Allergic Rx to Taxol

Conjunctivitis cause by taxol?

has anyone experienced eye problems since being on taxol or carboplatin? I am having some issues and read the drugs can cause problems

Alternative method of getting Taxol - Desensitization Protocol

I also experienced a severe alergic reaction to Taxol on my first visit to the chemo suite. My oncologist explained that I was most likely reacting to the preservative used and not the actual Taxol. I got the impression that this was common. I asked if there were any alternatives using a different preservative and was told that one was available, but it was ridiculously expensive so most insurance companies wouldn't cover it.

From what I understand, Taxol is still the best one, or the one my oncologist had the most success with, so it was worth trying to figure out how to get my body to accept it. She stated that before we tried different chemo drug, she suggested our next best option was to try administering Taxol using the "Desensitization Protocol." This involved me checking into the hospital overnight. Although it was a hassle, I have to admit that I felt a pretty good about the new plan. My first experience with chemo had landed me in the ER after not being able to breathe after a couple minutes of the Taxol. I liked the idea of being in the hospital where I could get immediate help should something bad happen again.

I checked into the hospital in the evening. They started steroids the night before and pre-treatment meds started in the morning. I had a special chemo nurse who had been trained in the Desensitization Protocol in addition to the normal day nurse. Essentially the taxol was administered in stages, a little bit at a time, gradually increasing the percentage of Taxol until I was able to tolerate the full concentrate Taxol. Instead of one bag, I had three. It's a lot slower process and my amazing chemo nurse monitored me the whole time looking for reactions. They can adjust the pre-meds, or slow down the drug, or stop it if there were signs of anything unusual. The first visit was awful, but after my anxiety went away and I understood the process better, everything went well.

I was told that other facilities offer this protocol and they use it for other drugs as well. It's suppose to help your body get accustomed to the toxic drug in your system and stop reacting to it. I guess if you slowly increase the concentration the body will accept it better.

Not sure about its availability in smaller towns. I live in Chicago where access to good care is plentiful, and I am unfortunate to have many options. But if you find that your body just isn't accepting of the drug you really need, it might be worth asking your oncologist if this is an option for you! 

[I was diagnosed Stage IC3, clear cell carcinoma of the ovary with Stage IV endometriosis. Radical hysterectomy and some other stuff removed including lymph nodes which were not malignant. I completed my sixth and final cycle of Taxol / Carboplatin a month ago. CA-125 was 141 before surgery, currently at 7. ]

 

txlady1987~Medi-ports R superior 2 getting repeated vein sticks!

Well good evening “tax lady” ~ I know you aren’t referring to our infamous IRS but I just naturally thought of “tax lady” when I first saw the user id before reading your post.

As for me, my first infusion of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (Taxol) was a frightening experience.  I felt faint.  My spine started jerking violently from the neck to the base of my spine.  I was nauseous.  The nurses quickly disconnected the infusion lines and substituted “something else.”  I thought I was going to die, and my husband said that my body turned “blood red” all over.  Of course, I who take pictures of everything, said later, “Why didn’t you take a picture?”  While most seem to have their camera phones at the ready at all times, that was the last thing he thought of.  He just looked on with fright, and in my mind I questioned if I was going to live or die.  And I told the nurse as she was attending to me, “I thought I was going to die.”  To which she replied, “Well to be honest we have coded some.”   But it was not my time to die, even though I am a Stage IV Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV patient since 2012. Losing my hair with the use of TAXOL is far better than losing my life--so I carry on. 

Might I inquire as to why you do not have a medi-port for your treatments?  Being a caregiver for my husband who is an Esophageal Cancer survivor, I was well aware that he had a medi-port for the duration of his neoadjuvant treatments and even through till completion of his Esophagectomy surgery.  So when I was diagnosed and knew that I would be undergoing a 6-series treatment of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel before any possible surgery, I immediately told the oncologist that I wanted a medi-port.  “No problem” was the answer.  I also said that I wanted to come in the following day for “hydration” treatments because I know how severely cancer patients who are actively in chemo treatments become dehydrated.  And as I’ve always said, “We shouldn’t have to beg for water.”  Again, he said, “Certainly”.  After each chemo treatment,  in addition to hydration, I am given a steroid injection.  I seem to remember the name of Decadron.  I also had a Neulasta injection to build up my white blood cell count.  Naturally, I was always thrilled to finally end a series of chemo treatments.  I’ve had 3 different regimens of carbo/paclitaxel thus far.

I managed to survive the first day after having been there for 11 hours.  Evidently I didn’t receive enough meds to condition my body prior to receiving the actual Carbo and Taxol itself.  My onc stayed with me the entire time.  I came in at 8:15 A.M. and departed @ around 7 P.M.  My husband was by my side, and this experience was as scary as anything I’ve ever experienced.  I was already tense going in for my first “dreaded” chemo treatment, but was totally unprepared for what followed!

Now I’m still around when I could have died soon after my terminal diagnosis, but only the Lord knows that date.  Enduring and surviving the chemo treatments and related surgeries certainly are filled with many anxious moments.  So at least all of us know what each other is “feeling” and often what we are “thinking.”  An ordeal is too mild a word, but we’ve all been there and feel a certain camaraderie.  So my question is why must you continue to endure things I’ve read other ladies talk about such as the chemo not going into the vein, but instead into the subcutaneous tissue?   Were you given a choice of being “stuck” each time you had a treatment or having a medi-port implanted?

Now the nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, are “sisters” we all despise but have to contend with.  But my only question is, have you asked for a port to be implanted?  I told my doctor to be sure to not put it in the path of my bra strap.  Although I was only in a hospital gown at the time the procedure was to begin, he said, “Go get your bra.”  He waited patiently another 10 minutes or so for me to return to my original dressing area, retrieve my bra, and put it on.  He then marked a spot that would not conflict with the bra straps.  It was painless.  It certainly was a Godsend when I was in the hospital for 42 days.  My medications and pain meds were put into the line, and I never had to have my veins stuck. 

I’ve seen people come into the oncology lab, and the nurses have “tried” to find a vein.  It’s not unusual for veins to collapse after repeated usage.   So just wondering why you are not using a medi-port put in instead of continuing to have a problem.  The port is flushed usually every 4 to 5 weeks to be sure the line is working properly.

Just thought I would tell you about an easier way to “endure” chemo treatments with a medi-port in case you weren’t offered a choice.  It should be at “your” discretion since our comfort is very important you know. 

Wishing you well,

Loretta

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1.       https://www.uabmedicine.org/patient-care/treatments/mediport-placement

Mediport-Portacath Placement

Mediport-portacath placement is a medical procedure to implant a small medical appliance under the skin. The device includes a catheter that connects the port to a vein. Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical "needle stick."

Ports are used mostly to treat hematology and oncology patients, but recently ports have been adapted also for hemodialysis patients. The port is usually in the upper chest, just below the clavicle or collar bone. The outpatient procedure is minimally invasive.

Patients will receive local anesthesia with some sedation as well as pain control during the removal, as needed. The procedure requires two incisions of one-half inch in the neck and three-inches in the chest wall. After surgery patients experience some bruising, swelling, and tenderness where the port was placed, but these symptoms usually go away gradually over the first three to five days. Over the counter medicines may be taken for relief of the discomfort. Once healed, the port should not affect the patient's daily activities such as bathing. When the port is no longer needed, it can be surgically removed in another outpatient procedure…”

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2.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDQAfF2TKc

“How a Portacath is used for Chemotherapy Treatment

 Oncology Associates - Published on Apr 12, 2012

Oncologist Dr. Stephen Lemon from Oncology Associates in Omaha, Nebraska explains how a port-a-cath is used for cancer treatment during chemotherapy. Visit http://oacancer.com/patient-info/reso... to watch more videos on cancer treatment.”

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3.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKXmySpexi8

“The Chemo Experience: Accessing the Port

WunderGloFoundation -  Published on Nov 17, 2011

 There's no use in fearing treatment or being intimidated by it.

The WunderGlo Foundation hopes to demystify cancer by showing you, through Gloria's own battle with the disease, each facet of treatment in an honest, accessible way. Once you know how these things work, they start to become a lot less scary.

Check out this video from Gloria's most recent round of chemo. It demonstrates one of the first and most important steps in receiving chemotherapy treatment: accessing the port. Accessing the port is easy, quick, and painless.

wunderglofoundation.org”

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4.       http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Taxotere.aspx

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5.       http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Taxol.aspx

Taxol -   

Generic Name: Paclitaxel
Other Trade Name: Onxal ^TM

“…When to contact your doctor or health care provider:

Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 100.4° F (38° C), chills (possible signs of infection)
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, closing up of the throat, swelling of facial features, hives (possible allergic reaction).

The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency.  Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:

• If you notice any redness or pain at the site of injection
• Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
• Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
• Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools or urine
• Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
• Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Swelling of the feet or ankles.  Sudden weight gain
• Signs of infection such as redness or swelling, pain on swallowing, coughing up mucous, or painful urination…”

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