Stopping chemo early

carkris
carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
For those of you who had to stop early can you share the reason?
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Comments

  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
    stopping Chemo.
    I was alergic to taxoter chemo drug.I broke out in hives even my throat was swelling shut.I had 2 treatments,the first one i was really sick and in alot of pain.8days after the second one I had to go to the emergency roam.I thought I would surley itch to death.Its been three months and i still take allergy pills to stop the itching.They stopped treatment after that one.Of course I had already lost all the hair on my body.I am courious why you are asking.Did they stop yours?(Pat).
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    ppurdin said:

    stopping Chemo.
    I was alergic to taxoter chemo drug.I broke out in hives even my throat was swelling shut.I had 2 treatments,the first one i was really sick and in alot of pain.8days after the second one I had to go to the emergency roam.I thought I would surley itch to death.Its been three months and i still take allergy pills to stop the itching.They stopped treatment after that one.Of course I had already lost all the hair on my body.I am courious why you are asking.Did they stop yours?(Pat).

    Wow that is pretty allergic.
    Wow that is pretty allergic. do they say when you will stop itching? I have weakness in my lower legs, its unclear why so they may stop it . I have had 11 doses. I hope you get better soon.
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    I had 4 rounds of A/C, then
    I had 4 rounds of A/C, then 3 treatments of Taxol. I was supposed to do one more treatment but I was losing my hearing, had neuropathy, and colon was swelling. Doc wouldn't tell me to stop but she implied that I should, but said I had to make the decision myself. Second opinion doc said I did the right thing stopping. Both docs said that they thought I had had enough chemo.
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
    carkris said:

    Wow that is pretty allergic.
    Wow that is pretty allergic. do they say when you will stop itching? I have weakness in my lower legs, its unclear why so they may stop it . I have had 11 doses. I hope you get better soon.

    hi
    No they said they could not tell me when or if it would stop.i have other side effects as well.my right foot hurts real bad.my eye sight is terrible since chemo.i think these are the normal side effects.but i haven,t talked to two many that had the allergy problem I had.Wow 11 doses,you will be glad when they stop them.Are you going to take the Cancer pill as well.I will take it for 5yrs.I just started it a few days ago.I Pray for no side effects.I hope your legs are better soon and that it isn,t anything you have to have long term.Take Care.Good Luck.Pat.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    scout5000 said:

    I had 4 rounds of A/C, then
    I had 4 rounds of A/C, then 3 treatments of Taxol. I was supposed to do one more treatment but I was losing my hearing, had neuropathy, and colon was swelling. Doc wouldn't tell me to stop but she implied that I should, but said I had to make the decision myself. Second opinion doc said I did the right thing stopping. Both docs said that they thought I had had enough chemo.

    How did you know your colon
    How did you know your colon was swelling? and why do we have to tell them to stop.? I do have to take tamoxifen then arimedex. and fosomax I think? still have to have radiation. and two day surgeries.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    I dont think I'm stopping it
    I dont think I'm stopping it early but they had stop my infusion today. I was 7 minutes into my 2nd taxol when I had a very sudden allergic reaction. the nurses acted promptly and I'm exhuasted but ok. I've already finished A/C.

    My onc came in and examined me and said he'd like to try taxotere in 3 weeks. He said I may have had the reaction to the preservative in taxol, which is different from the preservative in taxotere. After my first taxol infusion I was in bed for 5 days with severe pain all over my body. I'm just wondering if my body can handle any drugs with the beginning name taxo?
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    carkris said:

    How did you know your colon
    How did you know your colon was swelling? and why do we have to tell them to stop.? I do have to take tamoxifen then arimedex. and fosomax I think? still have to have radiation. and two day surgeries.

    colon
    While I was having my first Taxol treatment, I started having stomach pain directly behind bellybutton. The pain was constant and got worse each time I had Taxol. I had a PET scan, to see if cancer had spread to abdomen. PET scan showed thickening of the colon, then a colonoscopy after stopping chemo, that was normal. Stomach pain stopped about two months after chemo ended.
    My oncologist said she couldn't make the decision to stop. She said if the cancer returned, I might want to blame her for stopping chemo. It's their way of covering their butts, scared of being sued. I think they should step up to the plate and help us make decisions. I wish you health.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    natly15 said:

    I dont think I'm stopping it
    I dont think I'm stopping it early but they had stop my infusion today. I was 7 minutes into my 2nd taxol when I had a very sudden allergic reaction. the nurses acted promptly and I'm exhuasted but ok. I've already finished A/C.

    My onc came in and examined me and said he'd like to try taxotere in 3 weeks. He said I may have had the reaction to the preservative in taxol, which is different from the preservative in taxotere. After my first taxol infusion I was in bed for 5 days with severe pain all over my body. I'm just wondering if my body can handle any drugs with the beginning name taxo?

    I know what you mean. taxol
    I know what you mean. taxol was supposed to be a walk in the park and it has not been. as compared to AC. My feeling is they have decided to stop. but i wont know until thursday. I am dissapointed to have made it so far and not finish but in a sense relieved. (today) as well. I have struggled for a long time. I have had bowel issues, pain, rash, but this neuropathy is concerning. I thought I was just generally weak, didnt know until I saw a PT that the leg weakness could be neuropathy and that scares me. This is not easy stuff. I think what the docs dont get is we want info, and good care. not interested in blaming or suing.
    Thanks for answering my questions, and Natly sorry about the reaction. seems like alot of people have allegic reactions. What do they premedicate you with.
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    carkris said:

    I know what you mean. taxol
    I know what you mean. taxol was supposed to be a walk in the park and it has not been. as compared to AC. My feeling is they have decided to stop. but i wont know until thursday. I am dissapointed to have made it so far and not finish but in a sense relieved. (today) as well. I have struggled for a long time. I have had bowel issues, pain, rash, but this neuropathy is concerning. I thought I was just generally weak, didnt know until I saw a PT that the leg weakness could be neuropathy and that scares me. This is not easy stuff. I think what the docs dont get is we want info, and good care. not interested in blaming or suing.
    Thanks for answering my questions, and Natly sorry about the reaction. seems like alot of people have allegic reactions. What do they premedicate you with.

    Hi. I stopped after 1 dose
    Hi. I stopped after 1 dose of Taxol. I had already gone through 4 rounds of A/C every 2 weeks. The taxol kicked my butt--my hands and feet swelled up, turned blood red and were pulsating. My fingernails and toenails turned blood red, got blisters on my feet. I passed out once, threw up 3 times, and hurt everywhere. My oncol. gave me the option of stopping saying the taxol is just the icing on the cake and that the most important part is the A/C. The taxol only gives me 3%. He also said to "listen to your heart...it'll tell you what to do. I stopped.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    carkris said:

    I know what you mean. taxol
    I know what you mean. taxol was supposed to be a walk in the park and it has not been. as compared to AC. My feeling is they have decided to stop. but i wont know until thursday. I am dissapointed to have made it so far and not finish but in a sense relieved. (today) as well. I have struggled for a long time. I have had bowel issues, pain, rash, but this neuropathy is concerning. I thought I was just generally weak, didnt know until I saw a PT that the leg weakness could be neuropathy and that scares me. This is not easy stuff. I think what the docs dont get is we want info, and good care. not interested in blaming or suing.
    Thanks for answering my questions, and Natly sorry about the reaction. seems like alot of people have allegic reactions. What do they premedicate you with.

    They gave me benadryl in
    They gave me benadryl in pill form today, because I had a reaction to the infusion the last time. They also give me steroids prior to the taxol thru my port. I also took emend but nausea seems to be the only problem I've not had with taxol. I asked the onsite pharmacist if they would stop chemo if I react to the taxotere and she said , "dont bank on it there are many other things they can use". I keep on saying that this cancer treatment is a crap shoot.

    Oddly enough one of the gals getting chemo at the infusion center told me taxol was a breeze for her. She assured me it would be much better than a/C. One never knows because we all react so differently.

    Carkris some say that after chemo the neuropathy dissipates. We must fight this cancer but the treatments are still barbaric.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    Sher43009 said:

    Hi. I stopped after 1 dose
    Hi. I stopped after 1 dose of Taxol. I had already gone through 4 rounds of A/C every 2 weeks. The taxol kicked my butt--my hands and feet swelled up, turned blood red and were pulsating. My fingernails and toenails turned blood red, got blisters on my feet. I passed out once, threw up 3 times, and hurt everywhere. My oncol. gave me the option of stopping saying the taxol is just the icing on the cake and that the most important part is the A/C. The taxol only gives me 3%. He also said to "listen to your heart...it'll tell you what to do. I stopped.

    WOW! I've been LUCKy I guess
    Blessed is more like it. I've done 9 Taxols and it has been a walk in the park for me after that horrendous A/C ! But I'm having lower back pain today and am wondering if it has anything to do with the taxol after reading all your replies. I'll see my onc tomorrow before the treatment and see what she says. Only 3 more to go.... I was hoping to get through it with ease, maybe not so lucky after all.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    Sher43009 said:

    Hi. I stopped after 1 dose
    Hi. I stopped after 1 dose of Taxol. I had already gone through 4 rounds of A/C every 2 weeks. The taxol kicked my butt--my hands and feet swelled up, turned blood red and were pulsating. My fingernails and toenails turned blood red, got blisters on my feet. I passed out once, threw up 3 times, and hurt everywhere. My oncol. gave me the option of stopping saying the taxol is just the icing on the cake and that the most important part is the A/C. The taxol only gives me 3%. He also said to "listen to your heart...it'll tell you what to do. I stopped.

    I think sometimes your body
    I think sometimes your body just says enough already. and you have to make choices. I would not have been able to tolerate those side effects either. some very extremem reactions. thank you for letting me know as Ihave been struggling with this. you guys are great.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    natly15 said:

    They gave me benadryl in
    They gave me benadryl in pill form today, because I had a reaction to the infusion the last time. They also give me steroids prior to the taxol thru my port. I also took emend but nausea seems to be the only problem I've not had with taxol. I asked the onsite pharmacist if they would stop chemo if I react to the taxotere and she said , "dont bank on it there are many other things they can use". I keep on saying that this cancer treatment is a crap shoot.

    Oddly enough one of the gals getting chemo at the infusion center told me taxol was a breeze for her. She assured me it would be much better than a/C. One never knows because we all react so differently.

    Carkris some say that after chemo the neuropathy dissipates. We must fight this cancer but the treatments are still barbaric.

    i get benadry , decadron,
    i get benadry , decadron, and pepcid IV and did not have allergic reaction. Can thye give it to you IV or are you meaning you had a reaction to the Iv benadryl. Thats wHAT I WAS PROMISED thhat the taxol would be better but in some ways it wasnt as harsh, but I still had Gi issues etc.... I asked them about the neuropathy going away or worsening and they just cannot say. I said even with one dose? and they could not tell me. all they say is missing one last treatment will not matter. Sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball, but then other times I'm glad I dont.
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    carkris said:

    i get benadry , decadron,
    i get benadry , decadron, and pepcid IV and did not have allergic reaction. Can thye give it to you IV or are you meaning you had a reaction to the Iv benadryl. Thats wHAT I WAS PROMISED thhat the taxol would be better but in some ways it wasnt as harsh, but I still had Gi issues etc.... I asked them about the neuropathy going away or worsening and they just cannot say. I said even with one dose? and they could not tell me. all they say is missing one last treatment will not matter. Sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball, but then other times I'm glad I dont.

    I had a reaction to the
    I had a reaction to the benadryl IV, thats why they gave me the pill today.

    Have you decided to not take the last treatment? Heck if its just the icing on the cake, I think I'd take the plain cake, but who knows for sure because I havent considered that option.

    No crystal balls when it comes to something so serious as our cancer treatment. I also have strong faith, and if you feel in your heart that stopping may be the way to go, then it would probably be wise to listen to your heart. I feel that I must do my part, but I have a God Who will also do His part in this treatment.

    Please let us know of your decision. Hugs to you.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    natly15 said:

    I had a reaction to the
    I had a reaction to the benadryl IV, thats why they gave me the pill today.

    Have you decided to not take the last treatment? Heck if its just the icing on the cake, I think I'd take the plain cake, but who knows for sure because I havent considered that option.

    No crystal balls when it comes to something so serious as our cancer treatment. I also have strong faith, and if you feel in your heart that stopping may be the way to go, then it would probably be wise to listen to your heart. I feel that I must do my part, but I have a God Who will also do His part in this treatment.

    Please let us know of your decision. Hugs to you.

    its really weighing on me
    its really weighing on me lots of tears. I really want to finish but dont want to cause furthur damamge. I am hoping the visit to the PT will help clarify it for me. But according to the nurse I think the docs may have decided. wont know until thurs. i almost feel like i need someone to give me permission I am so conflicted. I just want to say i did everything i could, but will I regret it if the neuropathy gets worse from this.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    natly15 said:

    I had a reaction to the
    I had a reaction to the benadryl IV, thats why they gave me the pill today.

    Have you decided to not take the last treatment? Heck if its just the icing on the cake, I think I'd take the plain cake, but who knows for sure because I havent considered that option.

    No crystal balls when it comes to something so serious as our cancer treatment. I also have strong faith, and if you feel in your heart that stopping may be the way to go, then it would probably be wise to listen to your heart. I feel that I must do my part, but I have a God Who will also do His part in this treatment.

    Please let us know of your decision. Hugs to you.

    its really weighing on me
    its really weighing on me lots of tears. I really want to finish but dont want to cause furthur damamge. I am hoping the visit to the PT will help clarify it for me. But according to the nurse I think the docs may have decided. wont know until thurs. i almost feel like i need someone to give me permission I am so conflicted. I just want to say i did everything i could, but will I regret it if the neuropathy gets worse from this.
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    carkris said:

    its really weighing on me
    its really weighing on me lots of tears. I really want to finish but dont want to cause furthur damamge. I am hoping the visit to the PT will help clarify it for me. But according to the nurse I think the docs may have decided. wont know until thurs. i almost feel like i need someone to give me permission I am so conflicted. I just want to say i did everything i could, but will I regret it if the neuropathy gets worse from this.

    Listen to your heart--it'll
    Listen to your heart--it'll tell you what to do. That's what my oncol. told me and it worked. I have no regrets that I stopped.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    Sher43009 said:

    Listen to your heart--it'll
    Listen to your heart--it'll tell you what to do. That's what my oncol. told me and it worked. I have no regrets that I stopped.

    I definately would have
    I definately would have stopped with those symptoms. you guys had some pretty dramatic ones. !!!!!!!!
  • scout5000
    scout5000 Member Posts: 94 Member
    neuropathy
    It has been 6 months since my last Taxol and the neuropathy has not gotten any better (mine is just numbness in hands and feet, no pain). I have another friend who wanted to stop Taxol and not complete the last of her Taxol treatments due to shooting pain in feet and hands. The doc said that because she had stage 3 she needed to do the final dose. She has been finished for 6 months also and continues to have the same level of pain in feet and hands. She is taking Gabapentin for this, to no avail. We could both have permanent nerve damage. I wanted to tell you this, not to scare you, but so you can add this to your facts. As someone else said, my doc implied that the Taxol was like the icing on the cake after A/C, meaning it's just an added bonus to top off the heavy duty A/C. Hope this helps in your decision making. Good luck.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    A/C wasn't bad - some mild
    A/C wasn't bad - some mild tiredness for a couple of days. Taxol though has been nasty - total, utter exhaustion more than 1/2 the time. Also no appetite and everything tastes NASTY (with the exception of Dijon, English and Chinese mustards and horseraddish - yummy!) Last week Dr. told me that it was up to me - I could stop the Taxol any time I want now IF I feel I have to as it had done about 85% - 90% of what it could do. Don't intend to stop though no matter how bad it gets - made it through 10 doses now so I'll make it through the last 2 to get the max 'good' from it that I can get. Only 2 more weeks til the worst is over - I'll make. Then on to rads and waht ever that brings.