Weekly Taxol group
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I finished Taxol treatment #6 yesterday. Six more to go, then surgery and radiation. So far, minimum side effects, except with the hot flashes. They are getting worse after each treatment. Oncology Dr. told me to take Vitamin E 800 unit per day, but is not working. Take care. Millie
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Fuzzy eyesight here too. And I was also told to wait because your eyesight may go back to baseline. not sure how long that takes though
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Well, nice to know I'm not the only one with the weirdness in their vision. I've read other ladies having issues and being told to wait to get new contact lenses and glasses and such because it may or may not adjust and go back. So, I guess we just need to tough it out. I also have the hot flashes and night sweats from Hell. I wake up in the middle of the night freezing b/c I'm soaking wet from sweating and the air from our open window hits me making me cold. Not sure if it's the chemo or the fact that I'm in menopause or both. Sigh . . . I just want to be done with chemo. Sadly, 8 more to go. Ugh!
Hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day weekend!
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hi all, I no longer take any steroids because I dont like the side effects. I'm surprised your oncs don't take you off them if they are a problem. The only meds I take now are an anti inflammatory for neuropathy and Claritin prior to chemo. Luckily I have never needed ( or wanted) sleepers or anti d's
Hope you all have a great weekend
LIL
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Hi all,
Just finished week #6 of taxol, 6 left. It's been miserable for me. It has caused me to get an insanely itchy rash which started on my hands and feet and has now spread to my back, chest, stomach and head. I shaved my head on the 3rd week because my hair started falling out too much at that point. I was sick of having the crying/anxiety attacks in the shower watching my hair fall out. Taxol has also given me severe diarrhea (which is very rare I guess) so I take Imodium, imodol and tinc of opium, as it has made me so dehydrated I have to get fluids regularly through IV. I also have extreme nausea which zofran helps with. My taste buds are gone, nothing has taste and I now have irregular menstrual cycle. I get chemo on Fridays and start feeling human again around Wednesday night.
In short, I'm having a FANTASTIC time
I start the A/C round after this. How does that compare to this?
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I also find that my vision has changed. I wear progressive lenses and I find that there are times now when my vision is blurry where it was fine before (with glasses on).
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Sarahsch, I wonder if some of your side effects are caused by perjeta? I googled perjeta and the first two side effects listed on one site were diarrhea and rash. I did have some diarrhea on taxol and herceptin, but only for the first couple of weeks. Then it was the opposite! I hope they are treating your rash successfully - that sounds miserable. I didn't have AC, so can't give you any insight on that. I hope you feel well enough to enjoy our beautiful weather in Minnesota right now.
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Sarahsch: Sorry you're having a rough go of it. We are on similar timing, just finished my week 6 as well. Do you get a break week? I am three weeks on, one week off, so coming up on my break week and really really looking forward to it. The first break week (after week 3) I lost 2/3's of my hair, so I buzzed it off. I too have the big D with Taxol, but it's usually for two days and Immodium seems to knock it out so far. Same with you on the cycles and taste buds. I really only want to eat bread and cheese.
MrFu54: I had surgery before the chemo, so good luck with yours. Hopefully it's a super speedy recovery.
Diamond: I have asked about removing the steroid since that seems to be the greatest source of problem for me, but I was told the risk of allergic reaction (for me?) is too great and an allergic reaction to the Taxol would be far worse than the reactions I am having to the steroid. At this point, I figure I'm half way…
Happy weekend and no SE's, all!!
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I am also on 12 weeks taxol. Just had my 9 treatment but am doing good. Days 3-5 tired my hands have a rash, my face turns red on day after. Last few days before treatment back and legs hurt.
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So, I'm thinking - hoping - that maybe I'm getting lucky? I've had two taxol treatments so far (finished DD AC on 5/1). The only side effect I've had so far is pure exhaustion...starting on day 3 once the steroid wears off. The first week I had a lousy taste in my mouth but that seems to have gone away - or maybe I just got used to it. My taste buds are okay - though plain water is icky. I'm a little constipated - but not bad. My menstrual cycle is all messed up - pretty much constant spotting with a periodic gush (nice, right? UGH).
I wonder if I should expect this to last - or if things will change for me? The nurse said that I might still be in for some neuropathy, but that other side effects would remain constant... I'm taking my glutamine pretty religiously.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed. So far, this is WAYYYYY better that AC.
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Hi all-
I recently joined these boards. Started chemo in March (DD AC...soooo glad that's over!) and now I'm on to 12 weekly Taxol treatments with Herceptin and Perjeta mixed in every 3 weeks. Just had Taxol #1 on 5/19. So far it seems way more tolerable than the AC, but from reading these posts, it seems like the SE's can build over the 12 weeks so I don't want to get ahead of myself!. Had red cheeks the day after treatment and fatigue. Stomach seems to bother me off and on but nothing too significant... yet. Taste buds are a little off but they have been since AC. Not sure what to expect in the coming weeks as it seems Taxol affects everyone differently. Look forward to checking in with everyone and sharing experiences in the coming weeks.
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cmp106: if your stomach has like a 'burning' kind of feeling, not quite nausea, I have been taking pepcid over the counter and that seems to make a big difference. Hope things are smooth sailing for you with Taxol!
Jenwith4kids: same here on the cycle thing for the first few weeks, but here I am at 6 weeks out of 12, and I don't seem to have that issue at all. I'm hoping for a little break there!! I think as time goes on the SE's get to be more - more tired, more whatever you're experiencing. At least for me, this past week was much rougher than the first couple, for example. Good luck!!
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For you newcomers, welcome! Chemo seems to effect everyone a little differently but for me, Taxol has been much easier than when I was doing Epirubicin and Cytoxan. I have had 4 infusions of Taxol thus far and go every Monday. I have zero neuropathy thus far and take no supplements for it but I do ice my fingers and toes during infusion. On infusion day I have trouble falling asleep due to the steroids (didn't use to be a problem) and I get fatigue and usually feel the worst on days 3-4. Nothing major just tired muscles and fatigue but I can still get up and go. I have little taste to my taste buds so most food tastes horrible to me sadly and I have bone and back pain sometimes. I am also in menopause thanks to chemo but I am not complaining on that front either. It's helped balance me out emotionally so my antidepressants are working better now and not having period is wonderful! LOL So hopefully the same will happen with you ladies who are experiencing irregular flows and it will make it easier for you like it did for me. But all in all, thus far I'm not going to complain. Just wish I was farther alone and almost done. LOL
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I don't know how long I will be on Taxol infusions. If they work maybe years? I have had three treatments and am in my skip week. Next Wednesday I will have a port installed early AM and then my treatment in the afternoon. (Not looking forward to that day!)
I have had no real SE's that I can pinpoint. It has been nearly 4 weeks and my hair is not falling out. Did anyone else have an easy beginning and if so how did it progress? Also, is there anyone who will be on Taxol for a long time or know of anyone who has been?0 -
Been really tired this week and have actually taken a couple of naps. Anyone else get more fatigued as they continue with their Taxol infusions?
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Hi SInsin,Yes I was very fatigued by the end of it. Each one is cumulative. I stayed tired for months afterward.
Rose
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Brigadoon, I am in a similar situation as you. The tx plan is going to be altered according to results of scans at the 3 month mark. If Taxol works well, it might be continued. Do you know what your dose is of the Taxol? I am at 150mg which has been tolerable, but I do have a range of moderate se's. Let's stay in touch here. I am all ears. The week off is a new thing to me, I am going straight thru, unless my bloodwork tanks. It gets lower each week, but the segmented neutraphils are the thing they seem most concerned with, and those are within normal range. Something to do with the capacity of the blood to generate new red blood cells... Anyway, hang in there.
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MameMe - Thanks for your input. I guess I need to start asking more questions. I will and we will keep in touch here.
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Fatigue? Oh, yes, that's a major s/e for me. Cumulative effect as well. I just give in and rest when I need to.
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Sinsin…yep, I'm 6 weeks in and this week has been rough with fatigue. I pretty much have to nap every day, at least for a bit. I have a break week this week, then back at it for 2 more rounds, for a total of 12 infusions.
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Taxol #5 and infusion #8!
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Hope your side effects are minimal this week, sinsin!!
I had my Herceptin #8 today. I am going to enjoy my taxol break week (hopefully)!
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This week will be my final Taxol treatment! What a milestone, something to check off my to-do list!
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Congrats Alli!! So excited for you!! Wish I was done too. LOL Good luck with the rest of treatment!!
Jhodro, thanks and I hope you enjoy your off week too!
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Someone posted this on my FB Timeline and I had to share it with all of you.
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SinSin, Too funny! Alli, hope you get a brather before the AC starts. Keep us posted. You are one game girl!
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Congratulations, Alli!
Sinsin- funny picture, thanks for sharing!!
I just had Taxol #2 treatment yesterday. Feeling a little groggy today but otherwise ok. Hope everyone is managing SE's ok!
Just wanted to check in and say hi!
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Sinsin: Love it! so true!! My husband has even said, if it were him that needed chemo, he wouldn't be able to do it. (hope we never have to find out).
Way to go Alli!! Must feel great to have that behind you!
cmp106: glad to hear it is going well. Hopefully that will be your 'normal'!
Have taken advantage of this week off chemo to begin PT. I had some limited range of motion - wow - had no idea how messed up that side was. So glad that I'm able to get started on it finally so that I can get back to some decent exercise habit eventually!
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Alli - congrats!
My last Taxol was May 2. My AC came before T so the end of T was the end of chemo for me. We had a great celebration at my treatment center. We had a small party in my treatment room with everyone that had been involved in my care (my MO, nurses and techs) coming in and out throughout my last treatment. Weird to say, but it was happy and sad all at the same time. I had the best care and had become very close with my team.
Sinsin - I LOVE that picture. Sooooo true!
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aff: Congratulations! I'm sure that is a day you'll remember for a long time.
My last T is scheduled for July 22, I don't know, though - do I celebrate then or when the H is done in a year?
Perhaps both!! 0
