Weekly Taxol group

Tresjoli2

I hit the halfway point today! 6 down 6 to go!

KBeee

Kara, is your surgeon aware of your ongoing pain?

Tresjoli, hooray for halfway!!!!

rleepac

Anyone else get rib pain? I reached up to pull the ceiling fan chain and I noticed moderate to severe pain along my ribs on my cancer side. It's not surgical pain because I haven't had anything procedure-wise since the excisional biopsy 7 months ago and have been pain free (except body aches). It's just weird how it came on suddenly and I can't recall any trauma to cause it.

Bekah

molly1976

Yes! Eight weeks post Taxol and it still crops up sometimes. I had a rib x-ray months ago and it was normal.

rleepac

Ok. It's so weird!

justmaximom15

Hello Ladies!! I'll be starting weekly Taxol in early September, just had cycle 3 of 4 A/C yesterday. I've had very few issues so far so it's good to read that Taxol might be not too bad either.

karabesque

Thanks Allison, I have been on this thread for about 4 weeks now. I just did Taxol #2. I did 4 DD AC before.

Kbee- I did talk with my MO. She is not concerned with my pain meds and the amount I am taking and said since this is only temporary, I will be fine.

Going to nap now. I hope are all well and having a SE free day

KBeee

Bekah, gals in my Sept 13 group were just discussing this week about rib pain. It seems to be an ongoing problem for many

Selmada

Finishing up week 8 now starting to climb up from the hell that is Thursday for me. I get treatment Monday and since week 5 sometime Wednesday things start to go downhill, peaking on Thursday with a slow climb to a new (lower) norm by late Friday, ready to start all over again. After last week, I knew wouldnt be functioning and called in sick yesterday. I have already booked next Thursday off work, requested childcare in the evening (single mom to 6 year old twins boys) from my friends. It SUCKS! I am exhausted and for some reason weepy. I lack any motivation and even walking to the bathroom takes forever.

All my brown hair is gone and only the grey (in stubble form remains). My c-section scar, very low and normally covered with hair is totally visible (for those who could see me nekkid). Other body hair is thinning too but since it was always light, it's not really showing.

Neuropathy has moved past toes into balls of feet and the very tips of two fingers are showing signs. It could be much worse, I can still walk and feed myself. Yesterday my arthritis had a major flair up in my knees and in one thumb. I see oncologist next Friday and will ask about anything stronger than tylenol for these couple of days a week since walking is still my primary mode of transportation.

4 more to go then I move onto AC (I know, I'm reverse of most so it will be interesting to see how that goes)

Trvler

Selmada: Has anyone ever told you to take glutamine to help with the neuropathy?

tonia52

my dr put me on the Claritin that melts and so far I've done great. I also use ice on my toes and feet during the taxol infusion.

pennsygal

Bekah - I've also had the rib pain since about #5. I had a chest xray, etc. and all looked okay. I am now attributing everything to Taxol.

I had infusion #9 last Wednesday. Next week I'm off, and then three more to go! The neuropathy really hit me this week. All fingers and toes, as well as tingling in the balls of my feet and palms.

I hope everyone is doing well.

rleepac

The rib pain has subsided for now but I'm having a chest CT in 2 weeks anyway as a follow up on some thing else. I would imagine if there's anything there it will catch it.

I'm 1 week PFC and I still have tingling on the balls of my feet and diarrhea (could be from the Herceptin/perjeta).

Chemo...the gift that keeps on giving

tryn2staycalm

Tresjoli2 - I slept so much at the beginning of my Taxol's. Then it started to lessen. How many in are you? I think it was a combo of the pain meds and the chemo that really knocked me out. Still last Friday chemo I slept a lot first couple days. I agree with some that 3rd day is the hardest. Lack of energy and tired. I find every chemo is different for me.

I too get the bloody nose blows. There was a lot of ladies on here who mentioned they did too. Most said it stopped quickly after stopping Taxol.

And for those not sleeping ... I had terrible sleep issues first time around with chemo but my doctor gave me the only non addictive sleeping med that is available here as I know of Trazodone 50 mg. and it works pretty well for me when I do have sleeping issues. I agree with addressing the non sleeping needs also.. it is so important. Also I suffered so badly with hot flashes and I was so very grateful to an oncologist who prescribed me Oxybutinin ( actually for bladder issues), it works perfectly for me. Bye Bye to hot flashes (thank God).

Cathy

molly1976

I'm a lifelong insomniac and have taken Trazodone for years! It's great! No weirdness or addictive issues like with Ambien or the other newer drugs.

My bloody nose was noticeably better 2 weeks after Taxol and totally normal maybe a week after that.

rainnyc

Selmada, looks as if I also will be doing the reverse Taxol to A/C. Just finished Taxol #12, so I know it's coming...

karabesque

Hi All, The tops of my hands starting burning today like they were sunburned. Is this the beginning of nueropathy?

tryn2staycalm

Karabewque- I get that on Taxol - was really bad red burning first then turned itchy then to hives a couple weeks ago. Don't think its the same as neuropathy that I do get in my feet as it is numbness and tingling. Not sure if it is the same but doctor gave me a cream to stop the itch. Good luck with it.

Cathy

Anonymous

I had burning on my hands that started around week 4 of Taxol. It progressed up my arms over the next few weeks. They gave me Clobetasol (a topical steroid) which did not really work. They sent me to Dermatology who recommended I ice my hands during treatment. They also resumed the Decadron dose pre taxol. It worked great. I soaked my hands in ice water. Painful, but it worked and the burning had become unbearable so I was willing to try anything. They also tape ice packs to my arms during my infusion. Now, at week 10, it is completely cleared up. I also use Jeans Cream on my hands and arms. Great stuff.

I was told it is not neuropathy, just a skin reaction to Taxol. They also held my dose for 2 weeks because of the rash and some neuropathy in my feet. The 2 week break was very helpful for both and I should be able to complete my 12 weeks.

Trvler

I wonder why, in some cases, they don't give the steroid every week. They have never stopped mine.

Tresjoli2

had an allergic reaction the first go round. I have to have the full Monty each week.

ThePrincess

same here - once you have a reaction, you get all of the premeds each time ;-)

tryn2staycalm

Trvler - I too have the same every week. I asked the head chemo nurse last week if it changes and she said no not unless you lose more than 10 lbs. and then MO may want dose reduced. I asked same for steroids and Benedryl she said yes the same. Again some things could be different here in Canada.

Cathy

Leighrh

I get, Zofran, Benadryl and Decadron(sp) every time. Pretty low doses of each I think.

Trvler

So is the steroid the reason I have lost weight? I am EATING. Last night we went to a southern restaurant I saw featured on a local food show. It was the most unbelievably good fried chicken I think I ever had. The meal had to have about 4000 calories.

Leighrh

Allison... I WISH!! I am now gaining.... even though I am not eating bad! My diet has really not changed, I eat really well during the week, chicken breast, and veggies and fruit... that's about it and on the weekends I indulge a little.... but I still seem to gain about a pound a week. MO says it's the Taxol and it will go away when I am done... But I DONT believe him!!!! I think everyone is different though.....

Today I am OBSESSING over hair. I can't stop looking up hair growth after chemo....... I can't stop myself... LOL!! I still have pretty much nothing... and it's driving me INSANE!

ninjamary

I wonder if the weight gain is from being put into menopause. Walking tires me out now! Well it seems everything tires me out, I think I could take a nap everyday. Now I hear that radiation is more tiring. Ugh is that even possible.

I'm a big ole slug anymore.

Hair...My crown (outline) is ALL GRAY. They say the back of my head is coming in thicker, but I don't see it. It's just darker. I'm still balding.

Leighrh

F*&# Menopause..... I ain't going down like that... LOL! I am still exercising even when I am wiped.... granted I can't do near what I used to but it counts if I try.... LOL!

karabesque

Thanks for the answers. They took me off the steroids in my pre meds. Maybe that's it. I only get Benedryl, Pepcid ( I swear that's what they are saying) and an anti-nausea. I see my accupuncturist today. I'll ask her opinion. Have a great day all and I wish all some hair growth today

tryn2staycalm

I really try to keep in mind I'd rather save my life than my hair.

Cathy