PaclitaxeL????

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any experiences or information about Paclitaxel.  I finished the AC rounds of Adriamycin and Cytoxin, and will be getting 4 rounds of this drug every 2 weeks.  My first round and the next one will be given over a period of 4 hours.  Prior to this I am given benedryl and hdrocoritsone, and ativan then they start the Paclitaxel.  I was fine the first day after treatment but the third day I felt like I was run over by a truck.  My onc prescribed hydromorphone for the pain throughout my entire body.  This is a rough one.  I kind of sailed thru the AC part of the treatment, but this is horrible.  Any suggestions?

God Bless You All

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  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited August 2009

    I was given Taxotere...which is similar to the Paclitaxel.  Yes, it is a difficult one to tolerate.   The biggest thing is to drink as much fluid as you can during and after... it seems to get it through the system quicker and almost dilute it a bit.   I hear it is a wonder drug but I must say it was a challenge.   Make sure you try to eat something that agrees with you so you have the strength to put up with it.    Good bless You.

    Karen

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited August 2009

    Same formula for me - finished 4 DD AC every two weeks x 4 and not just had second taxotere - got absolutely no relief from the pain (plus now I also have the dang Neulasta shots back again too) until I DEMANDED Oxycontin.  Was supposed to take 1 to 2 pills every 6 hrs., but instead took  1/2 pill every 6 hrs without fail and unbelievable difference.  No pain (or hardly any) at all.  Hydrocodone didn't not cut it for me - demand something stronger.  My onc did not offer it, but I told her I could not and would not go on this way - I am 62 - widow, work full time - and raise my 14 yr. old grand-daughter.  Just wish I had done this sooner.  Good luck.  (My neuropathy is very aggravating though - in all fingertips and bottoms of feet). 

    Linda

    Linda

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Is taxaotere another form of paclitaxel?  KKIng I am dirinking huge amounts of water every day, I  wasn't sure if I should be drinking as much so the drug is flushed out too quickly and not fighting the cancer.Foot in mouth

    LRM216. The body pain was horrible the first day following the Neulasta, which always makes me feel bad anyway,  When I got the hydromorphone the first dose did nothing, and then I started interspersing it with excedrin extra strength, and then when I got the second dose of hydromorephone it worked much better,  By the 2nd and third day I was taking the morphine once in the morning then excedrin as needed.  I am going for my second DD palictaxel today at noon, then my neulasta tomorrow, and I guess it starts all over again, and wondering if it will be worse this time.Undecided

    God Bless you both and thank you for your comments

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited August 2009

    Shanagirl, no way to tell if it will be worse or not. I also had the pain and all I could do was lie on my bed and not move sometimes. The only thing that helped me was percocet.

    Best of luck

    Leah

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  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited August 2009

    Paclitaxol is Taxol which is similar to Taxotere in action against cancer and side effects but not identical. Both are taxanes derived from the Pacific Yew tree (or perhaps synthesized now?) Some people who have trouble with one do better on the other. I had Taxotere but never had pain from it. In the BCIRG 006, less than 2%  of those on TCH had grade 3 or 4 anthralgia or myalgia (joint or muscle pain) - there is no indication of how much overlap there was between the two - i.e. the same person having both joint and muscle pain so that might be as much as 4% total having one of the kinds of pain).

    Occurance was higher with AC-TH in that study - 3.3% and 5.2% for anthralgia and myalgia respectively. The T in both cases was Taxotere so it seems that having AC before T may increase the likelihood of the side effect.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Compaing how I felt on the DD AC  and now with the paclitaxol, I have to say I sailed thru the first half with no real problems other than the horrible side effects fromt the Neulasta, but I've noticed that the side effects from the Nuelasta are much worse since taking the Paclitaxol and I also remain extremely weak and breathless with no energy at all even into the second week.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2009

    Well everyone, I am going for my last treatment today. Laughing  Chemo has really kicked my ass all summer.  No nausea or vomiting but the bone pain and weakness especially is frustrating.  I can take something to help with the bone pain, but the weakness, and sweats just keep me from wanting to do anything.  How long is this going to last now that this is my last treatment?  I just want to get back to normal and even try excersing again.  Any suggestions?

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