Abraxane
Comments
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hi everyone i have done very bad on the ac- hospital both times- so now they want to try abraxone or taxol weekly- anyone have any good results with it
i have stage 4 liver lungs and bones 0 -
Hi, rodeogirl. I know of three taxanes. Taxol and abraxane are very similar, but taxol comes with pre-meds to stave off allergic reactions to the solvent. They typically try it first, then go to the more expensive abraxane, that doesn't have the solvent, if you can't tolerate taxol. Maybe your onc could make a case for giving you abraxane right off the bat. Taxotere is another taxane; it carries a small but real risk of permanent hair loss. I had taxol, no allergic reaction or terrible side effects, and it worked very well. I hope a taxane will give you great results, too.
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Rosieo, I corrected my chemo list. The last one listed is the one I am taking now. Was on Halavan but for only four months before the ct showed progression. Then when I was adding in the abraxane I noticed that I was on abraxane before - from December 2014 through July 2014. I'm not sure my onc realized that as they have had a lot of computer issues at the hospital where I go. So, I need to call him tomorrow to let him know. I certainly hadn't remembered. I had the 2nd treatment today so he may want to change.
I have done well on the taxanes and was just glad to be getting back onto one of them! Of course if I could get another 7 months I'd be happy!
As far as diet, my doctor wrote a prescription for menace which is supposed to help with appetite. Will be picking it up tomorrow and hope it helps. I do have an ensure milkshake with ice cream and fruit almost everyday and also eat a cottage cheese/flax breakfast mixture from bestbird's budwig diet recommendation. I like it okay but sometimes it makes me gag a little so I've cut back.
Rodeo girl, I also have stage IV started in lung and now spread to liver and right pelvic bone. Taxanes have been good for me. Hope they are for you!!
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Not much going on here. Had treatment today so up on my decadron high. I am thankful next week if my week off. I am finding I am tired and non-motivated all the time. Don't know if it's the abraxane or just 5 years of chemo. My oncologist did want me on the abraxane, even though he hadn't remembered I was on it before. He checked his notes and said it had been keeping me stable but stopped for two reasons: I was going to Norway with husband to visit his family for two weeks and I asked for a break to regain some strength prior to the trip and secondly, he was worried about reports of increased neuropathy. He wants to stay the course for now. They always have a problem with the computer when they load my huge file! He may have just not been patient enough to deal with day he was discussing my case with some other specialists. I'm okay with that. Hope it brings me back to stable.
Rodeo girl, i'm guessing you opted for the taxol since you haven't been back here. Best wishes to you
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Hi Gator
I am on the same treatment plan as you. I too had my 3rd of 3 today. I also agree with you as being tired and non motivated. Also I have no appetite. You say you take decadron. What is that and why do you take that.
I am so looking forward to not going for treatment next week. Of course I will have the yucky days and this time I was still yucky yesterday. Do you take anything for constipation. Sorry, TMI. I think I have my whole system out of whack because of taking laxatives.
I also have a dry hard cough every day and it is getting worse. MO just ignores me when I mention it.
Will be glad to hear from you and all the other ladies who share this chemo.
Rosieo
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rodeogirl
Have you started on the Abraxane. If so how is it going for you. I hope well!!! :-)
Rosieo
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Rosieo,
Nice to have someone on the same schedule. I think the decadron is to keep me from being nauseous. I used to know what everything was for but my thoughts don't stay together as well anymore. I think the multiple years of chemo take a toll on my brain function. I almost hate to give anyone advice on the threads because I find I even get my chemos confused. LOL. Anyway, lots of people hate the decadron but I don't mind it. It actually gives me some energy! I have also been awake for 24 hours but am getting ready to crash! I do take something for constipation. I like miralax mixed with cranberr juice. Don't taste the miralax at all and it works well for me. I take it the day of chemo and usually 3 or so days. If I don't take it, I'm usually very sorry! Weird about your cough and your onc's unwillingness to address it. Do you have lung Mets? Allergies? I have a wet type of congestion but only at night when am laying down. I don't cough anything up but I do wheeze. I am tired most of the week. Sort of start feeling better right before time for treatment! Will check in daily to see how you're doing. Nice to have a chemo buddy!
Glenna
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Hi Glenna
My MO gives me Aloxi along with my chemo for nausea. Seems to work well as I can't say that I am ever really nauseous but just can't get food down. I can eat small portions but that is about it. Yes, I do have metastisis to my lung and lymph nodes in my chest. As far as the Dr and the cough, he said to take an over the counter cough medicine. That dosen't help. :-)
I have tried all types of things for constipation. Took some Senna laxative last night. Sorry for the TMI
Well if you are on the same schedule as me we will have next week off, which makes me feel like I am getting a two week vacation. Just hoping I can get thru this week without a total washout.
Not too hungry this morning. Will see how the day goes. Hope you get a good sleep.
Rosieo
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busy day with my grandson but I did sleep well last night. For some reason (maybe the grandson) I feel much better today. I am really looking forward to the off week!! Have a great Sunday! Glenna
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PIcked up my halo wig today and rushed right over toshow it to my precious grandson. He couldn't believe it was his hair!! Proud grandma!
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Glenna
What a beautiful grandson and what a wonderful head of hair he has now. I am surprised at how long the hair is on your halo but it looks great and I can see the "proud grandma in your smile"
I too am looking forward to this week off. Let's hope for a good normal feeling week. We deserve it, do we not.
Rosieo
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Rosie, I am so enjoying the week off. Going to lunch and a movie tomorrow with a group of friends. Wednesday's are usually chemo days and it's going to be so nice to do something fun! Today I was able to go to my bible study class. Normal activities feel good
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So glad to hear you are enjoying your "week off" Today would have been my day to get my chemo but this is my week off and sad to say I am totally exhausted. MY husband and I were going to go to the store and I told him to go himself. I just couldn't get up enough push to go. Was looking forward to a normal week. Oh well, let's look for the best. Tomorrow will probably be better.
Hope you enjoy the movie. What movie did you go to see?
Rosieo
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Rosieo, Isaw Mother's Day and enjoyed it very much. Clean, funny, emotional .... And enjoyed the popcorn, too. But, wore myself out and have been napping all afternoon!! Well, at least I had one great day!! Hope you feel more energetic!!
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Hi girls- sorry i havent been back on- and thankyou for replying
- i had the abraxane- im supposed to go every week- they gave me 161 ml- i was reading that the 3 weekly dose was around 260- does that sound right- wouldnt i be getting too much with 3 times 161 ? ive been in bed very tired and heart working hard as well as shortness of breath- does this sound the norm- its hard to believe i have to go back in 2 days- other side effects are pressure in head and sinus blockage- arg sick of listening to my heart beat- i am stage 4 liver and spine as well as lung- sometimes i feel the chemo is harder than the cancer- it actually scares me more- do the side effects worsten or does it get easier ? im thinking of asking for a reduction or i will be in bed everyday0 -
rodeogirl, I am getting abraxane three weeks on and one week off. I don't remember the dosage but I also read 260 for the 3 weeks. When I go next week, I'll write down my dosage, I am usually in bed for 3-4 days.i don't feel sick as in nauseous, just wiped out. My chest fills wet and breathing rattles when I am laying down. I cough more now than I ever did. I have mets in lung, liver, and pelvic bone. By the 4th day I am definitely feeling better and able to get out and live a little. Hope your body adjusts and it gets easier for you. Gentle hugs, Glenna
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rodeo girl I'm stage 4 too and was on Abraxane until two weeks ago when my doc switched me to Faslodex+Ibrance due to tms rising. When I started Abraxane I was on the every 3 weeks on one week off and felt wiped out I told my onc that if that was my QOL I would refuse it so she switched me to two weeks on one week off and was very tolerable. Hope you can find and easier dosage.
Aurora
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Hi Rodeo, Glenna & Aurora
I am getting a reduced amt of Abraxane every three weeks with one week off. I am now on my week off and I am still exhausted. No get up and go to do anything. :-(
I get 170 ml in each of my treatments. The nurse said 200 would be a regular dose.
Glenna. How bad is that cough? I am coughing practically all the time and I can't find anything that helps it. Mine is a dry hard cough. Have you found anything to help it. It really wears you down along with everything else.
I am just praying that it is doing what it is supposed to do. :-)
Rosieo
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my cough is more of a wet cough yet nothing comes up. I did take cough medicine last night which helped some. I am tired all the time, like you, no energy. I do hope it's working for us both.
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Hi Rosieo et al. Yes persistent cough is one of many symptoms related to cancer treatment. I take Zyrtec allergy medicine and that helps. Even though I'm no longer getting Abraxane I still get some coughing now and then.
Aurora
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Thanks all.
I will try the Zyrtec
Here's to a nice week end for all of us. I don't know how the weather is where you ladies are, but it has been raining here for about a week. Looking forward to some sun.
Rosieo
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well thats it for me= spent another night with trouble breathing and pressure in head- i cant handle any more
i have irregular heart- this is just too scary= still in bed day 5 p its not my lungs- his happened after ac= and this chemo triggered it again- hoping to make it through it now0 -
rodeogirl, so sorry you are having such trouble with chemo. Sometimes being in bed is all we can do and then I think what's the point. I am so tired today and really did nothing except pick up my son for Mother's Day. My husband and the kids all did the cooking. I did get to see my three granddaughters. Tomorrow we have tickets to the Orioles game. It is not supposed to rain so I am hoping to be able to go. We have handicapped parking right next to the stadium, thank goodness. Everyone take it easy. Hope you get a good night sleep, rodeo, and easy breathing!! Aurora, I take Claritin every day. Do you think I should switch to Zyrtec?
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GatorGal re: Zyrtec. Most people take Claritin it's just that I was already taking Zyrtec when I was dx. Either one should help.
Au
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Well I started my first infusion inFriday and other than nausea and needle like pain in my bones I feel fine. Last time I took it it felt like I was carrying lead in my legs and arms. Hope this time around is better.
Aurora
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posting to bring the thread up. Please if someone is out there using Abraxane I need company!
Aurora
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I am currently on Abraxane.
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I am taking Abraxane as well due to severe reactions to taxotere and taxol. My last treatment will be 5/25!
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Thank you for the responses this is my second time taking Abraxane. So far my se's are fatigue, nausea and some vomiting and of course no hair. What about you? How are you doing and what have you done to cope with the se's?
Aurora
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I have found abraxane to be pretty easy. I do have fatigue. I'm not sure it's from chemo or simply that I'm on a lot of pain meds. I do have nausea but it is very sporadic. I take compazine for that. I had the hair loss, but now it's starting to grow back. I'm also on carboplatin, but I don't think this chemo is working for me. My tumor markers have continued to rise and they have always been accurate. So I'm not sure what we will do next
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