Taxotere infusion reaction

shells823

Hello! I am hoping to find someone that has had a similar situation to mine or anyone that can offer some advice. I had a grade 3 tumor with micromets to my sentinel node. I scored 21 on the oncotype test and my oncologist recommended chemotherapy. I had a lumpectomy on Dec 28 and was scheduled to start chemo on Feb 3. My oncologist recommended TC chemo 4 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks. I started my first treatment and had a bad reaction to the Taxotere, shortness of breath, chest pain, back, neck and arm pain, facial flushing, dizziness, elevated blood pressure. All of this occurred within 3 minutes of starting the infusion. He decided to stop my treatment for the day and yesterday we tried it again after taking steroids the night before and morning of treatment. I had another reaction 15 minutes into the infusion, this time it was much milder though. He decided once again to stop and is now talking about maybe not doing the chemo at all. He mentioned trying Adryamycin but said since it is a stronger drug and has possible heart side effects he is concerned about how I will tolerate it. He said, "we want to get rid of the cancer but we don't want to kill you in the process." My mother had the same type of reaction to Taxol 17 years ago. I am thinking maybe there is something about the taxane drugs that we can't tolerate and maybe I would do fine with a different drug. I am 49 and relatively healthy with no pre-existing heart problems or blood pressure problems. I am so scared to not do chemo because of the possible chance of recurrence. I am meeting with my oncologist on Monday to discuss my options but it sounds like he is leaning to just doing the radiation and endocrine therapy. I don't know what to think and worry that if my cancer returns one day I will always regret not doing the chemo. I know it is not a guarantee of no recurrence but I had some peace of mind that I was doing everything possible to beat this. Has anyone else experienced this type of reaction and how did your doctor handle it? Were you able to take another drug with no problems? Has anyone had heart problems after taking Adryamycin? Any personal stories or friendly advice would help. Thanks so much!

JWoo

I had AC/T chemo before my surgery, and while i did ok for the AC part, i had a massive reaction to T on my second infusion, and ended up with severe neuropathy and hand-foot syndrome. we upped the benedryl and steroids, which stopped the reaction. We reduced the amount of T, eventually stopping treatment before my last infusion, as it wasn't worth making any of it worse. My infusion team told me it isn't so much the T itself as the kinds of preservatives they have to use in them that can cause such reactions?

I went through all the tests on my heart, etc first and AC was really not hard for me. I think it is one or the other with everyone.

3 years out, my heart seems ok still.

Italychick

Ask about Abraxane. I think it is a taxotere/taxol chemo without the preservatives, so it may not cause the same side effects. I had a reaction to my first taxotere and they stopped it, shot me full of Benadryl and I was able to continue. It is worth asking about trying Abraxane, I wish I had known about it when I had my allergic reaction.

Spookiesmom

I had 4 A/C. With the usual and doable se.

MO said 4 taxotere would be easier. Ha! The reaction started before I got out of the office, but I didn't realize it. Just figured it was normal. After spending the weekend praying I didn't die, DH took me in. MO took one look at me and said severe allergic reaction and he stopped any further chemo. I haven't had any more.

I forget the name, maybe Stevens/Johnson? It's hand foot syndrome ALL over your body. Unreal pain. Swelling. Horrible. Lost every nail. Damaged my hair growth, I have some.

Lasted about 2 weeks, then gradually I felt better. Somewhere I heard it's a preservative polysorbate 80 that is the problem. I don't know.

ruthbru

I had AC, four rounds at the age of 53 (which was the standard treatment 10 years ago). I did not have any long term side effects from the Adriamycin. If you are at a relatively young age, healthy when going in, and doing a short term treatment (such as 4 rounds); it would be a rare thing to experience heart problems because of it. I know the experts say Taxol is an 'easier' drug, but I have heard of so many people who have had problems with it that I'm kind of glad that it wasn't even a choice for me.

shells823

JWoo I have heard the same thing about the preservatives. I'm glad you had no problems with the AC. Thanks for the feedback.

shells823

Italychick I have been reading about Abraxane. I am definitely going to talk to onc about it. Thank you!

shells823

ruthbru I agree. I think I should be able to tolerate the AC much better being that I am young with no heart problems. I am making my list of questions for the onc tomorrow. Thanks so much for your input.

shells823

Spookiesmom I am so sorry to hear about your bad experience! They told me that Taxotere is usually well tolerated and allergic reactions are rare. Ha!! It's good to know I am not the only one but I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. Thanks for sharing.