taxol and itching?

jdubious
jdubious Member Posts: 113
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi! I have just had my second week of taxol, and I itch like crazy. Last week, the itching was mostly around my eyes and forehead, but this week it feels like all over. Has anyone else had this issue? I told my oncologist about it, but she didn't seem to think it was related to the taxol. Funny how it starts right up after treatment and is gone in a week!
thanks,
jill

Comments

  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #2
    jd,do you drink orange juice or anything acidic like tomatoe juice etc?? This may cause the itching that will come on with taxol. It is an allergic reaction with the acidity of the juices. If so, cut the juices and drink water
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Jill, last year when I had taxol, I also experienced severe itching on my hands and feet. I had to go to the emergency room three times just to treat the itching. I was given benadryl and oxycodone to take to help w/itching & pain. In the end, my oncologist determined that I was allergic to the taxol and I was switched to me to taxotere for the final treatments. I hope you begin to feel better soon.

    Jade
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #4
    Hi Jill, My chemo experience was 4 AC so I have no first hand knowledge but my dad is currently receiving low dose Taxol for throat and lung cancer. He receives a whole bag of benedryl through the IV along with a bag of steriod and a bag of Zanax for his stomach before he gets the Taxol each week. The nurse explained that Taxol is packaged with a preservative that can elicit an allergic reaction. They started his drip very slowly the first session and monitored him every 5 minutes to make sure he wasn't having any reaction before bumping up the drip speed. There is definitely a possibility you could be having an allergic reaction. Good luck!
    terri
  • bmosemak55
    bmosemak55 Member Posts: 1
    #5

    I had 4 AC and just completed 12 weeks of Taxol. Due to an allergic reaction to Taxol on first treatment, I was given a full bag of benedryl with each of the remaining Taxol treatments.  After the 2nd treatment, I my Dr. asked if I had any numbness or tingling in my hands or feet.  I explained that I get an uncontrollable itching in my hands.  She assured me that it had NOTHING to do with the Taxol.  It has now been a week and a half since my last Taxol treatment and the hand itching is sometimes hard to cope with.  I am trying anything and everything I can to relieve the itch.  I have an appointment next week with my onco and hope to get something to relieve it soon but want to avoid steriods as they keep me awake at night.   PLEASE, if anyone knows of anyway to elieveate the itching let me know.  Best wishes to everyone.

     

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