Taxol Sensitivity

I too had a reaction to Taxol with my first infusion.  They doubled my steroids and ran the taxol at a slow rate.  Whenever they tried to  increase the rate I had a reaction.  It takes me about  5 hours to get the taxol.  But I have been able to still receive it.

some people have switched to taxotere if they have had a reaction to taxol.  Of course if you are in a study, they have certain criteria to meet.  

I also had a reaction to carboplatin during my 9 th dose, so I was switched to cisplatin.  It takes me all day to get the Cisplatin, too.

My gyn/ono in FL talked about using Adriamycin if the taxol/ cisplatin stopped working for me.  Adriamycin is in the same drug category as Doxil, just a much older drug.  As a nurse I remember it being red.  Someone on one of the boards called it " the red devil".

my onocologist in IL does recommend taking the dexamethasone the night before chemo, and they still give steroids prior to chemo.

I did not get a port until after my fourth chemo.  My doctor said if I had good veins I did not need one.  I did have good veins and now I have no veins.  The chemo really ruined them. It took 3 sticks for lab and 2 sticks for chemo all that day.  The port is great for lab draws, CAT scans as well as getting chemo.  They wanted to put in a PICC line for my last two chemos, but since I knew I would need chemo again I chose the port.  I just am sorry I did not get one right away.

all chemo will cause damage if it comes out of the vein.  Good luck with the rest of your treatments.

Hi,

I also have UPSC.  When I was in chemo, I had Carboplatin and Taxotere.  I had a severe reaction to the Taxotere within the first few minutes the infusion was started.  They pulled the IV and then gave me more benedryl and a lot of steroids.  I do agree that a reaction to the the drug produces a lot of attention.  I had the head chemo nurse, 5 other nurses, a few aides, my PA, my doctor, another doctor, inhilation therapy and a person with a crash cart!!  I did finish the taxotere that day.   After that I took large doses of oral steroids the night before  treatments, the morning of the treatment and had IV steroids before starting the chemo.  Then they ran the chemo in very slowly.  Just  before starting the chemo they gave me a injection of lorazapam.  I was in dreamland within 5 minutes and woke up shortly before it was finished.  The treatments usually took about 8 hours.  Then I also took nulasta shots to help.   I did manage to finish all six treatments.  The last treatment was at a half dose of taxotere because of the neoropathy that it has caused.  I did not have a port or picc line and did have chemo leak through the veins.  I did have scarring of both arms, which I was told would stay forever, but has diminished over time and is not too noticable at this time.   I wish you good luck with the drug and hope that they will find a way for you to tolerate the drug better and stay on the trial.

Pat

DebiR said:

3rd Round yesterday

Good News!  I had my 3rd round of carbo/taxol yesterday with the desensitizing protocol and no reaction!  I had to take 20mg of dexamethasone (steroid) and 20mg of Pepcid Sunday night at 10pm (36 hrs prior), This was then repeated on Monday at 10pm (24 hrs prior) and Tuesday morning at 4am (6 hrs prior).  My chemo was at 10am on Tuesday.  I then got another 20mg of dexamethasone, 50 mg of diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and 20 mg of famotidine (Pepcid) before starting the paclitaxel.  The first IV of taxol was 2mg diluted in 100ml of saline over 30 minutes, followed by another IV of 10mg of taxol diluted in 100ml of saline delivered over 30 minutes and then I got the remaining taxol in another 100mg of saline that took 3 hours. This was followed by the carboplatin which took 30 minutes. It was a long day as I had to arrive by 9am for my follow-up with the doctor first and didn’t finish until a little after 5pm but so happy that I didn’t react.

Hopefully posting all of this will help someone else in the future if they have a sensitivity like I did.  This means I can continue on this carbo/taxol regimen and I stay in the GOG-0258 trial unless the neuropathy in my fingers and toes gets too bad.  Right now I am taking vitamin B6 to help with this and it does seem to minimize it.  It's worse in my toes than my fingers.

I'm at the halfway point - 3 down and 3 more to go!

Debi

UPSC 3A

 

Congratulations, Debi, you are halfway through the chemo!  I am glad to see that you are able to stay in the GOG study. It is tough to lose one's hair, but having nice wigs sure does help.  I also liked the fact that I didn't have to spend much time at all in caring for my wigs. I use to spend much more time caring for my real hair.  Now, 5 months after finishing my chemo with Taxol and Carboplatin, I have sprouted very curly hair.  I use to have slightly wavy hair.  Now, I don't even have to comb it it is so curly!   

Wishing you the best,

Cathy

(UPSC Stage IIIA) 

Ro10 said:

Debi

Glad the desensitization worked for you.  Glad you will be able to continue to get the taxol.   I hope the medication continues to work for you.  3 down - 3 to go.  You are halfway there.  Good for you.  I am surprised Pepcid was part of the pre- chemo protocol.  I understand the decadron and Benadryl.  Hope you have good days between your chemo sessions.

Ya gotta give us a picture