Weekly Taxol group
Comments
-
Has anyone tried fasting the day before Taxol treatments and the day of? To reduce side effects? So about 60 hours. I'm supposed to start Taxol/Herceptin in a week and I'm NOT happy. AC was horrible. Right now they're testing me on tiny dose of Herceptin alone see if I tolerate it, because hematologist thinks that mi
0 -
I never fasted but I always ate light on the days of chemo. I think the best thing I did was drink LOTS of water all through treatment. They said 2-3 quarts a day and I was able to keep that up all through 20 weeks of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. Nurses said we want the drugs out of our bodies as soon as they go in so drink, drink, drink. I truly believe this helped me to not have any side effects from chemo.
0 -
I agree about the water. I couldn't drink enough when I was on AC, I just felt so nauseous. They gave me a bag of saline when i got my chemo and that helped a lot. With Taxol, I was able to drink more and it helped!!
0 -
Hey there ladies, its been awhile since Ive been on this page but I wanted to pop in and see if I could offer some support. Im officially 6 months PFC.I did 4 cycles of AC and 12 weeks of taxol. I lost my hair, my figure, my eyebrows my eyelashes an can totally relate to what you are going thru.
As for fasting I don't recommend it, I was also nauseous and found that if I ate small throughout the day my nausea subsided. I also drank a ton of water, iced tea, crystal light (anything that didn't contain sugar or caffeine) The way my doctor explained it, by keeping a small amount of food in your body you're stomach never stops working and the fluids helps to push the chemo thru swiftly. It doesn't have time to linger or accumulate and make you sick. By flushing it through it still attacks the cells but helps you to process the drug. (Damn I guess I did pay attention) Also, if you can get a prescription Zofran or compazine that will help you too. If you have really good insurance I recommend akenzeo its a steroid that helps with nausea for 5 days. It was a god send when I was on AC. Also, pay attention to your diet, fried and fatty foods didn't do it for me, I actually became a better eater during this process, go figure.
I can tell you this, it will get better and you will get thru this. There were times when I thought I couldn't do it anymore and I said no Im sorry breast cancer I wont let you beat me. Listen to your body, rest when you need to, stay hydrated, and talk to your doctor. Hugs to you all I am praying for you. Please feel free to contact me if you need to.
0 -
bareclaw taxol is soooo much easier than AC trust me you'll make it thru xoxo
0 -
Week 9 has by far been the worst week for me. I have had a horrible burning sensation all the way down my throat all week. Has anyone else had this?
0 -
shelabela, I had mouth and throat issues during AC, but not Taxol. One SE was thrush, very red at back of throat with little white dots. My MO gave me prescriptions that got it under control. Also, I'd been using a Biotin mouthwash and she told me to switch to the baking soda and salt mouthwash that many on these forums use.
0 -
The question about fasting really has little to do with avoiding nausea. That's never been a big problem for me and besides, that's what weed is for.😎 There's some compelling evidence that fasting before and a little bit after chemo can improve the action of chemo on cancer cells while, at the same time, mitigating chemo'seffect on normal cells, lessening many side effects. In simple terms, normal, fast turnover cells retreat to a protective mode during nutritional stress, while cancer cells lack this ability and continue "feeding" as normal. It's been in the news a lot lately, but the research goes back several years. Interesting concept and it doesn't involve drugs on top of drugs, on top of drugs. Which means that it will be roundly condemned by Big Pharma and those who are in their back pocket. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the drugs that are available to kill cancer cells. But not so keen on continuing the drug cycle.
0 -
bareclaws - I fasted during AC and Taxol and had few side effects. For Taxol I fasted about 30-36 hours. I started 24 hours before treatment started. I broke my fast with bone broth or jello. I couldn't go much past 36 hours because I couldn't eat enough the rest of the week to maintain my weight. I had lost too much weight during AC and didn't want to lose more.
0 -
Took DH with me for my appointment with MO. His comment was that she was almost "flippant" about my stopping after 8 treatments. Didn't think it would make any difference - so I happily went for just my herceptin. SE began to abate about 10 days after last infusion. My hands are still chapped and red but no more pain. I've walked the dog twice today without getting too winded. So I'm feeling that the worse is over, at least for now and I am comfortable with not doing all 12. At my age, I don't take anything for granted however. Just had a call from a long time friend who is terminal. Went in to see about pain in her arm and sounds like cancer alll over.
I was buzzed my hair week 3 and shaved it week 4. Have been comfortable uncovered at home and scarves outside. I have wigs but they are too hot and I haven't found one that looks natural to me although I admit that many in my "starting chemo in Feb." group look fantastic!
0 -
Hi everyone
Anyone else got stinging, watery eyes? I'm wondering if it's Taxol or hay fever. I've still got my eyelashes so it's not that (unless they're about to go)
0 -
Hi all,
So I'm on dense dose Taxol because my MO doesn't do 12 weekly. I have had 2 so far so that would be 6. I have had so many more SE than on AC. My fingers and toes feel burned, hot flushing flashes, super bad bone, joint and lower intestinal pain, a rash and now a weird lump feeling in my throat. Kinda like when a pill gets stuck. Also, I can't stop crying. I don't know if it is because I feel had or if my hormones are totally messed up. Anyway, I just needed to let it out. Right now I feel like I'm in the cancer pit and can't pull myself out.
Lisa
0 -
HI Lilo,
I am sorry you are having a bad day! Vent away! We will not judge. I am on weekly Taxol and have all those SE except the toes feeling burned. I have the rash, even on my face. I look like I have pimples all over. I have horrible hot flashes at night.
I recently had an issue with a burning sensation going down my throat. They decided it was Acid Reflux. I am taking 2 pepcids a day for it now.
And on Sunday AM I noticed that my nails are now lifting. That will not be good.
Giving you a hug!
0 -
lilo/lisa, I've had all your SE's, but maybe milder since I was on the weekly.. i had that lump feeling in my throat.. MO said its esophagitis.. no matter how many acid reducer i take, its stil there.. I am 4 weeks and 6 days PFC and d lump is gone except when I ate too much.. my nails/finger still sore, but is better than before.. taste buds is better..still feel shortness of breath sometimes.So all of this Lisa shall passed. Just hang in there.
My legs hurt. It never hurt like this when i was still on chemo..oh well, as long as we are on the mend..
YOu all take care and hope you have a mild SE this week..
0 -
I had first Taxol (along with Herceptin, which I had already started) last Friday and for the last few days I've had lower back pain early in the morning, about 3AM. Too early to get up. It does seem to abate after I get up at 5:30 and get moving. I've been doing some yoga type stretches while still in bed. Doesn't seem to help, though. Anyone else have this SE?
0 -
Bareclaws
Oh yes! Lower back is horrible with Taxol. Make yourself move. Seems to help a lot! Did me anyway. Also found that Tylenol helps. Heating pad helps. Are you a back sleeper?
0 -
shelabala, thank you for responding! I do move-run/walk, hooping, yoga, arm workouts with weights. And was worried that I might have done some damage that way, but for the fact that this pain arrives at same time every night and goes away when I get up. I will definitely try your suggestions. I'm a side sleeper.
0 -
I experienced severe joint/bone pain while on Taxol that was significantly worse at night...or seemed worse as I had nothing to distract me. I just finished 4 rounds on April 6th. The pain seemed concentrated to mostly my lower body. Heating pads and warm baths were where I found most of my relief. The pain is now gone however I am still dealing with fatigue, painful fingers and toes and my sense of taste is way off!
0 -
Bearclaws,
Why I ask about the sleeping. One thing I found out when I had back surgery is that if you are a side sleeper you should use a pillow between your legs. Buy a small one and try it. It evens out your spine and lower back. It really helps me. I still use one. Seems to relieve the joint pain. Worth a shot
0 -
Thanks, I'll try the pillow
0 -
I had the lower back, pelvic pain and rib pain for the first 4 taxol/herceptin. The blurry eyes started about week 3. Just finished #7 and eyes are itching, watering and blurry. I get rash now and then but no pain. Knock on wood.
0 -
I have the rash mostly on back and stomach. Some on head scalp and a few have come on my face. Blurry vision started with chemo #1, I just finished #8 wednesay
0 -
Starting weekly taxol for 12 weeks April 26. Any words of wisdom, encouragement or advice? No previous chemo experience.
0 -
I Brain, weekly taxol was not nearly as bad as I feared. No nausea at all. I did have alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation, but OTC meds helped with that. I continued to work throughout, except on the day of chemo. I tried to exercise most days, mainly just walking. Drink lots of water. You'll be getting a steroid, which will cause your cheeks to be very rosy the day after chemo - no one warned me about that. Also the steroid causes sleep difficulties; my oncologist cut the dosage in half after 3 treatments, which helped. I used cold caps to save my hair. I took B6 and l-glutamine to ward off neuropathy. It was not a picnic, but not too difficult either. You can do it!
0 -
l brain, I will be doing #8 of 12 weekly Taxol on Tuesday. The first 4 were the worst for me. I think you can read on previous post the other side effects i have and continue to have. My MO reduced the taxol by20% starting with #5 as I was getting neuropathy in fingers, toes and tongue. I also started B6 and B12. Pretty much resoved itself. My hair was shedding big time by day 23 or so. I buzzed it. I never tried icing, cold caps, etc. I guess too lazy. Everyone seems to have different experiences but doesn't seem to be as bad as AC,FEC, or some of the others. Maybe because it is weekly and not as heavy a dose. I'm hoping the last 5 continue as is! Good luck to you!
0 -
Hi, I'm supposed to start weekly Taxol and Herceptin any time now, just waiting to be cleared from an infection that developed in an incision. I'd like to start B6 proactively. My chemo nurse said it would be fine to do when I had my education session after surgery. She was supposed to get the dosage info for me at my next appt with them, but that had to be cancelled due to said infection. How many mg is the recommended dosage? Thanks!
0 -
cdv, I took 100 mg of B6 per day. And 30 grams of l- glutamine four days a week (day of chemo and 3 subsequent days). I didn't start this regimen until I started feeling a bit of neuropathy (at the recommendation of my chemo nurses) - some people don't get neuropathy at all, so they suggested waiting.
0 -
Hello Everyone, Thanks for your replies. I am grateful for the shorter duration of treatment. Originally was told 4.5 months with a different regime. I'm hoping to keep walking as I think that is so important. Would like to get back into a yoga class, my cancer center offers one for free. Was doing yoga before, but don't think I want to go back to that one until I'm done with treatment. Hair loss of course is a huge fear. Was going to buzz it off, but think I will wait and see how fast it goes. I don't think I will tolerate the cold caps, but may try icing my hands and feet. I've been researching B6 and glutamine supplements. Lots of information out there to sift through. Glad I found this forum.
0 -
I suggest waiting on the hair buzzing. I cut my real long hair short than week #4 Taxol and herceptin it really started falllinh out, so went even shorter by week 6 I buzzed to 1/16th of an inch. Sometimes I wish I hadn't but really the "comb over" was not cutting it it looked awful. Stay strong!
Daniella
0 -
Ibrain - Taxol was pretty easy for me compared to the AC I went thru first. I was achy about 48 hours post treatment and it last about 2 days. Walking helped as did Extra strength Tylenol. I couldn't sleep the night of chemo as the steroid kept me awake. You might want to get sleeping meds. I lost my hair during the AC. I cut my long hair short just before I started so it wouldn't be so upsetting. Drink lots of fluids to flush the chemo drugs out of your system!
0
