18 weekly carbo/ taxol chemo treament - did anyone have to take neupogen vaccines to do the 18 wk re
Comments
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NeupogenMurmist said:Also doing chemo dense
This is my third time at the rodeo. Was diagnosed Nov 2004 with OVCA and did the carbo/platin every three weeks. Had a recurrance this year and had de-bulking surgery in Jan 13, thsi time I I started out doing the same cocktail. Carbo/Taxol the first week and taxol only the next two weeks. I liked this protocol much better as the impact to my body seems to be much less, even with the nuepagen shots, which started the right after the first week. Dare that immune system! I have been working almost full-time since they released me to drive. Most days I go to the office, but I do have the ability to work from home, which is a gift.
My faith, my family, my firends and a good attitude is what carries me through. I live my life one day at a time and I take all the anti-nausea meds I can get my hands on! It is more the fatigue that gets to me. Last cycle I had a reaction to the carbo, so this cycle I have been switched to Doxil/Taxol. It seems like between the two of them they all the possible side-effects covered! But as my CA-125 has been holding steady at 8, I will do these last 9 weeks standing on my head! Blessing and goodluck to all of you
Lisa
Hi Lisa
Thanks for sharing. I was totally surprised and disappointed when after the 3rd wk, I had to either take a wk off or get neupogen shots. Since I was not expecting this to happen to early on, decided to take the wk off on the spot. Just was not prepared for the decision.
Now I am going for my 5th treament tomorrow. A little nervous about my blood counts, mainly the WBC one since you really can't feel it when that is low. Did you take Claritin or tylenol to ease the bone pain? I heard it is pretty bad. Did you give yourself the vaccines? How big is the boost- lasting 1wk?
So did you take any breaks in your 18 wk regimen? Trying to figure out when it is good to push through with the neupogen and when it is better to just let my body rest- skip a wk vs. pushing too hard and having more long term consequences.
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Just wondering how you areNoodles1 said:I am on the same schedule as you.
I too take 18 rounds of Carbo/Taxol weekly and even though I have had side affects, I am doing pretty well. We get a smaller dose because we get it weekly so you should have less side affects then someone getting it every 3 weeks. I had to stop for 2 weeks because I had gotten strep throat and it decreased my white blood cell count. I have 8 more rounds of the single dose and 3 rounds of the combination Carbo/Taxol left. To date, here are my side affects:
My nose boogers (sorry so graphic) are bloody but my nose does not bleed.
I vomited once, for the first time, this Monday.
Slight nausea started Monday and gone by Friday
Fatigue maybe twice
Getting sick with strep throat
My toes on my left foot is a little numb, but, my Mom dropped a large bottle of pasta sauce on the same foot so not sure if that made it worse....lol. My big toe has always been numb since she did it though.
All are easily tolerated. The anti nausea pills help out tremendously. I will however be happy when my treatment is over.......lol.
I have a Broviak catheter and they take my blood weekly from it before chemo.......you are going to LOVE your port, believe me
) Just wondering how you are doing...
loving my port. skipped a wk already due to low white blood cell count. totally surprised by it.
it was either to take neupogen shots or skipt the wk and since I was put on the spot and totally did not expect it, decided to skip that one wk.
now nervous about each blood test prior to chemo. 5th treatment tomorrow. reading from your march post, looks like you have had no issues with your blood counts.
hope you are doing well.
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carbo/taxol and neupogen
Hi.
I have just completed my 13th treatment of the same regimen. I stated with taking nuepogen 2 x week and now 3 times. I will try to respond with some things that others have not already discussed.
The injections are a mind control issue. I put something on the t.v. that's engrossing, and tell myself it's not a big deal when I do the injection, "remember it's just a tiny prick". I take Claritin 1/2 hour prior and now that I'm starting to have a little bit of bone pain, I will take tylenol with the Claritin. I haven't had pain prior to this past week. I also do the Claritin injection at the same time each evening, as recommended by medical staff.
If you haven't started already, definitely take L-Glutamine to prevent or lessen neuropathy that can become permanent. Website provider recommened by medical stafff is Vitacost for best price and dosage in powder form. 4500 mg per 3 teaspoons. I mix it in a tall glass of Cran-Grape juice to cut the sandy texture, other juice flavors didn't work as well for me. After the neuropathy started, my Oncologist reduced the Taxol to also help prevent permanent nerve damage. She started me on what she considered an agressive dosage and knew she could cut back if needed. The Carbo dosage was also cut back once.
My platelets have been very low at times so I've had to skip some weeks. There's nothing they can give you for that. Only solution is eating, every day, dark greens; broccoli, spinach, kale, etc. There is an excellent cookbook by Rebecca Katz, newest one is Longevity Cookbook. She's scientifically based and has 2 other cancer books but I like the newest one. You have kids - it's fast and very descriptive of cook/prep times, etc. I'm not a food-person - 1st cookbook I've ever raved about.
As the treatments have gone on, the predicted day when I have fatigue and mind fog has changed. I get treatment Tuesday and it would always be Friday. Now it's sometimes Thursday, once it was Wednesday. So long as my bloodwork is decent, the fatigue only lasts one day. Hope you can get those WFH days.
The things I do to stay positive: -1) I look around me, there's always someone who has bigger challenges, and I feel grateful. 2) very morning while eating breakfast I write down at least 3 things I'm grateful for, which sometimes can initially be challenging. But, once I start it's amazing what comes up and I start my day with a positive attitude (example: grateful for the birds singing, grateful I can drive myself to store....) 3) I find as many ways to cause myself to laugh through the day: friends, books, t.v., children - whatever makes me laugh. 4) Live one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. I couldn't think too far into the future regarding the treatments because 18 seemed overwhelming. 5) A leukemia survivor said to me: "Make every day a good day. It can be done." I admit I'm not successful in making each ENTIRE day good one, but at least PART of each day good. 6) I pray to keep a positive attitude when I'm starting to feel down.
You can do it!
Shannon
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Thanks Shannon. I am gettinglove_nature said:carbo/taxol and neupogen
Hi.
I have just completed my 13th treatment of the same regimen. I stated with taking nuepogen 2 x week and now 3 times. I will try to respond with some things that others have not already discussed.
The injections are a mind control issue. I put something on the t.v. that's engrossing, and tell myself it's not a big deal when I do the injection, "remember it's just a tiny prick". I take Claritin 1/2 hour prior and now that I'm starting to have a little bit of bone pain, I will take tylenol with the Claritin. I haven't had pain prior to this past week. I also do the Claritin injection at the same time each evening, as recommended by medical staff.
If you haven't started already, definitely take L-Glutamine to prevent or lessen neuropathy that can become permanent. Website provider recommened by medical stafff is Vitacost for best price and dosage in powder form. 4500 mg per 3 teaspoons. I mix it in a tall glass of Cran-Grape juice to cut the sandy texture, other juice flavors didn't work as well for me. After the neuropathy started, my Oncologist reduced the Taxol to also help prevent permanent nerve damage. She started me on what she considered an agressive dosage and knew she could cut back if needed. The Carbo dosage was also cut back once.
My platelets have been very low at times so I've had to skip some weeks. There's nothing they can give you for that. Only solution is eating, every day, dark greens; broccoli, spinach, kale, etc. There is an excellent cookbook by Rebecca Katz, newest one is Longevity Cookbook. She's scientifically based and has 2 other cancer books but I like the newest one. You have kids - it's fast and very descriptive of cook/prep times, etc. I'm not a food-person - 1st cookbook I've ever raved about.
As the treatments have gone on, the predicted day when I have fatigue and mind fog has changed. I get treatment Tuesday and it would always be Friday. Now it's sometimes Thursday, once it was Wednesday. So long as my bloodwork is decent, the fatigue only lasts one day. Hope you can get those WFH days.
The things I do to stay positive: -1) I look around me, there's always someone who has bigger challenges, and I feel grateful. 2) very morning while eating breakfast I write down at least 3 things I'm grateful for, which sometimes can initially be challenging. But, once I start it's amazing what comes up and I start my day with a positive attitude (example: grateful for the birds singing, grateful I can drive myself to store....) 3) I find as many ways to cause myself to laugh through the day: friends, books, t.v., children - whatever makes me laugh. 4) Live one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. I couldn't think too far into the future regarding the treatments because 18 seemed overwhelming. 5) A leukemia survivor said to me: "Make every day a good day. It can be done." I admit I'm not successful in making each ENTIRE day good one, but at least PART of each day good. 6) I pray to keep a positive attitude when I'm starting to feel down.
You can do it!
Shannon
Thanks Shannon. I am getting a blood transfusion along with neupogen shot tomorrow (an 2 more neupogen shots the following days). My first. Was told by nurse and dr. that people generally take claritin for neulasta. I need the above to get chemo #6 next week.
Thanks for your advise. Will look into the L Glutamine.
ONly 5 more to go for you and 13 more for me..... Had chemo today so I am up
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I did the weekly chemos and
I did the weekly chemos and was to be 18 weeks. I did great the first few weeks, then my blood counts struggled to stay up. So i did neupogen 2-3 times a week. I did have to skip chemo sessions several times and got blood every 4-5 th treatment. I finally finished at about 14 weeks. I look back now and think where I was at last year at this time. take one week at a time and eventually it will be over. hang in there. My thoughts are sending you good carma! Kim
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18 week carbo/taxol treatment
This sounds interesting. I wonder if it is something I can switch to from my aggressive IP regime if I can't continue. I am continually amazed at the generosity and support on these boards. I learn so much. Even that my nose "buggers" are normal! Hang in there, we know you can do it!
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Carbo/Taxol
I was diagnosed mid-October and had debulking surgery October 31 of 2012. I just finished my 18 week carbo/taxoltreatment plan, just had my CT and my appointment with my doctor to find out my results is tomorrow. My treatments went well, never got sick but did have severe loss of energy and pretty severe neuropathy. I missed two consecutive weeks of treatments due to low white blood counts. As many have stated, I also lost my hair around the 3rd treatment. I now have no facial hair at all BUT my hair has already started growing. I am hoping the neuropathy gets better and my energy returns. Hoping the best for you and everyone else out there!
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ANC too low to continue 18 week Carbo/Taxol
I was initally diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2011 and completed 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol, I found out this past March that the cancer had returned so my doctor started me on dose dense 3 weeks on 1 week off for 18 weeks, however my white cells, the ANC has been dropping very low even after getting Neupogen before chemo because of this my Oncologist is now recommending I try to complete the last three cycles by doing both chemos at high doses every 21 days, same as first line treatment, has anyone else had this problem with the 18 week treatment?
Any information is helpful because it is making me nervous that I can't complete the 18 weeks of treatment.
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Clear Cell Stage 3sancho42 said:ANC too low to continue 18 week Carbo/Taxol
I was initally diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2011 and completed 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol, I found out this past March that the cancer had returned so my doctor started me on dose dense 3 weeks on 1 week off for 18 weeks, however my white cells, the ANC has been dropping very low even after getting Neupogen before chemo because of this my Oncologist is now recommending I try to complete the last three cycles by doing both chemos at high doses every 21 days, same as first line treatment, has anyone else had this problem with the 18 week treatment?
Any information is helpful because it is making me nervous that I can't complete the 18 weeks of treatment.
I finished 15 of my 18 treatments. Ended up doing 3 wks on, 1 wk off due to low WBC counts. Feels great during my wk off. Treatment #16 tomorrow.
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Dose Dense Taxol/CarboplatinHis grace said:Clear Cell Stage 3
I finished 15 of my 18 treatments. Ended up doing 3 wks on, 1 wk off due to low WBC counts. Feels great during my wk off. Treatment #16 tomorrow.
Hi, I just completed nearly 9 cycles of dose dense taxol/carboplatin. I did really well with this type of chemotherapy, but I didn't work since the majority was during the summer. This chemotherapy really affected my bone marrow. I had to have blood transfusions about every 4-6 weeks due to anemia. I also was on neupogen injections three times a week for low neutrophil counts. I didn't have any problems with the injections .. no side effects and I only became sick once when my son gave me an upper respiratory infection (had to be on Z pack). I missed chemo a few times because my platelet count became too low... but was able to resume after a week off.
I have numb feet and a numb right thumb from the taxol. I have a sensation of walking though and haven't had any falls. I started taking 10 grams of glutamine three times a day and it prevented the neuropathy from progressing further. The neuropathy presented after my first three cycles inbetween my first and second surgery. I also have taken 100 mg Vit B6 daily.
I usually would get really tired about 4-5 days after the carboplatin and taxol. I would just have to lay down during the day. I think it would have been hard to have to work ...
The side effects of the chemotherapy aren't as bad as the cancer. When I first started chemo and my turmors were all over my bowel, I would have to take compazine every 6 hours to prevent throwing up. I would also add Zofran if I had break through nausea. After my second surgery when I had everything (tubes, ovaries, uterus, omentum) removed and tumors debulked, I felt better, and didn't need the compazine as much. However, I would carry a zofran in my purse and use it if I get nauseous.
With the chemo you might find it affect your ability to think. .. I still feel a little foggy. We call it "chemo brain"
I was able to stay on top of constipation with miralax every day. I would also use suppositories occasionally. Drinking water really helped.
The worse part of the chemo was the steroids. I had to cut down on the decadron to 2 mg only once a day for three days after the carboplatin and taxol; I would get weepy and anxious on the regular doses.
I also had a reaction to the carboplatin on my 7th cycle. My hands turned bright red and I started itching every where. The last two times, I had to have it in the infusion center at the University of Washington. It had to be give over a longer time period in a facility where a code team was available incase I had a serious reaction. I was able to continue to receive my taxol at the SCCA though.
What helped me the most was staying active and involved in my family life. Even though I would feel tired and weak, I watched my daughter's tennis matches. I even went with my family when they made it to state and we traveled four hours to see her play. I would try to go on walks every day and spend time with friends. I cooked, cleaned, did laundry, and tried to stay on top of things. Sometimes I would need to lay down, but I didn't want to miss out on anything! I wasn't going to allow this cancer to rob me of time with my family or being able to be a mom and a wife!
I just had my last taxol two weeks ago. My eye lashes are just now trying to grow in, and I have one or two little hairs where my eye brows were. I have grey fuzz coming in on my head. I have regained weight
from the steroids... but it's all ok.. anything to be able to beat this cancer.0 -
Thank you for sharing. Imamajc said:Dose Dense Taxol/Carboplatin
Hi, I just completed nearly 9 cycles of dose dense taxol/carboplatin. I did really well with this type of chemotherapy, but I didn't work since the majority was during the summer. This chemotherapy really affected my bone marrow. I had to have blood transfusions about every 4-6 weeks due to anemia. I also was on neupogen injections three times a week for low neutrophil counts. I didn't have any problems with the injections .. no side effects and I only became sick once when my son gave me an upper respiratory infection (had to be on Z pack). I missed chemo a few times because my platelet count became too low... but was able to resume after a week off.
I have numb feet and a numb right thumb from the taxol. I have a sensation of walking though and haven't had any falls. I started taking 10 grams of glutamine three times a day and it prevented the neuropathy from progressing further. The neuropathy presented after my first three cycles inbetween my first and second surgery. I also have taken 100 mg Vit B6 daily.
I usually would get really tired about 4-5 days after the carboplatin and taxol. I would just have to lay down during the day. I think it would have been hard to have to work ...
The side effects of the chemotherapy aren't as bad as the cancer. When I first started chemo and my turmors were all over my bowel, I would have to take compazine every 6 hours to prevent throwing up. I would also add Zofran if I had break through nausea. After my second surgery when I had everything (tubes, ovaries, uterus, omentum) removed and tumors debulked, I felt better, and didn't need the compazine as much. However, I would carry a zofran in my purse and use it if I get nauseous.
With the chemo you might find it affect your ability to think. .. I still feel a little foggy. We call it "chemo brain"
I was able to stay on top of constipation with miralax every day. I would also use suppositories occasionally. Drinking water really helped.
The worse part of the chemo was the steroids. I had to cut down on the decadron to 2 mg only once a day for three days after the carboplatin and taxol; I would get weepy and anxious on the regular doses.
I also had a reaction to the carboplatin on my 7th cycle. My hands turned bright red and I started itching every where. The last two times, I had to have it in the infusion center at the University of Washington. It had to be give over a longer time period in a facility where a code team was available incase I had a serious reaction. I was able to continue to receive my taxol at the SCCA though.
What helped me the most was staying active and involved in my family life. Even though I would feel tired and weak, I watched my daughter's tennis matches. I even went with my family when they made it to state and we traveled four hours to see her play. I would try to go on walks every day and spend time with friends. I cooked, cleaned, did laundry, and tried to stay on top of things. Sometimes I would need to lay down, but I didn't want to miss out on anything! I wasn't going to allow this cancer to rob me of time with my family or being able to be a mom and a wife!
I just had my last taxol two weeks ago. My eye lashes are just now trying to grow in, and I have one or two little hairs where my eye brows were. I have grey fuzz coming in on my head. I have regained weight
from the steroids... but it's all ok.. anything to be able to beat this cancer.Thank you for sharing. I just finished my 6 cycles last week. CT Scan 2 wks from now.
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neupogenHis grace said:hi
Had my 3rd chemo treamtent today My white blood cell count was border line and was told would not be able to get chemo next wk unless I get neupogen shots (3, one each day). Did you have to deal with this at all.
From your post, it looks like you had no issue with the blood work and was able to get chemo wkly. Are you on the dense dose regimen.
I did chemo dense treatment weekly. I too started with neupogen shots after 4 weeks of chemo. I also had blood transfusions every 4-5 weeks NS THEN ALSO HAD TO SKIP TREATMENTS DUE TO BLOOD COUNTS. i WAS TO FINISH aUG 2012 AND FINALLY COMPLETED 10/2013 about 8 weeks longer. Just remember... when your blood counts stay down....the chemo is still working on the cancer cells even if you have to skip a week of chemo. I am now 10 months in remission and starting to feel normal again. Hang in there!!! Kim
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