Taxol Chemotherapy
Comments
-
Annie: I think my DH is more worried that if this continues, I'll start voting Republican (no offense to any of my Republican friends out there, seriously!) In all reality it's probably just a little fatigue; we walked around the Detroit Institute of Arts for two hours yesterday - wouldn't have been a problem in the past but I find when I get tired my body starts to get "lazy" and I stumble a little or my hands don't seem as strong. Just gotta get back all those buff muscles I had before cancer! And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who goes to bed early because I'm bored.
On another note, if anyone has an odd sense of humor and is interested in having an actual "Cancer Card" they can flash from time to time, there's a company that is selling them here:
-
I've just been reading more about Taxol on the Internet and see that many people have problems with balance as one of the many lovely side effects of this drug. Hopefully it's a very temporary condition.
I hear you on the voting reference. That would indicate in my case that chemo had completely transformed my personality, which sometimes I feel it might.
I think I'm feeling a little better today, day 5 after Taxol. Still fatigued, but not as overwhelmingly as the last two days. Pains are minimal. Keeping fingers crossed.
Annie -
I am lurking here to see how everyone is doing.
Several people have brought something up and I am hoping I can help.
One person asked for the dosage of Acetyl L-Carnitine and I PM'd her and also gave her more info on Carnitine but then HB, you said about the balance and weakness issues -- so here is what I know that might help you all.
Acetyl L-Carnitine is the form that helps with nerves so numbness and tingling etc-- this is the best form take 1000mg or 1 gram per day.
L-Carnitine (without the acetyl part) is terrific for quite a few things including muscle strength, weakness and weight issues so HB take this for your buff muscles. Dosage: 2-3 GRAMS per day, divided doses.
Hope you don't mind my lurking-- glad to see everyone is still managing their Taxol! Q
-
Hi all,
I did have some fatigue on about day 3 following each Taxol. But nothing that a few extra hours of sleep didn't cure.
I'm glad Qaatsi mentioned the difference b/t the carnitines. I nearly started using the L-type for neuropathy till my naturopath called and made sure I got the Acetyl type.
Claire
-
Claire so happy to hear you are through with taxol. Must feel wonderful. My onc has approved me taking l glutamine 4 days between txs, beginning the day after tx. The B vitamins i take each day except tx day. Were you taking L-Glutamine every day?
Mardi you are done too! Congratulations!
Bouncingbetties, hoping the fatigue eases for you.
Jenn I agree with the weird moving around aches and pains. It is strange. Also the restless or "buzzy" legs, ringing ears, sore throat. I have weekly txs.
Blessings to all as we get through this part of the journey or finish and move on.
Hugs, Laura -
Hi Ladies,
Tomorrow I have an appt with my onc and for my 10th of 12 weekly Taxol treatments. The first 8 were not so bad, but number 9 really kicked my butt. My balance is shot, fatigue is terrible, sharp pains in my knees and ankles, and pins and needles pains and lack of feeling in my hands and feet and face. My onc said not to worry too much if I had to quit before I finished all 12 treatments. I'm thinking of call it quits at 9. Has anyone else done this? Would it do any good to quit for a couple of weeks and see if some of these SEs would subside?
-
Hi Laura,
I didn't use the L-glutamine on tx day--sometimes waited a day afterward too--but I took the l-carnitine every day but tx day. The B vites too.
Elaine, sorry to hear about your troubles. It sounds like bad neuropathy. I hope others will weigh in.
Claire
-
I've been taking the glutamine everyday except in the morning before my treatment (which is always afternoon). Same with the B vits and carnitine...
I've done two of my twelve weekly Taxols so still early days but no sign of neuropathy as yet. This second one I've had very minimal pains so far and I actually don't feel particularly tired either...
Jenn -
I'm day 7 post dd Taxol (my first of four) and I still feel like I've had the blood drained from my body. I'm going to force march myself on a walk and run some errands today, just to try to shift things, but in all honesty I want to lie down for the day. This isn't helping my state of mind. Also, the palms of my hands itch insanely. Maybe the Taxol is turning me into a werewolf. Does anyone have suggestions on the itching? Cortisone cream isn't helping.
Last complaint: I have lost my appetite and feel queasy, which didn't happen at all on AC. Anyone else with this? My partner bought some 'Ensure' for me so I'd get some calories a d vitamins, but it makes me feel like I'm a resident in an old folks home. Though actually,right nowi I feel like I'm 56 going on 90.
Annie -
Annie, it sounds like a mild (maybe not so mild) reaction to Taxol. I noticed my face would itch a tiny bit during the middle tx...#6-9-- the night of tx.
My appetite got a lot better with Taxol, but I had nausea and loss of appetite with hyperacute sense of smell with AC, so I'm different I guess.
Yeah, I agree with you about Ensure. That stuff is canned and has lots of chemicals--not particularly good for us anyway. Could you try a smoothie with frozen fruit and a carton of yogurt (add some water for consistency)?
-
Heading down to the hospital to get my WBC checked. If its low it would explain this weakness and fatigue and a bit of shortness of breath when I climb a few stairs. I'm not getting the neulesta shot with Taxol. I'll let you know what my MO says.
Annie -
Apparently I was dehydrated, so they pumped two liters of fluid in me. And I thought I was drinking water all the time! My hemoglobin is low - but all of ours is. That's one of the things chemo does to us. They don't give you blood until its under 8 and I'm at 10.0. Anyway, I'm hoping I'll bounce out of bed tomorrow with more energy.
Annie -
Annie - Yesterday was four weeks for me since my last Taxol (I had AC before that). This was the first week I wasn't anemic - 11.0!! Barely within normal limits but I'll take it - first time since October. I was down to 9.2 at one point. Hope the fluids help you to feel better!!!
-
Elaine2Tervs
# 9 made me feel like I hit a brick wall on day two and three...similar to the feelings I had with A/C with the combined SE's of Taxol. Not good:( I had # 10 today, hoping for less SE's!! Did you get #10?
-
Having #11 on Friday and next Friday April 6th I finish! I also get my PICC line out after 5 months-woo hoo!! Time to celebrate! I am pretty exhausted for sure! It is getting harder...but the home stretch is within sight. We have all made it or are about to finish soon and I really at times questioned my strength. So proud of us all! Many blessings to us all!!
-
Bonseye
You are right, the end is in sight... something to stay focused on
My plan is to rest and take it easy if need be. So proud of us all too! {{{Hugs}}}
-
I woke up a half hour ago after a good night's sleep. I'm still feeling unwell ( I call it feeling toxic or 'chemo sick') and drag ass tired. I'm sorry to whine about it, but I'm worried this is the way it's going to be for me with Taxol and that's just depressing. I have a list of things to do today and I'm going to go about doing them as if I felt fine. Maybe I can psyche myself into normal functioning.
Actually, I don't expect normal functioning. Just not inability to function much at all, a full week after treatment. Whine, whine, whine.
Annie -
I did get #10 Taxol and will probably go ahead and get 11 and 12. Today is my first day after #10 and i feel pretty good( yeah steroids). I expect tomorrow through Sunday I will feel like a wet dishrag. But at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope it's not a train LOL!
-
In case anyone else experiences liver enzymes bouncing around I thought I'd update. First week after crazy numbers they both came down by half. Second week one is perfectly normal but the other jumped back up again..looks like extra weekly trips in for blood work will continue.
One odd thing...I sprained my ankle during a trail run last week grrrrr... So my exercise has been about nil...and I had the best feeling week I've had since beginning taxol..hoping it's an odd coincidence and I don't feel worse as I pick up exercising again. Maybe I just needed a bit of a break? -
I am soooo excited to be 8 days away from being done. This has been a tough week with 10 treatments behind me. I slept all day yesterday and today I couldn't get out of my own way either. I just wonder how I will feel next week......hummmmm....plan on sleeping alot. This level of fatigue is like nothing I ever had before. Just gotta ride the wave for a few weeks and get strong for my surgery May 8th. I will bearly get back on my feet and be knocked over with a TRAM. Hoping to have a easier ride with lots of pain meds to get me over the hard hours. I ordered EMU oil and anxiously await it's arrival so I can use it on my arthritis while i wait for RT. Hoping to be lucky and not have too many problems with side effects from the RT. I must take this one day at a time and know that I can check off chemo and join the "PFC" group. I like that!! We should start a link for that-lol
Best to all! Happy Spring!!
-
Good Morning,
I am hoping i can help by sharing some of what I have been doing with my ongoing treatment of
breast cancer 3-B stage
I am now over Adriamycin and onto taxol..I had 4 sessionsof Adriamycin worked, 4 days and continued my work-out excluding push ups (a little light headed) OUY!
I am on a VERY strict diet and I know thats why I have continued a fairly good lifestyle. Yes I got tired during the first 4 treatments but only lasted for 24 hours after the infusuin..Never got sick to my stomach and eating has been good. I would like to share what I do and please feel free to ask me anything.
First thing in he morning I have a green juice I make :
kale, fresh ginger, cucumbers, apple, parsley, celery and or spinach and use a powder
i mix in after juiced called Vibrant Health.. That keeps my blood work in a good place.
Heres what I DO NOT EAT
cheese, milk any dairy product
no red meat
no carrots, white potatoes, corn, rice of any form
no flour
no beans or grains.
Once in a while I have lentils or chick peas
No cashews but other nuts permitted.
ONLY PASTURED chickens, (that means they ONLY eat grass, no grains, or corn and I found a very reputable farmer so I also get eggs..
I m in NYC everyday so I have a health food store that provides them for me.They are not cheap the average chicken is 15.00 and they are small...
I only eat Wild fish
Most fruits except for bananas, pineapple, or in general any hi-glycemic fruit is a no no for me.
Also absolutely no sugar, honey, or agave, only stevia..
Sounds dreadful but really is not and thats why I still feel great..Yes I lost all my hair and I am sporting a great bald head and I am loving it..Just give me some big hoops and I am set...
I have some side effects, dry skin so I get facials and take extra good care of my skin from top to bottom....
Please feel free to ask me anything you need, running to make some egg white and onto taxol which i now get every week for 12 weeks, on my third treatment
I have been able to embrace my cancer and I am grateful for it because of all I have learnt and continue to grow within my soul -
Annie- taxol killed my appetite also..I had to force ensure down my throat for about 2 weeks..during which time I lost 12 lbs. My onc said that is unusual with taxol but it was the norm for me..my appetite has since returned to normal..I am 6 weeks post chemo and every day I feel better..but I realize just how crappy I felt 6 weeks ago. Hang in there!!! Hugs to all my taxol sisters!
-
Annie -
Your most recent post made me smile--you managed to capture exactly what I felt through most of my A/C treatment. The fact that I was feeling so crappy, so much longer than "expected" was an incredible source of frustration and sometimes, shame. I have been known to throw shoes at the wall to help vent. It works. But you much be thoughtful about which shoes, and which walls.
Had #2 of 4 dd Taxol on Friday. Had the usual Friday-night sleep issues, but Sat was ok. This morning I woke up dizzy and lightheaded and queasy. Lovely. I'm going to try to take my supplements with a bucket full of water and see if that helps.
jsuggss--Your diet is really interesting to me but I can't imagine how I would follow it. Can you provide some typical sample meals over the course of a day or two? If sending a PM is easier, that's fine too.
The sun is out today...so I plan to take the dog and my wobbly butt out for a walk at some point today.
Hugs and Happy Spring to All.
-
Treatment number 7 tomorrow, and while I usually look forward to getting another one over with, tonight I'm sad and dreading tomorrow. Exhaustion like I've haven't experienced hit me this week, in particular this afternoon, which is disheartening because mondays are usually good days for me.
-
KCD-I hear you in the exhaustion! Around treatment 7 .....5 days after infusion I have been drop dead tired....sleeping for hours......last week it was day 5 and 6. My son is off this week and to spare him from watching me sleep he is going golfing with his Pop. I know this week the two days I will be down and out. Hang in there
-
Hello all. I echo so many comments about the fatigue. And yet, I go to bed (or to 'chair', since I am sleeping in a recliner these days), and my eyes pop open and I can't always sleep. I only use something to help if I absolutely have to since I just don't want one more thing in my body!
Annie, I have had the joint/muscle pain pretty profoundly and am always grateful when it passes. I am actually DONE my last treatment (last Thursday) and am on day 5 - pain is receding a bit, but I do have some neuropathy. We will see if it fades completely or not. I've never been beyond the 2-week treatment plan, so I don't know how I will react or how long it will take to get beyond the fatigue and SEs. I have had intense itching at different times, more than just my hands and feet. Sometimes, a piece of ice helps calm it down. Just rubbing a piece of ice over the itchy areas. I've also cut out as much sugar as possible, and white flour. Not as strict as jsuggss but careful with what I eat. I had issues with yeast infections early on, and cutting out the sugar helped. I am diabetic so my sugars have been tough to manage anyway,,,keeping things simple helps!
Meeting my RO on Thursday and then on to simulation and treatments of radiation. SO glad to have a few weeks before that all starts.
Hope you are all having simple, manageable SE's!
Andi
-
Well so much for this being the "easier" of my chemos! I had few issues with A/C...zofran really kicked nausea for me. It was the darn anti-depressents that gave me the hardest time. Once I started exercising daily I was able to kick them after 3 1/2 weeks (don't believe what they say...stopping cold turkey under 2 months is NOT side effect free).
Anyhow...Taxol is ripping up my colon (Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis 1993 - thought I had my share of suffering so very upset with the man upstairs and all of creation for that matter when I got diagnosed with BC at 40 yrs old this January...what a crock). I just get it working "right" again 2 - 4 days before treatment and here we go again though I swear the Taxol is worse. Only 3 more to go ...hopefully it doesn't get worse.
Managed my first round so far with only extra strength Tylenol, hot showers and walks (though tired they help with achiness, little sharp pains here and there but they seem to be gone today - post treatment day # 5). Dreading taking the Vicodin I have in my cabinet for fear of what it will do to my digestive tract but if this crap is cumulative...I'll be on it next round for sure.
Meeting with the surgen on Thursday....praying she doesn't give me a hard time about doing a double masectomy. I don't trust my right, supposedly cancer free boob for a minute...take them both! PLEASE!!!
Hang in there everyone...this is tough but seems doable...barely!!!
Happy Easter...
-
Here I sit at my next to last treatment. It's a dose dense Taxol with herceptin added in. My blood counts were fine for chemo but low enough to need the Neulasta shot for tomorrow. I realize that may cause more bone pain, but I can't risk my last treatment being delayed!
I hope everyone has a tolerable week. -
wow, lots to take in, I have capsule of L-carnitine, so I guess I wll take those, my mo is against it, but I am against anything effecting me permanently. I already take a b complex, have to check and see if I have the other. Strange how some docs are for supplements while on chemo and others are not, I start my dd in 2 weeks 4 rounds, I don't think I could do 12 tx once a week, I want this over as soon as possible. I will be on herceptin for a year, but that is once every 3 weeks. I have my BMX in June, so most likely not much summer fun this year, but I will make it out to the deck!
-
jap62, did your MO say why they were against taking the carnitine? Most MOs don't have training in natural supplements and only know about chemicals/drugs. But if you google (use google scholar) the use of L-glutamine and acetyl-carnitine (different from regular carnitine but you have to take the acetyl kind) and chemo, you'll find lots of medical research that points to those supplements reducing neuropathy brought on by chemo. L-glutamine also seems to enhance the effects of chemo, too, from what I remember in my own research.
Neulasta/neupogen ladies, remember to use 24 hour claritin to avoid bone pain. It works for most people. Worked great for me...
Claire
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team