Weekly Taxol group
Comments
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Muska, Did you ice or use Biotin or anything else during Taxol?
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Hi MomMom, I did not use icing or biotin during AC or Taxol treatment but my Taxol dose was lowered from 80 to 70 starting from the 4th taxol treatment because of elevated liver enzymes.
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Thanks, I'm not sure my liver enzymes are even being tested - just the white & red counts.
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Jules & Basia ... I have iced since day 1 of taxol. Completed #27 infusion today. I use frozen peas and put them in gallon ziplock bags. For the feet I bring a plastic bucket, have a towel inside cause I'm short, put 2 bags on the top of the towel for the bottom of my feet & lay 2 on top of my feet. I stay seated upright during the infusion. For the finger nails, I have a ziplock bag for each hand and dig my fingers into it. I also wear socks and cotton gloves to protect the skin. For the heck of it, I also suck on ice and have not had any mouth sores. For the nails I also use a dark polish as these boards tell me the light does not agree with taxol and causes problems; some women only have the nail polish on for the day of infusion. I was free of neuropathy for approx. 15 infusions, but now have some which is discouraging; however, 15 infusions are a lot of infusions. So far I've had no nail problems and hope I don't as my daughter gets married in a couple of months. I found the skin around the nail gets dry, so I use a manicure oil and that helps a lot. I was offered a reduced dose of taxol, 2 weeks on/2 weeks off, but I'm afraid to change. Reason being is I had lots of progression for close to 2 yr with nothing helping and now the last 3 scans have shown stability.
Keep us posted!
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Had to visit the ER today, I've had shortness of breath since Friday, and a little chest pressure. My heart rate was a little elevated, too. All tests proved nothing serious, even labs were good. I'll be seeing my MO tomorrow but in the meantime, haven't been able to find out if Taxol can cause this as a side effect. Thursday was my 12th and last Taxol and I had not had this SE before.
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Alli, I know that some people get chest sensations and pressure at times from Taxol. I get that unpredictably, and it does alarm me at the time. I think its important to check out anything weird that you feel, since the chemo is so toxic. I hope you get some relief soon. Hugs from the east side. Mame
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Alli, hope you're feeling better! Nothing wrong with getting things checked out! I had a raised heart rate today at infusion for the first time and last night I woke up with my heart pounding really fast for no reason! I mentioned it to my onc but she didn't seem to worried so it must be a SE.
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In the chair for 7 of 12.
Looking forward to July 22, my last day of chemo (hopefully).
Congrats Xrayalli for getting through! Hopefully you feel good soon!!
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I had high heart rate since my first AC chemo and ever since. It is decreasing as time passes.0 -
Ok, this maybe a strange question but is anyone having trouble with dark under eye circles? Mine have just been getting worse through all of this and nothing helps them. It's freaking me out.
Here's a pic though the pic doesn't show just how and they are:
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Sinsin, I have noticed the circles under the eye worsening, too, along with more puffiness. The concealer I got in my LGFB bag helps. I find myself wearing more makeup now since chemo. People that don't know I am going through chemo or wearing a wig tell me I never looked better. Weird, huh?
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Sinsin and mmtagirl- Do you think it could be from not getting quality sleep? I sleep a lot but between the occasional hot flash, bathroom trips and bone pain I doubt I get much restorative sleep.
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SinSin: I have the same hair as you! Imagine that!!
I have the dark circles too - I attributed it to the messed up sleep. You think it's another SE? I just use more make-up. I feel like the length of my make-up routine has grown to make up for no hair time. Especially since my brows are completely gray and blonde now, so they are transparent and I found this stuff called 'gimme brow' it's like a liquid on a brush that colors the brow hair and then fills them in. Very brave to post the baldy pic! You look fantastic!So proud of everyone here!!
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Dark under my eyes too! I'm pretty sure it's a SE. not sure if it is specific to the meds I'm on or chemo in general. Did the look good feel better gig and I finally know how to put make up on LOL!!!! Before BS I rarely wore make up now I don't leave the house without a little somethin.
Jhodro my last tax is 7/18 (knock wood, one was already postponed for neutropenia). Then herceptin till next year too!
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Sin, You are right on about he dark circles, I have them more than ever. That is one sweet picture, too!
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Aww, thank you ladies so much for the sweet comments! You guys are the best! I definitely get enough sleep so the eye circles aren't from that and I'm not anemic. So I really have no clue what the issue is. And what's funny as since this whole thing started I don't even bother much with my wig or even make up. Unless I'm going out like to church, my son's school, or a date with the hubs, forget it. Everyday wear is a hat or scarf and clothes. For some reason, I don't care how I look or if people even give me looks or what they think. I say screw them if they have a problem with it. I'm a cancer fighter and I'm not hiding it. Mmtagirl, that's awesome that people compliment you and can't even tell with your wig and makeup. Just goes to show how awesome we are!
Jhodro, too funny on the hair! I refuse to shave it again as I'll take any hair I can get. LOL
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Sinsin I'm also with you on the wig. It's just hot. I wear it if I have a client meeting, but just to work, no way. I wear it to kid school stuff, and on a date night. That's about it. I was at the Detroit Grand Prix last weekend with my hub and his work peeps, I wore it, but about 2 hours in I was dying, so I switched out for the hat. I got more questions that way, but I didn't care. Why be uncomfortable?!
JulesNY - are you on to rads after this? I have my simulation/measurement appointment the week of July 22. Want to get that going so I can move on from all of this.
I also have been going to PT for a couple weeks due to problems with my right arm where the lymph nodes were removed. Any of you dealing with a possible lymphedema? I had some reco's on bras to wear and I'm not happy about what I'm hearing there. I just want to go back to my normal life. I'm really fighting some of these changes.
I guess I should just be more grateful, but it's difficult, to say the least.0 -
jhodro- me too for lymphedema.. still waiting on the LE consult. Also having a hard time with the long term reality
But we will do it because we have to! Superwomen!In the chair for the first Taxol! Just getting my pre-dex! Nervous for some reason but the nurses are great as always.
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Sinsin you look gorgeous no matter what you do!!!! I never bought a wig. I have to wear a scrub cap at work ( I work in a NICU) sometimes so now I just wear it all the time. Otherwise I wear scarves and hats.
Jhodro I am having chemo first. Surgery in August then rads in sept and oct.
Not looking forward to the SE of surgery. Trying not to really think about that right now. My brain can only take so much!
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Clarm: One day at a time, right? We'll get through it. Hope your SE's are minimal!! I had my taxol yesterday. Not feeling horrible today, just very very tired, but I think it's the after effects of the Ativan. It did get me to sleep but I've been exhausted all day. Hopefully sleep will come on its own tonight and tomorrow will be SE-free.
Jules: Take it step by step. No reason to worry about what's next. We're all here for you too!!
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No allergic reaction to Taxol! Tired from being up all night fretting, and stomach uneasy but not nauseated!! A celebratory nap is in order:)
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Just returned from a quick trip to the beach so I could be here for my 6th weekly Taxol tomorrow. I'll be half way done then - Yea! This has been easy for me so far - except for the pain of icing hands and feet - which has caused me the highest level of pain of anything I've experienced thus far with treatment. It will be worth it though if I can lessen or prevent neuropathy and not loose anymore than the 2 big toe nails I lost from just the AC (one removed and one hanging on by a thread). I take 2 Decadron the night before Taxol and two the day of. On those nights I can't sleep without taking an OTC Unisome. On Taxol night, I will take 2 of them before I go to bed, otherwise I've learned I'll be up at 2 am to take another.
Sinsin - I think you look great! And Yep, isn't it funny - I too have the same do:-).
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First, I would like to thank all of you who gave me feedback on the port procedure. Your assurances made me feel quite positive about the experience and it did go very well.
I had it installed in the AM and then went to start my 2nd round of taxol (3 on 1 off) I have had a few side effects but nothing really bad. I am losing my hair albeit slowly and I still have overall coverage. It is just thinner. My fingernails are bubbled from the cuticle out about 1/8th of nail. I have a lot of bone pain in my hips and spine and my gait is causing stress and so pain in my knees and feet. I did have a lot of swelling in my feet but I took parsley tablets and that went away. All in all I feel pretty lucky when I read of what so many are going through.
Here is the kicker. Today I had my appointment with my MO just before my treatment. He said my blood count was lower (2.7 or 1200) and my C-125 was down for ovarian cancer but up for the breast cancer. I just let it pass when I was in the office but the more I think about it the more I am freaking out. No one has ever mentioned ovarian cancer to me before. I was sure that at my age they had dried up and blown away.
Has anyone else had this happen? Any feedback?
I am also going to post that on another discussion board. Thanks
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I've never had a test for any markers, that I'm aware of. You should call your MO tomorrow and follow up. No need worrying about it. I only thought the ovaries were related if you tested positive for the BRCA gene.
Try not to worry!! Have a good night!!
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Question about neuropathy, is it usually temporary? Do doctors stop taxol when it occurs? Who's taking what for it? I just have taxol 10 of 12 today and my hands have started tingling. I thought I was gonna get away without having it, but guess not.
I'm taking b-6 every day. I've heard some doctors stop taxol because of it. I don't wanna stop when I only have 2 more to go. I'm gonna finish this beast they call chemo! 0 -
Jujubee: My MO said that if I started developing it, he'd reduce the dose. Perhaps that would be an option instead of stopping all together?
Good luck!!
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Jujubee, I started having some tingling in just my right hand in a couple fingers for about 5 minutes and informed my onc. I ice my toes and fingers at each infusion and I am half way through my 12 weekly Taxol infusions. I take B-12 for energy levels but after talking with my onc, it seems better to continue with what I'm currently doing (icing) and if it persists or gets worse she will lower my Taxol doses.
There seems to be some controversy over whether Glutamine helps with neuropathy and if it helps cancer to grow. I'd rather not chance it by taking it whereas icing can help. But everyone has to do what they feel is best for them. With you only having 2 doses left, you may ride this out without any changes period. I hope you do and that the tingling doesn't get worse for you! Good luck!
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Brigadoon, your tumor markers sound about right! They test mine periodically too. They can be an indicator of how well or not well current treatment is but it's not exact or perfect. But you want the numbers to be low. High numbers usually indicate cancer.
My breast cancer and ovarian markers were both low and I have breast cancer (obviously). But yours sound alright. Hopefully Taxol will kick cancers ass and bring your breast cancer markers down!
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Thanks jhodro and sinsin. It's not debilitating or anything so I think I'll just try to get through the last couple weeks as is. With my chemo brain I had forgotten MO gave me neurotonin (sp) in case it did occur (hubby had to remind me) so I took one today and it seemed to calm it down significantly.
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Sinsin, did you MO say that about Glutamine?0
