Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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Ugh, erin. You are having a year. I'm predicting a much better second half of 2019. :-) Hang in there, honey.
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I have never had acid reflux but both the a/c and taxol (which I am on now) caused it. I never "burp" but have been through my Taxol. My Onco
suggested that I take Prilosec until my chemo is over.
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Hello everyone! Thought I would join this group since I just started Taxol (March 19). So far everything has been ok. No se as of yet. Night and day compared to the AC. No more meds or neulasta shots! Hoping for minimal se going forward!
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Erin - I feel the same way you do and I'm almost a year out from the end of treatment. What pisses me off is that I did everything right according to the breast surgeon. HOWEVER, my mammograms always came back negative but noting that I had moderately dense breasts. There was no recommendation for follow up with ultrasound, 3D mammo, MRI. Nothing. In 2017 the only thing that turned up on the routine mammo was there were two suspicious nodes in my armpit. That signaled a referral for an MRI. By then, the tumor, which was ONLY seen on MRI (not even US), was already 6 cm. I am angry still that a) the radiologists never recommended followup b)probably because insurance wouldn't pay for follow up for dense breasts. And I didn't know all those years that dense breasts posed a problem for reading mammograms. I assumed it was just a "thing" about breasts. The surgeon said it had probably been there for 10 years! Fortunately, it was a non-aggressive cell but that still doesn't mean that it won't recur at some point. The two nodes were the only ones out of 30 that were positive and the surgeon got clear margins when she did a partial mastectomy. So, I'm hopeful that I will die of something else but not counting on it. So, I'm still mad about a lot of things. BC was not on my radar because of many years of "negative" mammograms and I know of no one in my family or extended family that have much of cancer of any kind. Only a few but none with BC. So, this was a real shock. I have a wonderful husband (new) who has been the rock of my existence through all of this, bless his heart. I just hope that I can get 10 years to be with him as he is the love of my life.
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Gussie I am in the same situation as you. I was shocked when I received my diagnosis of breast cancer. I was feeling so good, had a wonderful summer, everything going my way. I had four kids at a young age, breast fed each of them, plus no cancer in my family. Doc said I was in the 26% this happens to for no reason.
I had a scare about 7 years ago & had a biopsy in left breast. It came out no cancer, just a scare. Now I’ve turned up needing a bilateral mastectomy. Not a happy camper. Tuesday is my final Taxol treatment, then a PET scan on the following Wednesday. Surgery is on the horizen
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Happy Sunday! Woo hoo. Just finished 12 wks of Taxol and Herceptin! Now just Herceptin every 3 weeks for 30 min! Chemo accelerated menopause! Hot flash hell. Tried OTC, no luck. Dr prescribed some meds. They are working great! Made it through with no real side affects. Still have hair, shedding bad! Hope it stops being TAxol is done.
Now the Dr says I need to be on hormone blockers, I think they are called. I was Estrogen + and progestone +! Side affects read pretty nasty. Anyone on this! Think it was called anastrozle. Anyone give me heads up?
Implant surgery for May 21! The flat tire is nicely pumped up now 🤣!
Good luck to all! Stay safe be strong!!
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Congrats on finishing chemo, Gigi. You will likely start an aromatase inhibitor soon. There are lots of threads on AIs in general and Anastrozole (one of the three available) specifically. As an FYI, many of us stared out at half dose for a few weeks—it seems to help our bodies adjust and minimize SEs.
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Anybody having problems with post-Taxol depression? I start Herceptin this week, so much less fuss. My right thumb hurts from arthritis, I have arthritic aches everywhere. I am already on plenty of antidepressant. I am past the worst of it, why should I feel so sad?
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Mary I'm not sure about it but I have noticed that sometimes I get this brain jolts since I went off Taxol. Some days though the girls get to be a bit much and on those days I have a lot of zaps but no depression I take 100 mg of PrestiQ daily and have been on that dose foe the past year. As I get further and further away from Tazol I do notice I'm lighter and brighter. I'm now 5 weeks PFC 8)
Gigi CONGRATS!! Nice to say you're finally done isn't it??
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It may be a "withdrawal" from Taxol. The arthritis may be part of a previously undiagnosed auto-immune disorder, which was masked by the Taxol. Theory by opthamologist, who said that if I had it, even onions can't make me cry. Yep. Sting, burn, blink, no tears. Which is why the tears from the Taxol were so disturbing. Maybe instead of stuffing the sadness and calling myself an unfeeling person, I need to allow myself to cry even without tears.
I read most of the day yesterday, and my thumb is much happier. Also taking ibuprofen WITH food.
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Ingerp..curious..what was the dosage? Mine only 1 mg..must be a strong pill. I had considered talking to Dr about starting off w/ a half! Thanks for all of the info!
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I'm having a lot of mental health problems also. Crying a lot, lots of anxiety. I don't know what to do. Life seems pointless and hopeless, like even if i get through this I'm never really going to be myself again.What do people do? I'm not sure i really want to add an antidepressant to this mix, especially given that I'm not helping my libido any with the lupron, then this could be a side effect of the steroids. But maybe i should. I have Ativan to take at night but the days are hard. I'm crying in the bathroom at work right now.
My ex is supportive and pretty decent, he was not a great husband but not a bad person. But this was a lot for one year.
#2 of 12 on Wednesday, 79 days till the last treatment.
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MCBaker - I've talked to the psychologist who is part of the practice and, for what it's worth, her observation is that depression, anxiety and even PTSD often sets in after active treatment is done, or after major milestones like finishing chemo. Her analogy - you are in a firefight - a literal fight for your life and you don't have the time or capacity to deal with the enormous emotions while you are in the thick of it.
Once the active treatment phase wraps up, you may start to have some mental space to process what happened, how it changed you, and what you've lost. Like PTSD in active duty military, the emotional impacts hit only when you are out of immediate danger, because you can't afford while you're in it.
Again, for what it's worth, her recommendation to me is that I begin to actively engage with her or someone like her who has specifically worked with cancer patients (unless I need it sooner, of course) as I get closer to the end of treatment. But right now I'm heavy into denial. Not being flippant - denial is actually a pretty useful technique for getting through really challenging moments. But I expect, from past experience, when the immediate danger passes, I'll "crash" and need the support. Until then, therapy may not be useful and is not really something I feel like I have the capacity for anyway.
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I spent last night and this morning vaping CBD. Once the arthritis was tamed, I went out to the VA and officially resumed volunteering. Visited my new assignment, and met some old friends from where I was assigned before. It was all a great welcome, and even seeing other friends who could no longer recognize me was uplifting. Will really enjoy working all in the same place-- feeding and socializing. Hones my lipreading skills, too. They don't want to retest my hearing until I am several months removed from chemo.
One of the nurses is super-Goth, and wants me to remove my headcover yesterday (reading the nonverbals). It will be a natural there.
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Gigi--yes, only 1 mg, so I didn't actually take a half dose but took a full one every other day for three weeks. A lot of women on another thread where we were chatting about this are on Tamoxifen, which I believe is 20 mg (i.e., much easier to cut in half--mine are tiny!). I did clear it with my MO, as did many of the others, but some just did it without asking. I really believe your doctor is much more interested in you staying on it long term than whether or not you take a little time to ramp up to full dose.
MCBaker--I'm with the super-goth nurse!! (I think I've told y'all that my chemo curl has been driving me crazy so I'm currently sporting about 1/2" all around--wear a little extra make-up and larger jewelry. You'll look terrific.)
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Someone said they were having gerds attacks? This past week this weird sensation would come across my chest when I removed my bra. It feels like there is a strap being tightened across my chest under my breasts. When I leave my bra on i don’t have the sensation. I’m finishing my Taxol tomorrow, was wondering is this some weird Taxol side effect? The Taxol is wearing me down can’t wait til I’m done.
Doris
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I have had that. I think it is the tissue expander(s) requesting more skin. Are you using coconut oil to make the stretching process more comfortable?
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MCBaker it can’t be that as I haven’t had surgery yet. I also won’t be having the reconstruction done. It’s just a weird feeling kind of like a charley horse. As long as I keep my bra on it doesn’t occur.
I’m in the chair waiting on the bloodwork to come from the lab. This is my last Taxol today, hopefully for all time. It has been hitting me hard this past couple of weeks, so want to be done with this!
Doris
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Doris since your at the center talk to your nurse she might have a idea 8)
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I just got back from the gym, and I am feeling better. I have trouble with passing gas and what seems to be gas while exercising because of the nerve damage. Staff is understanding, knowing that I am dealing with the sanitary issues. Without my headcover, the point is made. I hope this problem passes soon, it is so embarrassing.
I have ordered some three-pound weights for upper body work at home, and can do a mild plank for the belly muscles.
I think stopping working out for a few days set off this episode. The walk from volunteer services to the building where my guys live was very good for me. I got a huge jar of acetaminophen (eliminate benadryl for the rest of my life
), will alternate it with ibuprofen, and that always with food. 0 -
nannette7fl I did ask the nurse & she was perplexed, she was going to mark it on my chart. When I took my bra off this evening it wasn’t as bad. But i still put a bra on to keep comfortable.
Last Taxol went well, now just want taste to come back & the neuropathy to go away. I did bring a small brass bell & rang it when I was unhooked. I will miss the infusion center as it is such a nice relaxing place with the warm blankets, snacks & very nice staff. Very loving & caring nurses & volunteers
Appointments were made today for PET scan on the 3rd, vascular surgeon on the 5th, BS on the 10th, & my oncologist on the 7th!
I hope I can get a schedule worked out so we can plan a small trip to celebrate this much!
Doris (trying to keep it real
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Doris, Congratulations on your last taxol!!!!.. I have my 6th one in the morning. I'm only schedule for 9 total, so tomorrow will be 2/3s finished. And you're right the infusion center is a nice cheery place. Best of luck to you.
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Pommom congratulations on getting through the Taxol!! And good for you for looking forward to the end of all of the active treatment stuff and planning something fun. I think it's important to keep some joy in your life, even if it's a little while in the future. :-)
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Doris I'm new here, following this thread since my dx. Congratulations for your last taxol! Mine is still far, I have 7 of 12, then surgery. At this point a little rest sounds pretty good. Enjoy it! Kisses
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Happy Wednesday! In regards to anastrozole, one of the possible side affects, weight gain! Tell me this isn’t very bad! The Taxol and steroids caused about 8 lb gain Trying to loose and stay on top of it being I’m done with all that!! Thx for any ingo
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This Friday will be my last of AC then starting Taxol in 2 weeks and will be doing that in 4 treatments. Just don't know what to expect. I hear that it is easier then AC. My only complaint with the AC is feeling tried and by the 4th day after treatment was my "crash day", The doc did suggest more steriods to get through that day which I did then the following day, 5th day, was when I crashed. So i am hoping I will not be like that on Taxol.
Also anyone using cold cap with AC&T treatments? I have been using one and so far just really thinning of the hair. but from what I heard, they do see hair growth during taxol but some or most from what I hear the lost of eye brows and lashes.. What have other experienced???
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Hi Justme. I am finding Taxol easier in some ways than AC, but I have a different schedule than you (doing weekly for 12 weeks) and have added in Carboplatin, so it's hard to compare. After week 6, I have noticed some pure white proto-peach fuzz coming in, but my eyebrows and lashes continue to thin. I also crashed day 4 from AC, and with Taxol the crash is day 1 or 2. The rebound has been quicker, too, but as I approach the final 1/3 of my treatment, the tiredness is more noticeable and lasts longer.
As I said, my protocol is a little different, so your mileage may vary. Congrats on finishing AC this week and good luck! Let us know how you are doing.
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I just finished Taxol. I plucked an eyebrow hair today:
It was half an inch below where my few eyebrow hairs struggle to exist. And it was about 3/4 of an inch long.
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I have always had one rogue eyebrow hair that grows longer and wilder than the rest. I named him Griswald and he comes back faithfully no matter how many times I've plucked him out. He's been gone for a few months now and I kinda miss him. Maybe he'll be back one day.
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Someone lost their new hair again finishing taxol? I'm in taxol 8 next friday, my hair is growing a little since my last AC. I don't know it will be permanent. Thanks
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