How bad is Taxol?

mollykitten

Hi,

I am currently going through my 8 cycles of treatment-1st four are Adriamycin and Cytoxan, and then 4 cycles of Taxol. So far I am 25% done.  

I have heard that the side effects from Taxol can be stronger than the Adriamycin and Cytoxan put together. Is any of this true?  Besides dealing with the current constant fatigue, bone pain and lack of appetite that lasts for about 7-9 days after my current infusions of A and C,what kind of side effects can I expect to go through with Taxol? Are they different side effects or just more of the same, with increased intensity than what I go through now?

Also, is the Taxol mixed with anything like a steroid?

As you can tell I am just trying to brace myself ahead of time so that I am not caught off guard with too many surprises. 

Thanks for the help.

Josie : )    

Firelady

I had the same regimen as you.  For me, Taxol was different from AC in many ways.  I didn't have the nausea, but I did have bone pain.  If I had to have one over the other for a period of a few weeks, I believe I'd rather have the bone pain.  As far as steriods, I was to take 10 steriod pills at 10 p.m. the night before treatment, 5 at 4:00 a.m., then have those included in the infusion.  I only did that once.  I was so wired by the steriods that I asked him if I could do it without them.  He agreed. The only reaction that came during infusion without steriods was restless legs and my chemo nurse said that was because of the Benedryl.  For me, overall, Taxol was much easier than AC. 

PattifromEncinitas

I have had one Taxol treatment so far (I also had 4 AC treatments like you) and the first week I had horrible pains - my ovaries, bones, joints, fingers, etc. It was not good. Now, during the second week, the pains have pretty much subsided but now I have a HORRIBLE rash. It covers me from head to toe - really. It really got bad today and I called the doc on call. I didn't get a good explanation or very much help over the phone. Hopefully my actually doc gets back to me tomorrow. I am not a happy camper. I haven't had any nausea though and haven't had to take any nausea meds, so that is nice at least. I actually handled the AC pretty well and heard this one would be even easier. Not for me. Hope this doesn't scare you but it is the truth. The Benedryl during treatment knocked me out. That was kinda nice. I slept through most of it. Now I am anxious because the doc mentioned yesterday - the rash wasn't quite so bad then - that I would most likely switch to Taxotere on Tuesday for my next treatment. I didn't have to take steroids before. I only got steroids just before the chemo with the benedryl in a bag throught the port. Maybe I should have gotten more steroids?? Maybe that would have prevented the allergic reaction.

PattifromEncinitas

I have had one Taxol treatment so far (I also had 4 AC treatments like you) and the first week I had horrible pains - my ovaries, bones, joints, fingers, etc. It was not good. Now, during the second week, the pains have pretty much subsided but now I have a HORRIBLE rash. It covers me from head to toe - really. It really got bad today and I called the doc on call. I didn't get a good explanation or very much help over the phone. Hopefully my actually doc gets back to me tomorrow. I am not a happy camper. I haven't had any nausea though and haven't had to take any nausea meds, so that is nice at least. I actually handled the AC pretty well and heard this one would be even easier. Not for me. Hope this doesn't scare you but it is the truth. The Benedryl during treatment knocked me out. That was kinda nice. I slept through most of it. Now I am anxious because the doc mentioned yesterday - the rash wasn't quite so bad then - that I would most likely switch to Taxotere on Tuesday for my next treatment. I didn't have to take steroids before. I only got steroids just before the chemo with the benedryl in a bag throught the port. Maybe I should have gotten more steroids?? Maybe that would have prevented the allergic reaction.

nixieschaos

Josie,

Make this your own, rather than what everyone tells you it's going to be. Go into it believing that you will handle it. Let your mind be strong...I had the same teatment that you did. I am through with it now. I just had someone ask me today how I managed 8 months of this agressive chemo and still manage to work and NEVER look like I was going through what I was. I didn't give my mind or body the option of feeling bad...When I DID feel bad, I did what I needed to do to get back on track. I am no different than anyone else out there, my mind made the difference.  

nixieschaos

Josie,

Make this your own, rather than what everyone tells you it's going to be. Go into it believing that you will handle it. Let your mind be strong...I had the same teatment that you did. I am through with it now. I just had someone ask me today how I managed 8 months of this agressive chemo and still manage to work and NEVER look like I was going through what I was. I didn't give my mind or body the option of feeling bad...When I DID feel bad, I did what I needed to do to get back on track. I am no different than anyone else out there, my mind made the difference.  

jdash

i had the same treatment as you and i did not have many side effects from the taxol

i did ask for ativan to be put in my iv before my treatments with the benadryl and that really helpedd to relax me   ask the doctor for it before they do the infusion because he has to ask for it  but trust me   it helps alot    i really thought it was easier than the ac   no nausea at all!   i too worked thru treatment with time off when i needed it   i felt better when i went thru treatment when i got dressed and went out than when i stayed around at home i felt worse  of course i rested when i had to   hoping you have as easy a time with the taxol as i did  dont worry about it  you will be ok

julia

cmb35

Josie,

I was completely taken off guard, because most women find taxol much easier to tolerate than the adriamycin/cytoxin, but I was one of the few unlucky ones that had a terrible time with taxol. That being said, it is still manageable, and you will get through it. Chances are, you will be in the larger percentage who have an easier time with it, but even if you're not, you will be OK.

I do recommend you try L-Glutamine powder (ask your onc first of course) if you start to experience any numbness/tingling ithe goes beyond your wrists or ankles. I didn't know about it until after my second treatment, and I think it really helped control the neuropathy (numbness/tingling.) Again, even though I had a terrible time with that and it freaked me out, it did eventually completely resolve itself.

Good luck to you, and hugs

Anonymous

Taxol was a walk in the park compared to AC. The only SEs I had from Taxol were some mild constipation and some leg swelling. After about 8 of 12 weekly doses, the leg muscles got sore, but this subsided gradually when the tx's ended.

Don't talk yourself into anything. I have a friend who has been on Taxol continuously for almost a year ... she's having no issues at all.

fightinhrd123

I had dose dense taxol, every 2 weeks, and it was much easier than the AC.  The bone pain sucked, but I stayed on top of the pain meds, and its was manageable, was only bad for maybe 2-3 days.   My last dose was 3 weeks ago today, and i'm still taking vicodin for the bone pain, but only one a day, and i could probably just take advil.  Didnt need any nauesea meds or anything.

mollykitten

Hi Everyone,

I just want to thank you all for the suggestions/advice on how best to handle the Taxol.

I still have 2 A/C treatments left to go, so I think that I will just try and get through those 1st.

Then, I will just deal with the Taxol treatments one at a time, which is how I have been getting through all of my BC treatment starting with radiation after my lumpectomy.

 Wow, I can't believe what has taken place since my lumpectomy. Actually looking back, I realize that even though the chemo for me is the most uncomfortable part of the entire breast cancer treatment, I can now finally say to myself, "your'e almost done, only six cycles left of chemo and you'll be finished with treatment (fingers crossed of course.) "

It's been a long year!

Thanks again and good luck to everyone.

Josie 

cp418

I also thought Taxol was much easier than AC.  Main issues were teh numbness and tingling in hands and feet.  It took a long time for this neuropathy to resolve for me.  I also had lots of eye tearing and runny nose which for some patients is also a very common symptom which resolves immediately after treatments.  Good Luck!!

Debbi5108

I finished my second Taxol today and after my first one I came home cleaned walls spot cleaned carpets did laundry and well finally made a dent in the pit as I call my house LOL. AC was hard Taxol I can so deal with and have very few side effects if any so I hope that happens with you.  I received 50mg's of Zantac 50 mg's of Benadryl and Aloxi plus Decadron and other than a good nights rest no se's I also take Zantac 150 twice Daily and Claritan 24 hr once a day no pain meds and I am doing great so I hope it is the same for you!!!

Elliemae32

I am starting taxotere in a few weeks.  Did any of you ladies do ice packs on the wrists and ankles for the taxol/taxotere therapy?  It is suppose to help with the neuropathy. 

Ellen

sftfemme65

Ellen,

I'm sorry I know this is totally off topic but I noticed it says you are pregnant?  And you are doing chemo now?  I didn't know that was possible.  I would really be interested in your story, if you dont mind. I see you and I are almost identical in our diagnoses.

Thanks,

Teresa

lafera12

To cp148

I read on your post that it took a long time for the tingling/numbness in the hand and feet to stop.  For you, how long did it take to go away..I'm having the same problem

Angie

mollykitten

1. Hi everyone,

Thanks to all who have responded since I posted my questions.

I haven't been on the boards in a couple of weeks as I truly have not had the energy since treatment #3 of A/C.  The good news is that I am getting ready for my last A/C treatment on 11/17 (yeah!) Then, I will be starting Taxol.

 I have read all of the posts to my questions on Taxol, and truly it just sounds like a "wait and see" type of situation with the side effects. Regardless, I will still be so glad when I am done with Cytoxan and "the red devil" aka: Adriamycin, as this cycle of treatments has really walloped me.        

However, before I start phase two of chemo, I  have a couple of additional questions for all the ladies who have done Taxol/Taxotere.  

The first is what is the difference between Taxol and Taxotere? Is there any, and if there is, which one is the "better of the two" regarding the least amount of side effects? They seem to be interchangeable, but I am not sure.  

The second question is are steroids mandatory while being on Taxol/Taxotere? The only reason that I ask is that from reading many of the posts on both drugs, steroids seem to be given. I am currently also on steroids with the A/C, and while they give me about a day or so of less pain and more energy, I do not like them because they are making me very bloated and puffy. 

That's it for now. I hope everyone is doing well.

My best to all of you and I will make sure to let everyone know how it's going.   

Best wishes,

Josie : )