Round 3 of A/C, then Taxol. Will it get worse?

I had the same chemo plan you

I had the same chemo plan you do, it appears. 

On AC. I did quite well.  I would have a few -- maybe two --- days I was a little queasy, but that was it.  My oncology people said to me that if my chemo made me sick, let them know.  They could change the prescription I had for the anti-puke drugs.  I did not need them for Taxol, as I did not even have queasiness.  On AC my hair was starting to flee after the second dose, and so I had a friend of mine give me a buzz cut, figuring that losing the bristles would not seem as difficut to deal with -- that was all right.  I had no hair anywhere, not even nose hairs.  (I think that may have been part of my problems later -- nothing to filter tha air I breathed in.  I had a bit of a pesky cough develop by the time I was doing taxol.)

On AC and Taxol, my numbers were always good. I had Neulasta shots the day after.   So, I stayed on schedule.

I am not sure if the few challenges I had when I was on taxol was the taxol OR the cumulation of the chemo.  I did keep an eye on my feet, making sure I was not getting cracks in my skin, like a friend of mine did.  I had some peeling around the heel and side opposite the arches.  My toenails were a grayish color, but I did not lose them.  Taking deep breaths did become a problem -- they triggered coughing.  Catching my breath triggered coughing.  I had a two weekends near the end of chemo in which the coughing really became problematic.  My oncologist had me do a few things -- and they really did help:  take an allergy pill.  The second time it happened, he also had me add mucinex and gave me a prescription to be sure I was not on the verge of pneumonia.  That all worked well, as I was able to stay on track with my chemo.  The other thing I had for a few days was a lot of achiness in my hip bones when I was doing the taxol and still doing the neulasta. 

Once I finished all the chemo, the cough did disappear.

Do not be surprised is the med people keep a close eye on you when you take your first infusion of taxol.  It is not unusual for people to have a type of reaction within the first half hour or less.  That did not happen to me.  That happened to me the last two times.  Benadryl infusion helped the first time.  The seond time they had already added in the extra benadryl, and so I think they did some demorol.  Not sure == they were surprised I was not sleepy after all that.

You will get a sense of how your body handles the chemo.  For me, I laid low a few days each time; then I made sure that I did not stay a prisoner in my home.  I think that helped me stay positive in my ability to get through it all.

I am now three years past all that and doing fine.  I did rads and I currently take tamoxifen.

Hope this helps.  You will get through this.

A/C followed by T here too

My chemo was exactly like yours. My experience was pretty smooth (if you can call it like that). Mild side effects like you, my hair falling was the worst and I slept more than usual. Taxol was much better, I had more energy, but I had an allergic reaction (rash) and I was on xtra steroids wich made retain more fluids and I gain 10 pounds in a couple of weeks. Also you might feel that your whole body hurts after 3 days of the Taxol, Didnt need Neulasta during Taxol, but I heard from another patiente that did had it, It made her feel more pain (not sure why or if was really related). Overall I felt better while on TAxol, so I hope you do too. Stay strong and keep us posted

Adriana

 

My bone pain

The Neulasta shot made me get bone pain and fever for about 5 days after each infusion. It was ok because I'd take some Tylenol and rest a lot. I always made sure to clean the house and prepare a couple of meals the day before going for a round. Then I could sit on the couch and read magazines for a few days. You sound like you will get through this just fine. I'll be NED for three years this Sept! hugs, Anna

twnkltoz said:

Awesome, thank you! My MO did

Awesome, thank you! My MO did indicate I'd continue neulasta on taxol and so would more likely have bone pain. Was it relentless or did it only last a few days each time?

I had Neulasta through Taxol,

I had Neulasta through Taxol, except after the last infusion.  I am not sure if it was the cumulative effect or not, but I found that I had aching hips and legs the weekend after my chemo (M) and shot (TU).  After that, I seemed to be ok.

twnkltoz said:

I'm an athlete. I'm used to

I'm an athlete. I'm used to being in pain, so that I can handle!

I just finished my A/C,

I just finished my A/C, Taxol. I'm allergic to the Taxol so I have sunburn, peeling like rash mostly on arms & hands. On all kinds of oral & topical meds. But its healing. Now I go get uni mx. Thats whats scaring me.

 

twnkltoz said:

Sorry you weren't through

Sorry you weren't through that, but glad you're healing! Good luck with surgery!

Just checking in on YOU - Chemo Queens ==

Hoping things are better - Please check in when possible.

 

Former Chemo Queen - Vicki Sam

twnkltoz said:

Thanks! Had round 4 a week

Thanks! Had round 4 a week and a half ago. No nausea this time, but have had fatigue for quite a bit longer than previously. I'm noticing more issues with mucous membranes being thinner, had to start takeing L-Lysine for my mouth (it worked and kept the mouth sores at bay), and maybe I'm having a little more trouble concentrating/figuring stuff out/etc. Otherwise, I feel like I'm doing well, compared to some. Still no metallic or chemical taste, although I'm pickier and strong smells or flavors either nauseate me or are at least unappealing. Still, in all, it's not as bad as I feared. Both looking forward to and dreading Taxol. I hope it's easier, like so many people say!

good to hear from you

Sounds like you're handling this well. Only certain chemo agents cause the metallic taste, so maybe you weren't on one of those. I didn't either. I also wasn't on Taxol so don't have personal experience with that, but seems like most women tolerate that better.