How to make my doctor consider other ideas ?

Emma1978

Hi. was diagnosed just recently.

Starting my Chemo treatment tomorrow. My physician wants me to take Taxol.

I have chatted with another doctor who said that Taxotere is also a common drug to be used. I went back to my doctor and she was very unhappy with the fact I talked to other doctors. But on the other hand - she told me that both drugs are fine and its a "trial and error" process where we need to find to which drug my tumors reacts better.

By the way - I didn't pay anything to the other doctor... I found him on this free app called BELONG for cancer patients which is pretty cool.

Anyhow - I don't like the fact that its a "trial and error"... but seems like in many other cases its how things are. Starting with Chemo X... not responding ? OK. Lets go to Chemo Y... but time is the one resource I assume I don't have enough of...

How do you make a decision here ? How do you make your physician listen to other opinions and take them into consideration for real ?

Thank you all.

Emma

joannstar

did both

I had chemo in 2010 for Stage 1 TNBC which was treated aggressively. This was after lumpectomy and was followed by radiation. My first 4 rounds were Cytoxan and Taxotere. My onc noticed that my ankles were swelling so he switched me for the last 2 rounds to Cytoxan and Taxol and I didn't experience the same problem.

You're right, it is trial and error. I found a doctor I trusted and I put my faith in him and did what he said. I'm 5.5 years out now and some things are getting hazy (I blame chemo brain and not wanting treatment to be ever present in my mind).

Good luck to you.

JoAnn

 

disneyfan2008

2nd opinions are great and

2nd opinions are great and 3rd, if your insurance will cover it..

 

Denise

twnkltoz

Hi Emma, sorry you are going

Hi Emma, sorry you are going through this, but I'm glad you found us!

Bear in mind, chances are your doctor knows more about your case than this one you found on an internet app and has never met you. Did this person see any of the reports or test results? For me, I'm more inclined to trust my doctor, who has access to all that stuff and has personally examined me. It sounds like your doctor is fully aware of taxotere, as I'm sure most are, but has her reasons for wanting to try taxol first. What are your reservations for following her advice? Not that there's anything wrong with getting second opinions, but make sure you're making an informed decision to change treatments. FYI, taxol was very effective for me.

It sucks that it's trial and error, but that's how it is right now. Every body and every cancer is a little different. They often get it right the first time, but sometimes they don't. Take comfort in that we're much better off than we were 10-20-30 years ago.

 

 

camul

You are so right it is trial and error.

When you have 2 similar drugs the onco is going to go with the'm one that t hey have had the best results.  I am just thankful that we have enuf different chemos now that if one family of chemo doesn't work theory can go with a different one.  I am stage iv, and t hey would use one for a while and when that didn't respond, or worked fir a while then ran its course, they had others they to try.  2 people with the same dx can use the same chem o and it may work for one, and not do anything for the other.

Same with all ppl on hormone blockers.  I have used 3 over the course of 5 years, now my body is no longer responding, but this has extended my time.  Amazing how different our bodies responds to treatments with side effects, or even how one will go into remission, and the next one the meds have no effect.