Has anyone taken Taxol?

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fancynancy
fancynancy Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi,

I was diagnosed with stage iv ovarian cancer more than 2 years ago. My number when I started treatment was over 3,000. After a hysterectomy and chemo my ca 125 went down drastically.

The Dr. has changed my chemo several times as after taking one such as Doxil, Gemsar, Carbo, etc. I get terrible side effects. My ct shows that I'm stable, even though my numbers have gone from 39 to 109.

I am now starting Taxol. I'm nervous as to the side effects and if I can look forward a decrease in numbers.

Has anyone taken Taxol - did your ca 125 go down and how were the side effects if any.

Thanks for your input.

Nan

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  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
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    Hi, Nan....
    I was diagnosed
    Hi, Nan....

    I was diagnosed last Sept with Stage IIIc and had (after surgery) 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol. My CA 125, at its highest, was 4000 and the lowest was 4.8. Last week it was 7. I am now in remission and almost halfway thru a one year maintenance regimen of Taxol only, every four weeks.

    I had a sever reaction to my first infusion, almost as soon as they started the Taxol. Since about treatment number 3, however, things have been pretty uneventful.

    Taxol, of course, makes your hair fall out. Other than that the biggest concern is usually neuropathy in the hands and feet. Some ladies have it so badly they have to go off the Taxol entirely. I am fortunate, in that mine has been minimal.

    Here is some interesting information I copied and pasted for you:

    Side effects of Taxol / Paclitaxel may include allergic reactions, cardiovascular problems, infections developing from white blood cell deficiencies, complete hair loss, joint and muscle pain, low red blood cell count, mouth or lip sore, numbness or burning in the hands and feet, and stomach upset/diarrhea.

    Taxol is given into a vein, but in order for the body to absorb the drug, it must first be dissolved in a solution. Taxol's history began over fourty years ago. It was found to be virtually insoluble in water. It had the solubility of a brick. The compound wouldn't dissolve very much in any solution. Without a way to get it into a cancer patient, what good was it? It was discovered that something Taxol would disolve in that might work in a reasonably safe intravenous solution in humans. It was an elixir made of castor oil and marketed as Cremophor EL. It's actually this solution that causes many of the side effects attributed to Taxol.

    Welcome to our group. Sorry you have to be here, though.

    Carlene
  • fancynancy
    fancynancy Member Posts: 20
    #3
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    Has anyone taken Taxol?
    Boy - I guess I was so nervous and upset, when the Dr. told me my numbers went up - that when I posted my question - last night - I wrote the wrong stage.

    I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. - not stage 4.


    Nan
  • fancynancy
    fancynancy Member Posts: 20
    #4
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Hi, Nan....
    I was diagnosed
    Hi, Nan....

    I was diagnosed last Sept with Stage IIIc and had (after surgery) 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol. My CA 125, at its highest, was 4000 and the lowest was 4.8. Last week it was 7. I am now in remission and almost halfway thru a one year maintenance regimen of Taxol only, every four weeks.

    I had a sever reaction to my first infusion, almost as soon as they started the Taxol. Since about treatment number 3, however, things have been pretty uneventful.

    Taxol, of course, makes your hair fall out. Other than that the biggest concern is usually neuropathy in the hands and feet. Some ladies have it so badly they have to go off the Taxol entirely. I am fortunate, in that mine has been minimal.

    Here is some interesting information I copied and pasted for you:

    Side effects of Taxol / Paclitaxel may include allergic reactions, cardiovascular problems, infections developing from white blood cell deficiencies, complete hair loss, joint and muscle pain, low red blood cell count, mouth or lip sore, numbness or burning in the hands and feet, and stomach upset/diarrhea.

    Taxol is given into a vein, but in order for the body to absorb the drug, it must first be dissolved in a solution. Taxol's history began over fourty years ago. It was found to be virtually insoluble in water. It had the solubility of a brick. The compound wouldn't dissolve very much in any solution. Without a way to get it into a cancer patient, what good was it? It was discovered that something Taxol would disolve in that might work in a reasonably safe intravenous solution in humans. It was an elixir made of castor oil and marketed as Cremophor EL. It's actually this solution that causes many of the side effects attributed to Taxol.

    Welcome to our group. Sorry you have to be here, though.

    Carlene

    Has anyone taken Taxol?
    Thank you so much Carlene for the info. I really appreciate it.


    Nan
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
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    Taxol
    I have taken lots of Taxol. Primary chemo with carboplatin (9 doses) plus 10 months of maintenance of a lower dose before it started developing an allergic rash. It worked really well on my cancer cells until it stopped. You can click on my picture to read my bio and get the details. Saundra
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • lifewithgertrude
    lifewithgertrude Member Posts: 9
    #7
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    fancynancy said:

    Has anyone taken Taxol?
    Boy - I guess I was so nervous and upset, when the Dr. told me my numbers went up - that when I posted my question - last night - I wrote the wrong stage.

    I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. - not stage 4.


    Nan

    Taxol
    This is my primary chemo drug and it has done WONDERS for me. My last CA 125 was 2.6
    2.6!!!!!! from a 345!

    Although, I've seen quite a few women get sick when receiving this one..soooooo...If you get nauseated...ask for a Sancuso patch! I swear this stuff is a miracle drug. I had THEE worst trouble with nausea even before I started chemo and my doc put me on this patch. within an hour I wanted fried chicken and coleslaw....ate 3 pces of it and kept it all down, too.
    It can have a pricey co-pay, but your doc can probably score some samples for you. If all else, the pharmaceutical company has applications for assistance with getting the patch.

    :)
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #8
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I've had 22 rounds of it so far, with #23 tomorrow!
    The only side effects I get from taxol given as a single agent are baldness and some fatigue, but no nausea, pain or nueropathy. Taxol is an 'oldie but a goodie', my oncolgist says, and I'll stay on weekly taxol as long as it drops my numbers.
  • MichaelaMarie
    MichaelaMarie Member Posts: 163
    #9
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    lindaprocopio said:

    I've had 22 rounds of it so far, with #23 tomorrow!
    The only side effects I get from taxol given as a single agent are baldness and some fatigue, but no nausea, pain or nueropathy. Taxol is an 'oldie but a goodie', my oncolgist says, and I'll stay on weekly taxol as long as it drops my numbers.

    Bone pain
    Hello all,

    I took Taxol six years ago (my first chemo), with little or no problems except for neuropathy in my feet. I've now had two treatments and the bone pain in my legs is horrific!!!!! The good thing is that the pain subsides in about nine days. The neuropathy in my feet is worse now, and I also am getting it in my finger tips. I haven't had a marker done yet, but with the Etoposide it had gone up to 2200, and I had never been as sick ever (the Etoposide) with the constant nausea and vomiting! Lost a bunch of weight though, but wouldn't care to ever do it that way again. Lots of love to everyone! MM
  • 1blessedamongus
    1blessedamongus Member Posts: 15
    #10
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    taxol
    My husband took several rounds of Taxol and was able to paint a house and landscape the yard all through treatment. He hated losing his hair but no nausea. They did a preload of decadron and zofran 32mg and I think this helped alot. While he was taking chemo I would go get big bags of chicken for him to eat. He would eat all through the treatment and on the way home. On the other hand my best friend took it and did have bone pain and nausea--same cancer center so I guess it just depends on the person. They have too many anti nausea meds for you not to find the right one for you if you need it. I found out Ask for what you think you need because these cancer centers are on their toes about meds to help the treatments go better for you.
  • fancynancy
    fancynancy Member Posts: 20
    #11
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    I want to thank everyone
    I want to thank everyone regarding taking Taxol. You've really helped me have a better take on this chemo

    I'm going a a 3 day cruise next week and I'm taking so many different kinds of pills - just in case, - nausea - constipation,etc.. I feel like I'm a pharmacy on the road.

    Thank you all again.

    Nan
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #12
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    fancynancy said:

    I want to thank everyone
    I want to thank everyone regarding taking Taxol. You've really helped me have a better take on this chemo

    I'm going a a 3 day cruise next week and I'm taking so many different kinds of pills - just in case, - nausea - constipation,etc.. I feel like I'm a pharmacy on the road.

    Thank you all again.

    Nan

    Hi Nan,
    I'm a little late
    Hi Nan,

    I'm a little late posting; I too have been on taxol.

    I had a weekly maintenance of it for 12weeks (3-months).

    Immediately my numbers went down from 63 to now 3 and the side-effects for me were minimal as far as losing hair and a bit of neuropathy. I did not have any severe allergic reactions, so it worked wonders for me!

    Take care,

    Sharon

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