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Weekly Taxol group

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Comments

  • gussy
    gussy Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2017

    My Hgb was 11 , Rbc somewhere in 3-4, Wbc 4. So, not too bad I don't think.

  • CIW
    CIW Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2017

    gussy-

    Glad your numbers are decent! It’s not surprising to have those symptoms bc chemo destroys so many good cells with the bad cells. Also just a thought but Taxol is pretty dehydrating and being generally dehydrated will make you get short of breath faster too (nursing nerd here).

  • nonahope
    nonahope Member Posts: 695
    edited December 2017

    Gussy, I have not noticed any shortness of breath, other than sometimes when I'm climbing up stairs. My numbers are just a bit lower than yours, and they have been really low at times, but I haven't felt any SOB from it. And, I agree with CIW about keeping hydrated. I drink like crazy the day before my infusion (more than usual, that is) and also the day of and day after. That's been one of the hardest things for me. I've never been a water drinker...I would sometimes be lucky if I drank a glass in a day....those days are over...LOL

    Hope

  • gussy
    gussy Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2017

    Thanks, Hope. Drinking a lot of water has never been my long suit so I probably do stay dehydrated even trying to get in the amount that I do. The nurses at the infusion center said that anything liquid counts, even anything that melts, but the onc.doc said that it had to be water. I see the doc and get my third Taxol next Tues. so will check out the SOB then. This is my wedding weekend and New Year weekend so I really don't want to get involved with it until Tues. I will manage. Thanks everyone for your advice.

  • nonahope
    nonahope Member Posts: 695
    edited December 2017

    Gussy...Best of luck to you....and a big CONGRATS to your wedding weekend!!!

    Hope

  • MichyMom
    MichyMom Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2017

    Mojo,

    Do the L-Glutamine! It is a powerful amino acid and just like weightlifters it helps stop muscle cramps after working out. My mom's MO will not allow for a cold cap as she believes it limits the effectiveness of the chemo around the neck and scalp area...

    "The cap may also have an effect by constricting blood vessels to limit the amount of chemotherapy that penetrates the scalp. This has led to some concern that cold-cap users could theoretically be at risk for their cancer to metastasize to the scalp."

    New York Times article

    She will also not allow daily supplements because they may interfere with effectiveness of chemo. My Uncle is an very successful MD and focused his studies on the brain. He said vitamins are useless and in pill form they are not very digestible. He said vitamins should be gotten through everyday foods. If vitamins are taken (like L-Glutamine) they should be taken in powder form. Since breast cancer usually does not goe to hands and feet, icing hands and feet for neuropathy is a good preventative measure. CryoMax pads on Amazon will do the trick.

    Best!

  • Shay76
    Shay76 Member Posts: 31
    edited December 2017

    On the cold caps- yes that was a theory that was tested and disproved. The Rapunzel project has the updated studies as well as the increasing list of FDA approved devices. Scalp mets alone is as rare as cancer to the hands and feet so I'm surprised he okay'd icing those.

    My onc said certain supplements limit chemo bit not all and some are good for helping with SE's I just need to run them by him first. So really if anyone is doing things that are working for you, or would like to try something, just run it by your onc and go from there.

  • MichyMom
    MichyMom Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2017

    Shay76,

    I guess there is no wrong or right in the end. I think the MO is just personally against the extreme cold that the cold cap uses (-40 degrees). The CryoMax is more of just preventative for neuropathy and they don't get too cold. To each their own I guess. I'm personally more comfortable with my mom losing hair than any added risk, even .000001%, of her getting a scalp metastasis, so I'm not going to bring it up to my mom's MO at this time at least. The MO did say the L-Glutemine should be fine and allowed her to use it. Thank you for the insightful information!! All great information and advice!

    All the best!

  • gussy
    gussy Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2018

    Thanks Hope - the wedding weekend went well - everything went as planned and everyone had a great time. I am still having the SOB but see the doc tomorrow. I hope she doesn't delay the chemo as we have plane tickets out of here the next week for the west coast. That would really screw things up.

    I have married a wonderful man who is willing to take me on even with this mess going on. The mess won't be forever I hope! I am very blessed in spite of everything.

    Gussy

  • travelhound
    travelhound Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2018

    I was very concerned about my fingernails, and about losing my nails, so I want to offer some reassurance to those with the same fears.

    I am now 4 weeks PFC AC and Taxol. By the end of chemo all of my fingernails had purplish spots, some worse than others.My 2 middle fingers had white areas which my MO confirmed had lifted away from the nail beds. 2 weeks PFC was the worst.Several of my nails felt unstable, like they could be ripped off at the slightest provocation, And the 2 white nails began leaking clear fluid.

    Note, I have been soaking my fingers and toes in vinegar water since early in the Taxol treatment per instructions of my MO.Also, I iced during infusion, but I could not tolerate it as well as I did my feet.

    Now 4 weeks PFC things are looking better.What I have learned is that Taxol has a cumulative effect on the nail bed.So the parts of the nail that received all 12 doses of taxol, sustained the most damage.Thus parts that were growing towards the end of the treatment sustained the least damage.Those 2 white nails have indeed opened up and when I pull back the pad I can see under the nail, but it does not hurt.The nails feel much more stable.As the healthier nail bed grows, it secures the nail to the bed.I can see that barring accidental injury, the nails will grow out without ever falling off.whew!

  • nonahope
    nonahope Member Posts: 695
    edited January 2018

    Gussy... Here's hoping that your travel will not be delayed. Again, congratulations on your wedding...what a wonderful start to the New Year!!

    Travelhound...That is interesting about your nails. I've had 5 rounds of Taxol. My nails are extrememly dry and tear at the drop of a hat. I've been keeping them trimmed down to nothing. Also, mine have ridges galore. I don't have discoloration. I keep putting cuticle ointment on them...not so sure it will help in the long run. I bought some Sally Hanson Nail Rehab -- intense care for severely damaged nails...I haven't used it yet. I wonder if it might help?

    I've been a little achy today (day 4 since Taxol), but nothing horrible. This seems to be the pattern for me...achy on day 4 and 5.

    I hope everyone had a good New Year's eve and are having a good day today. I've got my pork, sauerkraut in the crockpot. I will be making mashed potatoes to complete my New Year's day meal.

    Hope

  • Shay76
    Shay76 Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2018

    Hello all,

    I had taxol number 3# on Friday and it has been a rough weekend. Im hoping its this bad because I'm also recovering from a cough. I had the cough the day before tx, but no fever so we went ahead. Now I have had the flu-like achiness and utter exhaustion since late Saturday. I still have no fever and my cough is subsiding so I'm blaming the taxol or herceptin. I just hope this isn't how the next 9 weeks go, ugh. Any preventive measures for the achiness or just OTC pain reliever as needed? Does this last the whole remainder of treatment? I feel like I was hit with a mac truck.

  • castigame
    castigame Member Posts: 336
    edited January 2018

    shay,

    regular Claritin helps quite a bit.  One every day till you are done w chemo.  If it is too much in terms of being groggy, split  pills in half to take every 12 hrs. 

    take care

  • Indigo29
    Indigo29 Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2018

    Shay and castigame I found Claritin to really help with the bone pain and I took it regularly every evening throughout my whole taxol treatment. I used to get my taxol infusion on Monday morning and would feel some bone pain on Wednesday morning but then it would subside by the afternoon and I would be fine, ( regarding the bone pain anyway!! ), for the rest of the week until my next infusion.

  • nonahope
    nonahope Member Posts: 695
    edited January 2018

    Shay...I don't really have bone pain from the Taxol...mine is more just an achy feeling in my joints. I just take an Advil and it subsides. My onco did recommend Claritin. I have it on hand, but haven't had to use it yet. Hang in there!!

    Hope

  • sammi2006
    sammi2006 Member Posts: 48
    edited January 2018

    Shay- for me the se of taxol have been cumulative. I used to just feel a little tired for the first couple days after my infusion, but now I have more flu like achiness starting after taxol #6 but that could also be from the neupogen injections I get as well. Claritin helps with the bone pain, tylenol and a heating pad have worked wonders for the achy joints. Try to rest today.

  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 1,279
    edited January 2018

    Taxol got me big time fatigue, even after final infusion took me few weeks to knock off the fatigue. Now I’m doing radiation, the fatigue slowly coming back, so I’m taking short nap to recharge my energy, Claritin helps out your bones pains, I didn’t have bone pains until I had my #6 infusion.

    As far as nails, I iced my fingers and feet, I’m so lucky that I kept all my nails. Couple had brown spots but they are fine. Thanks God.


  • Shay76
    Shay76 Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2018

    Thanks. Does anyone know why Claritin is helpful? Its an allergy med, correct? We have Zyrtec in our house ( for my husband's allergies), but I wasn't sure if there was something about the formula of claritin specifically that is helpful?

  • sammi2006
    sammi2006 Member Posts: 48
    edited January 2018

    I'm not exactly sure why it it is helpful, somewhere I read that when bone marrow is stimulated it releases inflammation and histamines. Maybe that is why.

  • PaulaAtlantaGA
    PaulaAtlantaGA Member Posts: 65
    edited January 2018

    Yes! To L-glutathione! The dietitian at my hospital told me to take it twice daily. You can order from Nestle directly. It comes in envelopes that you open twice daily into juice or water. When I skip it, I get more GI problems, especially if I'm taking nausea meds.

    I just finished 4 AC and begin Taxol with Caboplatin added every third week. I bought the ice mittens and gloves from Amazon. The calluses on my fingers are a bother. I hope I'm not as weak as I've been on AC. I'm 63, and was hospitalized with neutropenic fever with AC #2; never felt quite as strong after. Wishing all a healthier and stronger 2018

  • CIW
    CIW Member Posts: 57
    edited January 2018

    Those who had nail changes, when did you start noticing? I have had 7 infusions and so far my nails still seem pretty good. Maybe a tad dry. I've only been icing. I'm hoping they keep holding on.

    Also, those post-chemo, how long did it take your hair to start growing back?

  • cbk
    cbk Member Posts: 323
    edited January 2018

    CIW- I started to notice nail changes mostly post taxol. I slather them with argan oil twice a day. My nails actually grew like weeds during both chemo treatments. However, started to become brittle and yellow a bit, late to post-taxol.

    Regarding hair, I started to sprout head hair 3 weeks into taxol. I was completely bald post A/C, like cueball bald. I’m almost 4 weeks post all chemo and it’s growing well on my head. I hit biotin as soon as I finished A/C and use castor oil on my head a couple a times a week.

    Taxol took all of my eyebrows and eyelashes, but I’m extremely fair-complexed, and I’m told more likely to lose those hairs based on that. Those have not started to grow back.

    Hang in there through taxol. Wishing you the very best energy through your remaining treatments!






  • Indigo29
    Indigo29 Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2018

    CIW, my hair started to grow back around 6th or 7th taxol . I naturally have very dark brown hair but it came up completely white. I finished chemo mid August and it only stared to come back dark brown mid October

  • ExTexan
    ExTexan Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2018

    Hi, this is my first post though I've been reading posts for several months. I've made it through 7 of 12 weekly Taxol and Herceptin infusions, though we had to skip one week of Taxol because of neuropathy. My MO won't infuse if I go in with numbnIess, but since my normal day is Monday the holidays this year are spreading out the treatments. Had infusion on 12/27, and noticing a lot of numbness this time, and also noticeable pain with any kind of pressure on my fingernails. Haven't seen any color changes on my nails yet; they are just sore. I've started taking Claritin daily to see if that helps.

    I did develop redness on the back of my right hand (same side my port is on) but that seems to be clearing up. NP just recommend good hand cream for it; I'm using Neutrogena and Aquaphor. I'll look into CeraVe.

    CIW & Indigo, it seems like the hair that hasn't fallen out yet is still growing. When the hair loss got bad after treatment 4 I had my husband shave my head with his beard trimmer. Normal hair color is brown with some gray, so I'll be curious to see what grows in.

  • dkk
    dkk Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Has anyone experienced tenderness and sharp stabbing pains in the breast and groan area? I have finished AC and I am starting my 6th Taxol this week. It is not constant just randomness pains. My bad breast and lymph areais tender almost like before your period. This has just started after the last Taxol.

    Thank you!

  • Elfmcg
    Elfmcg Member Posts: 43
    edited January 2018

    Hi DKK, yes i had that, randomness stabbing around groin, upper right stomach, breast, ribcage.definitely! it seems taxol causes different symptoms in everyone.

  • nonahope
    nonahope Member Posts: 695
    edited January 2018

    DKK...I have had those occasional "stabbing" sensations. I didn't think anything of it, but now that others are weighing in, I guess it just goes with the territory.

    Hope

  • ExTexan
    ExTexan Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2018

    DKK - I definitely have had pain around my breast bone and rib cage. I was worried that they were cardiac symptoms, but NP and staff thinks not.

  • Indigo29
    Indigo29 Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2018

    ExTexan, the neuropathy is definitely a horrible side effect . Most of my nails did change but I didn’t have any pain but thankfully 4 months out from finishing taxol they are growing back a healthy pink and the numbness is only on the tips of my right thumb and index finger!

    My hair started to fall out after my first AC chemo and like you I got my husband to shave my head with his hair trimmer because I got fed up finding clumps of hair on my pillow every morning and hair all over the floor which meant constantly vacuuming the house!!

    I was hoping for curly hair but mine has come back straight as ever but I’m liking this new pixie cut look and I think it’s a keeper😊

    I hope that your neuropathy doesn’t get any worse and the nails stay intact. You are past the half way mark with the taxol yay!, so let’s hope that the rest will fly by and before you know it your hair will be growing back like it did pre chemo - you may even get curls lol!!

  • Elfmcg
    Elfmcg Member Posts: 43
    edited January 2018

    Hi everyone, just wondering did anyone suffer shoulder ache on taxol? I’m on taxol and herceptin. i had my last treatment today. yay! i’ve found the last few tx to have upper back and shoulder pain, particularly right side. Hope everyone’s well.

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