Taxol Chemotherapy

I took it during taxol and my MO was fine with it.  I had no neuropathy symptoms at all!

My MO says no to supplements, but said I could have each supplement checked out by hospital pharmacy . I am allowed to take vitamin D, but not B12, I don't know.

I found the acetyl l carnitine to be more effective for me so I used that.

hyad my first dd taxol today, no allergic reaction, yeah.   Been up since 3 am, had to get up to take steroids.  Was  at tx for 5 1/2 hours, to noisy to sleep. So going to bed at 8.

I did fine AC, so of course I think I will be hit hard on dd taxol.

 I will then have my DMX in June.  I do not have to have rads so can I just get the implants (having skin sparing) and skip the expanders? Anyone ever hear of this? 

Jennt-there are some studies on the l carnitine. My onc actually referenced them and was ok with using it. I think there might be some on glutamine also, but I didn't look that hard for those.

Thanks, ladies for your response to my glutamine question!

Jennt28 - You're right about research money being tight but there are few studies out there involving glutamine. Just nothing conclusive and the ones I was able to find seemed to contradict each other. But I love that you've had very minor SE! One more round and you'll be halfway! 

fluffqueen01 - I'll look into carnitine, thanks!

Claire - I love your quote! 

dechi - I wonder if it matters if lymph nodes were involved. 

I had my 13th weekly dose of Taxol yesterday, without any steroids.  And I was fine, just really really tired. I slept for 18 hours..! but it was nice to get a good night's sleep following chemo, and hopefully my acne will start to clear up now.  Hope this info helps somebody.

PS. I didn't have any nausea either.

Exhaustion hit today - almost a week after 3rd tx. Guess I've been doing too much because I've been feeling pretty good. I took a 4 hour nap! Now I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight. Oh....i can't wait for this to be over....1 more Taxol to go!!

Well I went in for my first Taxol treatment, and they couldn't give it to me. Hemoglobin, white cell, and platelet counts were too far below normal. Except for the one time when I had a tooth abscess, this never happened before with my chemo. We are waiting a week to see if counts improve, and in the meantime I'm kinda quaranteeing myself from being around too many people so I won't catch anything. I hate knowing that my immune system is so compromised right now! Hopefully lots of rest and taking good care of myself will show an improvement when I go in next Thursday. Then I get to see how the Taxol affects me. Wish me luck!

Hi everyone,

I'll be starting taxol tommorrow after 4 rounds of AC. I'm a bit nervous about this possible infusion reaction. For those who had a reaction is is bearable? Also any naseau on taxol? Do you all find the Taxol more tolerable than the AC? Are there chemo slug bad days? With the AC days 3-5 after steroids were pretty bad. Tired and no appetite. I'm also very senstive to drugs and am worried because the nurse said I wont be taking steroids at home but they wil be pumping me up with alot on infusion day with benadryl. Seriously, benedry would wipe me out!

dipad - I'm having my last (4th dose dense) Taxol on Thursday.    Much easier than A/C. I usually feel queazy for the 1st day and my appetite has been fine. I have a tiny bit of tingling in the tips of my toes and my left pinkie finger - nothing really major. The Benadryl wipes me out, too - I usually doze during my infusion. The infusion takes a lot longer than A/C. My nurses give the Taxol slowly to help avoid the reaction. They actually slow the drip down for me because it was burning a little going thru my port. I'm at the infusion center for 5 to 6 hours - getting blood work done, waiting to see my MO, seeing my MO, getting the blood work results back, and finally getting the actual infusion. Hopefully you'll have it much easier, too.

Had my third Taxol treatment this morning, was very tired, came home got a bite to eat, laid down took a 4 hour nap. Today I had pain in my hand while getting my treatment, nurse came in raised the meds on the pole higher straightened my arm out, that I had resting on my stomach, and that did give me some relief ( I don't have a port yet, getting a port got for my FAC treatments after my thirteen Taxol treatment ), still had some pain in my hand even after the adjustment. Have no other SE's tonight, very thankful. My first 16 weeks before my surgery I was in a clinical trial, I took Femara, a trial for post menopausal women, it worked by reducing the size of the tumor. We will discuss my taking Femara after the chemo and rads, I understand that I would be taking it for the next 5 to 10 years, not really sure yet. Like most people I am new to this disease and trying to get all the information possible, wanting to be involved in the decisions that will save my life. If anyone else have any info please let me know you can PM me if you like or just post it here. Have a great night. Love all of you and pray for you.

Dechi: I ask my doctor he said since the Taxol is only two hours that this would be easier for me. He did say I would need the port for FAC b/c the A is hard on the veins. I only have one good vein in my hand and they use it for every treatment so far. I will be pushing the issue of the port b/c I do only have the one good vein. Will keep you posted.

I've had bad SE's with taxol.  Much worse than A/C.   I also have neuropathy and it lasted up until I got my 3rd DD Taxol.   I was taking l-glutamine but it obviously wasn't enough to keep away neuropathy.   Now, I woke up Sunday and both my feet were numb and fingers are still a little numb and tingling.   So, I started also taking Acetyl Lipoic Acid.   I didn't get the okay from the MO yet to take it but I figured it is better I try it than have to cancel the last DD Taxol treatment.   We had already talked about having to cut back the treatments because of the neuropathy, so I will see how it goes by next Monday and what he recommends.  I don't want to be permanently disabled.  I am still getting very fatigued and nauseous every day and running a fever.  The only way I seem to feel better so that I can do anything but sit on the couch is to take Percocet.   I hate taking it, but it is the only thing that helps bring down the fever and make me feel better.   I will be so glad to be done with taxol.   I now have to start thinking about radiation.   I haven't had a meeting yet with the RO or know what will be recommended.  I need to do more research.  So much to do and learn through this process.  It is almost like a full-time job in itself.

Okay, so I finished Taxol 2 weeks ago tomorrow and NOW my nails start to hurt.  Has this happened to anybody else?