Nervous about starting taxol

cmreisner85

I'm not sure why I'm feeling anxious about treatment now, I guess there's just been too much going on for me to stop and get scared about it. When I was diagnosed I was 5 months pregnant I was started on AC right away and it was definitely not fun, but I was still able to work and carry on. I had my mastectomy and a few weeks later a healthy baby boy. I'm so grateful for him and my husband for keeping me positive so far.

Now my son is 5 weeks old and I'm feeling nervous I won't be able to help take care of him when I start taxol next week. I've read some really scary side effects. Am I freaking out over nothing? Is it a painful nightmare? Or is it a ton better than AC? Any advice is really appreciated



- Catrina

PeggySull

Hi, I've found taxol to be more tolerable than AC. Bone and muscle aches for about 4 days that are manageable with both over the counter and prescription meds. I've found alive and flexeril (prescrpt muscle relaxant) okay during the the days and at night I take a Percocet before bed if needed.



The main thing to be concerned about long term is peripheral neuropathy. My onc recommended B6 100 mg 3x a day and 1o mg of L-Glutamine 3 times a day at start of each infusion and 4 days after. I just find it easier to take the same amount all week.



There is a separate thread under chemotherapy called "Weekly taxol group" that provides a lot of support and tips.



The best thing for me with the taxol is that I didn't have the nausea that I did with the AC. There is still fatigue though so you might want to cut out all nonessential tasks and get as much sleep as possible during this time. For example, if your supermarket offers a delivery service by ordering on-line, go for it!



You sound like a very strong lady. I'll be thinking good thoughts your way!



Peggy

SelenaWolf

Taxol was easier for me than Adriamycin and Cytoxan.  It has an additive in it that many people are allergic to, so when you have your first infusion, they will watch you pretty carefully for a reaction.  I, also, seem to remember that I was given a dose of Benedryl before receiving the infusion as a countermeasure. 

I did experience some mild neuropathy in my feet; my hands didn't seem to be much affected by it, although a friend of mine had it the other way around.  The neuropathy went away quickly after treatment ended, once I went back to my exericse programme.

CameraKim

Hi Catrina,

I just finished my dose dense Taxol series last week. It was easier for me than AC! No mouth sores and I wasn't as tired. I was worried when I began, too. I had a allergic reaction to the Taxol on rounds 2 & 4 within the first 5 minutes. They were afraid I wasn't going to be able to handle it, but they slowed the drip way down and I did...and I'm glad. I could feel the tumor shrink with the AC...but I can't feel at it all anymore after the Taxol.

No neuropathy for me...my eyelashes and eyebrows are almost gone, and I'm losing a couple of fingernails...but I can deal with that My energy levels have been fine, too. I'm a elementary school teacher and I've been able to keep working in my class of 30 nine year olds. You'll be able to keep up with your sweet little baby, I'm sure. There's no better motivation in the world!!

You'll get through this!!!

adagio

CameraKim - just wondering when you lost your eye lashes and brows. I have had 2 taxol treatments but my brows and lashes are still present. I had an allergic reaction on treatment 2 which was very scary - not sure what number 3 will be like!!

cmreisner85

Thanks guys . I feel a lot better about getting taxol started/ over with now. It really helps hearing your experiences

CameraKim

Adagio, My eyebrows and eyelashes really started falling out just this week...one week past my last infusion. I have two nails that I think I'll lose, too. I had my reactions on treatment two an four. In fact, they thought about just stopping my last Taxol and calling it quits. After flushing me out, and slowing the drip down to 6 hours I was able to finish. I was glad....Taxol seems like powerful stuff!

Catrina, let us know how you do! After going through A/C...with a baby no less, I hope you'll find Taxol eaiser to handle!

adagio

I thought getting through treatment #1 without a reaction meant I wouldn't get any reaction after that, so it was quite a shock to get one with #2. Last time I said that I was going to quit - I see my oncologist today and see what she thinks! 

adagio

Off to taxol #3 - praying for no allergic reaction after the one I got with #2. It is going to be a long day - I have extra steroids since last night and now this morning to try and counter a reaction - hopefully the Benadryl will help me relax and rest a bit because I feel very edgy!

addisonse

Catrina, you and I have exactly the same situation! I was 19w.pregnant at DX and did everything. just like you. Started taxol 12/31 and I had my son 11/25. Shoot me an email at Addison.se@gmail.com because I'd love to chat with you privately about some other stuff.

spartygirl121

I started Taxol last week and although I did well with AC, I was in a lot of pain for three days after Taxol.  From what I've read, people either have aches and pains that can be managed with OTC pain meds or they're like me and have unbearable pain for days.  Unfortunately, my doctor was not very responsive to my complaints, so I had to suffer all weekend with incredible bone and joint pain.  It was so bad that I refuse to continue with chemo unless I get some serious pain meds to help me get through it.  Everyone is different, so you might not have issues.  You could also ask your onc about doing a lower dose every week, which supposedly decreases the side effects.

PeggySull

You should definitely have prescription pain meds for the bone aches. My doctor did not hesitate to prescribe oxycodone for the pain, especially after he saw me in tears a few days after my taxol. I took it till the pain subsided and then stopped immediately with no ill effects. Took the pain medication the same way each infusion.



I'm saying this to affirm that your pain should be controlled. Perhaps someone else could go with you to the appt. to give you support, report as a witness the level of pain you are in after taxol. Cry, rant, whatever it takes. You deserve to get taxol to rid yourself of the cancer and you deserve not to have to suffer those SEs that CAN be controlled with medication.



I would schedule an appointment before the next infusion so you can be assured you won't suffer like you did last time!



Keep us posted and PM me if you want.



Peggy