How Long on Abraxane????

My onco said I would be on it until it stopped working.  I totally agree, it's so depressing.  I know others here have been able to go off it if/when they go NED, with their oncologist's blessing.

Of course, we can always refuse treatment / take a chemo break at whatever point we choose.  I will look forward to other's responses, with hopefully more progressive oncologists than mine.

I had a really good scan just a couple of weeks ago and my onc was the same if we can get to "remission" we can take a break.  I have been on chemo (Abraxane, gemzar and avastin) for 6 months and am totally ready for a break.  I will have another scan in 4 weeks and we will determine from there what to do.  He told me that is the next scan looked good, he would like to do a PET scan to see what that shows, retest my tumor markers and then decide if a break is possible.  Keep your spirits up and don't give up HOPE!!!  I did have a small break in March due to some QOL issues and that really helped me to mentally get back in the saddle and kick this crap to the curb.....I think it depends on where you are at with your mets and what your onc feels comfortable with.....

Hi Kirby,

I will be starting Abraxane on July 2 and my oncologist at MDA said the same thing - that I would be on it until it stops working.  She did, however say that I could get chemo breaks again in the future and other options for treatments, etc.  Anyway, here's my experience and advice on whether or not to stick it out for 3 more rounds:

I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer from the get-go back in August and started my chemo in September.  I started out with a 5.9 X 5.8 cm size liver lesion and a few much smaller ones.  I did 12 weekly infusions of Taxol which got it down to 4.3 X 4.2 cm and then went on the FAC combo for 4 treatments every 3 weeks.  I finished all that, and my scan in March showed that my largest lesion was now 2.4 X 2.3 cm and a few of the small ones were gone except two tiny ones.  My oncologist decided to give me a break and I went on tamoxifen for the last 3 months.  My latest scan showed that I was pretty much stable (my large lesion maybe grew 1-2mm)  I was really happy about that, but my oncologist wants me to start chemo again.  I'm hoping that a few rounds of Abraxane will do the job and I will be NED.  My point to all of this is that I do feel that if I did the Abraxane right after the FAC, the lesion would be smaller or gone by now.  BUT, it was nice to have the 3 month break - went to Hawaii, Las Vegas, etc.  My hair's really growing back in and I was just starting to feel like I had my life back.  Just my opinion, but I would try and tough it out for 3 more rounds if you can.  Then you can really get a nice break! Again, I really enjoyed my break, but I'm thinking I should have pressed on for 3 more months after the FAC combo - I could be NED right now instead of starting chemo again.

By the way, do you have any advice or suggestions for me with the Abraxane?  With Taxol I had the bloody nose thing, weird skin issues, and neuropathy at week 9.   Not looking forward to breaking out my wigs again in this Houston heat!

Welcome to the dilemmas club. We're struggling with almost similar question...

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/754256 

Continuing my 7 th round of Araxane tomorrow (3rd round 7th injection??) Anyway, SE include tingling in hands and feet, mild nausea and hot flashes. No weight gain for me.

So far this has been the "easiest" (I use that term very loosely) chemo for me. Just got CT scans back and although no change in the liver, the breast mass is growing so now he wants to switch to AC.

Melanie

hey there, i start abraxane in two days. they decided to lower the dosage so i can continue on stupid radiation treatments for 15 days to the spine - painful. then they will bump it up some and maybe add some avastin. (had two of those when xeldoda failed me)  i just got my wig today, blah. but it actually looks okay.  ordered a ponytail - look like bret michaels. so im ready. a little nervous about the chemo but they keep telling me its nothing like i did 5 years ago (TAC) so . . . . . .guess i gotta do it.  it does suck not knowing how long i will be on it or when ever i will see my blond hair again.  please keep up your side effects with me.  thanks for all the support. and i will be thinking of you all.

My Onc put me on 9 treatments of Abraxane, than the ct scan, now she has okay'd a break until August, the ct showed some small growth on Abraxane to my liver and lung mets.  She told me she will now have to re apply for Abraxane and doesn't know if it will be approved because of the growth.   I would like to know how long should a drug be used before you can tell if it is working because so far I have switched every 3 months.  Does this seem normal?

Have you ladies experience pain after getting abraxane? I was fine on wednesday. Yesterday all the way up until 3:30 in the afternoon, then bam excruciating pain. The Percocet isn't touching it.

hello everyone,

any updates? I am going to have 34th Abraxane & Herceptin coming Wednesdays. it's been a while. hope hearing from you. thank you.

 I have been on Abraxane for almost 4 months, have scan tomorrow. My question is, if I am NED after scan, will I continue on maintance abraxane or will I still have full dosage of abraxane? Also, anybodys hair come back while on abraxane?

Luv to all! Amy

PS, Kirby, hope you don't mind if I asked a question in your post.

Kirby,

Your threads on Abraxane are very informative as are all others. I feel I am not alone. I completed 6 treatments of Abraxane and onc wants 12 more. I know abraxane is the last resort, I miss my hair, but love the uncomplicated mornings going go work. This journey is a long one, wish I had the energy to do more, walking , hiking , shopping etc . My co-workers/friends are clueless, I emailed them this blog . God. Ble