped with wigs and head coverings though.
As far as infusion times my Herceptin runs for 30 minutes and Taxol for an hour. With pre meds / waiting for pharmacist and a quick check in with my MO prior to receiving treatment I show up at 9:30 and am done around 1pm.
Congrats on the upcoming grandchild!!!
Cyndi0 -
3times: If you are having shortness of breath, pay attention because it could be a blood clot. I had a little of that when my port when in and then my heart started skipping around and I had a blood clot in my heart which was easily taken care of with blood thinners. Just a heads up. I was first told to drink more water and I knew full well it wasn't dehydration.
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cyndinic I was diagnosed from my baseline too at 40!
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ladies, has anyone had there AST and ALT rise on weekly Taxol. My bloodwork was perfect through AC and after my first Taxol my AST was slightly elevated and ALT 2.5x normal. The nurses said this is normal but it's still scary for me.
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Eamcpa, your first taxol and herceptin will be longer. Most likely 90 minutes for each. My taxol still is titrated and I just finished my 3rd dose, so mine goes in over an hour and 20 minutes every time. Get herceptin and perjeta every 3rd week and they should only be 30 minus each. The first dose of herceptin is a loading dose d has to be 90 minutes.
Ms Brompton, I have never heard of herceptin being anything but by IV? I just looked it up and see maybe it is only available in the UK? Sure would be nice the able to do it at home!
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hi, just found this group. I've only had 1 AC infusion with 3 more every two weeks, then 12 taxol. I am using PCC and so far no hair loss, but assume that will begin soon. Thanks for all the info as this is all pretty overwhelming..
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LRFTtexan- my AST and ALT levels crept up fast after weekly Taxol #2--to just over the high end of the acceptable range for each. I only knew because I saw the results on my online patient portal. I assume since no one mentioned it it's expected? I was alarmed too. I'm drinking lots of water with lemon to detox the liver... My last labs were perfectly normal. If it's the lemon water, I cannot say:) I have #5 in Wednesday.
Are you taking anything else? Tylenol? I took Xanax before I started chemo and my liver enzymes went way high. Stopped taking it and they fell back down. I miss the Xanax lol:)
Good luck to you and the rest of the weekly Taxol crew!!
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Has anyone had nose problems, bloody, runny, stuffy, since starting treatment? I'm going crazy with it!! Feels like scabbing inside, always bloody first thing in the morning. I try to take Claritin when I remember....ugh.
Have a wonderful Sunday!!!
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Jodes001, I have nose problems. I read that nosebleed is a common side effect while on chemo.
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Jodes001, I had a dry bloody nose, never full on blood flowing through most of Taxol. I kept a humidifier in my bedroom which helped somewhat. Also, a steamy shower in the morning helped clear out the sinuses. Anyway it is a normal SE and does go away once treatment is over. Good Luck, MJ
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jodes001 the Herceptin got my nose. I rubbed some coconut oil in there and it took a lot of the bloody issues away. Also made my eyes water like crazy, but mainly when I was getting the Herceptin with chemo. Now on Herceptin alone, it isn't as big of a deal anymore. I did Taxotere, not taxol though
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homeschool - I'm increasingly anemic with my infusions, so the neulasta shots have become routine. I felt the bone pain/ache with my last taxol only treatment, so I think it was the carboplatin that gave me the sensitive skin with the previous transfusion. I've also had a constant runny and sometimes bloody nose throughout.
Sawyer - I handled both the A/C and taxol infusions pretty well, but I'm surprised at how much more tired/exhausted I feel on taxol. I think the fact that it's weekly as opposed to biweekly has something to do it with it.. no time to recover. At first it was a breeze but these last few are taking their toll. In addition to the exhaustion I've had shortness of breath in varying degrees. I had a second MUGA scan on my heart last Wednesday just to make sure it hasn't been broken yet. >]
I've had the burning pee off and on in the last couple of weeks and I too just assumed that it was a side effect. I will mention it to my doctor tomorrow!
My onc reduced my 11th infusion by 20% because I finally started to feel some neuropathy in my fingers. Again, I think the carboplatin is the culprit here. Tomorrow's my last treatment.. woo!
Oh and just for giggles, here I am with my two best friends, ringing in the New Year.
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Hi, I lost my hair after the second AC treatment so be prepared. Cut your hair short if you haven't done so already. My treatment was at 9am and by 7pm the same day is started to come out in clumps after my shower. So when I say be prepared I mean it, this happened to others I know so it wasn't a horrible surprise. Good luck with everything, and be strong.
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AngiTee15- thank you for responding I was beginning to think it was just me. It's strange we get through the "bad" chemo relatively unscathed only to have liver enzymes go crazy. My ALT is 2.5x normal but I am drinking lots of water am planning on a hot lemon water before bed.
Mickie1956- thru 4 rounds of AC I lost maybe 3% of my hair with cold caps, through 2 Taxol I have lost more than I did on AC. It's strange because the Taxol is supposed to be low dose and easier on the hair. Although in reality, I think this heavy shed could be the last of the AC leaving my body. Time will tell. The caps do work that I know!
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LRFTTEXAN, my liver enzymes are elevated as well and my oncologist just said that is to be expected right now.
Jodes001, Yep, my nose is behaving exactly as you describe yours.
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It's been 7 days since I had my first taxol and by day 2 I developed terrible muscular pain/achyness throughout the lower half of my body, which has lasted nearly 5 days now.I'm also finding the fatigue a lot harder, than AC. Funny cos I actually thought taxol would be easier, but I think I actually prefer (dare I say it AC), because the side effects would usually subside by day 6. Oh well, 3 more taxolto go and then I'm done 😀
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