Weekly Taxol group
Comments
-
Sandy: Sorry about your pain. I hope they find a way to manage it. I am day 3 (day after the shot) and feel okay. Took some vicodin yesterday along with some Tordal and I seem to be doing fine. I have a headache and some general aches but not bad. Please try to take it easy and rest. Good luck and I will be thinking of you!
0 -
Immclure, I had a rash all over my hands after my first Taxol. Of course, it happened on a weekend, so on call physician advised hydrocortisone cream to take some of the burn out of it. Later, I had some skin peeling where the rash had been. Just had third Taxol, and no further rashes.
0 -
Finished 12 Taxol after 4 A/C on Feb 20. I now have 1/2 inch white fuzz which doesn't hide the veins. But then I'm 75.
0 -
Finished 12 Taxol after 4 A/C on Feb 20. I now have 1/2 inch white fuzz which doesn't hide the veins. But then I'm 75.
0 -
cindy74 - so nice to hear from you. I have thought about you so much and wondered how your radiation treatments went? Was it all smooth for you? WOuld like to hear. So glad that your hair is slowly coming in. And I hope that your energy level is slowly improving.
0 -
Ywheels,
Thanks. I have been thinking of you too. I am glad this shot is favoring you better or at least the meds are helping. I am on a constant diet of vicodin, Ib, mirolax and senna-s. All are at least making it tolerable. I have had headaches too, they are not any fun for sure. I am waiting though because today is my last day with dexamethasone and sure I will crash more tomorrow or Monday, of course, the day I HAVE to be at work to process my payroll. LOL. The dates just don't work in my favor. Oh well, shouldn't take me long and I can go home early if needed when i get it done.
Lmcclure,
Sorry I can't give any insight on the rash stuff.
I hope the rest of the weekend is good to all of you.
Take care,
Sandy0 -
Hi there!
I just completed 12 weekly taxol infusions. It was soooo much easier than the AC which I received x4 bi-weekly.
I did not experience nauseaat all during taxol, just slight neuropathy symptoms. My finger and toenails continued to be a mess and fall off but that had started on the AC treatment.
My hair started to grow back during taxol, I have short soft perfect white hair on the sides and back and funny thin fuzzies on top with a shiny bald bit at the front. It's an awesome look lol!
I think I have been lucky throughout my treatments so far. I was super healthy going into my surgery and then chemo. I was very stressed between surgery and treatment because my tumor was weird and took a long time to diagnose it was an extremely anxious time for me.
I am a week out from my last taxol infusion, I still have a rash on my arms and hands, still very tired, and seem to have bloated out with water retention built up gradually over the last few infusions. I gained all the weight back I lost during the AC during my taxol..I will ask my Oncologist on Friday about the water retention. My eyelashes and eyebrows have thinned considerably but are hanging in there. My eyes and nose have been streaming constantly since December!!
I exercised at least 6 days a week throughout the 20 weeks of chemotherapy. I tried to get out for a walk for at least an hour even when it was cold and snowy. I am a runner so it was hard for me to not get my running fix. I did run during my fist 2 AC treatments then I was too fatigued after the 3rd it knocked me on my butt!! Now I walk fast and jog a little to build up strength.
I was asked to take part in a clinical trial so I will start my radiation treatment May 20th and will be getting a small dose of Cisplatin concurrently for 6 weeks. I will be done July 5th...I will be soooo ready by then!!!
I don't know what I expected to feel once I finished the taxol a week out I still feel weird, I did not think everything would just stop immediately...I'm hoping my eyes and nose stop running soon.
Any feedback would be appreciated
0 -
issyaimee~~Your nose is running because you also lost the hairs in there. As they come back that will stop.
I've been retaining water during taxol too. It used to be just a couple days, but the past 2 tx its lasted all week. My ankles & feet are where I see most of the swelling. I just got taxol #10 on Friday.
My hair seems to be growing (slowly) everywhere but in the front. I know the front will come in soon, but right now I feel like I have male-pattern baldness. Lol
Blessings
Paula0 -
#6 of 12 today. My counts are good. My nurse suggested I utilize the massage therapist here. She said the massage will help with fatigue and sleep. Also, they are giving me a stronger Ativan script. The hot flashes are ridiculous at night. She said this will help.
0 -
Have completed 4 Taxol/Herceptin treatments. Side effects are swelling of left leg, ankle, intermittent pains in legs and right temple, thinning brows and lashes. On the positive side. I feel better and my appetite has returned. Still, I wake up thinking about this disease and go to bed thinking about it. I still have surgery ahead of me in late July and find my self worrying about managing pain because I am allergic to the most commonly prescribed pain medications. I guess fear is a constant challenge for most cancer patients.
Today we finally have sunshine, and so my DH and I will fill our flowerpots once again and enjoy our patio.
For all who share daily on these boards, I thank you. I have received knowledge and encouragement.
0 -
Sandy: Feeling good today after #3 taxol with the nuealasta shot. I do think the shot makes me more tired and more achey but it is not bad like it was during the 4 AC's. #4 and final treatment is May 15, 9 days and counting. I cannot wait! Please keep resting. It will help. You will bounce back if you can rest a bit each day...Keep me posted. Are you on our Facebook group?
I have not noticed any hair growing back for me. Maybe it's the DD taxol as opposed to weekly? My eye lashes and brows are thin but still there. I will be pissed if they totally fall out after tx is done, which I have heard a few on here say happened to them. Bloodwork it tomorrow and I expect them all to be fine, especially the WBC with the horrid shot!
Hope everyone is well!
0 -
I finished my taxol on Apr 4. Had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection on Apr 22. I'm doing great, but my eyelashes just fell out this weekend. Major bummer
Just when you think you got this, something else comes back to bite you. I am seeing hair on my head, most on the sides and back with lots of very wispy things on top. I'm seeing the radiologist on Wedsneday. Hoping for a shorter course of radiation
Good luck ladies and hang in there. It gets better (that's what everyone tells me)
0 -
Ywheels,
Glad you are doing well and feeling good. No, I didn't know there was a Facebook page. What would I search for to log on? I have been having hair grow slowly and yes, like you, will be mad if lose my brows and lashes. So far they are hanging in there. Brows are thinning a little though. Woke.up this morning and must have had sciatica in hip and leg. Debated on going to ER or work. Felt like I was in labor...ouch! Anyway, made it through work but both ankles and calves are swelling up. I guess due to taxol? Hope your wbc comes back good.
Skigirl,
I have having horrid night sweats / hot flashes too. What is ativan for? Hope the massage helps.
Take care all and thanks for the encouragement,
Sandy0 -
Sandy- they gave me ativan 1mg (lorazepam) during AC. They said it would help me sleep on steroid days. It did help. My nurse said it help calm the hot flashes and me so I can sleep. She told me I looked REALLY tired. Also told me to double the dose. I have a few pills left and a new script. I had #6 this morning and I feel like shit. I know its from not sleeping last night. I used to be an awesome sleeper and now I suck at it. So, I am doubling up on the Ativan tonight. Ask your MO for an Ativan script. Or just bitch that you have hot flashes. They gave me a neurotin (supposed to help with the flashes) script but that messed me up too much. Worst. Idea. Ever. I hated it.
0 -
Had DD AC, 3 week break, followed by 12 weekly Taxol. My hair started growing back after week 4.
We're all different in our response to these.0 -
Skigirl,
I didn't know lorazepam was called ativan. I took that a few times to sleep too. It did help me sleep but I felt droggy when I woke up. I probably need to go to bed earlier if I take it. I also have to take my soma at some point around bed so can't take both together. I get bad headaches from muscles in my neck if I go too many days without soma. I didn't realize though it helped with hot flashes. I may have to try it again. Why do we have to have these at night when we are trying to sleep though is beyond me. I was on neurotin years ago and couldn't take it. Made me feel drunk and couldn't function. When she spoke about it not too long ago when i was having neuropathy, I told her that so then she didn't push it further. Hope you start feeling better soon. I have #6 taxol on Wednesday. Get some rest.
Take care,
Sandy0 -
I took 2 last night and slept fine. Never woke from a flash once. gonna do this again tonight. I feel much better today.
0 -
Hello ladies! I am new to writing on the boards, but not to reading them. Over the past few months I have found knowledge and comfort from reading through these and am so grateful for it!
I finished 4 rounds of A/C in March and had a double mastectomy in April. I am now recieving my 2nd of 12 weekly Taxo tomorrow. So far, so good. The Taxol has been easier than the A/C so far. I get a little tingling in my arms and hands but that is all.
I am 32 and have 2 little boys, 5 and 8.
I know that I am just beginnig the Taxol, so if anyone has any advice for the next 11weeks, I would love to hear! I am a lttle nervous because I know that some of these meds build on each other as the rounds progress and the SE get worse. I work full time and am a single mom to my boys, so I am nrvous that the SE will make these things harder.
0 -
Hi cindi, I am also 75. I was dx'd with stage iv from the get go. I had mammograms every year like a good girl and they never found it. Had back pain in 8/11 and found I had breast cancer that spread to my ribs. I had chemo and radiation and my onc. says I am in remission. Stage IV is not curable but it can be managed with hormones. So far, so good. I live in FL and am living pretty good life. From one 75 year old to another I wish you well. Barb
0 -
NicNak~~I'm getting taxol #11 this Friday. For me SEs didn't get worse like they did with AC. As a matter of fact, I think weekly taxol is a piece of cake compared to AC.
Are you taking vitamin B6, B12, and L-Glutamine? They really help with the neuropathy.
The L-Glutamine should be taken in powder form. You can't possibly get enough from the pills. I mix mine in a glass roughly the size of a shot glass. 30 grams per day spread out to 2 or 3 doses. A serving of 10 grams is a heaping teaspoonful. I like to mix it with cranberry/grape juice. It's not at all gritty or unpleasant.
I get minimal joint pain maybe one day a week, but it usually doesn't last long at all. Taste buds go for about 36 hours. My only complaints are swelling in my feet & ankles, and this darn fatigue.
Blessings
Paula0 -
I found this really funny picture online that I wanted to share with you all because it made me smile. But I cant seem to figure out how to add it to the thread.... its on my facebook so I tried adding the link to that but it didnt work. Any ideas???
0 -
And thank you Soteria205, I appreciate the encouragement and ideas. I will look into the B vitamins Glutamine. I like the idea of vitamins rather than another drug. I feel like they keep throughing all these drugs at me and I just want to give my body a break!
0 -
I take B-6, 100mg three times daily and get a B-12 injection once per month and feel no tingling or pain in my hands or feet so far. Soteria,did your oncology practice advise you about the L-glutamine? I have competed seven treatments and have noticed a little darkening under my thumbnails.
Fatigue is a side effect for me as well.
0 -
I am getting a bit of numbness, but it seems to be mostly my heels!
My nails have four distinct darker rings from the AC chemo combo, but actually seem to be improving with the weekly Taxol. I had my 6th of 12 yesterday, and I'm on my steroid high today!
*wanders off, burbling happily to herself*0 -
Morwenna.... you made me laugh and you summed up what I was like during my steroid high...
And not to burst anyone's bubble but my nails were great until my last two taxols, and then suddenly they all got sensitive and red under the nail.... some of them even got bloody areas.... but on the other hand I didn't have any chemo before the taxol..
And my neuropathy is still terrible in my feet... toes and even the bottom of them.... but it's only been a little over 4 weeks since my last taxol so I'm still hoping that gets better.....
0 -
jayjayc, I'm curious to hear about your hair during Taxol. Did you lose it? Keep some? I used cold caps to save my hair, but then I read that some actually start getting regrowth during Taxol so I wonder if it's not the "guaranteed hair loss" that my oncologist told me.
I had no problems at all with my nails during treatment, but have noticed that they are now thin and they break and chip easily. I should probably be using something to strengthen them but haven't gotten around to that yet.
I used B6 and L-glutamine to stave off neuropathy, which worked very well. I had a few twinges during treatment, but nothing that lasted. But then 2 or 3 weeks after my last chemo (and 1 or 2 weeks after my last L-glutamine) I got neuropathy in one big toe. The chemo nurses had told me to continue with L-glutamine for 3 weeks after treatment, but I had finished off the tub and didn't want to buy any more. Within the last month or so the neuropathy has completely disappeared. I'm still taking the B6 - just finishing off the bottle.
0 -
Got sent in for a scan of my left leg today and a deep vein thrombosis was found behind my knee. My MO says that chemo causes blood clots in about 30% of patints and that also patients who have ports get them too. I am on a newer, gentler drug called Xarelto which should dissolve my current clot and allow my swollen ankle and leg return to normal as well as prevent future clotting problems. We never know what to expect and we are all so different.
0 -
Hi PatinMN,
In terms of hair, I started with very thick long hair..... and my MO told me that I would lose it all. So when I started "shedding" after my second treatment I went and had it cut short to match the wig I was buying (basically between the chin and shoulder).... then in preparation I bought a hair clipper so that I could buzz it when needed....
..... after more shedding I started getting a really really thin area on top of my head, so I took my wig in to be cut and got a quick tirm on my real hair for free (now it was all a little shorter than chin length)...... after that I started wearing the wig to work but the funny thing is I never used the clippers or did a buzz cut, and ended up keeping about 10-15% of my hair. My super thin (i.e. ALMOST bald spots) where on the top and the temples (where men go bald), but I had hair everywhere else (although it was also thinner)......
And I am NOT complaining, but it's making it very hard for me to figure out if my hair is starting to come back..... I check in the mirror ALOT.... but is that new growth or just something I didn't loss....
WARNING WARNING TMI TMI --- I also had the same type of hair loss in the south pasture, i.e. lost almost everything in the middle, but kept the parts at the outer edges
.....0 -
jayjayc - your TMI is too funny. It was the same for me, if I'm interpreting you correctly.
I also lost arm, underarm and leg hair, but not all of it. Interesting that you kept some hair, and the location of your bald areas. Too bad mullets have gone out of fashion! 0 -
Wow, I had gotten behind and had to read about 5 pages of posts. Hello to all the new ladies. I am 4 weeks past my last weekly Taxol today, so here's what is going on with me:
- Eyes and nose have finally stopped running.
- Still have some neuropathy in my fingers -- has quit hurting, just numbness now.
- Nails still look terrible and still some lifting from nail bed (several fingers and both big toes), but haven't lost any yet.
- Overall feeling much better, but still have some tiredness at the end of the day (could be the 9-10 hours I've had to work each day the last week due to a crashed server). I am starting to feel like exercising again.
- A few eye lashes starting to grow back on my uppper right eye lid (very short and stubby feeling). Still having to draw on eyebrows.
- Still having random breakouts of little bumps (starting during Taxol -- MO never knew what they were).
- Hair is continuing to get longer and thicker. I can grab it between my fingers all over now -- it's mostly white, but some dark on the sides and a patch in the back.
- Will be starting radiation on Monday.
0
