Weekly Taxol group
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Nonahope, yes, I know... I know your story, as I've read this thread from about page 200. (really)
Heatherautumn, I'm sorry to hear that... what does your neuropathy look like? This makes me fearfull
I am actually feeling much better this week (after round 7). I have no idea what should I contribute this to. I started to go to yoga and I am going "swimming" every weekend (We go with kids, so it's no real swimming, just going to a pool and watching them carefully. But it feels good, there's still a lot of moving around with water resistance). I am still restricting walking.
Did any of you gain weight on Taxol? I've put on some kilos, very quickly. I've lost some after diagnosis, so now I am at my pre-dx weight + about 2kg. That's quite a lot, isn't it? (I'm tiny and borderline underweight.) But with the weight gain, I am actually lovering my Taxol dose - or diluting it. My MO said they are adjusting the dose only when the weight change exceeds 5%. So now I'm getting a dose for my start-of-Taxol weight which was about 2,5kilos (about 5-6pounds) less. With the neuropathy starting, I am certainly not going to ask for dose adjustment... More likely I am going with the weight gain for a bit. I will need it for my operation (I lose weight under stress.)
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JaBoo--I think a lot of us gained weight during chemo. I was eating beef 5-6 times a week, plus drinking a protein shake every day, plus had serious sugar cravings that resulted in a *lot* of ice cream. It sounds like you could use the extra weight and if you're worried about dose, they weigh you every time before treatment, right? I wouldn't worry about it.
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Heatherautumn...Mine got worse as weeks went by. I used Bio Freese to help with the burning. Also, a product with Lidocaine. Sometimes they helped, sometimes not so much. I couldn't even have the sheet touch my feet in the beginning. It's been 7 months since I finished Taxol. My feet are still numb, but the pain and burning have subsided. It's a long process, so don't give up.
JaBoo...My onco didn't want my weight to fluctuate too much while on Taxol. I watched it carefully to stay within a couple of pounds. Taxol is adjusted according to your weight.
Hope
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Hi JaBoo,
Sewing is one of my hobbies. My best friend and I shared the same passion for sewing but she gets me in trouble most of time.She loves the high end sewing machines and she convinces me to want them too. 😁. I had Taxol #6 on Friday and now I’m exhausted and the bone pain were intense. Hopefully this will subside soon. I plan to have conversation with oncologist about skipping Radiation treatments. Since I have a large slow healing wound which will prevent me from getting radiation for weeks. I might as well skip the radiation.
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Is it possible to start having nephropathy after one does of taxol? I had my first infusion on 11/13 and today might right index finger is pretty numb.
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CasualBookNerd, I think neuropathy caused by chemo typically starts with tingling (or other odd feelings) in all fingers and toes at the same time. And not usually after only one dose of chemo. So if only one finger is numb, I would look for a different cause. But of course, if it stays numb, tell your oncologist. Nobody likes an uncooperative body part, and you should not have to put up with it.
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CasualBookNerd....My neuropathy didn't start until around my 8th Taxol infusion. My baby finger on my right hand only. Then in my feet. Stay on top of it.
Hope
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Hi, CasualBookNerd -
Mine started in my thumbs around week 5, and didn't get worse until the last weeks of Taxol. I think people's experience varies, by huge amounts, so you probably do want to mention it next time you go in. That said, I'm pretty sure my docs wouldn't have done anything except note it on my chart, because they would not have had a way to know if it was neuropathy either!
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hi everyone, I just finished week 15 of Abraxane, which is a sister drug two Taxol. So five months under my belt and Lord only knows how much longer the doctors going to leave me on this, I hope and pray it still working. I’m having a horrible time though with food. I’m having nausea almost every single day, no matter what I eat, even with the anti-nausea pills. And I have no appetite at all, could really care less if I eat. And I have absolutely no taste, can’t even taste salt anymore. So nothing tastes like anything! Was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what you did if you reached this point. My neuropathy is getting worse, I have places on my feet that are completely numb and numbness in my fingers. I’m getting ready to lose probably three finger nails and have discoloration and all the rest. And I have two toenails that I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose and others that are starting to turn color. Abraxane has not been a fan drug to take, but it has worked to get me stable. I hate to say too much to my oncologist because I’m afraid he’ll just take me off of it due to side effects. He already lowered the dose by 10% in the second month due to side effects. If I go off of this I have no idea what’s next and if it will be worse than the Abraxane. Would appreciate any suggestions or personal experiences that might help me get through this. Thanks so much in advance !!!
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No Taxol treatment today due to increase neuropathy. My oncologist discussed taking taxotere for. 2 doses instead of completing the last 5 doses of Taxol. I probably shouldn’t have been taking Taxol at all because I had neuropathy before I started Taxol. She discussed another drug that doesn’t cause neuropathy and it binds with the Herception. I want to know why wasn’t I given thatoption before the start of treatment.
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I had my 6th Taxol plus Herceptin treatment today. It feels good to say that I have hit the halfway mark of the first phase. I am going to have my next treatment at the hospital on Friday since it is the day after Thanksgiving. I’m glad my MO understood my thought process instead if skipping the week. If I’m able to have treatment each week I will be done with the Taxol portion on 12/28. It will be good to start a new year with just the Herceptin and leave the Taxol behind. They don’t think I should try to increase the rate anymore due to concern with reaction. That is alright. They take good care of me and then I don’t have to feel guilty taking a full day off of work each Friday but it is a pain to be gone. I typically stay until 9 on thursdays to be gone on Friday just getting materials ready for a sub. At least I’m feeling alright on Thursdays Mondays and Tuesdays are my worse days typically.
I hope everyone is able to have joy this weekend and during the week because you are all brave, inspirational and amazing. We deserve it!
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Congrats on reaching the halfway point, Sister!! Just a reminder that you *will* get through this!! I was 15 weeks PFC yesterday—hard to believe, but time does march on. I had a six-week follow-up with my RO yesterday. I won’t see her again until April—hooray!! Other than a stupid tooth thing I need to have taken care of, I only have two more medical appointments (Herceptin) this year. :-D
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Sisterstrong
Congratulations on completing the halfway mark. It does feel good to so. I look forward to the end of all treatments. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do to celebrate the end of treatments yet but I will celebrate
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asknomore I went to Disney World after Taxol and rads! Just a long weekend but I’ll finish Herceptin next May and will go somewhere for a week. I think several of my adult children and their SOs will join us—haven’t picked a place yet but I am already looking forward to it!
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Congrats to your halfmark, SisterStrong! I have reached 3/4 mark with Taxol no. 9 this week. I am actually going to celebrate with a friend, who has reached her 6th Taxol too. We are just going to have a meal together, but we are both happy to be so far in our tx already!
Asknomore, sorry about the delay/changes in treatment. neuropathy is so unpredictable...
Ingerp, hard to believe, indeed!! I remember you from the very beginning of my yourney, you already in tx and planning your end-of-treatment trip. Now you are long finished and I have just 3 infusions left. pheew
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Well ok then
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GracieM....I didn't lose my taste buds with Taxol. But, I did when I went through my initial bout of BC. The only thing that I could eat was cottage cheese and I drank Ginger Ale. My oncologist suggested I drink a glass of wine at dinner to try to stimulate my appetite. I love wine, but it tasted horrible too. It's just trial and error.
As for the neuropathy...I used Bio Freeze and Aspercreme/Lidocaine. It helped for awhile. My neuropathy has been going on for 7 months Remember, Taxol is a cumulative drug. My neuropathy got worse after I was finished with 15 infusions. I would imagine Abraxane would be the same.
Hope
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Gracie-I am with you on the side effects as I have similar ones right now. Fingernails, no taste at all, weakness, neuropathy...I feel badly though because to answer your question, I will push thru because I only have two more treatments and then I’m done. I can’t imagine doing chemo long-term like you seem to be. The only thing I know is, one day at a time. Prayers for you, Gracie!
SIsterStrong-Congrats on being halfway finished! You are a rockstar for teaching while doing chemo! I’m a teacher and I’m on leave and am so glad I am! Your students must be supportive of you when you aren’t feeling well!
Ingerp-Good to see you too! I also remember you from the very beginning! Thought I’d never get here, but it went faster than I thought!
Asknomore-This neuropathy stuff is for the birds! I hope you get a tx that will help with that! My toes are getting numb and I hate it!
Have a good weekend all!
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GracieM2007 - I just finished 11 Abraxane infusions and a couple of things have helped me. Acupuncture for nausea and icing (during infusion) for nails. Granted, my nausea hasn’t gotten that bad before I started acupuncture, but it certainly did help my appetite. Are you getting Abraxane in the 3 weeks on, 1 week off schedule? Do your SE get better during the off week? My MO prescribed Gabapentin for my neuropathy nerve pain and it helped a lot.
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Brink...I forgot to mention to Gracie that I take 900 mg. of Gabapentin and 30 mg. of Cymbalta a day for my neuropathy. My Taxol infusions were 3 weeks on/1 week off. Yes...helped a lot. But, I still have to use my trusty old cane.
Hope
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Nonahope and Brink and Misha, thank you for your responses. Yes I'm in the three weeks on, one weeKs Off. Things do get a little better on that week off, but the taste thing doesn't. I just finished round 5, or week fifteen. Had a complete meltdown yesterday because I had no air at all, was walking like a 97 year old! I'm going to talk to my onc on Monday because originally he was talking about leaving me on this up to a year and I'm not sure right now that I can even do round six! I hate it because it's working! I'm stable! But these side effects are getting to the point where I'm just ready to quit! My previous two treatments, Femera and then Ibrance Faslodex both failed within months, so I'm really scared to go to anything else for fear that will fail too! I did really hydrate yesterday, 80oz of water. And am taking iron pills because I'm low in iron which causes worse anemia. Will try the bio freeze. The neuropathy pain is just a continuous deep ache that never seems to completely go away. I also have multiple food allergies, am a true celiac, so no gluten at all, and too much dairy bothers me and can't have soy at all. So my food situation is already very limited without anything else!
Thanks again for your responses, I really appreciate them
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Ingerp-thanks for your encouraging words and congrats to you. I’m glad that you only have 2 more medical appointments. It feels as if we live at a medical place
Asknomore2- thank you!! I’m thinking about taking a trip to California early June. I know I won’t be done but am hoping to feel pretty good to enjoy going. I’m fortunate to say my 19 and 14 year old still likes to do things with us and I want to take advantage of that
Jaboo- thank you for your words and congrats to you for finishing your 9th round. I hope you had a great time with your friend
Misha- I’m glad that you are able to take a leave. I had to take so many days when I had treatment with my melanoma so I lost a lot of days. I have some really good kids but also some that struggle significantly with behaviors They are young so they don’t truly understand. I’m the sped resource teacher so I don’t have a full class which I think helps but every second is accounted for.
I wantto wish all of you amazing strong women a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have many things to be thankful for and one thing is all you. Thank you for all your kind words, encouragement and inspiration. Your words help me more than I can express. My sister's family and my family celebrated our Thanksgiving last weekend. We had such an amazing time. My DH and kids went up to Grand Forks, ND to celebrate thanksgiving with his family. They felt guilty leaving me but I convinced them to go.it makes me happy that they are there. I have just been sitting around in my PJs. It has been nice but I do miss them. I go for treatment tomorrow at the hospital. My sister is going to take me. Looking forward to one more done.
I hope everyone feels blessed this Thanksgiving
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I’m hoping all the wonderful women on this site had an amazing holiday. My oncologist decided to switch Chemotherapy drug to Emtansin which is a combo drug. I only will need to have 2 doses of the Emtansin and I’m done. 1 more dose in 3 weeks and I’m done. So I will sign off on the Taxol. I wish swift healing and complete healing for all of us
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Did anyone stop in the first half of taxol, have surgery and then finish taxol? It has been suggested to me but it doesn’t seem logical
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Since I ‘m no longer taking Taxol, I searched for a forum for Emtasin (Kadcyla) the only forum I could find was for stage 4 Metastatic breast cancer only. Once again I feel like a lab animal. Kadcyla is usually given after you have had a recurrence of cancer while or after receiving Taxol or Taxotere. I have had neither. I asked what would happen if I had an allergic reaction to Kadcyla and was told it depends how severe the reaction was and they would treat and if I still couldn’t tolerate it I would be given Taxotere. Well I have had my pity. I will stop whining
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
I’m now 4 weeks PFC and have done 6/30 radiation tx. So far no SEs but am anticipating next week may bring some new challenges on that front.
The neuropathy in my feet doesn’t seem to be receding much. It’s not horrible, but I’d love the tingling, “tight sock” feeling around my toes to go away. I continue to take the vitamin B complex and use Biofreeze nightly. I know it will be what it will be, but anyone who had neuropathy resolve, how long did it take?
My tastebuds are back, yay! I really missed them!!
Thanks!
Ki
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kdrake, I had neuropathy in my feet more than 15 years ago -- I have it again now as a result of my Taxol treatment -- and last time it gradually faded away over a period of more than a year, so I am resigned to having to deal with it at least that long this time. Nerves just seem to take a long time to heal. But, my tingling and numbness extends throughout my feet and halfway up my calves. It's also in my hands. If your neuropathy involves a smaller area, it probably won't take nearly that long to go away because there's less repair work that needs to be done. Good luck!
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I’m in the chair for my LAST CHEMO! I made it to the end!
I have no hair, my nails are falling off, my feet feel like I’m walking in marbles or the “tight socks” as kdrake said, I have a rash on my hands and back, I have blood in my urine, no tastebuds, a stuffy, bloody nose, and I’m tired. BUT, the cancer was almost undectable on a recent ultrasound and the lump is gone, so IT WAS WORTH IT. I am blessed and grateful for this day.
Big hugs to all on this board, both lurking and visible. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
Oh and “f” cancer!!
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rockymountain girl, thanks so much! I figured it would be longer than I'd like for the neuropathy to resolve. My balance is slightly affected, but that may also just be from the achiness from rads too.
Misha, congrats on being done with chemo!! It's a great feeling, and as you said, so worth it!
Kim
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misha-
Yes yes yes! Congratulations! 🎉 I have a rash, too. But it's strange that it's landed on my legs, groin, and my tummy tuck scar. Single raised red pimples. Icky.
Did anybody else notice their old scars fade with chemo? I have a ton of surgical scars and they all look great now. It made some keloid areas go flat. I will take this silver lining.
Last week I peed my pants on Taxol, and had another um bigger accident running to the bathroom. I will no longer trust passing of gas on Taxol. I texted my friend in SFO just starting Taxol and she just had done the samething on Taxol, pooped her pants that chemonight💩👖😩
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