Taxol and Carboplatin

jazzy1 said:

Ann

I had this chemo drug mix and after each treatment had the rash on face mainly for 4 days..then stopped.  Never had much with numbness, but if any it was more aggressive after the last 3 chemo infusions, not at beginning.

Your medical team doesn't think you should have numbness after the first treatment, but remember we're all unique, so might still happend.  I'd not worry and simply watch and take note of your symptoms.  On other hand, if you have ANY concerns contact your medical team again.  One thing I did during my treatment protocol, I didn't hesitate to call the RNs at my oncologist office to ask about symptoms, etc.  They were so great as helped to calm my mind and answer all my questions.

Best to you,

Jan

My oncologist had me take B-1, B-6 and B-12 to help with the numbness.  I chose to take L-Glutemine as there was a study at Dana Farber that showed it could help with numbness.  i found that if I slacked onthe L-Glutemine that once I started it back up the numbness got less.

I got slight numbness after each chemo in my finger tips but after a week or so and before the next infusion it would subside.

Maybe you could ask your Oncologist about the B vitamins and see if she is good with the L-Glutemine

The one thing they will watch is if it stops you from doing things,  for example if you drop things or can't walk.  If it isn't that severe they just watch.  Mine got progressively worse but I am happy to say it is getting progressively better since my last chemo was 4/18

Sharon

Ann55 said:

Thanks

Thanks I was on B6 and L-glutemine already and now they are going to add steriods for 3 days after each treatment and maybe something else when I go for another treatment on the 12th. I also had a lot of bone pain that was difficult to control so they said we are going to have to come up with a new plan for me, not different chemo drugs but different supportive care I think.On day one I did really well and thought I could be the chemo poster child but it didn't turn out that way.Maybe the next time will be better.

did you get a shot for white blood counts?  neuroplasta (sp?)  if so i was given the suggestoin to take claridan D for the day before, day of and a few days after and it helped.  Also suggested to take aleeve or advil the same time frame.  BUt of course talk to your nurse oncologist before doing this.

i got this tip from a friend who had breast and it worked for her and her friends and it worked for me.

i had a hard time with chemo and they did try steroids for after and i had a bad bout of constipation.  so ask about that.

things do get better, I finished my chemo on 4/18 of this year and radiation on 5/30 and things are much better than when I was going through chemo.

Hang in there and let me know how things are going

Sharon

Hybridspirits said:

bone pain

did you get a shot for white blood counts?  neuroplasta (sp?)  if so i was given the suggestoin to take claridan D for the day before, day of and a few days after and it helped.  Also suggested to take aleeve or advil the same time frame.  BUt of course talk to your nurse oncologist before doing this.

i got this tip from a friend who had breast and it worked for her and her friends and it worked for me.

i had a hard time with chemo and they did try steroids for after and i had a bad bout of constipation.  so ask about that.

things do get better, I finished my chemo on 4/18 of this year and radiation on 5/30 and things are much better than when I was going through chemo.

Hang in there and let me know how things are going

Sharon

 

How are you doing since completion of all your treatments?  Think of you often and know between work and cancer and family you're very busy.  Anything new that you've learned from your naturopath?  I'm all about keeping my body strong to keep on living life.

You're such a strong-willed person so bet all is going along smoothly....

Hugs

Jan

Ann55 said:

better

They told me about the claritin the day of the first treatment,next time I'm starting it a couple of days before treatment. I didn't get a shot for WBC's I think the bone pain was from my bone marrow kicking into overdrive from the chemo treatment. Everything got much better after I started on the steriods so I'll be getting them after each treatment. I feel good this week but I get another treatment on Friday.They need to put me in a room that has someone trying to put a cat in a bathtub painted on the walls. I'm thinking it will go better this time with the steriods AND my doctor's nurse not being on vacation.They had been like a well oiled machine up until the week she was on vacation and then the person covering kind of dropped the ball but I don't think it will happen again. The rash started fading the day after I started the steriods,the pain became managable and the numbness is only in my finger tips now. It's not all bad,I'm a nurse and I can wear wild nail polish and I couldn't at work,the nausea was very managable and I saw my primary physician today and for the first time in 20 years I was told to try not to lose anymore weight.I usually get you need to lose some weight.The only bad thing was my blood pressure was up and he said that could be from the chemo but usually not such a big increase so he gave me a prescription and my husband will monitor the BP if it's up I'll have something to fix it. It just looks like I'm going to do everything in a big way.Maybe that means UPSC cells are being killed it a big way.

I'll buy that one.

Hybridspirits said:

hanging in there

actually doing great.   I am going to post  a summary of what i learned from the Naturopath for the benefit of all.  Also my experience with  opinions and the value of pushing.  I do have my first base line cat tomorrow and believing i am on my road. 

Hubby still out of work so need to stay focused on that,  but lucky I have a great boss and great staff. Definately learned how to roll things off my shoulders, should have done that years ago.

i will try and pull out my testing from the naturopath to share as well as what she has given me todate

ttl

sharon

I

Best of luck with the CT tomorrow.  Always a worry but with me I visual good results...at least it seems to work for me.

Sure would love to hear the experience you've gained from your naturopath.

Hugs

Jan 

Sisters three said:

Me too me too

I want to hear all things about your naturopath!!!! 

I promise i will take some time to summarize my visit, the tests the naturopath did the results and what i am doing now.  i just got through my first ct scan and that wasn't fun until they got a hold of the 12/2012 pelvic scan I gave them and didn't give the radiologist.  Now I know what you guys have been going through.  Luckily I have a great team and the Dr called multiple times and we still need to decide how to follow up on what they need to watch.  After 6 hrs of that I needed to go on my bike and ride and ride.  You have to convince our mind to seek the positive and not go down another road but that is hard.

but everyone appeared to be happy including the radiologist.  My oncologist was out at a conf and she had the gyno oncologist work on it and keep her in the loop re email. So we are waiting on what she decides the follow up period is and if it can be an MRI and not a cat scan.  As my gyno oncologist said we don't want to light you up too much!  wonderful.

All I say is live in the moment, be happy,  do what you like and treat yourself well!

will post results soon.  Off to NJ for my nieces wedding.  Hope everyone is enjoying the summer

ttl

sharon

Ann55 said:

Taxol

Well it appears I'm one of the 1/2 of 1% of the people who can not take Taxol I reacted with severe bone pain,neuropathy , a rash from chest to legs and BP of 197/98 when my baseline is 110/70 (my primary physician is all over that so gyn/onc didn't t have to address that one.They definately did not want to see what a second exposure would do so I was changed to taxotere today. Hopefully it will solve these problems but will cause a new one, bone marrow depression so I will get Neulasta on Monday to try and head it off at the pass.Feeling optomistic that things will go better this time. I had suspected all along I was unique.The funniest thing to happen was my 3 yr old granddaughter telling her mother when I went for labwork on Wed.that MeMe had to go to the doctor and get a shot because her hair fell down.She might be alittle mixed up but I have been so surprised at how much she is understanding.They were spending the night and she wanted to sleep with me and give me lots of love.We are 3 for 3 on grandchildren and expecting our 4th in Aug.So one daughter tells the other that the pressure in on her to have another great baby as the bar has been set really high!We will have 4 under the age of 4 when the new arrival is here.They bring so much joy!Can you tell I had a very large dose of steroids today?   

Ann,

I hope the taxotere works for you as you sure went thru it with the taxol!

I just loved the comment your 3 year old granddaughter made about your 'hair falling down'...how precious! I am a "MeMe" too,  and have a 11 year old granddaughter who I love to pieces. She used to love cuddling up with us in bed when she was little, and to this day will sneak in our room at night and sleep on the floor! I think she is mature for her age due to my husband being disabled, and my own diagnosis and treatment. She has always been aware of her grandfather's needs, and when he is not feeling well. She will tell me to 'look at Grandpa's face!'when he is not feeling well or in pain, and tell him 'everything will be alright!' She is such an angel, but I worry sometimes about the obvious worry she experiences as a kid. Her life should be carefree!

However, like you said...grandchildren bring such joy! We only have the one here as the 4 others are over 1200 miles away!

Enjoy! And get better!

Kathy

Ann55 said:

taxotere

Thank you,the taxotere did the trick for me,it was as different as night and day.I went for my neulasta today. I am feeling so much better,no new neuropathy,no rash and thank God no pain! 

So glad the taxotere gave you a much better experience.  Those reactions are no fun.  Hope thNuelasta does not give you bone pain.  Take care of yourself and drink lots of fluids.  Rest as needed.  In peace and caring.  

I had taxol and carboplantin and they were horrible by the 3rd treatment. the pain was awful. felt like bones were splitting open. neulasta and 3 units of blood. helped tremendously. neulasta had no side effects. Praise God! I had my last treatment in January and still suffer with neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. some nights it is awful. i have taken b6 all along with no results. doctor said it may not help. i took gabapentin and it made me so dizzy i thought i would pass out and the top of my head got sore to touch. i suffer most nights, take 2 benedryl and my xanax and 2 tylenol at bedtime and they really help. i will pray you get better. my cancer is gone. praise God! but i got staph infection in my incision and am still healing from july of 2012. someday it will be completely healed. i have a hernia at my incision, it is tender and annoying. but i praise God everyday for my healing. in Christian love, Debbydo