Weekly Taxol group
Comments
-
MVP Benadryl === My first 2 taxols were with Benadryl pills. The 3rd one I had Benadryl infusion. A world of difference. I complained to ONC before my 4th infusion and was put back on pills. All the twitching, turning, achy legs went away. You might try that.
0 -
Congratulations notdefined! Looking forward to hearing about your post-tx improvement
0 -
Ditto NOTDEFINDED, so happy you are done!!! Please keep us posted on everything. Praying for minimal SE on this last one for you....ding ding!!!
J
0 -
Congratulations notdefined!
I spoke with my case manager this afternoon. My carboplatin still hasn't been approved by my insurance company. I'm feeling anxious. I talked to someone at my MO office about it. She said that it shouldn't be a problem. She said it's an older, inexpensive protocol drug. On the bright side, I can reduce my decadron by half the night before treatment. Tiny victories are not to be overlooked!
I hope you all have a great weekend!
0 -
I'm done with Taxol! I wasn't sure it was going to happen today. My right eye has been bothering me since Monday. Last night the left one started oozing. This morning they were both stuck closed and just really gross. I was afraid I had conjunctivitis. I went to the store to get eye drops and my car died. DH came to get me. Car started then died in our driveway.
My Oncology nurse said it didn't look like conjunctivitis but if not cleared up by Monday to see my eye doctor. She called MO to see if I could proceed. It was the longest 20 minutes ever! MO said to go for it and I was thrilled. I past the bell on my way out. Not ringing cause I'm afraid of jinxing myself.
I'm so happy to have Taxol over with. Both my girls and hubby are home so we're going to see Yesterday and celebrate this part being done.
I hope everyone is having minimal or no side effects. Have a great weekend 😘
🤗🤗
Dawn
0 -
Hello everyone - I had my first weekly Taxol treatment on Tuesday. Felt fine that day, Wednesday and Thursday morning. Then it’s like someone flipped a switch and I have really painful pelvic cramping! I feel like I’m in the early to mid stages of childbirth. What the heck is this? Is cramping normal with Taxol? Other than that, I have some mild to moderate pain in my hips, legs and lower back. Is this bone pain or? I finally had to take a half of a pain pill at 8pm and again at midnight. Slept well, then no pain upon wakening, now back in pain mid afternoon. At least it’s not as bad as yesterday. Anyone experienced this? Any ideas on how to alleviate this symptom
0 -
DawnS1962, wow, what a day! Congratulations on completing Taxol! I hope your eyes clear up soon.
Hey Wheatscapes. Sorry, I can't relate to your symptoms. Hopefully someone with more experience can help.
0 -
Yay Dawn!! Congratulations on getting through Taxol!! Keep your eyes clear as much as possible using aw arm wash cloth!
Wheatscape- I head strong cramping with some bleeding at the beginning of Taxol. It lasted a couple days after treatment for the first couple weeks and haven't had it since. I didn't mention it to my MO or nurses because i wasn't sure if it was related to the Taxol or not. Maybe mention it to your chemo team and see what they say!! Ibuprofen should help with the cramping feeling though good luck!!
I hope everyone is doing good and keeping up the fight to kick cancer's ass!!!🥊🥊
~Katie💗
0 -
Wheatscapes, I just finished my 4th Taxol today with no problems. I did have some aching in my hips and lower back on days 2 and 3 after the first treatment. It hurt to even sit down on the toilet and it was difficult to sleep. Ibuprofen was a big help. But, didn't have it with #2 or #3, and assuming I won't have it with #4. The nurse told me that back pain is one of the known side effects. I do get a headache at the base of my skull every time, and I take Tylenol when it gets too uncomfortable.
I know lots of people have diarrhea, which might cause cramping, but I seem to be always constipated.
0 -
You go Dawn! So glad you are done with taxol! Had to go to the center today to show them I could give myself the shot to help my WBC. Fingers crossed it works and I can do #12 on time!
Hope SEs are minimal for all this weekend
0 -
Laurenci. How did the shot go?? Praying it went smoothly!!
Dawn. So very pleased for you. Ever onward to cPR for you!!!
Praying for everyone!! Hang tough.
0 -
Yay Dawn on finishing with the Taxol!!
Wheatscapes - I had cramping (similar to getting a period) with my first Taxol treatment but nothing since. Hopefully it won't continue for you
0 -
DawnS1962...congratulations on your completion of taxol!!
Wheatscapes - I hope your cramping subsides. I’ve had some strange SE’s; decreased vision, angry varicose veins, and the usual fatigue, nose bleeds, headaches. This is the place to get input on SE’s.
I am sitting here in south LA. where this crazy storm Barry is coming in. Lots of rain and wind! At least it is keeping my mind occupied...hope everyone has a great weekend!0 -
DawnS1962-Sorry your last one went down with such complications! But Yay for being done!! Are you doing surgery next? Do you have a date?
Wheatscapes-I have the achy hips, back and legs. I have a heating pad that helps, and I take hot baths to deal with it too. It usually only lasts 2 days, but now that I'm at the end it has been 3-4 days of achiness. I take it as a sign that my bone marrow is making white blood cells, as it is a similar pain to getting the neupogen shot.
Laurencl-fingers crossed!!!
HappyAnyway-positive vibes that insurance clears it in time! I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. Maybe your doctor can help put pressure on them to speed up the approval!
ByUmom2-prayers that you and your loved ones are safe!
Thanks to all for the well wishes. Today was a good day. I went in to the office and worked a little, and I felt somewhat normal. Of course it took me all morning to get there, but I'm glad I can still get some things done. My bad days are usually 3-4 days out. I hope that my eyelashes come in soon!
Hope you all have a good weekend. Sending positive vibes to all of you.
0 -
Congrats to all who have finished!!! And I never had any cramping/bone pain but I’d be hitting the Advil (or your preferred OTC pain med) pretty hard. I’ve also heard that *some* people have a lot of success with Claritin for all sorts of weird SEs. Nobody’s sure why it helps but it might be worth a shot.
I keep up with this thread but haven’t posted much recently. It’s been increasingly on my mind that I’m a couple of weeks away from being one year PFC (Aug 3rd). A snapshot of where I am: I’d say my SEs are gone except for a tiny bit of neuropathy on the bottoms of my feet that I only notice occasionally (I think mostly when I’m trying to do balance poses in yoga ;-) ). My hair came back in dark and ridiculously curly so I kept buzzing it off. In March I decided it was starting to relax a *little* so committed to growing it out. It’s 2.5-3” but it still makes me just a tiny bit sad every time I look in a mirror. I had a hair appt a few weeks ago to try to lighten it up but got sent home without them doing anything. The sweet lady said it was still too short for foil and an all-over color would have pulled out red. I’m going back in late August and will spit nails if I don’t come out with lighter hair. It’s still much curlier than my old hair but I am (im)patiently waiting for some more length, which I hope will help. Fingernails are back to normal, as are toenails except for the big ones. They’re just kinda weird. I haven’t paid for a pedicure since chemo—I guess I can put all that money into my hair. :-)
For those doing Herceptin, I finished that May 17th and am still blowing my nose quite a bit. I asked the question on one of these forums and was told it can take 4-6 months to clear up. All that’s left are some tolerable SEs from the AI. I’m just a little pissy these days about the 4.5 years of that I have left. I am so ready to be done with all of it.
Sorry. Meant to leave on a bright and cheery note. Wishing all of you still in treatment minimal SEs!! Hang in there—yourlast one *will* come!!!
0 -
2 more taxols!! With the loads of supplements and icing for the entire infusion and pre meds (about 3 hours) no neuropathy yet. BMX scheduled for aug 19. Super excited for this to be over for my mom but also super anxious and scared for her MRI prior to surgery. Any positive thoughts? I can’t stop worrying that the chemo didn’t kill all the cancer cells. She didn’t have many SEs either which worries m
0 -
ipenelope, notdefined, and dogmomrunner- thanks for the welcome! Notdefined and DawnS1962- congrats on completing the taxol journey!!
I just started mine yesterday. I think my biggest fear was an allergic reaction, which thankfully, didn’t happen. And my time in the chair was much shorter than with AC, so I was happy about that!
I received an oral dose of Pepcid, a short-term anti-nausea IV and a Benadryl IV. Then the hour long taxol drip, of which I spent most of the time asleep. I guess the Benadryl knocked me out... that was my first time sleeping in that place!
I used my natracure socks on my hands and feet to helpfully stave off neuropathy. Almost 24 hours in, and no noticeable SE so far. Knock on wood!
0 -
Ipen, BAM, dogmom, BYUmom, notdef-
Thank you all for sharing your experience with cramps/bone pain. I don’t know what I was expecting...maybe a bit of diarrhea as my onco NP and cold capper rep told me I am having a “light and easy” course of Taxol. That many people work and exercise throughout. I did manage to make it to the gym for 30 mins on recumbent bike, but paid for that later. My onco team wants me exercising every day so 🤷🏻♀️ The pain seems worse in the afternoons, but so far it’s manageable. Sleeping well, so that’s super good, although I’m still sleeping in my recliner post BMX and hubby misses me sleeping next to him. I’ve slept a couple of nights in bed, but I find I rest better in my recliner.
No pain on waking this morning. Keeping fingers crossed.
I still kinda can’t believe I’m getting chemo. This is all still so surreal. Just trying to stay strong and brave. Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!
0 -
congrats notdefined and best of luck with surgery. It will be a.complète vacation until surgery or you will get some herceptin until then. Mine is unclear and I am waiting my next appointment to ask it to my mo.
Question-I heard that Bc is systemic disease but all of them or those require chemo? All Bc are hormonal? Her2 positive has no genetic phone but my acquaintance with er and pr positive but her2-(not getting chemo) is worried for her daughter having bigger risk because of her. She is not getting genetic test. I am not sure Irving her not agressive type has genetic factor
0 -
Hi Margun-unfortunately, I am triple negative which means that the cancer doesn't respond to any of the hormone treatments such as Herceptin. My only option was chemo, surgery and radiation. I think if you have a smaller tumor and it is hormone receptive, people can do without chemo. My mother in law did radiation and lumpectomy with hormonal treatment, and has been cancer free for 20+ years.
0 -
Margun - from everything I've read and heard from my MO, it all depends on the type, the stage, the size and yes genetics of the tumor. One of my coworkers was diagnosed with DCIS right before my diagnosis. DCIS, stage 0, ER/PR+, HER-2-. So it was not invasive but she had surgery (lumpectomy) and radiation therapy. She is on hormone therapy to suppress the ER/PR positive component.
When I found my tumor, that's the course I was hoping for. I am post menopausal so not such a drastic change with hormone therapy. However, my tumor was invasive. It was a 1.4cm tumor so small enough to go in and remove (lumpectomy) with surgery. But, my pathology came back as ER/PR- and HER-2 +. So I get chemotherapy (although it is somewhat chemo light compared to those getting AC or other drugs) and a HER-2 targeted therapy drug. I will also get radiation. Because HER-2 positive tumors have a high recurrence, I am getting three different therapies.
So even though my tumor is a bit different from notdefined, I am getting the same treatments but with different drugs and different types surgeries (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy)and possibly different lengths of time with those therapies.
0 -
Hi notdefined- your mother in low was her2 positive? Her2 positives-such as me and many of others here underwent Ac and taxol chemo due to its aggressiveness. Perhaps she was er/pr positive but her2-? My understanding is the latter is the best scenario among Bc.0
-
notdefined, my surgery is scheduled for 8/8. My BS is hoping for a nipple sparring mastectomy but won't know for sure until surgery. My last ultrasound showed space between the nipple and tissue so we're hoping..
Thank you ladies for your support. I really feel like this site has helped me through so much. I'm thrilled to be done with Taxol and hoping to start feeling a little more normal in a couple of weeks. My eyes aren't back to normal yet but better and I'm beginning to think it's either allergies that I've developed or a cold. My nose is stuffed and eyes are running. I guess the gunk has to get out somehow😯
I hope all who are still on Taxol make it through without any issues. I know I've been very fortunate not to suffer neuropathy. I did have some numbness and tingling but it's subsided.
I've got both my daughters home this weekend and it's been wonderful. We saw the movie Yesterday and it was great.
Here's hoping for a week full of good news and minimal side effects for us all.❤️
🤗🤗
Dawn
0 -
Good luck Ladies. Keep on pushing through, it will be worth it. I finished chemo December 20th. I am happy to say that by the end of June I started to really feel great again. My neuropathy in my hands was gone, my toenails are back, and I had my port removed and good first mamogram. I was diagnosed last June. If you asked me then if I would feel this good this summer I never would of thought it. Last piece to this puzzle is my hair, we are getting there, but there are worst things. Good luck ladies.
0 -
VBmom2008
So very happy for you!!! We’ll keep you in our prayers. Hoping we will follow in your footsteps soon!!
0 -
Hi Margun-She may have been Her2 negative. I don't know her exact diagnosis only that she didn't need chemo.
Dawn-prayers you get a pCR after your surgery. I have been waiting for an August surgery group to get started, and maybe I will see you on there! Enjoy your time with your daughters!
Volleyballmom2008-Thank you so much for checking in. It is helpful to hear that you have bounced back. I think we end up hearing more from the people who continue to have issues, and I'm convincing myself that it is the exception not the rule.
AFM-the neuropathy is the same in fingers and toes as it was for No. 11. The fatigue feels similar too. It was over 100 degrees over here, and I convinced hubby to take the pontoon to the lake. We had so much fun, and the kids really enjoyed it. I even made breakfast and dinner, which is rare for me. BUT today I am paying the price. I told hubby that I borrowed todays' energy for yesterday, and I am slow going today. Just super achy and very tired. I stayed well hydrated, so at least I kept that up.
Sending positive vibes to you all! Hope you have minimal SE.
0 -
Hi everyone, hope you are having a very nice weekend!
Here comes a detailed account of my experience after the first taxol.
The infusion itself went uneventful : I got my premeds, iced my hands and feet, taxol infusion took one hour and they kept me for an extra hour for observation. The rest of the day and most of the second day were very much OK, except of being an embodiment of Energizer bunny, thanks to steroids. I was vide awake at 4 am and decided to spend this crazy energy catching up with work. I am known to work crazy hours, but 5am emails were the first
Day 3: steroids crush came together with muscle and joints aches and - from time to time - flu like feeling.
This continued for a couple of days but while aches and occasional muscle cramps were annoying they were mild and i continued to work and managed to fit in one hour walk every day.
Day 6: very much back to normal.
Bright side: i had no nausea whatsoever! I didn't need any meds AT ALL. Also, no mouth sores - what a relief compared to EC. Pray it stays that way.
One bothersome side effect is this odd, spaced out' feeling that I have had almost until now. I managed to focus on tasks at hand and get through my workdays but from time to time it was quite a struggle. I had a bit of the same with the first EC, so I wonder if it is an adjustment to my new poison
Sending good thoughts and best wishes to all!
0 -
Lacobattante your insight on your first Taxol was extremely informative. THANK YOU. Nat starts hers a week from tomorrow. So good to hear and helps us get prepared!! Bless you
0 -
So... tomorrow is my last taxol out of 12 weekly treatments. Before BC, I was rarely sick even with psoriatic arthritis (well controlled). The taxol/herceptin treatment made it really hard to determine the culprit. SE all over the place, but generally same pattern as others. I lost my left eyebrow last week and the right is thin but still there. Kinda spooky looking and my "drawing" is worse. In fact, it will make me laugh when catching a glimpse. Just one? Really? DH shaved his head when I decided to do the same. Here's hoping for curly and a new color! I had dark and board straight hair all my life. Ready to go to the next plan in this journey. Sites like this one really help. Best to all on your journey.
0 -
LaCombattant - Good report. My experience is similar to you. The steroid "high" is great until the 3rd day. Of course really no sleep on the high but who needs sleep?
I also get the fuzzy wrapped in cotton brain. It's almost what I imagine sleep walking to be like. I hope the SE stay minimal.Yay CourMatt on the upcoming last Taxol!!
The neupogen shots over the weekend worked. My WBC came up to 1600 from 900! I just hope this isn't the start of a pattern for me. The shots are a pain literally a d figuratively because of the inconvenience.
Hope everyone is doing well.
0
