Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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5thSib~I'm achy today, 6 days post Taxol 2. It's mostly my knees, but also a bit in the lower back. I had this SE after Taxol #1, but I thought I had dodged it this time until it hit hard this evening.
So far, I'm only losing my tastebuds for about 2 days. The SE I hate the most is the fatigue.
Blessings
Paula0 -
I think my whole body hurt from the taxol. I feel much better now. It hurt to move. Last chemo was dec.26th.
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Today is Taxol #9. Only 3 more weeks after today. Fatigue seems to be my major SE with a little muscle ache thrown in for good measure. I have neuropathy in both my hands and feet but it's not too bad. I just keep thinking, "I can do anything for _____ (fill in the blank) more weeks.
5thSib - I'm sorry about your back aches and the headaches. I do get the headaches sometimes but tylenol seems to do the trick for me.
Paula - good luck tomorrow. I'm not finding the SEs to get better, I'm still tired. Maybe I'm just sick and tired of this chemo business.
Take care,
Georgetta
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Thanks Paula, I was wondering if that might be the problem. I am going to request a test.
I know some are getting lower back pain. I get the knees and middle of my back and of course the headaches, which feel like tension or sinus pains. My ON perscribed Hydrocodone for me and it really helps with the pain in the joints. Hope this helps.
Hugs to you all
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I am not going to be a happy camper if I have to take narcotics to help with the muscle aches and such. Any other suggestions from the docs? Advil, Aleve, I cant take aspirin. Narcotic pain meds make me itch and I feel like I am under water. I weaned myself off of them after surgery sooner than they wanted me too just because it was awful.
I am getting B6 and B12. I am going to add 15g of glutamine to my daily intake. Hopefully it will starve off the neuropathy.
I start weekly taxol April 1st. Hell of a joke huh??
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skigirl, I never had any muscle pain, so don't worry about it too much until it actually happens. I have arthritic knees and hands, and I take arthritis-strength Tylenol 3 times a day along with glucosamine-chondroitin. Maybe that kept the muscle aches at bay, but more probably it's just one of those side effects that doesn't affect everyone. But I did not have AC first, and it seems like side effects of taxol are worse for those who had AC first (just my observation from reading this board). BTW, I took 30 g of glutamine daily for neuropathy, which I think is the recommended dose. It worked for me.
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Soteria205 ~ I am 6 days post Taxol #2 also and it was a lot harder for me to walk up the stairs to my office today than it was yesterday or the day before! I think that the muscle fatigue gets worse as the red blood cells ability to transport oxygen gets temporarily diminished with the impact each treatment. I think I'm heading toward my nadir so that's my theory.
Skigirl72 ~ Everyone is different for sure but I have not had to take any narcotics for muscle pain. I definitely feel it, most intensely in my legs on days 3 & 4 after treatment, but I manage it with hot baths, exercise, and occasionally Tylenol. I do find that I need to take Ativan to get to sleep for the first several days after Taxol because my legs get a weird sort of "restless leg syndrome" type thing when I am going to sleep at night.
I have been taking B6/B12 and glutamine since I started Taxol and I am bummed to notice a definite tenderness/tingling in my fingertips. I worry that this is the beginning of neuropathy. It sucks when you try to do everything right and you still get the SE's you are working so hard to avoid. Cancer sucks and cancer treatment sucks too. (I'm not usually one to go negative, but I'm allowing myself this little rant as my tingly fingertips type this).
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MO ordered xrays of my back this morning after urine came back negative for UTI. I haven't heard back from him on results yet. I had osteoporosis before I started and know chemo can worsen it but I cant think of anything I've done that could have injured it.
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I was so hoping Taxol will be easier than AC. I know SEs are different for everyone.
Skigirl: I start Taxol April 3, right there with you. I was hoping SE's would be a bit easier too, but it sounds like not so much. I was hoping the taste buds would come back but maybe not. I guess we will see together what kind of SE's we have. Here's hoping we both do okay.
Nicole: that sucks about your fingers! I too will be taking B 6/12 and L-Glutamine as well as magnesium. I hope 4 Taxol treatments don't affect me but I do worry about it.
Cindi: thanks for the suggestion on popsicles. I am bringing them with a cooler of ice to soak my fingers and toes in. My NP said I could do that if the tingling started but I'm going to do it before it starts and hope it never happens. 4 treatments of it after 4 of AC and keeping my fingers crossed!
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Hey everyone,
I am now 3 weeks PFC my last taxol. The thing is there can't be any taxol still circulating in my body, but still feeling the SE's. I agree Nicole, it has to do with the cell metabolism, but how long till this heals/corrects itself? I am having some stomach issues, and should really be making an appt w/ the gastroenterologist. But I just don't want to open a can of worms. I know I will need a colonoscopy, which means anesthesia. I am still doing herceptin, and beginning RT next week. Don't know what to do.
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My wife just did Taxol #6 today. She has been using frozen peas on her toes and fingers in hopes of saving her nails.
So far so good.
Anyone experience increasingly troublesome side effects towards the end of the 12 treatments after doing well through 6?
What should we be be looking for/ be prepared for?
Bless you all.0 -
Waitingforthenextstep ~ Did you start prescription strength prilosec anywhere along your AC + T journey? I started midway through my AC treatment and have noticed a slight uptick in acid stomach symptoms since Taxol#2. The prilosec is still handling it, but I think if I weren't already on it I would be suffering. I know that stomach sores take a long time to heal and am wondering if your stomach issues might just be residual collateral damage from chemo?
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ywheels~you're right that we're all different, but I get Taxol 3 tomorrow and so far I lose my taste buds for a couple of days, have joint pain for about a day, and still have fatigue. None of it is as bad as AC. I'd love to have more energy, but I realize I'm just going to have to force myself to work through the fatigue. I don't work outside the home, but I have a very messy husband and 2 incorrigible dogs.
Colt45~I can't really answer your question as your wife is further along than me. She is so blessed to have such an awesome husband as you to look out for her.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Hi ladies! I'm 27 yrs old..was diagnosed with triple negative IDC. I just had a bilateral mastectomy on march 1st. Met with my oncologist today and he has me going for 4 rounds of a/c followed
By 4 rounds of taxol starting march 25th..I'd would also like to know how the procedure for getting the pot placed was.. I have done a little reading on both, but if any of you can tell me what your experience has been personally I would appreciate it! Thank you0 -
I had the backpain/bonepain from my first taxol infusion...called the chemo nurses and they told me to take ibuprofen 2xs per day for 2 days...normally they dont recommend it but it sure worked...had back pain from second taxol..had my eyes closed when infusion got switched over from herceptin to taxol..let the nurse know them but pain was gone after about 5 minutes...they will keep an eye on me on next one in 3 weeks...
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keke713- there is a PORT PLACEMENT- thread on this board. Just do a search for it. It gives you alot of info. It was no big deal for me. I was a quick out patient procedure. I think the whole thing from pre-op to discharge was a few hours maybe 3. I was sore for about a week. Now I ignore it. It is something you just get used to. I had my last AC this past Monday and I feel pretty good today. No real issues. I wish you well...
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Nicole- I was taking the OTC equivalent of Prilosec for awhile, but I am not doing chemo anymore, just Herceptin and only once every three weeks. I think the chemo did make my stomach issues worse, of course it would, the toxicity of the chemo. I am going to bring it up at my next MO appt. MO every 3 weeks now, so yay for that.
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Sorteria: It's good to hear Taxol is better than AC. You and a number of others have said the same thing. But the fear of the unknown SE's.....I am very worried about neurapathy though. I already started using tea tree oil per my NP and will start the glutamine, B6/12 and magnesium right after AC #4. I expect the fatigue and I can handle that, though it is annoying. I sure hope the tastebud thing isn't too bad for me. I just got thrush (nice!!!) and am on prescription anti-fungal med for it (that is so gross just typing it!!!). Maybe you should put your dogs and your husband in the dog house!!! Good luck!
Keke: My port placement was easy. Out patient procedure, medicated real well so I don't remember a thing about it. I was sore for about 2 days and now I don't even know it is there. I work out on the days I can, lifting or jump rope, spin classes and I have no problem with it. You should be fine. You are on the same treatment as me. Check on the Starting Chemo in February board. There are many on there who are in the midst of the same treatment. Lots of great ladies who will give you loads of advice, encouragement, support and laughs! Good luck!
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ywheels~I use tea tree oil for lots of things including cold sores. It works so much faster than any prescription, without the side effects.
Blessings
Paula0 -
xxx
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RE: Taxol. I still think it is better than A/C. I realize A/C turned me into a mind-numb zombie, and at least now I am alert, can taste food, and my WBC actually has improved. Being able to fully engage in the world has improved my mental health, too. Taxol has SEs, and they are uncomfortable, but I have more good days than bad. There was only one day where I felt that I could not deal with the world.
My SEs are all of the same things that others have mentioned. Hot baths, electric blankets, Ibuprofen help, but you also have to keep moving. Medicated ointments applied to my legs also help.
Determination is helping me ride these symptoms out. I don't want to the treatment schedule. I have two rules: If my husband has to help me get to the bathroom, and/or I need narcotics, then I must move to the smaller weekly dose, but
YIPPEE! My WBC has stabilized so much that I actually got to go into the office for work. I was tearing up all day with tears of joy, and so many people were so supportive--someone washed down my desk with Clorox wipes, a balloon bouquet was delivered and even a cook in the cafeteria came out and hugged me. I needed hers as well as the other hugs. Maybe I shouldn't have encouraged the hugss, but mental health is just as important as anything else. My boss gave me lots of really interesting assignments that aren't just time-killers. I think she understands how I need to feel valued, busy and integrated into the fabric of the world. I think this will take my mind off SEs, too.
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Zorina ~ << Being able to fully engage in the world has improved my mental health, too. >>
AMEN!
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Nicole: you know I don't know. The NP said use tea tree oil and I said OK!
Paula: do you know why the tea tree oil works during Taxol?
Zorina: it sounds like you are doing well and the Taxol SE's are going okay. That is awesome!0 -
I've been using tea tree shampoo to keep my scalp happy (sometimes it gets pretty sweaty under my wig or hats) but I'm not sure how one would use tea tree oil directly. I found a thread from 2010 that suggests some women have used it on their nails....
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ywheels~~Tea tree oil is a natural aneseptic. It comes from the melaleuca tree in Australia. I use it on cold sores. I just use a cotton ball to swab it on. I don't delete it. It's also great for acne, bug bites, nail fungus, I've even used it to gargle when I had strept throat. The symptoms were gone within hours.
I buy it at Walmart in the vitamin section. It's less than $10.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Paula and Nicole: thanks. My NP said to put it on my finger and toe nails and to start now.. She said it will help prevent neuropathy but that was all she said. I have it on my list of questions when I go for AC#4. I'm putting it directly on at night and wear socks and gloves. Usually sometime in the night I end up taking them off but by then it has absorbed.
I'm not sure I could put that in my mouth. It smells pretty bad to me.
Thanks and best!0 -
Taxol number nine this past Thursday. Just three more left. For those discussing neuropathy, I have not had it, and I have not taken anything to prevent it. I had bone pain weeks two through six. Advil wasn't cutting it so I asked for something stronger. MO gave me tramadol. We seven I got a pretty bad cold, and did a z pack. I still have a little lingering cough. Other than being tired I am managing well. Mental health is huge. Sometimes I force myself to get out since I teach from home. We had graduation testing last week and it was good to be with our students.
Oh, and I am growing a little hair!
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Politicomama~~Congrats on the hair!!!
We are opposite on Taxol. I've had 3 with 9 left to do. So far, it's so much easier than AC. I just hate the fatigue, though even its easier than with AC.
My neutrophils were 1.1 yesterday, so I almost didn't get my infusion. If it had been under 1, I would have had to reschedule. I so want to keep on track. I pray that it rebounds by this Friday.
I know with WBC so low, I should stay away from church tomorrow, but I don't really want to do that, so I'll just try to be really careful. I carry santitizer everywhere I go.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Just 4 more treatments left now. Felt pretty good after treatment on Thursday through Saturday afternoon then the back pain started again. Taste is gone again. I get about 2 days a week where I can taste things. My hair is getting thicker on my head but still not growing back on my legs-- not that I mind that!
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