Taxol allergy, PET SCAN results, now Arimidex

2ndxyvonne
2ndxyvonne Member Posts: 41
in Breast Cancer #1

I had 8 treatments of taxol then had a really bad reaction.  Hands looked scalded and I had a rash on both arms that burned and itched.  Called onco, and was told to take benadryl and use cortisone cream.  What I week I had, it was painful.  Then I went for my PET SCAN, I am very much improved so no more chemo going on arimidex. I get the herceptin and perjeta every three weeks still yet.  I guess the arimidex has the least side effects and I seem to be allergic to about everything.  I am doing better just wondering if anyone else is on the arimidex and how are you doing on it. 

Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
    Arimidex

    I was on Arimidex from 2001 to 2008 after my 2nd recurrence, this time to two ribs.  I had very little problems with this drug.  I did fall (minor) and develope fractures in 3 vertebrae.  I then began to use Fosamax that help my bones a lot.

     

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
    I react to everything but did

    I react to everything but did ok with arimidex.  I did take it at night because the first time I took it was am and I really felt tired.  Switched to nighttime. 

  • 2ndxyvonne
    2ndxyvonne Member Posts: 41
    #4
    CypressCynthia said:

    I react to everything but did

    I react to everything but did ok with arimidex.  I did take it at night because the first time I took it was am and I really felt tired.  Switched to nighttime. 

    Thank you, Cypress Cindy

    I'm taking my arimidex and I followed your lead and am taking it after a light dinner around 6:30 in the evening.  I start winding down about that time and it works great because it makes me tired too.  So, I am able to function without that dopey feeeling during the day.  Great advice and I do appreciate it.

  • 1blessedmom
    1blessedmom Member Posts: 14
    #5

    My first treatment of Taxol was a nightmare. Four minutes into the drip my blood pressure shot sky high, my face turned beet red, I had difficulty breathing and my kidneys started hurting really bad. They had to stop the drip, give me oxygen and put something in my IV to counteract the reaction. Once I became stable and rested for about an hour they said they were going to administer it again at a slower drip. I thought "You've got to be kidding me! You almost kill me and you want to do it again?!" Slowing the drip helped and I was able to take it without a bad reaction again. They did remove it from my treatments and gave it to me at the end and broke it down to weekly doses. I also had an allergic reaction to the Neupogen injection I was supposed to take. So I had to take steroids instead. I was put on Arimidex and was only able to stay on it for 2 months. It caused such excruciating pain in my body I just couldn't take it. My doctor changed it to Tamoxefin and it's been working fine. With these drugs, you just don't know how you're gonna be until you try them. My oncologist said I fell into that small percentage that has a bad reaction to Arimidex. Lucky me! lol I always thought I was one tough cookie, healthy, no bad reactions to anything. It made me realize how fragile the human body really is. I'm so glad to hear that some of you ladies didn't have to experience a bad reaction to some of those meds. It's difficult enough enduring it all, let alone having difficulties on top of it. I'm so thankful to be done! Time to focus on getting healthy and strong!  Smile  

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