Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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Hi Snax. I did NOT ice fingers and toes during taxol and had no problems with my nails whatsoever. Good luck to you - it'll be fine!
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no icing here either...no problems yet on #5 of 12 taxol
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I had AC #3 on Friday. I go to a comprehensive Breast Center. I asked the nurse about icing the nails. She said, they only have one patient who ices.
I'm fine with that. I don't particularly relish the idea of sticking my fingers in ice.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Hi! My name is Lisa and I am scheduled to start 12 weeks taxol and herceptin on Wednesday. Thanks for info and honesty-hoping these boards are going to make my journey much easier knowing i am not cruising alone here;)
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Politicomama & Bishops2003 - Thank you for the info. I'm starting to think there's something going on with the number 33!
I've been stuck with a needle so many times already so I'm dreading this. I was worried about a port being so close to my heart... I kept thinking that having the chemo enter my body there rather than my arm that it would do some damage. My Onc said that is highly unlikely... The things I think of... Both of you started chemo soon after surgery. Was there a reason why you didn't wait? Especially, PoliticoMama, having had a mastectomy? I haven't had any children so I have delayed the start of the chemo to freeze some embyos 
One thing I am truly thankful for is my insurance. They cover this. I wish you guys the best May our 34th year of life bring nothing but positive change, health, happiness, love, good fortune... I could go on 
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Actually macho, I didn't do reconstruction (I'm still not sure how I feel about this, especially after meeting with the PS last Thursday who told me DIEP was my best option) I was back to my normal self in about two weeks. I came home the morning after my BMX, and was back to work at 2.5 weeks. Did you have reconstruction? I would rather have expanders/implants knowing I would need something else down the road. I am glad that you insurance covers freezing. We have too many friends BC and non BC going through fertility problems and it breaks my heart. My babies are not eight years apart on purpose
Indeed may 2013 bring us all good health! 0 -
Timbek, Patin, Celine and Soteria, thank you so much for your replies! I feel much better, and I'm also relieved not to have to. Especially considering I plan to chew ice chips and I do not relish the idea of trying to ice my fingers, toes AND mouth. Thanks also Timbek for the B6 tip. I'll get right on that.
Gr8flmama, I second your post. These ladies and their posts are a treasure.
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Hi,
I got the port in June. I am getting it out in 2 weeks. Looking forward to it. I am having my BMX that day and direct to implant surgery. Looking forward to the port removal for sure. I am always feeling it. Right now it is hurting me as well as the site of my lymph node removal. Had 2 removed and they were clear. That was in May.
I can understand not wanting a port put in. LOL
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got mine in sept... anxious for it to be out to
but very glad i had it
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I've had my port since Dec. 4. I've had absolutely NO discomfort with it. I even slept on that side the first night and every night since. I took Tylenol once, but not for pain. I was just being cautious as I knew the lidocaine was wearing off after the surgery.
I'm so glad I have it.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Politicomama - I had expanders put in and was waiting on pathology to see if I needed radiation, which I do not. That determines how much they expand due to the effect of radiation on the skin. I'm not sure why your PS stated DIEP was the best option? I was given all options and chose expanders. I also went with the nipple sparing mastectomy of which multiple surgeons were against. I would believe you would have had a choice but not all PS are the same or perhaps your specifc case called for DIEP. I did my research and I'm comfortable with the decision I made.
All the other ladies seem to agree ports are the way to go... I hope I am making the right decision with going without one
I didn't realize putting the port in required surgery (it was never explained to me... I quickly refused it) so if I decide not to go with one... I guess I'm sh*& out of luck? 
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I imagine you could have a port in at any time. It really was not painful . I just don't like the feel of it.
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Macho mouse - I don't have a port and getting the infusion is not a problem. My MO wasn't keen on it to begin with, felt it was introducing a foreign body into our system . Anyway, I haven't needed it so far. It is something that can be done at any time - so try without it and see how you fare. Just my two cents worth.
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i knew i needed it... my veins are jumpers and they collapses easy to..
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I posted about my pre-taxol appt with MO today in the December 2012 starting chemo section.
But I wanted to emphasize here (since several people on this thread have mentioned it) that MO confirmed that Vitamin B-6 (100 mg twice a day) has helped some patients avoid the neuropathy sometimes associated with taxol.
He's a very research oriented MO, so that recommendation is likely somewhere in the scientific literature.
He didn't confirm the L-Glutamine mentioned on this thread but I trust you all and wondered if anyone's doctor had recommend a specific dose? Since MO didn't say not to take it, I want to cover all my bases with regard to this potential SE.
Hope you all are doing as well as can be expected today. Glad you're here!0 -
i am going tomorow for my 6th of 12 taxol TX..
no neuropathy issues as of yet
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Peggy - I was told that the standard dose of L-Glutamine is 30 grams per day, divided into either two or three "servings". I did 15 grams morning and evening.
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I'm starting weekly Taxol in 2 wks - I'm in a study which includes a new drug (mm-121) and it's given weekly for 2 weeks and then Taxol is added to it for the next 12 weeks. My onc said that her patients that are on this regimen have been doing great...so I'm hoping I will also.
Someone mentioned icing fingers and toes? I've never heard of that....
I do have a port and haven't had any real problems with it except that it is itching as it heals. My Mom went trough bc 12 years ago and it was so much easier on her with the port. Also, I will be taking AC and that needs a port.
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Hi ladies, I just had my 3rd of 12 Taxol/Herceptin weekly treatments today; doing good with little side effects. Taking L-Glutamine powder, B vitamins, fish oil for neuropathy and Claritin for aches. I already had 4 AC treatments and was sick the whole time (tried 6 anti-nausea meds!). So, switching to Taxol has given me my life back. I also have a port and am so glad I do. Have a lot of trouble with needles and getting a vein. I just put Lidocaine cream on port site an hour before access. Works great. Hang in there.
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7312012, thank you so much for your post re your experience on Taxol! Very helpful and very encouraging. I've done with my 3 rounds of FEC (first two not so bad, third awful) and start weekly Taxol and Herceptin January 25th. Hope my hair starts regrowing during treatment! That would be awesome.
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I had my first taxol 5 days ago - and I have had zero energy and all over achiness since. Lying in bed hurts and I just can't get comfortable - sleep does not come easy. So far I do not find it better than A/C - or perhaps it is simply I am getting sick and tired of having chemo. Anyone else experience pain in the knees and just general all over blah!!! Or is it the Neulasta shot? Any input would be appreciated. The good news is no pins and needles in hands or feet - however, fingers have no sensitivity to hot or cold - I managed to burn my fingers on hot water - so another thing to watch out for.
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adagio,
I am sorry you burned your fingers. I burned both my hands. I havd my boyfriend change the setting on my water heater so I wont burn myself. I did it like three times.
I do hate the neuropathy. And my legs and body hurt. A bit better 4 weeks out now.
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My body aches are very painful. Try claritin the day before nulesta, day of and day after. HUGE difference. I still need advil and the occasional hydrocodone but it really helped overall.
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They stabbed for a vein for the iv three timesfor the port emplacement. Maximum pain. black and blue. Next day four tries for vein for mugga., i Was hysterical.arm black and blue. swollen. He kept saying my veins rolled. I LOVE THE PORT. No pain when I use the cream. Will resist taking it out until ALL is done.
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Bishop, after 8 Taxol, on about the 6th day after the weekly treatment. No appitite.
All food yukky. Feels like bodty wrung out like washrag. Aches in sholder and hip joints and some long bones. Tylanol. lOTS of covering in the bed. I hqave decided these are just normal Taxol. Yul. Am cold all the time. FOUR MORE WEEkS. hUGS.
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Cindi,
Yes food tastes like yuck. I felt like i had weights attatched to my hips and they were dragging. I know you are counting down.
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Good to hear I am not alone with the aches and pains. I also feel very cold all the time - I wonder if this is because my hemoglobin is dropping. Does one get neulasta on the weekly taxol? I get Taxol every two weeks and still have to take the neulasta shot - not my favourite thing to take at all. Appetite is not great but I can still eat. I am grateful that I do not have any mouth ulcers - being diligent with the baking soda and salt rinse helps.
Cindy - sorry to hear about the vein issues - did you just get the port put in or have you had it all along. Sounds like you need to pamper yourself - glad to see the end is in sight for you! At least with chemo anyway - do you have rads after this?
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I get my first weekly Taxol treatment tomorrow. I had such a hard time with A/C. I got about 3 days between treatments when I felt half-way decent. I had terrible nausea even with several nausea meds and terrible headaches. Also had bad mouth sores and bad taste in mouth. It is encouraging to hear that most everyone is having an easier time on Taxol. Thanks for the encouragement.
I had a port put in and am very glad I did -- blood work and treatments all from one stick in the port. They prescribed a cream to put on it before going in to deaden it and there is usually no pain at all.
My MO told me that they do not give the neulasta shots with weekly treatments. I never had any issues with the shot. I took Zyrtec twice a day for 5 days starting the day of the shot. It must have worked.
Strange to hear everyone talking about the steroids keeping them awake. My MO told me wehn I started AC that would happen and even gave me something to help me sleep. It has never had that effect on me. But I was only getting 10 mg. I do believe it contributed to my headaches. They did cut it down some on the 3rd and 4th treatment and it helped the headache some. I have gained weight -- spent 5 last months exercising daily and eating right, lost weight and was feeling really good. Now I've gained it all back and have no energy to exercise. It's depressing.
I agree that the 3rd AC treatment was the worse.
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anyone else getting a lot of hot flashes?
i stopped counting.. they happen more in evening and at night..
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Yes mine mainly in evening and night. I wake up at 4.30 with a sweaty head. Yuk. Makes me crazy then can't fall back asleep. Glad to hear I'm not alone.
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