Dose dense taxol vs 4x

Lizard: I think dd is 4 times. The taxol is given every 2 weeks over 8 weeks (an opposed to "regular dose" which is once every 3 weeks, seldom done now).

I did 12 taxol weekly. As I recall, total prep and infusion time was about 1 to 1 1/4 hours. (There was also wait time but that would be true for any regimen.) I would not suggest working the same day (and definitely not driving right after) because they give you benedryl and it makes you very drowsy. I especially found that to be true on the first dose. After that, I sometimes walked 1 1/2 miles home (part of my exercise regimen) after a treatment, but certainly not energetically, lol. By the next day, I felt pretty normal... a climb upstairs was always tiring on my legs, but I could sit at my home office desk and work, no problem, and I walked 3 miles several times a week. I found my concentration was much better on taxol than AC. My main SEs were blackening toenails, browning fingernails, and a little tingling in my fingers. I know some women get quite bad neuropathy - and I think that may be more of a risk on the 4X dd cycle. Hopefully some others will chime in too.    

I did six DD taxol.  The first time, they did everything very slowly with enough Benadryl to sedate a horse.  So a hospital bed as opposed to a chair, and three hours as opposed to one hour for the infusion.  All I could think was "what a great date rape drug".  Make sure someone takes you to the infusions.

Anyway, I did have joint aches where were fine with Tylenol/Ibuprofen.  I felt a lot livelier than the tail of AC.  I did NOT get more tired towards the end.  I had enough energy to do a very short version of the Chilly Hilly cycling event.  I walked the hills and took the shortcut, but I did it.

I was in a trial for Acetyl-L-Carnitine to prevent neuropathy.  I didn't get it, but don't know whether I got the supplement or placebo.

Get a soft eyebrow pencil plus a great liner.  You will need both.  My hair did not grow back until about eight weeks post final infusion.

Good luck Elizabeth.

I had 12 weekly Taxol. The first 3 infusions, they gave me Benadryl and it did make me very drowsy. After that I asked to change the Benadryl for a Claritin pill and it worked just as well without the drowsiness feeling. With the Taxol I was happy not to get Neupogen shots (for WBC).I did not have to take all the nausea meds like on the AC. I got to see my hair start to grow half way through treatments and got my "taste" back too. I could go about my days no problem except 3 days after the treatment, I had aches and pain in my upper body. But since my chemo day was on a thursday my "achy day" was on a saturday so I could stay home and rest and sunday morning the pain was gone. I wasn't more tired on Taxol but I know everybody is different. Good luck. 

Re my previous response....please excuse the typos - I forgot to mention the mild numbness in fingers and toes that Taxol left me with. Typing and writing are sometimes challenging.

Sher

I had my first DD taxol on the 22nd ( Wed).  I got the severe bone pain on day 3 and 4 with it tapering off on day 5.  Today i feel so much better.  More energy and no pain.  The DD taxol first than AC is supposed to be more effective for TN then AC first then Taxol.  I did have the Neulasta shot day after chemo so may be why I had so much pain. 

Maggie

Lizard..if you can do the dd (ever two weeks)..go for it...you will get done so much quicker! I'm certainly not a doctor but if you are healthy (besides the cancer that is)..you could probably handle the dose dense very well...it so hard to say how YOU personally will do..everyone is different....chances are though that you will handle it very well..

I did dd A/C and T - 8 treatments total.  First few were fine...always felt great on infusion day (thank you Prednisone!!).  SE very strong beginning on day 2 - 3.  Toward the end of the course of tx I was just beginning to 'bounce back' when it was time for the next infusion. 

Tough but very doable!