Weekly Taxol group
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Danix--I finished 12 rounds of Taxol at the end of January. I had 4 rounds of AC before that. I agree with your doctor. It really is an easy chemo, or at least it was for me. I had absolutely no effect from it except for some leg, hip, and back aches on the second or third day that lasted a couple days, then it was gone. My blood counts continued to drop throughout treatment but never to the level they couldn't do chemo. I complained a lot about not getting any sleep for a night or two after chemo because of the steroids they give. After my first couple treatments I told the nurses that it didn't even feel like I had chemo. Neuropathy is a worry with Taxol. I iced my hands and feet during every treatment and had no neuropathy at all. They told me that the effects are cumulative but I didn't even notice that much until the very end and I may have been a little more tired than I was at the beginning, but not even enough to take nap. For me, it really was a piece of cake, especially compared to the AC I had first. Good luck.
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Danix - Fifth infusion of taxol and herceptin for me tomorrow. Second day post infusion has been the worse but not unmanageable. Second week was the worse for me and it has gotten easier as I have learned to manage the symptoms better. This regime does seem to be an easier than many others. Steroids give me insomnia but usually by day 4 I'm caught up. I am retired so can nap as I need to. But I also have continued to play golf, walk, play bridge and serve on the board of my local food bank. No chemo brain yet. Biggest problem for me is constipation (and then of course some diarrhea) but I have tried to stay ahead of it. I also discovered that I did better with nexium than with the prescribed anti-nausea drugs. (and according to my MO, it is less constipating.) Drink lots of liquids. I like the flavored selzer. I seem to drink more of that than plain water. My hair did fall out even though the infusion therapist was somewhat optimistic that it wouldn't. Must admit I haven't changed my diet much. I lost 30 lbs. on weight-watchers four years ago and have stayed within 5 lbs of that (although WW would say I still have some to go.) both pre and post cancer.
I just discovered this thread and am glad I did. I also spend time with "starting chemo Feb. 2017." Very helpful. Some smart lady got us a private Facebook group and we have been sharing our new hair dos on line. You might want to look for one for March.
My short answer to you is that this is not a piece of cake but WE CAN DO IT!
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Thank you everyone's advises and well wishes! I am grateful for this forum site, really helpful and supportive
I think i have 0% resistance against, Benadryl, it really knocks me out within minutes hahaha
I will probably choose to uber back home, but my husband is still not convinced that i can handle that myself (i'll need to up my persuading skills)
shelabela - The wig look great, you look lovely!
Daniella - I just had my #3 taxol yesterday, i am feeling good so far except for slight diarrhea and some acne, my oncologist has been very positive about taxol having little side effects. My first week's loading dose of Taxol, Herceptine and Pertuzumad, was tougher, it was an 12hr ordeal, and my SE was 5 days of moderate diarrhea and slight chest tightness. Pray for you that you will have it easy on your subsequent sessions.0 -
shelabella: i like both buzz n wig..
San L: I found out that if they slow down the benadryl a few minutes, (say mine was slowed down for 3 minutes..so instead of 20 mins., d nurse did it for 23 min.), it did not knock me down completely when i reach d car. I can still walk to d grocery store after infusion, but im not sure if i can drive.But not all nurses are willing to do it.
kdtheathre: did d b6 200 mg help u? Did u ever have neuropathy? What else did u take? Im on no 11 of 12, n mo told me to take 200 b6 instead of the 100 that i have been taking. Also to take glutamine. I dont know how much since I forgot to ask.
Hope everyone is doing well..
g
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Danix - I had pretty much the same response as seq24. Taxol is a piece of compared to AC. I'm going for %10 of 12 this morning. I don't ice my hands and feet and have had no problem with neuropathy. My hair started to grow back after about week #4.
Gail
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Thank you all for your responses. I had a very good first week. Nurses are warning of the accumulation aspect mostly. Good to know it won't be that bad and overall I am getting baby chemo🎉
I worry since I switched onco who had me going to taxotere with C ( forget that ones name) every three weeks with herceptin. IWent for second opinion and new dr said you have clear nodes you don't need taxotere and C
But first onco said it was gold standard, second one explained why it was over treatmentbwuth no nodes so I went with her.
This is my second BC first 2007 had DCIS high grade multiple areas. Bilateral mastectomies and total hyster. I was told less than 2% lifetime chance I would get BC again. Well risidual tissue left in sternum area of right breast proved them wrong.
I just want to fight this with best chemo so I don't come back third time
Daniella
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Daniell,. You've got this girl.
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Thank you! I do! Listen to the fight song... it's is inspiring
Daniell
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Novbaby-I started using 200 mg of B6 a week before starting Taxol, but after 2 week started having horrible tummy issues and my troponin (heart enzymes) went up, so I stopped taking...and all eventually went normal. But towards the end when I could tell neuropathy was getting worse, I started taking 50mg of B6, along with daily glass of tonic water (ick) and weekly acupuncture.
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kdtheathre,
Is your neuropathy just on your toes n fingers? Mine is all over.. do u still have it now that you are done with taxol? Thanks..
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it was primarily in my toes/fingers...and lips, oddly. Now that I'm about a month out from Taxol, I notice it finally disapating, but not totally gone yet. But thankful it's going away
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I posted another thread about pain after taxol and got a few suggestions but, I figured I would post here and see if there are others with the same problem. I finished Taxol 1/30 and each week I've had increased pain in my muscles, possibly bones and joints. I was having soreness in my muscles but that has subsided. The joint pain especially in my hands is awful. They are so stiff and my hands are weak. I still have leg pain and stiffness. I feel like I'm twice my age and im only 43. I was in great shape prior to chemo and very active. Here I was so happy to finish chemo and get back to being more active but that isn't the case. My Dr says it will take time but said I can take pain meds. I'm not big on meds nevermind pain meds. I do physical therapy 2-3 times week and do detox soaks once a week. Is there anyone else that is experiencing the same thing? I had very few issues with the 5 months of chemo I had. I did start with the leg pain about taxol #3-4 but I think the steroid was helping with it. Thank you all and God bless us all dealing with this life changer.
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Blessed2016 - I finished Taxol on 2/9...and have been experiencing really bad joint pain in my hips and hands. Really bad in my hands...and also in my feet, especially one that I had issues with prior to cancer. I thought Clariton would help - since it helped with bone pain during chemo...but no such luck. Plus - I am allergic to NSAIDs, so I can only take Tylenol. I seriously hope this goes away soon.
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I finished number 2 last Friday. So does it get much worse as weeks go on? I had bloody nose with small blood clots this weekend and today.-Also very dizzy.
Just wondering if you all had those SE or liver functions elevated ? I assume that's the liver trying to process the chemo
Thank you
Daniell
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Blessed2016,
I can't tell you about the long term impact of Taxol as I have only completed two rounds. However, I can tell you that when I went through chemo in 2001 about half way through I experienced significant issues with joint pain (on CEF). It actually hurt to sit and evening standing for any length of time was an issue. In particular, I had trouble with my hips. It took months for this to resolve but eventually it did lessen. At the time I was 39 so age didn't help. 😩
It will get better. The problem is chemo hits rapidly dividing cells which includes cartilage unfortunately. If cartilage is reduced we essentially get arthritis a bit earlier. It's all a trade off....
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danix5: i had dizziness around taxol 2 (i think).my SE's are different every taxol. I had dizziness twice(taxol 2 n 8 i think but not severe.. 2 was worse than 8.. My liver enzymes are elevated too.My Alt fluctuates. Do you take zantac? It seems as if my alt goes down when i stop zantac.It went up again recently as I started taking zantac again. Not sure if thats really the cause. My main problem with taxol is neuropathy which is all over and it comes and goes.
Hoping and praying all ourSE's are mild this week..
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Yesterday was my fifth Taxol and I have been dizzy on and off. Better today then last night. I see a few others have gotten dizzy, this was the first time I have.
So far things are going good. My body hair is starting to go. Not to get to personal but "everything" is going. Did you ladies lose the "personal " hair also? I guess I didn't think about that area.
I am slowly losing weight because nothing tastes good. I force myself to eat. Drinking so much water/gateraide and flavored water. Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes and smoothies. Ugh some days I feel like I could float.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day
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Danix5, I've had the blood clots in my nose since I believe my 2nd Taxol. Gross topic, right? Tomorrow will be my 11th and final infusion. I've resorted to Breathe Right strips at night.
Besides the expected neuropathy (which I hope, hope, HOPE won't be permanent), I found that my teeth often hurt and my nail beds are tender. An oddball SE I had was flesh-colored sun damage spots turned bright red overnight and sort of blistered. The oncologist said that it's like the Taxol seeks out areas of past sun damage. My encapsulated shoulder is looking me and send less responsive to my usual pain medications.
Shelabela, yes, you get a "free" Brazilian wax job. I've been surprised that I've retained pale blonde hairs on my arms despite being bald with no eyelashes & only a handful of brow hairs surviving. I know some people said the hair on their heads started growing back at week 5 or so, but I noticed that I seem to have less stubble than I did a couple of weeks ago so my regrowth is trending the wrong way. Boo!
Lyn
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Novbaby, could you elaborate when you say your neuropathy is all over? Does that mean the skin throughout your body (your arm, calf, stomach, thigh?) is numb to touch? I'm sorry that this side effect is so problematic for you.
Lyn
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Thank you ladies! Yes my hands are the worst as far as stiffness/pain. It seems like it is an arthritis type pain. I'm ok with giving some things up to live a long life but geez, right now my quality of life is a bit rough. I'm only 43 and would like to get back to my activity or even half of it. Plus I have 7 year old twin boys and want to be able to be active with them like I was. I'm really hopeful that it will get better. So, I will continue to be patient. This too shall pass is my motto but these days im kinda getting tired of telling myself that! Started rads yesterday and laying on the table in the "position" for a long time has to get better. It just has to. I actually felt better while on chemo, funny but not so funny. Anyway, we all will get through this. One day at a time!
May
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VLH, yes neuropathy is all over d body.. tingling, numbness, feeling of bugs crawling underneath d skin, pain on finger tips n toes, even on d head.. ( head is what creeps me out)tingling started with ac, few hours after infusion. It went away after d 3rd coz i had a 2 week break. Then it came back on taxol but it started as not bad til d 9th infusion.I had this feeling that someone is holding my neck n jaw, per nurse (drthinks its neuropathy).I also have a lot of stomach issues, bloating n reflux. So bad with ac,can hardly eat, i lost a lot of weight..
So VLHwhy are you stopping at 11th?
So what are everybody's plan on food after chemo/cancer dx? Are u all gonna try to eat healthy? N to what extent?u think eating healthy will keep any recurrence? Need your thoughts on this..
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Novbaby, that sounds truly awful! I'm so sorry. :-(
Regarding stopping at #11, I've had a weird visual side effect (dramatic flashes, more subtle shimmery auras, etc.) as well as constant neuropathy in the fingers of my dominant hand, intermittent neuropathy in my other hand and get, tender nail beds, hand-foot syndrome, extreme muscle fatigue, severe pain in my encapsulated shoulder and a racing heart / shortness of breath. (I think I shared this before so apologies for redundancies.) The oncologist said she would leave it up to me whether to do the final two so I compromised with one more.
Thanks to an ER nurse ignoring me when I said my left arm was a lymphedema risk and inserting an IV line anyway, I'm now having to add two more trips to the hospital each week for Lymphedema risk. My oncologist is out for what would be my 12th chemo so would have the added stress of going to a different facility where I don't know the procedures or staff. Honestly, if 15 infusions don't kill the cancer, I doubt that #16 would be the magic bullet. :-)
Huh! My hands have been so swollen and stiff. I'd run out of my diuretic blood pressure pill (only take 1/2 tablet per day) for two days so blamed that, but got back on schedule and my hands are still very uncomfortable. Another fun Taxol SE.
Lyn
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Blessed2016,have they checked your vit d.? I had pain b4 mos. b4 cancer dx n found our my vit d was low.. as soon as it was normal, it was ok.not sure if this would help
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Novbaby,
Yes I had it checked before I started chemo because I moved to AK and we all need the supplement here because of the darkness. It was low and went on the supplement and had it checked 3 months later and normal. I can have them check again since I'm going tomorrow for a follow up but I'm still on the same dose so it should be ok. Unless the chemo did something to decrease it??? Thank you. Oh and as far as eating. I was 42 when diagnosed last year, in better shape than ever before. I did cross fit 3xs a week, ran twice and biked. I did triathlons for fun. We live a healthy lifestyle and eat a paleo type diet, which I use liightly because I say its not a diet but a lifestyle. Anyway, point is, I still got cancer. Sooo, I was going nuts thinking where does that leave me??? Well.... I will continue to eat healthy and live an active lifestyle and pray it doesn't ever return. Ever. If you don't eat healthy and exercise, I would say it's a good start.
May
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Heading to #3 tomorrow! I hate to make time fly and I can't but am looking forward to being done with chemo.
Thank you all for your responses.
I think this is the week some hair loss starts? Only place I've noticed hair loss is nose hairs lol
Daniella
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Danix- I lost my hair with AC but it started growing back on Taxol. Heading into #11 tomorrow and my hair is a good 1/2" long but yotally white.
I'm wondering long after finishing treatment before your taste buds are back to "normal"?
Gail
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bravepoint, I finished #12 last Monday. I'm a week and a half PFC and my taste buds are already feeling/tasting some better. I feel that's a really quick recovery and am really happy. If my hair would only start growing faster...
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lol the Brazilian! 😂 Fun times chemo world!
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After yesterday's Taxol, what has been a small (1 inch circle) red spot on one cheek is now a very large red blotch on that side of my face. For those of you experiencing a Taxol-related facial rash, how long did it last? Did you use any kind of topical cream (hydrocortisone maybe?) to minimize the redness or just wait for it to dissipate on its own? Luckily, this was my last chemo so at least I won't be adding fuel to the rash fire. Thanks!
( I tried a topic search to avoid asking a question that's probably been asked a dozen times before, but it produced tons of non-Taxol-related results so I gave up.)
Lyn
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VLH. I had a super red face and neck after each taxol. It started that night and lasted less than 24 hours. I blamed it on the fact that I only had half the dose of benedryl. I figured a red face was better than drowsiness.
Interestingly enough, I think it was the steroid that caused it. This week I had a swollen eyelid, and the chemo nurse suggested I take 1 steroid pill to see if it would help. It caused me to have a red face and retain fluid and not sleep. Didn't think that would happen with just one pill. I'm not going to do THAT again.
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