My first Chemo today and problems

ptharp
ptharp Member Posts: 190
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Well, I had Carboplatin and Taxol today for my very first chemo. The needle went into the port with no pain. Started off good. Then the nurse started the drip of Taxol and in less than 5 minutes I had a reaction. My face got bright red, my breathing was labored, and my blood pressure went up to 180/110. They gave me a 30 minute rest, gave me a bunch more of steriods and benedryl and turned down the drip so it the Taxol went in slow. It worked. They were able to get all the taxol in me. I hope I do not have to go through this every week. I do not want them to lower the dose because I want so bad to go into remission. The cancer center told me this happends sometimes when people have it for the first time and many times when they have it again it is fine. Has this happend to amy of you?

Comments

  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #2
    Hi...
    Had the exact same reaction to Taxol...its very common. They wouldn't let me try again that day so I had to get it the next day. They did not lower the dose and I did not have another reaction after that because they made sure to give me benedryl exactly one half hour before the treatment and that worked for me. I would suggest that you remind them of your reaction the first time (seems they don't always keep this in your records) and make sure they give you benedryl before you get taxol again. This leaving it up to chance is BS IMO especially if there is a simple solution.

    Take care
    Cindy
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    CindyGSD said:

    Hi...
    Had the exact same reaction to Taxol...its very common. They wouldn't let me try again that day so I had to get it the next day. They did not lower the dose and I did not have another reaction after that because they made sure to give me benedryl exactly one half hour before the treatment and that worked for me. I would suggest that you remind them of your reaction the first time (seems they don't always keep this in your records) and make sure they give you benedryl before you get taxol again. This leaving it up to chance is BS IMO especially if there is a simple solution.

    Take care
    Cindy

    ASK THEM TO SLOW IT DOWN
    My chemo treatments took about 8 hours, but taking it slow minimized problems. The few times they were in a hurry to get out of the office, they speeded up the drip and boy! Did I have problems.

    So sorry you had a rough time, Cindy. I suspect that keeping it a slow drip will help. My best to you.

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #4
    mopar said:

    ASK THEM TO SLOW IT DOWN
    My chemo treatments took about 8 hours, but taking it slow minimized problems. The few times they were in a hurry to get out of the office, they speeded up the drip and boy! Did I have problems.

    So sorry you had a rough time, Cindy. I suspect that keeping it a slow drip will help. My best to you.

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika

    I know this is common but my Dr. would stop it altogether and try something else. I have been on this. Retiming several times and so far so good.. I have until Feb.when I will be done , Good luck on your next chemo...hopefully this won't happen again. Stay strong....Val
  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #5
    The protocall at MD Anderson
    The protocall at MD Anderson is 30 minutes before chemo, they give you a thirty minute drip bag of Benedryl and steroids. They don't even hang the taxol/carboplatin til you finish the thirty minute cocktail. I never had a reaction, but besides the drip bag the chemo went in at 6-8 hours of the IV.
  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #6
    The protocall at MD Anderson
    The protocall at MD Anderson is 30 minutes before chemo, they give you a thirty minute drip bag of Benedryl and steroids. They don't even hang the taxol/carboplatin til you finish the thirty minute cocktail. I never had a reaction, but besides the drip bag the chemo went in at 6-8 hours of the IV.
  • ptharp
    ptharp Member Posts: 190
    #7
    debrajo said:

    The protocall at MD Anderson
    The protocall at MD Anderson is 30 minutes before chemo, they give you a thirty minute drip bag of Benedryl and steroids. They don't even hang the taxol/carboplatin til you finish the thirty minute cocktail. I never had a reaction, but besides the drip bag the chemo went in at 6-8 hours of the IV.

    What does 6-8 hours of the
    What does 6-8 hours of the IV mean? Does that mean it too 6-8 hours for you to finish your chemo?
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #8
    This is pretty common
    There are several ways that they can treat this sensitivity. I get bags of steroids and benedryal before my chemo drip. They can also reduce the dosage or slow it down. They'll find a way to have you treated that your body can tolerate. Hold on, I know this is scary, but soon it will get easier ... ((((HUGS)))) Maria
  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    #9
    I did not have a reaction
    I did not have a reaction but had benedryl and other meds before they started with the taxol. It is a full day process. I had the port accessed, blood work (CA125), then had to see the dr, then went to the chemo station. Once there it was hook up the IV with just IV fluid, then they started with the different meds. 1st one was benedryl, mine was as a shot into the IV line, then a shot of steriods, 2 different ones for nausa, that was about an 45 minutes. Then the Taxol got started, slow drip for the first 30 minutes then the machine kicked it up. It took about 3 hours for the taxol (what strength ??), after that I got a bag of carbo for about another 45 minutes. Then back on an IV fluid to flush the line a bit and finish with the heparin lock flush. Then you get to leave. I usually got to the center at 8 AM and left about 4 or 5 PM. Long day but had my own room for chemo, my daughter or best friend went with me, took snacks and drinks, had a tv that had a dvd player built in, took movies, cards, books to read to make it through the day. How often are you getting the chemo package? I had mine every 21 days for 6 rounds. I started chemo on Friday, May 6, started losing my hair in big clumps on Sunday, May 22, ended up shaving me head that night and I kepted it that way till I was finished in Aug. I had no radiation. I am over 1 yr since last treatment and still NED. Praying for you, tht you will get through this and remain cancer free. Trisha from the Uterine Cancer Boards.
  • ptharp
    ptharp Member Posts: 190
    #10
    txtrisha55 said:

    I did not have a reaction
    I did not have a reaction but had benedryl and other meds before they started with the taxol. It is a full day process. I had the port accessed, blood work (CA125), then had to see the dr, then went to the chemo station. Once there it was hook up the IV with just IV fluid, then they started with the different meds. 1st one was benedryl, mine was as a shot into the IV line, then a shot of steriods, 2 different ones for nausa, that was about an 45 minutes. Then the Taxol got started, slow drip for the first 30 minutes then the machine kicked it up. It took about 3 hours for the taxol (what strength ??), after that I got a bag of carbo for about another 45 minutes. Then back on an IV fluid to flush the line a bit and finish with the heparin lock flush. Then you get to leave. I usually got to the center at 8 AM and left about 4 or 5 PM. Long day but had my own room for chemo, my daughter or best friend went with me, took snacks and drinks, had a tv that had a dvd player built in, took movies, cards, books to read to make it through the day. How often are you getting the chemo package? I had mine every 21 days for 6 rounds. I started chemo on Friday, May 6, started losing my hair in big clumps on Sunday, May 22, ended up shaving me head that night and I kepted it that way till I was finished in Aug. I had no radiation. I am over 1 yr since last treatment and still NED. Praying for you, tht you will get through this and remain cancer free. Trisha from the Uterine Cancer Boards.

    I had steroid pills the
    I had steroid pills the night and morning befor chemo. Then they hung a bag of benedryl and steriods but apparently it was not enough. I still had a reaction. They had to give me more and slow the drip. Then it went in.
  • ptharp
    ptharp Member Posts: 190
    #11
    txtrisha55 said:

    I did not have a reaction
    I did not have a reaction but had benedryl and other meds before they started with the taxol. It is a full day process. I had the port accessed, blood work (CA125), then had to see the dr, then went to the chemo station. Once there it was hook up the IV with just IV fluid, then they started with the different meds. 1st one was benedryl, mine was as a shot into the IV line, then a shot of steriods, 2 different ones for nausa, that was about an 45 minutes. Then the Taxol got started, slow drip for the first 30 minutes then the machine kicked it up. It took about 3 hours for the taxol (what strength ??), after that I got a bag of carbo for about another 45 minutes. Then back on an IV fluid to flush the line a bit and finish with the heparin lock flush. Then you get to leave. I usually got to the center at 8 AM and left about 4 or 5 PM. Long day but had my own room for chemo, my daughter or best friend went with me, took snacks and drinks, had a tv that had a dvd player built in, took movies, cards, books to read to make it through the day. How often are you getting the chemo package? I had mine every 21 days for 6 rounds. I started chemo on Friday, May 6, started losing my hair in big clumps on Sunday, May 22, ended up shaving me head that night and I kepted it that way till I was finished in Aug. I had no radiation. I am over 1 yr since last treatment and still NED. Praying for you, tht you will get through this and remain cancer free. Trisha from the Uterine Cancer Boards.

    I have a 3 week round for
    I have a 3 week round for six rounds. The first week I get Carbo and Taxol. The second week I get just Taxol and the third week of the round I get just Taxol. Then it starts all over again.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #12
    ptharp said:

    I have a 3 week round for
    I have a 3 week round for six rounds. The first week I get Carbo and Taxol. The second week I get just Taxol and the third week of the round I get just Taxol. Then it starts all over again.

    You can do this
    It's not easy, but let us know if we can help with suggestions for those "chemo days".
    ((((HUGS)))) Maria
  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #13
    ptharp said:

    What does 6-8 hours of the
    What does 6-8 hours of the IV mean? Does that mean it too 6-8 hours for you to finish your chemo?

    yes, 6-8 hours with IV drip.
    yes, 6-8 hours with IV drip. They tell you to plan on being there an hour at least before the benedryl is started for blood work and IV insertion. The taxol/carboplatin is scheduled for 6 hours, but they started me slower due to my recent open-heart surgery so mine actually lasted almost 8 hours. I left my house at 5:30am and with the treatment and the four hour round trip, I got back home at 10:30 p.m.

Discussion Boards