Taxotere bad reaction

csprof

I  went for my chemo this morning(taxotere,cytoxan). I took the steriod pills yesterday and this morning. They started my IV with steriods, anti-nauesa and then benadryl.

Then they started the taxotere. It took two minutes. I started having chest tightness, heart was racing, face was numb(they said face was so red) and severe lower back pain. I tried to open my eyes and see, all I was little bubbles floating in the air. I called for the nurse. The MO on duty came. They stopped the IV. Brought the oxygen. It took half hour to get back to normal breathing.

The MO said no more chemo today. Come back on monday(my regular MO will be there). So I am going back on monday. Any one else had this reaction?

AmyQ

So sorry to hear this.  I am on the same chemo and have not any issues whatsoever but clearly you had an allergic reaction.  Good thing they were there to help you out.  I have no idea if they'll change your dosage or change the drug but keep us posted.  Good luck -

pbablsmit

I had a similar reaction during my 2nd treatment. I did not care for the steroid effect the first time so they let me try without. Big mistake, a few minutes into the taxetere I become very flushed and couldn't breath. The nurse stopped the drip immediately and found the physician. They checked me over - scared the crap out of me! We finally completed the treatment with a very slow drip. On subsequent visits I took my steroids and had double doses of benedryl without any further problems.

Momof3GreatKids

I had a similar reaction to taxol, which is in the same family as taxotere. They have me more steroids and Benadryl and finished the drip very slowley. That night I had a bad rash all over my upper body and face. I was on 12 weekly doses of taxol so the next week we increased the steroids and Benadryl more and ran it slower again and I made it through, but again got the rash that night. We stopped for the next week until my MO could speak with an allergist on Boston about my case. I was admitted to the ICU for the next round that they called a desensitization. I did well until the end when I get a rash again so I spent the night in the ICU. They switched meds and admitted mr to the hospital for the 4th treatment and only got the rash. The next 2 treatments I spent the night at the hospital since I got the rash each time even though they kept switching the pre-meds each time. I convinced them the next week that I could handle myself and would call the ambulance if need be (I have a son with very severe allergies that carries an epipens and has had 6 allergic reactions already so I know exactly what to do and look out for) and my MO finally let me go home that night. It would take me 8 hours to get all of the meds and taxol each week, but I did all 12 treatments and am here 8 months later and doing great.



They had a big conference at the cancer center I go to on allergic reactions and my MO told me that one whole day was devoted to my case, without telling anyone that it was me they were talking about, so that others can learn about it.



I didn't write this to scare you, but to show you that you can get through it as I did. I even worked fulltime during all of this and I only missed time for appointments and treatments. I also have 3 active kids that I kept up with.



Hang in there and you can get through this also.



PM me if you have any questions.



Hugs to you!

csprof

Thank you all for your help and support. Right now I am thinking that I should ask my MO to switch to some other regimen like CMF. Still my heartbeat is kind of crazy after 8 hours. I will keep you posted. Thanks.

csprof

I met with my MO yesterday. He wanted to know if I wanted to try the Taxotere again. I said no. The next option is AC. I was worried about my heart. So I am going to have the Echocardio gram done(never had it before). CMF is also ok with him. Then I asked him if I can skip chemo altogether.  He said he strongly recommends chemo, but it's upto me. My Oncoscore is 24. 2 weeks wait for the Echocardiogram ...