Starting Taxol next Friday

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 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 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

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 are supposed to have more K than banannas

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

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

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.

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

 

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

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 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