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Weekly Taxol group

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Comments

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2017

    Weird! I'm small, but my weekly Taxol dosage was 118 mg for all 12 weeks. No wonder I lost even more hair after AC, and it didn't grow back during treatment.

  • HelenFaith
    HelenFaith Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    I was told best practice is under 125 mg and a doc can choose what they think is best for the person based on a few factors, but the recommended dose is 60-80 once a week for 3 weeks with a week off. I started with 60 mg for the first 4 doses and dose 5, 6 and 7 were at 80 mg because SE's were pretty mild.

  • Bmac16
    Bmac16 Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2017

    Dawleswim I had 4 rounds of AC 3 weeks apart and have now had 6 weekly rounds of Taxol with 6 more to go. I started losing my eyebrows after the 3rd round of AC and lashes after 4th. My hair fell out 2 weeks after the first round.

    I now have a few lashes left and no brows but peach fuzz growing back on my head

  • DonnaJoan
    DonnaJoan Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    Hey Gals - After reading HelenFaith's question regarding the dose of Taxol others are receiving, I am anxious to hear your input. Since finishing my A/C treatments, I have received six weekly 140mg Taxol treatments. I had an extremely rough time with the A/C. I literally thought I would die after the third treatment, and I am still nauseous and fatigued most of the time with the Taxol. Could the higher dosage account for how I'm feeling??? Now I'm curious about the amount of Adiamycin (105mg) and Cytoxan (1050mg) I received. Is this in line with what you gals received?

    Thanks for any feedback you can give me.

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2017

    Donnajoan- if I am reading my chemo orders right (???), looks like I received 154 mg of Adiamycin each time and 1500 mg of cytoxan each time every other week for 4 treatments

  • DonnaJoan
    DonnaJoan Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    Thanks, DodgersGirl. I assume from your dosage of A/C that mine were about average. Do you know your dose of Taxol?

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2017

    My AC dosages were 90 mg/900 mg every 3 weeks. Weekly Taxol was 118 mg. Fatigue was worse during Taxol because the premeds disrupted my sleep.

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2017

    donnajoan-my Taxol is 80 mg for the first 2 treatments.

  • gginouves
    gginouves Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2017

    Again, it depends on your size. If you are around 5 foot 3 three inches and weigh about 78 kg, you would have a surface area of just under 2 square meters. That would mean a dose of about 140 mg of Taxol, at a rate of 70 mg/m2. You have to differentiate between dose, which is mg/m2 of body surface, and total dose, which may be anywhere from 70 mg if you are little to over 140 if you are larger.

    I went in ready to tell the onc today that I was DONE, but he talked me out of it. I'm taking a week off and then we'll try a lower dose in a week. Sigh. Just three more to go.

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2017

    Based on my size and my actual dosage of 118 mg, my dosage rate was about 81 mg/m2.

    I used this site to estimate my surface area: http://www.medcalc.com/body.html


  • DonnaJoan
    DonnaJoan Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    Gginouves, this is great information. Thanks, SerenitySTAT, for the link to calculate my surface area to determine dosage. According to the formula,140mg is lots more than I should need. (Hmmm...I wonder if this could also account for my elevated liver enzyme levels???) I'll certainly address this with my MO. Hopefully, even a 20% reduction would result is fewer side effects. Although I'm not as sick as I was while on the A/C, I rarely feel well enough or strong enough to leave the house. Before this "journey" I was very active - yoga three times a week and brisk walking 2 to 3 miles a day. I just want a somewhat normal life again.

  • susilv
    susilv Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2017

    Hey all! I have been perusing the forum for a couple of months now, but didn't join until today. I have been able to find answers and encouragement in your posts!! But something happened this past week that has totally scared me, and I can't find anything to match it.

    I haven't put anything out there, because I feel like such a lightweight after reading your stories. You all have been through it, and survived. And after this week, I'm reconsidering if I can do chemo at all. I have had all the digestive issues, and neuropathy on my fingers and toes. It was hard, but manageable. This week I did great with my infusion but the very next day i woke up with a painful sore on my heal and a few splotches of red on my hands. I called the doctor, and went to see them, and they told me it was probably neuropathy, and it would feel better with the neurontin. So even though the redness spread all over the back of my hands, and my hands felt like they were on fire, I didn't call in, I thought the meds would eventually help. I had red splotches on my heels, and if i put any pressure on them, it felt like hundreds of sharp needles jabbing in my heel. If I propped up my feet, they were fine. They only hurt when touched. And then I started having the numbness in the lower area of my abdomen, blisters on my hands, etc. quite a few other things, but tmi for this post.

    I sent the info to my doctor on Friday and she agreed to skip chemo this week and meet up to find out what to do next. The taxol had reduced the size of my tumor already, by half - I know that there is a precedent to skip the rest of the taxol (I've had 8, I'll only miss 4) I'm wondering if I can skip the AC too. I couldn't sleep for 4 days because of the pain, and running to the bathroom on my tiptoes, and not having much balance, it was very painful and scary. I was afraid that I would have some of these SE for the rest of my life. Has anyone had this? Did you continue chemo? what happened? Has anyone stopped their chemo, had surgery, and are doing ok?

    Thank you all so much!

  • castigame
    castigame Member Posts: 336
    edited June 2017

    susilv,

    Neuropathy is on everyones mind. This sucky BC thing gives us so many unwanted SEs I hate them all.

    I had easier time w 4DD AC than DD Taxol. I was prescribed low dose hydrocodone starting #2 taxol which helped dearly. Bone pain from Taxol made me almost suicidal and hysterical for 4 days non stop. So I know your pain


    Re Taxol it is you and your MOs decision. Re AC dont give up completely. AC maybe bleep but they are powerful drugs for prevention purposes. AC works on diffrent types of cancers from what Taxol does. Have a discussion w your MO re diff AC regimen such as lower dosage and or weekly or every 3 wks. If AC is still too much say in terms of pain, please talk to your MO. I have a friend who had a morphine drip w one of her DD ACs. She said it was worth it.

    This ordeal will and better end. You should be the winner. Please do not skip AC.

    Mimi

    P.S. my SEs from AC were weight loss no appetite discoloration of nails but no loss or lifting hair loss heart palpitation(stopped as soon as kidney function changed tad bit liver function a bIt fatigue No permanent heart damage which was a huge relief


  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2017

    susilv - I only had mild neuropathy, but some of your symptoms sound like hand foot syndrome. Here are some links including a link to what people have posted.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects...

    https://community.breastcancer.org/posts/search?co...


  • DonnaJoan
    DonnaJoan Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    susilv,

    So sorry to hear about the tough time you're having. You may be experiencing symptoms of Hand/Foot Syndrome caused when the chemo leaks out of the capillaries. I'm using ice packs on my hands/feet during treatments to prevent neuropathy. I've had 6 Taxol treatments and, so far, have experienced only minor and temporary tingling and numbness. The ice packs help constrict the blood vessels that carry the chemo to the hands and feet. You might want to try it to see if it helps. It certainly can't do any harm.

    Rebamacfan,

    The side effects you experienced are very similar to mine. At this point, I am most concerned about my elevated liver enzyme levels. How did your MO address your liver function?

    Hang in there, Ladies. I'm praying for you.

  • susilv
    susilv Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2017

    Thank you all so much! it helps just knowing there's information out there. My Dr still thinks it is a SE that is part of Neuropathy, but she hasn't see in it person. She is planning on cutting back the dose of taxol on monday, but also before i get my infusion, she wants to see me to do an exam, so I feel better about that. I also have an appointment with a dermatologist this week, and my surgeon next week. Just to see what my options are.

    Rebamacfan123 - I hear what you are saying about the AC. I will take it if I can. But my body was not the healthiest coming into this, so it will make the decision for me. I do want to beat this!

    I will post next week after my dr. appt & let you all know how it went.

    I am so glad this group exists. Thank you!!!!

  • castigame
    castigame Member Posts: 336
    edited June 2017

    Susilv, please take care of yoursdlf. Just a silly piece of info. My Mom was given max a yr due to ovarian 20 plus yrs ago. She was 62 and worked night shift. 10 yrs later BC. This time it was stage 0. She is stil alive and kicking at ripe age of 86.


    DonnaJoan, my AST is 19 down from 23 ALT is 27 down from 32. All I did for the last two weeks is eating 5 ripe avocados and eating about 4 pound of brussels sprouts. My ALK phosphatase is 103 up from 87. Vitamin D level has been chkd. i have previously known Vitamin D defficiency issue. I also have been suspecting thyroid malfunction

    BUN is about 15. I am thinking of daily juicing of avocado, brussels sprouts , cauliflower, apples and Bananas. (the first two is for Liver third and apples are for kidneys and the last one is for flavor and pottasium) I just had #7 DD chemo out of #8 so I am not terribly worried yet. But I plan on juicing.

    P.S. the amount of brussels I ate for the last two wks is about million times more than I have eaten previously.


    Darned it i never been this focused in my entire life.

    Mimi

  • DonnaJoan
    DonnaJoan Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    Rebamacfan - My AST is 49 (up from 36 just four weeks ago) and my ALT is 64 (up from 42.) My MO told me that if it gets around 80 that he would discontinue treatments until the levels come down again. I hate to think about delaying this. I have 6 more treatments to go and just want to be finished! I don't really like avocado or brussel sprouts, but I'm going to give it a try. Who knows, with my messed up taste buds I might even enjoy the taste!!!

    Thanks, Donna


  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2017

    sitting here waiting for Taxol 3. Been delayed due to port issues again. They gave me Activase and I am waiting for it to wirk

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2017

    90 mins late but better late than not at all. Taxol 3 has starte

  • bji
    bji Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2017

    just finishing taxol/herceptin #3!

  • GlasgowGirl99
    GlasgowGirl99 Member Posts: 44
    edited June 2017
    Reading your posts about your treatment progressing has made me impatient to get started again. I am on my 3rd Pico vac dressing and have been told no more taxol until wound is completely healed. So frustrating as I am keen to get the 12 cycles done, get radium over with and hopefully get back to feeling "normal". Back to see B.C. nurse on Friday and praying wound will be ok 🙏.
  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 40
    edited June 2017

    How is everyone doing? Today was Taxol #8. Can't believe I'm 2/3 done. Came home and took a nap and had to peel myself off the couch after for a walk. I knew if I didn't get up I would regret it. Hands were tight and itchy, but better now. I've notice after a big walk my feet hurt. I wonder if that is the start of neuropathy. Also vision is blurrier without glasses.

    Helenfaith my hair is thinning as well. Started after #5. Not sure it's gonna make all 12.

    HapB So sorry you have to deal with people's misguided opinions. Like any of us would choose chemo if we thought there was a better option.





  • bji
    bji Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2017

    Taxol #3 went fine, no issues. My port was being kind of stingy giving blood, its very positional. Nurse had me leaning forward, lifting my arms, standing, laying down, finally got it going so we could it start. Always makes me a little nervous, but they always get it. She explained it probably gets to the side of the vessel and it takes a little coaxing to get it to move. Stopped to have supper after with my hubby. Still haven't lost any hair, expecting it any day. Have appt tomorrow with my sister to make a choice on wig and get it ready.. No neuropathy yet either. Hope I feel as good tomorrow, got lots planned, t-ball with grandson, groceries and get packed for the lake. Daughter and her twins coming for the weekend. Started my claritin and stool softeners tonight. Since I haven't been having any issues after my treatment, PA said she doesn't need to see me prior to next weeks infusion, just labs before. Plan on seeing MO the following week.

  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 40
    edited June 2017

    BJI - glad things are going well. Sounds like you have a fun weekend planned. Enjoy!

  • Novbaby
    Novbaby Member Posts: 28
    edited June 2017

    I am 3 mos PFC and just wondered if anybody here has muscle and bone pain after waking up and gone after you start moving around? I cant remember having this while on chemo or maybe I just forgot? And if so, what did you do

  • tinker-bell
    tinker-bell Member Posts: 40
    edited June 2017

    hi everyone! Had my port taken out today, it's a good feeling. Just wanted to let everyone know if you're having this done that this is a very quick procedure, it took about 10 minutes with local anaesthetic. No sedation needed

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2017

    thanks tinker-bell. Been concerned about how the close the artery internally when removing the port. Your post is reassuring!!


  • vlh
    vlh Member Posts: 773
    edited June 2017

    Susilv, I, too, think the red blotches and tenderness may be hand-foot syndrome, which always makes me think of cattle ranchers worrying about hoof and mouth disease. ;-)

    Mine was mild and I found applying Aquaphor and wearing socks at bedtime helped when the skin went from bright red to cracking and peeling. I'm sorry you're facing this side effect and am glad your oncologist will see you first.

    Lyn

  • Bmac16
    Bmac16 Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2017

    DodgersGirl have you been told when your port can come out? The nurses told me my MO likes to keep them in for a year or so "just in case" I was devastated to hear that. I want this thing gone ASAP not only is it uncomfortable but a constant reminder.

    I'm stressed my tumor markers are persistently mildly elevated and keeping the port makes me think he's convinced something bad will happen real soon

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