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Weekly Taxol group

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Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited July 2013

    6cats~~Foods with L-Glutamine are animal products...fish, chicken, beef, milk, cheeses, yogurt, etc. you'll have to do some research to see how much is in each serving. 30 grams daily is required to keep neuropathy away.



    I stopped taking it and B6 too early and got neuropathy in my right foot. I started taking it again and now, 9 weeks pfc, its almost gone.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • PatinMN
    PatinMN Member Posts: 784
    edited July 2013

    http://www.integrativeoncology-essentials.com/2013/02/use-glutamine-to-reduce-the-severity-of-mucositis-and-neuropathy-during-chemotherapy-or-radiation-therapy/



    6cats, how disappointing that your oncologist is not willing to consider supplements. Maybe if you provide some research he/she will agree to broaden his/her perspective. There's a lot of research out there. I'm attempting to post a link to one article by an integrative oncologist that I found by doing a google search on "glutamine for neuropathy from taxol". Sometimes links don't post correctly on this site-hope this one comes through OK.

  • septembersong
    septembersong Member Posts: 153
    edited July 2013

    6cats, 

    Acupuncture is often recommended for neuropathy. I tried it, and it didn't touch mine, but everyone's different. Worth a try. 

    Good luck. 

    Ann

  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2013

    I had my LAST Taxol treatment July 9th! Yay! I was so happy that I didn't need the Nupagen shots - Bonus!



    I'm feeling good. Unfortunately my eye lashes didn't last but my eyebrows did!



    Hang in there Ladies! Before you know it you'll be on you last too.

  • Una2008
    Una2008 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    Hey Rosina0015...Congratulations :)  I can't wait to get there too.

  • susaninicking
    susaninicking Member Posts: 121
    edited July 2013

    Congratulations! I'm on the home stretch too, 6 more but just missed my first chemo today thanks to an elevated white count compliments of a nasty cold and bronchitis. I visualize that last infusion and get emotional even thinking about it....just the joy of having the chemo over with. Was it fabulous? Was there a celebration?

  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2013

    Susanninicki - Thanks, it was exciting knowing it was finally over. I ordered 3 dozen pink cupcakes (chocolate raspberry) and brought them with me to chemo on my last day. I dozen each for my breast surgeon, oncologist, and the amazing nurses in the chemo center. Then I had my Hunny take a pic of me with a sign that said "today is my last chemo - July 9, 2013". I also took a pic with our children that morning. Really it was kinda like having a birthday - I felt my life is beginning. We've made plans for Tahoe and Disneyland next month. I still have 3 surgeries ahead of me so want to have a lil fun before then.



    I'm sorry you had to put off chemo a week. I will pray that your counts normalize and you start feeling much better soon. Take care!!



    Una2008 - You'll be at the end before you Know it. :)

  • Una2008
    Una2008 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    Rosina0015, I am all teary eyed right now from reading yout post.  Tears of joy off course, for you and all the other women who have reached where you have.  Enjoy Tahoe and Disneyland with your family.

  • Tr4c3y
    Tr4c3y Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    I am hoping that yesterday might be my last neoadjuvant Taxol treatment for a bit.  I am having my first post-treatment PET scan on Wednesday, and I'm hoping things will have been beaten back enough that my onc might give me a vacay from the Taxol and maybe just go with the antibodies for a while, which are every three weeks.  I guess if the scan looks good we'll probably start talking surgery to get rid of Trouble Boob once and for all.  The thought used to horrify me, but I'm easing into the "good riddance" camp now.

  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2013

    Una2008- Thanks so much! I'm counting down the days!! How are you feeling?



    I just noticed today that my nails are lifting and probably going to fall off! Darn. Oh well.

  • Una2008
    Una2008 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    Hey Rosina....You are welcome.  I am doing okay so far.  Just a little bit itchy.  Will be doing Taxol number 6 on Tuesday....counting down.  Then I have 4 AC.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited July 2013

    Una~~You are the first person I've ever heard of who had Taxol before AC. Why are they doing it that way? I'd think they'd have you do the hardest one first.



    Paula

  • morwenna
    morwenna Member Posts: 204
    edited July 2013

    Some people find Taxol harder than AC! (Not many, I admit)



    Nearly four weeks pfc, my middle finger nails on both hands are lifted to half way down now! Some other nails are affected, but so far not so badly. At least they don't hurt now!

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 942
    edited July 2013

    I believed AC tried to kill me. I never had nausea, but I could never stand for more than a couple minutes without feeling like I was going to faint. It took all my energy just to go to the bathroom. After a quick shower I had to sit down for a while before I had the energy to dress myself. I had chills, and I developed a blood clot in my leg for which I had to give myself 2 daily injections of blood thinner for 4 months. My sense of smell was so messed up that Mexican food smelled like paint thinner to me. My nose dripped constantly, and I didn't have the strength to drive the whole time I was in treatment.



    With taxol, I still had fatigue, lost 2 toenails painlessly, lost my tastebuds for about a day & 1/2 each week, and lost my lashes & brows.



    I've heard a few say taxol was harder on them than AC.



    Paula

  • Una2008
    Una2008 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    Soteria205,  I am triple negative and my cancer has choriocarcinomatous differentiation.  This is extremely rare and there hasn't been enough cases to know what works and what doesn't.  I think the 12 taxol before 4 AC is the standard at M D Anderson for TN though. 

  • rose2010
    rose2010 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2013

    Hi I started taxol on Thursday and it's Monday this pass weekend I thought my Ovaries were gonna explode. Waiting my for Dr. to call back now. Did anyone experience this problem. So much pain. Havent had my period in 6 years and it feels like it wants to start. The pain shoots down legs.

  • 6cats
    6cats Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2013

    Rose2010 -- My first Taxol I experienced severe cramping that felt like menstrual cramping... the weird thing is that I don't have a uterus, and although I have my ovaries, I'm post-menopausal. This only happened with the first tx... however, mild hot flashes also started. I just had #4, and the cramping has totally stopped.

    Hope this helps... Sometimes my body just totally freaks me out!

  • rose2010
    rose2010 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2013

    thank you so much, I feel better knowing someone else has gone through this. I shouldnt feel better, but I was getting really scared that there might be something else wrong instead. Advill used to be my freind when I did get my period 6 years ago, not anymore didnt even touch it. Still waiting for the Dr. to call me back and let me know what else I can take to get this pain down. I hope it's not like this every 2 weeks, this pain is why I hated getting my period LOL thanks again for sharing your cramps

  • susaninicking
    susaninicking Member Posts: 121
    edited July 2013

    I am feeling for everyone with rough SE's. Exploding ovaries sounds awful! I'm 8 yrs post-menopausal and I've never had hot flashes so hot as after the first Taxol.....internally close to bursting into flames. Also for I think for the first two infusions I woke up once a night so wet that I started keeping a towel and dry shirt nearby. This all has thankfully stopped. Now I just catch every available cold, sore throat, bronchitis that is available. Well just my 2€ worth! Rose post what your doctor says if you don't mind.....

  • rose2010
    rose2010 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2013

    Just got off the phone with my nurse and she told me to eat more bananas my potasium level might be low. At this point I will try anything.

  • Una2008
    Una2008 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    Rose2010...I had bad cramps after my first Taxol.  Felt like I was is labor or something.  I was really scared but it was the only time it happened.  My MO said it was fine.

  • rose2010
    rose2010 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2013

    thanks you so much,thats good to know, I really dont want to go through this every 2 weeks. Oncde is enough for me. Like the nurse said eat plenty of bananas and I'm on my second one for the day so far. I did good with the A/C only had fatigue for 3 days after treatment and I did loose my hair. Only 3 more Taxol left, then on to radiation for 6 weeks.

  • morwenna
    morwenna Member Posts: 204
    edited July 2013

    Soteria.



    My experience of AC was similar to yours I guess. I was not quite as debilitated, but I am on Lovenox injections for 6 months for my dvt/pe!



    I just started rads today, and feel quite ghastly, but I don't know if that has anything to do with the radiation. I suspect not. I've got low abdo pain, and headache, feel fluey, but I just took some Tylenol, and that's improved things a little!

  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2013

    I too will try the bananas for the ovary pain. First time I thought it was a cyst bursting. Had that happen in my 20s and it felt quite the same!



    Lisa

  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2013

    Rose2010 & Una2008 - I too had the same ovary pain. My first Taxol treatment came with the worst all over bone pain too. But my MO told me the pain gets easier with each treatment - she was right!! Hang in there.



  • LeslieVilla
    LeslieVilla Member Posts: 57
    edited July 2013

    Hy lynn!  

    OI'm sorry your feeling crummy!  I started out on 3 week doses of Taxotere and carboplatin (plus herceptin)  and i felt so crummy. they switchted me to jsut taxol (and herceptin) and Its made a world of diffence I still get diarreah on day 4 post chemo and stomach digestion problems but it beats the other symptoms.. hang in there! How many rounds do you have to go?

  • LeslieVilla
    LeslieVilla Member Posts: 57
    edited July 2013

    Any one here doing 18 weeks of Taxol?  I'm currently on week 10. 

  • PatinMN
    PatinMN Member Posts: 784
    edited July 2013

    LeslieVilla, I think you are unique in getting 18 weeks of Taxol!  Surprised  I haven't heard of anyone else getting more than 12 weekly treatments.  You are really a trouper, doing cold caps too for 18 treatments!  I only did 12 and was really ready to be done by the end.

  • 6cats
    6cats Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2013

    Just completed Taxol #5!

    Any of you ladies have experience with Neurontin (gabapentin) for peripheral neuropathy. Did it help? SEs? Do you take it daily or as needed?

    My doc doesn't want the vitamins/amino acids a lot of you use, so gabapentin is the next step for me.

  • CandyisDandy
    CandyisDandy Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    I did Taxol until the glutamine and B6 no longer worked to control neuropathy. 26 weeks. Now I'm on Perjeta and Hercepten indefinitely.

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