Finishing AC and starting T
I just finished my last infusion of AC and in two weeks will start Taxol. My doctor originally told me 1 infusion of Taxol per week for 12 weeks but during our last appointment he recommended I do 8 weeks of Taxol with an infusion every 2 weeks so a more dose-dense treatment. He recommended that because I tolerated the AC fairly well. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with dose-dense Taxol or weekly infusions of Taxol? Of course the idea of finishing chemo earlier is very appealing to me but I don't want to do anything that is harder on my body than necessary. In particular I worry about the neuropathy and the stronger side effects from the dose-dense regimen. It is the holidays and I would like to participate as much as I can in the fun and I am afraid the dose-dense will take me out of regular life more than the weekly infusions.
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Hi @jymsommers , and welcome.
Congrats on finishing AC — that’s a big milestone !Here’s what people commonly report about weekly versus dose-dense Taxol, which might help as you weigh the options:
• Weekly Taxol (12 weeks)
Many people describe the weekly schedule as gentler overall. Because the doses are smaller, side effects like fatigue and neuropathy may show up more slowly or stay milder. A lot of patients say they’re able to keep a more normal routine, just with weekly infusion days built in. For those wanting to stay active during the holidays, this schedule is often reported as easier to manage.• Dose-dense Taxol (every 2 weeks for 8 weeks)
The biggest advantage people mention is being done sooner. Some patients who tolerated AC well say they also did fine with dose-dense Taxol. But because each dose is larger, others report stronger fatigue in the days after infusion and sometimes faster onset of neuropathy. Experiences vary widely: some find it very manageable; others find the intensity more noticeable.Things people commonly take into account:
- Neuropathy: Many reports note that symptoms can appear earlier with dose-dense dosing, while the weekly schedule allows for closer monitoring and dose adjustments if needed. Take a look at this as well!
- Holidays and daily life: Patients often say weekly dosing allows for more steady energy, while dose-dense can create more “down days” after each infusion.
- Differences from AC: Even if AC went well, Taxol has a different side-effect profile, so people often evaluate it separately.
There’s no universally “better” choice — just what matches your priorities and how you want to feel during treatment. If you want, I can also share what people commonly use to help with Taxol side effects, like cold therapy and neuropathy prevention tips.
We're all here for you!xo
0 - Neuropathy: Many reports note that symptoms can appear earlier with dose-dense dosing, while the weekly schedule allows for closer monitoring and dose adjustments if needed. Take a look at this as well!
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One question you might ask is whether or not Neulasta shots will be given with the dose dense regimen. My MO discussed with me that these shots are not given with the lower dose on the 12 weeks regimen but are given for dose dense. There are pros and cons to this so that might be something you want to take into consideration.
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