Weekly Taxol group
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I woke up this morning and realized I'm six months PFC today. What a journey. . .
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has anyone suddenly appeared with peripheral nerve damage in their hands and feet? On Thursday I mentioned to my onco nurse when we were done that my hands felt weirdly numb.. she didn't seem concerned and said to tell MO this coming week when I see him. Last night both of my feet went numb and my fingers all the way to where they attach to your hands...it all happened within 1 hr and I still have it. Makes walking feel weird and my thumbs are the most numb so I'm trying to be careful handling things as I'm already prone to dropping things sigh
CHEMO SUCKS!!!
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nanette, my neuropathy came on more gradually from my first Taxol, but I have read that it can suddenly get much worse. That’s why my MO recommended stopping at #6 while it is still manageable. I would definitely call your MO and let them know what is going on. I hope it gets better as suddenly as it came on!
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Tactile stimulation, like rubbing your hands and feet on a piece of carpet or in a pan of dry beans or rice will help. Just rubbing your hands together helps.
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Taxol- Just had my 2nd. I have sticky dry mouth, tiredness, hot flashes and no menstrual. It sucks
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HopeBry - When did your menstrual cycle stop? I was told when I started AC that they would stop, but they've hung on ( I am 31). I never really had PMS symptoms before (very mild) but since chemo started in Oct, they have been horrendous. The hot flashes and night sweats are the most unbearable. I will wake up drenched in sweat and start sweating during the day out of nowhere, which is really embarrassing at work! I will have taxol #5 on Wednesday.
On another note - My WBC were borderline at treatment last week. What happens if they are too low? Will they not do chemo?
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Each day 20. Im only on my 2nd dose taxol but i didnt get my period end of last month like normal. Now i have hot flashes and sweats at night. Im 41 so it has to be the chemo.
As far as your WBC im not sure. Maybe the other ladies can help. Ive only had issues with RBC being low (anemia) from AC and having almost fainting spells. I was told to eat red meat or drink red wine or they will have to pump me with things. Im pescatarian and dont drink lol. I doubt when anythings low they will say lets stop it. They want everyone to stay the course so they with pump you with meds, IVs and shots to make you not quit.
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Happy Tuesday! This will be my 6th week of Tx, Taxol and Herceptin, 1/2 way done. Luckily I have not had any side affects. Blood work has been spot on. Things have dropped a tad, but nothing alarming! Actually last week some of my stuff that had dropped went up..RBC, HGB, and one more. I’ve been eating lots of Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Strawberries etc. to keep blood work in range. I do believe if your WBC is lower than normal it may cause them NOT to do a tx. My period was a little late this last time, but that’s about it! Still have hair, but it is shedding like crazy! So we will see! Take care everyone!! Back to work!
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Gigi - sounds like you are managing well! Thanks for the reminder about spinach, etc. Good stuff to add to the shopping list!
I've found that I'm less nauseous on Taxol, but more tired, than I was on AC. But I'm only one session in and I'm also taking Carboplatin, so who knows really?
I pretty much slept the two days post treatment, but am now back at work and starting to feel closer to normal. I lost my hair with AC almost completely. I have a friend who also did AC first and is now 10 of 12 sessions in and has regrowth / peach fuzz. It's not enough that she feels comfortable going without her hats quite yet, but I think it's cute.
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SLLO—are you icing your hands and feet? I also had acupuncture and massages during my chemo. I think it helped, esp the massages. My massage therapist could feel the fluid buildup in my hands from the Taxol and me icing my hands. That was shocking that she could feel the difference when I started icing vs AC when I didn’t ice.
My hair grew continually through Taxol. But, I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes a few weeks in.0 -
hey everyone! I just completed taxol number 9 today. I’m 41, recently diagnosed. After taxol 6, my numbers dropped “too low”. They delayed taxol for a few days and gave me a daily shot of something like neulasta but not nearly as horrendous. (Neulasta hurts!). Other than the inconvenience of riding up to the center every day, and a little sting when injected, it was ok. Numbers got right. They also lowered dosage. Taxol 7 and 8 were good. Well, today, my numbers were low again. They let me have it but I’m headed back tomorrow for a shot. They said it’s common for this to happen. The weekly Taxol is just grueling on your spirit sometimes. I’ve been so strong. Today, I just cried in the chair. Not the crying type. The nurse was amazing and said it gets to you towards the end. I say that to say, just know that numbers being low is common, and that it can get trying towards the end. Just take one treatment and day at a time. Wishing everyone the best of luck with their next treatment.0
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I've posted several times that I really increased my protein intake while getting Taxol. I ate red meat 5-6 times a week. I also had a protein shake every day. My blood levels stayed really strong throughout.
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well I had a heart to heart with my MO today about how I feel. He wanted to stop the taxol and I said "no I'd rather finish it...I only have this week and 2 more to go." So I didn't have taxol this week and starting next week he's cutting back to 75% & a we'll see how I feel in 2 weeks. He's concerned about the neuropathy.... so we'll see how it goes.
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Never had a problem with the steroids....but yesterday after #5, I could not fall asleep. It was well after midnight and I was up by 5. I am normally asleep by 9 or 10 and wake up around 5:30/6. Normally the treatments knock me out!! And, I'm just guessing it's the steroids. I even took anti-anxiety meds and melatonin around 9 to help wind me down...
I need my 8 hours every night!!! I hope this is not the new normal
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Nanette - good to know your MO is responsive to your individual and specific circumstances. I understand your desire to push through - I think I'd be the same way. I don't want to leave any stone unturned. I thought I read somewhere that the first 6 treatments are the most important (maybe on this board, but maybe I imagined it?). Keep us posted.
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Hola a todas desde Argentina! Terminé con AC el 11 de enero y mañana es mi primera T de 12. Estoy muy nerviosa! Leer este hilo me ayuda mucho y no hay uno similar en español. Puedo unirme? Gracias! Sonia
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Hola Yndorian, y bienvenida a Breastcancer.org! Vemos que ya conoces la Comunidad en español. De todos modos te contactamos por mensaje privado.
Thank you, Mary, for the link!
The Mods
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Hi I will be starting Taxol in a week. I live alone. Will I be able to manage or should I try to stay with someone? I"ve had servere depression and panic attacks for years and my stress level is way up.
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Address this with your social worker at the hospital. Only he/she, and a professional counselor/ psychiatrist can answer that question. I know that years ago I would not have been able to do it, but I can do it now. If you have family members who can help you through this, by all means seek out their help.
Be open with those professionals about the nature of your problems, and how they might interact with your reaction to BC.
Good luck, and all my prayers. And, yes, I am on anti-depressant and anti anxiety meds.
I just got back form my first visit to a gym in several years. The steroids were making me feel bipolar. That should help.
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Thank you MCBAKER. I've been talking about it with my Nurse Prac. And I see a Cancer counselor before my first treatment this coming Wed. They seem to think that I'll not be able to handle it with my depression history. Appreciate your thoughts
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Glad you got it straight from a team of professionals. They should be able to come up with a good solution.
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Just did Taxol number 3. Go figure all this talk about WBCs low and found out mine is low and I have to come back next week for 3 shots each day. If I dont get the shots they would have to temporarily stop the Taxol. RBC is still low but slowly going back up. Had some red meat. This is killing my pescatarian life but whatever works.
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Hello Everyone,
I just had my 2nd Taxol and Herceptin. I’m a little tired. Feel a little stinging in one foot. I’m using cold capping and trying to ice my hands and feet but I get too cold even with warm blankets and can’t sustain the hands and feet icing the whole time.
Snooky1954...you should be able to handle it. The steroid holds off most side effects for a couple of days.
For those of you who have finished Taxol and think exercise helped...did you exercise the same day as Taxol? What were your routines? I had surgery In January so I’m supposed to gradually begin workouts. I have been walking 2 miles 3 times per week.
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Penny—I did not exercise the day of tx (I think the Benadryl made me too loopy) but was pretty energetic the next 1-2 days. After that I slowed back down for a day or two, then back to the gym for a day or two before time for next tx. Most weeks I could only manage 3-4 days at the gym.
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PennyK I just got back to the gym and only done 3 Taxol. They say that exercise helps with the side effects and its best to not lay around a lot and gain weight, its important to be moving. Do the best you can. I noticed Im much weaker and tired, I cant lift the lbs I used to at the gym but am doing little by little of resistance training. Not doing a lot of cardio because I lost like 20lbs on the AC when I could not eat. Trying to gain weight, eat clean and tone with weight training.
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lngerp...sounds about like what I’m planning. It’s good to know you were able to work out so consistently.
I forgot to mention one side effect of the steroid that made me panic. I woke up with a red face, felt like sunburn, the day after. Actually, after my first chemo, I couldn’t sleep for 24 hours. Also due to the steroid. They cut the steroid back by 60% and gave me a scrip for Lunesta. So, I slept last night but still have a red face this morning.
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PennyK, I had this after Taxol. Red face+neck the day after. I reported it to my MO and she said it's a known side effect. I took a Claritin the morning after Taxol and it didn't appear anymore. Well, actually it did, once, when I forgot the Claritin.
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Welcome Penny. I never had the red face but after taxol #6 I began having facial swelling that was 'normally' only on the weekends (days 3 & 4). Starting dose 9 the swelling became constant. My MO and chemo nurse weren't concerned. Staying awake the 1st few days for me was normal each week. They said it was the steroid.
I've had a break from taxol this week and I feel a LOT better. My head is crystal clear, my facial swelling is down a lot and my lips and inside of my mouth aren't so numb and tingly. I'm still very tired but have been sleeping better at night. It's really nice to know that MO was willing to adjust my taxol schedule to help me feel better and to help me with QOL.
I hope all of you are well and taking care of yourselves.
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Hello everyone! I just completed 6. Certain numbers had dropped a tad,but nothing concerning, RBC, HGB, and the one for Anemia. I did have the crud last week so I started putting Dannon for your immune system I’m my morning smootie. Smoothie consist of raw kale, broccoli, spinach, strawberries, and organic protein mix, splash of prune juice! Adding blue berries and blackberries and beets to it this week. Sounds gross but not to bad.
The week I was sick my WBC dropped and few, but the following week it jumped way up. Guess it was my smoothie and not having the crud.
On the down hill now, only 6 to go. Luckily no side affects. Still have hair. Shedding like crazy.
I was buzzing around the house yesterday doing stuff. Wide open all day! Guess the steroids!
I too am gonna start on more protein this week! Don’t want any delays!
Good luck everyone with your journey!
Getting my “ flat tire” (my expansion) pumped up every other week! That is coming along nicely! Won’t have surgery for my implant until prob early summer!
Have a happy Sunday! God Bless and take care!
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