Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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I went to one of our health food stores yesterday. To take the l-glutamine at 30g per day would cost me $20/week. Way too much! We are at the end of our financial resources. For those that take it regularly, where do you get it cheaper?
Also, how many mg of B-6 should I take daily?
SyrMom -- I shed at about the same time you did, then started regrowing at around #11. Taxol did a number on my eyebrows and eyelashes... much worse than the hair shedding!
Speaking of hair -- the first hair to grow back was on my chin. I plucked one last night that was longer than the hair on my head! When my chin hair started to grow back, I told my very serious MO that she needed to change my chemo regimen -- she thought that was quite funny!0 -
6cats~~My onc told me 100mgs go B6 twice daily. I got them at Walmart for about $3. I'm still taking them 5 months pfc and still seeing gradual improvement.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Happy Saturday Everyone! Completed week 8 and the SE's keep on changing. More tired and just feeling off. I also had severe leg, knee, and back pain yesterday. Also have been experiencing shortness of breath. Thankfully, I am a bit better today! Eyebrows are very thin now and eyelashes are almost gone, however my hair is still coming in and getting lighter and lighter. We are wondering if it is going to turn white. I will find out the results of my echo on Thursday. I just hope the results won't necessitate a change in my therapy. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!0 -
Sgc,
Just noticed your diagnosis was similar to mine but saw that you didn't start with adriamyacin and cytotoxin followed by the taxol and Herceptin. Did your MO have a reason for not doing AC chemo? The AC is very harsh but started shrinking my tumor right away. I had 4 rounds of AC followed by 12 of taxol and Herceptin and am now done. Currently waiting surgery.0 -
Jm- I started with Taxotere , Carboplatin and Herceptin on June 24th. I think it is just a matter of his preferred treatment. I had such a servere reaction (landed in the hospital and lost 6 days of my life ) that my Oncologist changed me to the weekly taxol and Herceptin. My main tumor has shrunk a bit, but still there. Have no idea how my lymph nodes are doing. I was also told that I would probably have chemo after surgery as well. Haven't gotten a date for surgery yet. Should know more after I see my BS first week of Nov. Keep us posted and know I will be keeping you in my prayers!0 -
Well, damn. Have only had 3 weekly taxol, this week I'm "off." Tumor markers up 2 points (I know, not much, BUT it's the trend up that's not good in my case; 2nd month in a row). Then, I find out the reason my foot has been hurting is I have a stress fracture!! OMG, what next! I haven't been doing anything. A couple of gentle walks last week before the s/e set in, that's it! Guess the Xgeva's not working. Hair is shedding like crazy, but so far appears like I'm a person with thin hair; so waiting until I see an empty spot before I have it shaved. Anyone else have markers go up while on taxol? I'm afraid this will be the 3 rd tx that's ineffective. It's been over 18 months and nothing has made any difference!
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TX #4 is today. I don't know if it is working or not SyrMom. My first blood work checking markers was yesterday so I guess I will get the results today. Also just now started shedding really bad. Did anyone just deal with the shedding and keep their hair through Taxol? I have never had short hair so was hoping to put off the cutting/shaving until starting FEC in January. If not is there any way of dealing with the shedding?0 -
Hello weekly Taxol ladies-
I wanted to get some input from those of you whose Neutrophil Absolute Count was too low for Taxol/Herceptin? I had to defer/skip my weekly Taxol chemo again today because my Neutrophil Absolute Count was too low again (still had Herceptin). This was supposed to be my 6th of 12th treatment, and I am pretty bummed that I had to defer Taxol again. This also happened two weeks ago, so it my second time having to defer. They did give me Neupogen after Herceptin to protect me for these next couple of days. However, the last time I had Neupogen, it didn't seem to really boost my white counts by the time I got to treatment the next week. I just want to get this chemo crap over with so I can get back to teaching second semester and move forward with my life!
I am kinda freaking out about my prognosis with having to defer my weekly Taxol to every other week, but my oncologist does not seem too concerned. Any input from any of you would be wonderful if you have had this experience.
Thanks much,
Nichole0 -
I agree with Soteria - I think the powder is much more effective than tablets.
I was also told not to have it within 2 hours of eating protein but my naturopath said that is sometimes difficult to co-ordinate. She reckons if your body is requiring it, it will take what it needs.0 -
DXat32~~My neutrophil levels were under 1000 a couple of times, but because I felt fine, had no temp or anything like that, my onc came over to the infusion room to look me over than allowed me to have my treatment after all. I was really afraid of missing one, because I feared they would just say, " Not to make it up," and I wanted to hit this BEAST with everything in my arsenal.
Paula0 -
I looked at my labs and my ANC has been dropping quite a bit each week and is now down to 1600. Since I have only had 4 tx so far it seems likely to me that it will drop below the 1000 mark soon (if it keeps dropping at the same rate, it will be next week.) I am eating so great and exersizing but it doesn't seem to be helping. Hopefully neupron will do the job and I can continue on schedule.0 -
#4 taxol today. My hair continues to shed, it's amazing how much hair I use to have. Can see the scalp through the hair now - it's baby fine. Difficult to exercise with a stress fx to the left foot! Have no idea how I got that, was not walking much at the time, so now I'm in a boot which is causing the other foot to feel as if it's stressing. I may dump the boot and just walk on my heel so to equal out the pressure on the feet. It's always something. On a more positive note, the extra dose of decadron before infusion seems to be helping to hold the skin issues at bay, so keeping my fingers crossed.
Happy Monday to you all.
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I'm off now to taxol number 7. So far I've been lucky and had very mild SEs so they are extending my course from 12 to 18. Is there anyone who had no or few SEs all the way through taxol or can I expect to feel worse further on? I really want to stay on it as long as possible as it really seems to be dealing to my lung mets.0 -
ShazzaKelly~~I had 12 weekly Taxol. My only SEs were losing taste buds for a couple days each week, fatigue, and the loosening of 2 toenails. I had no pain with those, and no problems at all with my fingernails. I had fatigue, but from about 2 weeks pfc I started to feel a little stronger everyday.
I also did 4 treatments of AC, and had 30 rads. For me, Taxol was the easiest by far.
I hope you have an easy time too.
Blessings
Paula0 -
Tomorrow I get Taxol treatment #16, my oncologist won't stop Taxol infusions unless the side effects get too severe or it stops working. So far the only SEs I have is fatigue, constipation, loss of taste for a couple of days after infusion, and a small, infrequent amount of neuropathy (just tingling). The constipation is greatly relieved by using miralax and ducolax. I make up for the lack of eating due to no taste on the days when food tastes good. All in all, I don't have many problems with the Taxol treatment.0 -
Sending courage to all of you. I remember it well. I finished Taxol last September. I worked 32 hours a week during weekly Taxol without a problem and all my symptoms cleared up very quickly. These days if I get extremely worn out and overheated I get very mild neuropathy in my feet for a day or so but not so much that it prevents me from doing anything. I was so scared after A/C that life wouldn't turn around but I got through Taxol fine. My neuropathy got pretty rough the last few treatments but it wasn't permanant. I went back to work full-time shortly after while in radiation. Sending you all love and hugs and wishes for perseverance.
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Syrmom - I gave up yesterday and just shaved it all off. I am having FEC after Taxol so I am going to lost it all eventually anyway. I was like you, my hair was so thick you really couldn't tell that I was losing any, just got really tired of the shedding. On the plus side everyone at work seemed to like the new wig today.
Mariasnow - Thanks for the positive information and the pep talk.0 -
All you ladies are so lucky withmthe mild se . Ive been a hard time with pain, neuropathy, high bp and increased heart rate . I dont know if maybe because Im getting herceptin with it has anything to do with that . Thursday is tx # 8 , theyve been decreasing the decadron and wanted to stop the benadryl but I had mild reactions 1st 3 x I asked them to continue until the end of tx , its only 25 mg IV .0 -
Hi all I hope I can join your group, I finished my last A/C on 10/10/13 and I start Taxotere this Friday! I know this is a Taxol group and MO say's even though it is a little different it is in the same family. It will be great to get as caught up on your post's as I can and follow your experiences and get some insight into some of the different SE'S.
Shary0 -
Momx2 - I wish they would stop my benadryl. Its the only thing that's keeping me from driving myself to txs. I sleep through them, then I'm a zombie the rest of the night.
Shary - you and I have such simlar Dxs, except mine is much larger. Our Txs our totally different though.0 -
my Onc changed my meds for me so I could drive myself once I'd got thorough the first couple of treatments. I just take a loratadine 10mg a hour before chemo. I still have a steroid and another anti histamine in my drip but I'm cool to drive.0 -
Warrior, yes our Dx are very similar, it is so interesting to me that a lot of ladies with stage 3&4 Dx did not get A/C prior to Taxol. It seems as though the treatment plans are so varied. It looks like you will probably do surgery after treatment? I chose to get my BLM ASAP after Dx due to the sneaky nature of ILC and I did not want to chance it mirroring itself on the other side. Best wishes to all having treatment and or SE'S this week.
Shary0 -
Just had my 8th chemo today, tax,4 more to go.Have had severe stomach pains,since i started ,and finally going for an mri tomorrow..Lost one toenail,big one.Sores on my arms,legs,and hands,but they are healing fine.Lost my hair durning the big 4 chemos.Have to have radiation when i finish this chemo.I also had a port,and it sure does help,but have to get it taken out,when i finish with chemo.Im in a reasearch group,and they have been there for me.All i have to do is call,and i get answers.And to think ,i didnt want anything to do with it at first,feel like my family now.Im sure i will miss them when im finished..Believe me ive had everything,that could happen.Told them i was thier poster child...thanks for all the information i get on here.it helps.0 -
kayezzy66, you sure could be the poster child for strange and mysterious SE. While on. Chemo😛I sometimes think I should write a book about the hour to hour, day to day changes and SE of Chemo. Prayers going out to you tomorrow, hopefully the MRI just shows irritation to your stomache due to all this poison that is getting put in your body.
Shary0 -
GGM: we keep showing up on different groups! Feel like I know you! Had 5th grandchild (born during chemo) almost two weeks ago! Thanking God for prolific children! 😉 Will have fourth Taxol (+Herceptin) Thursday. I had a horrible time between AC #3 to Taxol #3, but am actually feeling better now. Anemia an issue, but working hard to keep Hgb above 9. Nine more weeks of chemo! Woo Hoo!0 -
Martie, we are the sideways ladies, you are just a little bit ahead of me in treatment,I stared A/C on 8/15 but I had to do it every 3 weeks instead of 2, because all my counts kept dropping to low. My BLM was on 7/18/13. I start Taxotere this Friday. You mention having a hard time between A/C #3 and Taxol #3, was that just that for that time span you felt your worst? # 3&4 of A/C hit me really hard. Blessings to all of a SE free day or at least a peaceful one.
Shary0 -
I am 9 days PFC - yay! My hair started coming back weeks ago but within the last 2 weeks it seems to be really growing daily almost. It's not a lot but I'm seeing less scalp each day. The neuropathy is now constant unfortunately and my big toenails are tender as are most of my fingernails which are not resting on the nailbed. It looks as though there is extra skin pushing up underneath or something so I just try to be careful about not hitting anything with them (which isn't easy considering what a klutz I am!). The neuropathy is limited to fingertips and toes and isn't too painful unless I run my hands under hot water or touch something really cold like ice cubes. It's more of an annoyance than anything and my MO said it'll get worse/peak about a month out and then gradually decrease. I am going to try acupuncture which was suggested by a nurse - anyone else try that?
The really good news is yesterday I went for my post-chemo/pre-surgery ultrasound and mammogram and the tumor is completely gone! They can't see it at all!
I stopped being able to feel it months ago but this was great news to have it confirmed.
Wishing you all good luck and sending positive vibes and much love.0 -
Aeryno,
I finished my chemo oct 8 and still get some neuropathy too but take l-glutamine (powder) and it goes away. I took it the whole time I was in chemo and had very little neuropathy. I unfortunately made the mistake of stopping it after I finished and got some pretty bad tingling about 10 days PFC. Started it back up again and neuropathy is gone.
I see you are having surgery in November. There is a forum for nov 2013 surgeries on this website if you are interested. I am having mine next Wednesday Nov 6. Counting the days. Glad to hear they can't see the tumor on ultrasound now.
-Joan0 -
Erin,
Congrats on end of Chemo! And on the tumor being Unseen.! Will you be having any more surgery?
I am 10 months PFC. I still have neuropathy in hands and feet. I hate for them to be touched. It makes them jump or irritates me. LOL
Have a good night.0 -
kayezzy, stomach pain could be caused from the high doses of steroids they give prior and just before taxol treatment. I was DX with a stomach ulser after two weeks of taxol treatment, very painful. My Onc. Px me a anti-stomach acid, which I took for the remainder of my treatment and weaned myself off. Stomach pains were horrible in the beginning.0
