Ovarian Cancer Dose Dense Numbers Falling Question

Jodisgoing180
Jodisgoing180 Member Posts: 97
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I have stage four ovarian cancer (the board is slow so posting here).  I was originally on the dose dense protocol-- carbo/taxol one week, and taxol every three weeks. This is my frontline protocol. I had a hysterectomy on 2/5/2016.  Started chemo on 3/5/2016. I am responding very well to chemo. No issues with side effects-- the only side effects are hair loss, minimal neuropathy (still running), and some fatigue. Even though I feel good considering cancer and chemo, my WBC and neutragens are always borderline, and it's always a question IF I'll get treatment. The doctor is going to switch me to the every three week regimen. Has this happened to anyone else?  Besides longer chemo, is there any other concerns?

Comments

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #2
    My thoughts

    I think that the every week Taxol is easier on the Nueropathy.  I got the every three week variety.  My Gyn-Onc suggested the every week kind to ease the neuropathy, but my medical Onc didn't because of the rather long drive I would have had to make every day and he didn't think the difference was worth the every week drive.  Plus with the three week dose it seems to give you more time to recover from the other side effects.  The carbo is what bothered my blood and every threatment was a guess if it would happen because of low platelets. They tried lowering the dosage and waiting and extra week between treatments. Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #3
    Lou Ann M said:

    My thoughts

    I think that the every week Taxol is easier on the Nueropathy.  I got the every three week variety.  My Gyn-Onc suggested the every week kind to ease the neuropathy, but my medical Onc didn't because of the rather long drive I would have had to make every day and he didn't think the difference was worth the every week drive.  Plus with the three week dose it seems to give you more time to recover from the other side effects.  The carbo is what bothered my blood and every threatment was a guess if it would happen because of low platelets. They tried lowering the dosage and waiting and extra week between treatments. Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

    I went from weekly treatments

    I went from weekly treatments to every 3 week treatments after the first 6 weekly. This was changed at my request. Like LouAnn said, you don't get many good days with weekly. I just couldn't see myself laying on the couch for 3 more months! When I switched to the every 3 weeks, I had at least one good week between each treatment.  I did take a hit on my blood levels both ways. They gave me one Nuelasta shot which caused me a lot of additional side effects and I refused to let them give me any more. I opted to stay home to avoid exposure. My counts did drop below the low normal but never low enough to delay my treatments.  I will say that weekly was "easier" from a pain perspective. But, the added pain on the higher dose was worth it for the good days.

    Good luck with your continued treatments. And don't worry about delays. There are many women on this board that had delays due to blood impacts. You will get through this!

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

    ps - there is a thread called 'Ladies going through chemo' where several of us documented our chemo treatment impacts. I think you will find it helpful if you have time to read through it.

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