Starting Taxol next Friday

McMarty
McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member

Hey everyone!  I start Taxol next Friday.  I see lots of old posts about how much pain people have had but nothing recent.  Have any of you done Taxol recently and how did you do?  Any suggestions?

I did FAC last year about this time and didn't have much trouble with that.  I was diagnosed in 2004, had a mast. with reconstruction and then in 2009 - diagnosed on the same side.  They just never checked that side after the mast.  SO it had grown into my sternum and now I have bone only mets, and plenty of 'em!  '

I keep flunking out of 'hormone therapy'.  I've done Tamoxifen, Exemestane, Faslodex and Affinitor/Exemestane.

The FAC did a pretty good job of calming things down.  I'm hoping the Taxol does even better.

Give me you good news and your bad news - it's OK to scare me - I'm not good with surprizes!  :)

Thanks!

«1

Comments

  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    I'm on Taxotere (taxol ) now

    I'm on Taxotere (taxol ) now my second time around also. It hasn't been bad. It was the carboplatin that got to me. I had reactions to that. But the Taxotere has been ok. No real bad side affects to speak of. I hope you do as well on it. I think it is one of the better ones for mild to no side effects. Wishing you all the best.

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member

    I'm on Taxotere (taxol ) now

    I'm on Taxotere (taxol ) now my second time around also. It hasn't been bad. It was the carboplatin that got to me. I had reactions to that. But the Taxotere has been ok. No real bad side affects to speak of. I hope you do as well on it. I think it is one of the better ones for mild to no side effects. Wishing you all the best.

    I'm on Taxotere (taxol ) now

    Thank you for getting back to me.  I'm so glad to hear you are not having too much trouble with it!  I've never heard of carboplatin - I'll have to look that up and keep my ears open for that word!

     

    Thanks again!

    Marty

  • Fairemewell
    Fairemewell Member Posts: 28 Member
    I had Taxol last Fall

    I had 9 of my twelve weekly Taxol doses last Fall. I stoped due to the neuropathy in my feet and hands.

    It has mostly affected my feet and some of the feeling has returned, but not all. My hands have a slight numbness at times, but not enough to cause any problems.

    Make sure if you start to have this you let the nurses and your onc doc know right away as they may want to lower your dosage or stop the taxol if it gets too bad.

    Hopefully you won't have to deal with this side effect. I hope the treatment goes well for you.

  • Fairemewell
    Fairemewell Member Posts: 28 Member
    I had Taxol last Fall

    I had 9 of my twelve weekly Taxol doses last Fall. I stoped due to the neuropathy in my feet and hands.

    It has mostly affected my feet and some of the feeling has returned, but not all. My hands have a slight numbness at times, but not enough to cause any problems.

    Make sure if you start to have this you let the nurses and your onc doc know right away as they may want to lower your dosage or stop the taxol if it gets too bad.

    Hopefully you won't have to deal with this side effect. I hope the treatment goes well for you.

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member

    I had Taxol last Fall

    I had 9 of my twelve weekly Taxol doses last Fall. I stoped due to the neuropathy in my feet and hands.

    It has mostly affected my feet and some of the feeling has returned, but not all. My hands have a slight numbness at times, but not enough to cause any problems.

    Make sure if you start to have this you let the nurses and your onc doc know right away as they may want to lower your dosage or stop the taxol if it gets too bad.

    Hopefully you won't have to deal with this side effect. I hope the treatment goes well for you.

    My Dr said he was going to

    My Dr said he was going to keep giving me Taxol until I couldn't feel my hands and feet anymore :)  That's a lot to look forward too?  I am glad to hear you are getting some feeling back, that is great news!  I will be sure to report any numbness.  Thank you for the advice!!

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    McMarty said:

    My Dr said he was going to

    My Dr said he was going to keep giving me Taxol until I couldn't feel my hands and feet anymore :)  That's a lot to look forward too?  I am glad to hear you are getting some feeling back, that is great news!  I will be sure to report any numbness.  Thank you for the advice!!

    I don't have any advice as I

    I don't have any advice as I didn't need chemo, but, wanted to say good luck to you.  You've got a big support group here of pink sisters cheering you on.

    Keep us updated.

     

    Hugs, Jan

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    McMarty said:

    My Dr said he was going to

    My Dr said he was going to keep giving me Taxol until I couldn't feel my hands and feet anymore :)  That's a lot to look forward too?  I am glad to hear you are getting some feeling back, that is great news!  I will be sure to report any numbness.  Thank you for the advice!!

    We are each unique!

    I did 12 weekly Taxol in late 09 - early 10 - I had no pain or neuropathy at all.  What I experienced was complete and utter exhaustion to the point that I existed either in bed or on the couch in front of the TV til time to go for the next infusion.  (Started rads a week after last Taxol and only felt better each day.)  During that 12 weeks my temp did drop lower and it was really hard to try to keep warm.  My K (potassium) levels plumited and I still have to take mega doses of K to keep in the 'norm' range.  Also developed gall bladder sludge during that time (shown on CT scan) which has gone on to form gall stones (again shown on CT but never any problem with them - wouldn't know I had them except for the scan.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member

    I don't have any advice as I

    I don't have any advice as I didn't need chemo, but, wanted to say good luck to you.  You've got a big support group here of pink sisters cheering you on.

    Keep us updated.

     

    Hugs, Jan

    love this site :)

    Thank you so much for taking the time to wish me luck!  I love this site.  Talking to people in the 'same boat' really helps.  I spend a lot of time with people ignoring 'the boat' so this site and people like you are a real comfort!

     

     

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member
    Rague said:

    We are each unique!

    I did 12 weekly Taxol in late 09 - early 10 - I had no pain or neuropathy at all.  What I experienced was complete and utter exhaustion to the point that I existed either in bed or on the couch in front of the TV til time to go for the next infusion.  (Started rads a week after last Taxol and only felt better each day.)  During that 12 weeks my temp did drop lower and it was really hard to try to keep warm.  My K (potassium) levels plumited and I still have to take mega doses of K to keep in the 'norm' range.  Also developed gall bladder sludge during that time (shown on CT scan) which has gone on to form gall stones (again shown on CT but never any problem with them - wouldn't know I had them except for the scan.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    WOW!

    I am so glad to hear you had no pain or neuropathy!  I'm hoping for that too!  I think I'll fluff up my couch and learn to like bananas, just in case :)

    Thank you!

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    McMarty said:

    WOW!

    I am so glad to hear you had no pain or neuropathy!  I'm hoping for that too!  I think I'll fluff up my couch and learn to like bananas, just in case :)

    Thank you!

    Avacadoes

    Avacadoes are supposed to have more K than banannas

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    McMarty said:

    WOW!

    I am so glad to hear you had no pain or neuropathy!  I'm hoping for that too!  I think I'll fluff up my couch and learn to like bananas, just in case :)

    Thank you!

    Hoping you have no side

    Hoping you have no side effects with taxol!

    Hugs, Lex

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    My Taxotere Experience

    Hi Marty,

       As Susan/Rague said, we are all unique but I am happy to share my chemo experience with you. I had 4 rounds of A/C (adriamycin/cytoxan) followed by 12 rounds of Taxotere. I did not experience any neuropathy or pain during the Taxotere rounds. I did, however, have a number of other symptoms. They included watery eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, total lack of desire to eat  and general fatigue. There is something to be said for being overweight to start with. As you can imagine I had a difficult time staying hydrated and had to be given IV fluids a couple of times. On the plus side, I never missed a round of chemo and the dosages never had to be altered. It is behind me and I have No Evidence of Disease (NED). Not the most pleasant time of my life by a long shot but it is doable.

       I wish you all the best. Keep us posted.

     

    IRENE

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    McMarty said:

    love this site :)

    Thank you so much for taking the time to wish me luck!  I love this site.  Talking to people in the 'same boat' really helps.  I spend a lot of time with people ignoring 'the boat' so this site and people like you are a real comfort!

     

     

    I never had taxol, but, it

    I never had taxol, but, it looks like you've gotten some experiences with it from the pink sisters.  Wishing you good luck and keep us posted.

     

    Hugs, Diane

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    Taxol and me

    Mid-July I had my 4th and final infusion of taxol (every other week) after having adriamycin and cytoxan the first half.

    Instead of having a reaction during the infusion the first or second time, I did both the third and fourth times -- although prior to the fourth time, the med people did a few things to try to prevent it from happening . . . but it did.  I was fortunate both times to be able to resume the session after a small bag of a drug meant to offset the reaction. 

    The taxol caused minimal neuropathy for me.  I still have a little bit of numbness, but only in my two little toes on the right.  I know of some who have worse problems; I think mine is minimal.  I did have peeling skin around my heels, the edges of my feet, and around my toes.  I kept track of that, using lotion on the areas because I did not want to develop cracks -- something a friend of mine had problems with.  I ended up with some dark, rough, dry skin around my right ankle; but that did not become anything major. 

    I developed a pesky cough with the taxol.  The med people always knew it was me when they would hear a little bit of coughing going on, they knew it was me (there were four infusion rooms there) and that I was all right.  I also had a hard time taking deep breaths without coughing.  My lungs were clear, and so that was a good sign.  The problems, though, became worse twice -- the weekend before infusion 3 and the weekend before infusion 4.  I happened to be going to the office for bloodwork those two Fridays, as they preceded my Chemo Mondays.    What they had me do, which helped me within less than 24 hours were (1) take an OTC allergy pill, like Clariton; and the second time they added (2) musinex.  I really felt bad that last time.  My lungs were clear.  I had an awful cough, and I really could not take any deep breaths, which sometimes happens when you cough hard.  I had a temp.  Since Monday was to be my final chemo, we all were working for that to  happen.  So, they also gave me an antibiotic just to be on the safe side -- treat this as if it were a light case of pneumonia, although they did not think it was.  By the next day, I was feeling much better.   I did finish my chemo on time.

    I had no more problems with the nasty coughing after that; I was pro-active on the days that this could have again happened, and I had no problems at all.  [In fact, my husband and I went away for a few days on a trip that had been planned in the spring.  I paced myself, but I did very well.]  By the first of August, the pesky cough was also gone.

    Taxol can be rough, but we get through it.  You will too.

    Best wishes.

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member

    Taxol and me

    Mid-July I had my 4th and final infusion of taxol (every other week) after having adriamycin and cytoxan the first half.

    Instead of having a reaction during the infusion the first or second time, I did both the third and fourth times -- although prior to the fourth time, the med people did a few things to try to prevent it from happening . . . but it did.  I was fortunate both times to be able to resume the session after a small bag of a drug meant to offset the reaction. 

    The taxol caused minimal neuropathy for me.  I still have a little bit of numbness, but only in my two little toes on the right.  I know of some who have worse problems; I think mine is minimal.  I did have peeling skin around my heels, the edges of my feet, and around my toes.  I kept track of that, using lotion on the areas because I did not want to develop cracks -- something a friend of mine had problems with.  I ended up with some dark, rough, dry skin around my right ankle; but that did not become anything major. 

    I developed a pesky cough with the taxol.  The med people always knew it was me when they would hear a little bit of coughing going on, they knew it was me (there were four infusion rooms there) and that I was all right.  I also had a hard time taking deep breaths without coughing.  My lungs were clear, and so that was a good sign.  The problems, though, became worse twice -- the weekend before infusion 3 and the weekend before infusion 4.  I happened to be going to the office for bloodwork those two Fridays, as they preceded my Chemo Mondays.    What they had me do, which helped me within less than 24 hours were (1) take an OTC allergy pill, like Clariton; and the second time they added (2) musinex.  I really felt bad that last time.  My lungs were clear.  I had an awful cough, and I really could not take any deep breaths, which sometimes happens when you cough hard.  I had a temp.  Since Monday was to be my final chemo, we all were working for that to  happen.  So, they also gave me an antibiotic just to be on the safe side -- treat this as if it were a light case of pneumonia, although they did not think it was.  By the next day, I was feeling much better.   I did finish my chemo on time.

    I had no more problems with the nasty coughing after that; I was pro-active on the days that this could have again happened, and I had no problems at all.  [In fact, my husband and I went away for a few days on a trip that had been planned in the spring.  I paced myself, but I did very well.]  By the first of August, the pesky cough was also gone.

    Taxol can be rough, but we get through it.  You will too.

    Best wishes.

    That is so sweet that you got

    That is so sweet that you got to go an a trip at the end!  Thank you for sharing your story!  It is really encouraging to know that others got through it and I appreciate so much you sharing that part of your life with me :)

  • McMarty
    McMarty Member Posts: 212 Member

    My Taxotere Experience

    Hi Marty,

       As Susan/Rague said, we are all unique but I am happy to share my chemo experience with you. I had 4 rounds of A/C (adriamycin/cytoxan) followed by 12 rounds of Taxotere. I did not experience any neuropathy or pain during the Taxotere rounds. I did, however, have a number of other symptoms. They included watery eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, total lack of desire to eat  and general fatigue. There is something to be said for being overweight to start with. As you can imagine I had a difficult time staying hydrated and had to be given IV fluids a couple of times. On the plus side, I never missed a round of chemo and the dosages never had to be altered. It is behind me and I have No Evidence of Disease (NED). Not the most pleasant time of my life by a long shot but it is doable.

       I wish you all the best. Keep us posted.

     

    IRENE

    Irene!  I love that picture

    Irene!  I love that picture of the dog that LOVES to play ball!  What a cutie :)   I just cant wait to get started so I can get done!!  My appointment was hijacked by the experimental medicine Dr.  SO I think I may have to wait a little longer and who knows what they are thinking of adding to the Taxol !   I'm not a big fan of 'curve balls' but sometimes they end up being for the best!!

     

  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    Taxol

    Hi,

    Taxol and Taxotere are from the same family but two different drugs.  Taxol is stronger than Taxotere at least that is how my nurse explained it.  In 2004 I did 4 A/C and 4 Taxol.  I had extreme joint and muscle pain, but I also have rhuemetoid arthritis.  I got numb toes and fingers but it did go away.  In 2009 I had a recurrance and did 8 rounds of Taxotere.  I had no problems at all with this drug.  I hope all goes weill for you.

    Terry

     

  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    mom62 said:

    Taxol

    Hi,

    Taxol and Taxotere are from the same family but two different drugs.  Taxol is stronger than Taxotere at least that is how my nurse explained it.  In 2004 I did 4 A/C and 4 Taxol.  I had extreme joint and muscle pain, but I also have rhuemetoid arthritis.  I got numb toes and fingers but it did go away.  In 2009 I had a recurrance and did 8 rounds of Taxotere.  I had no problems at all with this drug.  I hope all goes weill for you.

    Terry

     

    Taxol

    First remember we are all different. 3 years ago I first did Ac then Taxol. My advice is . Take antinausea drugs the day of chemo, and two days after, even if you don't feel nausea. I never got sick. Food .... eat what you can when you can. Food taste sometimes will change metal taste. Drinks will also taste bad maybe try lemonaide, tea, you will find something. You nose and eye's may start running, that's more a pain then anything. You may be more tired rest when you need to. It's doable.

    Kathy

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991

    My Taxotere Experience

    Hi Marty,

       As Susan/Rague said, we are all unique but I am happy to share my chemo experience with you. I had 4 rounds of A/C (adriamycin/cytoxan) followed by 12 rounds of Taxotere. I did not experience any neuropathy or pain during the Taxotere rounds. I did, however, have a number of other symptoms. They included watery eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, total lack of desire to eat  and general fatigue. There is something to be said for being overweight to start with. As you can imagine I had a difficult time staying hydrated and had to be given IV fluids a couple of times. On the plus side, I never missed a round of chemo and the dosages never had to be altered. It is behind me and I have No Evidence of Disease (NED). Not the most pleasant time of my life by a long shot but it is doable.

       I wish you all the best. Keep us posted.

     

    IRENE

    Marty, wishing you the best

    Marty, wishing you the best this Friday!

     

    Hugs, Angie

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    McMarty said:

    That is so sweet that you got

    That is so sweet that you got to go an a trip at the end!  Thank you for sharing your story!  It is really encouraging to know that others got through it and I appreciate so much you sharing that part of your life with me :)

    Marty, I am so glad that by

    Marty, I am so glad that by some of the sisters sharing their experience with you, that it has made you feel better.

    Always know that we are here for you and we're all wishing you good luck Friday!

     

    Hugs, Lex