New Here. What to Expect w/ Paclitaxel + Trastuzumab?
Hello, all. I just joined this forum and am looking for some support.
I'm a post-menopausal woman who was diagnosed with ES+/PR+/HER2 + invasive ductal carcinoma this summer. I had a lumpectomy on October 31. Clearly I got the trick not the treat… bah!
Anyway, I am fortunate to have had very good outcomes from the surgery: only an 8mm tumor, clean margins, no cancer in the lymph nodes, am healing nicely. Stage IA. But I'm still dreading the long grind of treatments that lie ahead. My Rx is for paclitaxel (3 months) + trastuzumab (for a full year). I'll start that within the next few weeks. Then radiation and eventually 5 yrs of hormone therapy.
I'm counting my blessings - which are many - and trying to take things one day at a time. But to be honest, I'm still feeling pretty discouraged, like I'm going to feel crappy for a long time, followed by feeling crappy for an even longer time, punctuated by periods of extreme crappiness. I might throw a shoe at the next person without cancer who tells me to "stay positive," even though know I know that they are correct.
Anyway, I'm looking to borrow a little insight, strength and hope from folks who have been through this same protocol.
- How did you tolerate the paclitaxel + trastuzumab?
- Understanding that everyone is different, what were your main side effects… and what helped you manage them?
- Out of a weekly cycle for the first 12 weeks, which days are likely to be my worst? (Need to think about how to plan my work schedule.)
- How do you "stay positive" along the way… without braining anyone?
Thanks for any insight you can offer.
DenaliBlues
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Hi Denaliblues. I did the same chemo regimen two years ago. I iced my hands and feet during the taxol portion to help prevent neuropathy. I do have some mild neuropathy in my toes which I only notice when I am barefoot, and some in the last two fingers of my left hand, which I do notice as it can be hard to grip things with that hand, but I am right-handed so it's not that big of an issue.
My main side effects were diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia, and a general feeling of "crappiness"- kind of like a non-stop hangover. My worst days were 3 & 4. I had prescriptions for both compazine and Zofran for nausea but I didn't think they were very effective (although I never threw up) and they wiped me out. Food tasted terrible and there were many days I didn't feel like cooking. My coworkers gave me a bunch of Door Dash gift cards which, hands down, were the best gift I received. I actually took a leave of absence since my job has a lot of exposure to germs, but it sounds like you will be working? The fatigue is cumulative so plan on the last few weeks being the hardest. I also had muscle cramps in my legs and feet.
My hair did not start falling out til the sixth or seventh week, and then it was gradual, so I wasn't bald until the very end. I walked 45 minutes every day and was able to go grocery shopping, attend my daughter's graduation, etc., but I had no interest in doing "fun" things or hanging out with people. I watched a lot of TV whilst resting in bed.
I didn't try to stay positive or anything like that. I just kept going because the only way out is through. The weeks just march along until you are done. I only had one herceptin alone because I switched to Kadcyla, but that is very easy.
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