Taxol, low BP, anemia

Jnnmn7

Hi, wondering if anyone else has low blood pressure from Taxol? I've had 2 DD treatments so far and I tend to feel pretty good by the 5/6 day but my blood pressure stays a bit low. Makes me feel lightheaded at times. I get nervous but try to remind myself what my body is going through. Then again I don't want to be ignoring something that could be wrong. I've also been anemic since chemo started so I'm sure that adds to it.

Just curious how everyone else is responding?

Moderators

Hi Jnnmn7, we're so sorry to hear you're dealing with these side effects. We're sure others will be by shortly to weigh in with their experiences and some advice.

In the meantime, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Low Blood Pressure and Anemia for tips to help manage these side effects.

We hope this helps, and that you feel better soon!

--The Mods

Kicks

I did weekly Taxol (12) - not DD. The only time I had an issue with low BP was very shortly after starting the first infusion. It dropped drastically and dangerously low very quickly. They gave me some more benadryl and dex and slowed down the Taxol flow. BP came back up to normal. As far as I know it never happened again. They did give a higher benadryl infusion before the rest of the infusion and slow down the infusion rate. I say as far as I know, as soon as the RNs would start the IV benadryl they would say 'Nighty-night' as I would immediately go to sleep and sleep til 20 mins before end of infusion and wake up as abruptly as I went to sleep.

I did have issues with temperature during chemo -worse on the adjuvant Taxol than on the neoadjuvant A/C. I was always low but on Taxol it was lower. I know I was down to 94 at least once (woke up in time to see that on the monitor) even though I was in a glassed in cubicle with it's own thermostat that was run up as high as it could go and the RNs piled on warmed blankets to keep my temperature up.

Can't help you with any ideas for anemia - I've never been anemic in my life. While 1/2 way through Taxol my K (potassium) plummeted and had to go on mega doses of K to keep it up in 'normal' range.

Have you discussed the BP issues with your Dr or the RNs? And possible options to help?

Remember that we are each so unique, thus there are so many variables/SEs that we may or may not experience.