Acute GI pain and Taxol

Pruh

I am having diarrhea with acute lower GI cramping caused by Taxol which is supposed to be administered weekly for 12 weeks (along with Herceptin once every 3 weeks over 52 weeks). I am more than halfway through the 12 week protocol but I have missed 4 of the 12 infusions, as ordered by my ONC because of debilitating GI pains and precipitous weight loss. Imodium helps me manage the diarrhea.I have been referred by my ONC to a GI specialist, whom I have not yet met with. I am told that the severity of my reaction is not common. Is there anyone else who has experienced the acute GI pain SE? Any words of wisdom.? I am worried I won't be able to finish 12 weeks of Taxol infusions and I wonder if anyone out there has been faced with a similar issue?

FloridaChef

I just had my first infusion of Taxotere and Cytoxan two weeks ago. On Wednesday. 24 hours after the infusion (Thursday) I had the first Herceptin shot. Then another herceptin shot about 16 hours later. Then the next morning (Saturday) I went to the ER. I have never felt so near death in my life. Apparently not all of us can tolerate the chemo chemicals. There is no way I will choose to do that again. Now my oncologist is tasked with finding an alternative. I was not able to eat for 5 days. The lower abdominal cramps were reminiscent of the years when Colitis was an issue for me. When I googled the pain I read that Taxols can cause permanent damage to the colon. No thank you. I am hoping this was temporary, but have had to take muscle relaxer to stop my colon from spasming twice since this chemo infusion. That is my only words of wisdom. Muscle relaxers, Flexeryl is what I use, help settle the colon.

Edit: I really need to make a correction. It was not Herceptin shots. I knew that when I wrote it. It didn’t look right and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Neupogen.I think that’s how it’s spelled.

moth

are they sure it's the taxol and not herceptin? Herceptin is kind of notorious for diarrhea.

I hope you both find solutions. pruh, are now you dosing preventatively with immodium? I hope the GI specialist can help you & you can finish your 12 treatments.

There's a Weekly Taxol thread which is quiet but you might want to ask your question there. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/788735?page=1

Moderators

Geez. So sorry to hear this. So important to be able to try and manage the side effects, but diarrhea can be brutal.

There are other meds, in addition to Immodium that may help you. Please talk with your med one and let them know. Not sure you'll find any additional helpful information, but passing along in case: diarrhea