Weekly Taxol group

6cats, 

I took gabapentin as part of treatment for a light case of shingles. I was interested to see if it would have an effect on the neuropathy I have in my feet from Taxol. It didn't  do anything to reverse the neuropathy, and I had real problems with drowsiness when I took it. I fell asleep at the dinner table and at my computer. If it had helped the neuropathy, believe me, I'd have found a way around the drowsiness.

I had a similar experience with Cymbalta, which my oncologist said is one of the first-line treatments they recommend at Dana-Farber. It didn't touch the neuropathy, but I had severe night sweats (as in change your sleepwear night sweats) and really intense bad dreams. These are some powerful drugs. Or at least they were for me.

Of course, everyone reacts differently to medication. I hope one of these is helpful for you. 

Ann

thats alot of Taxol. I had IDC and 13 out of 24 nodes had cancer that were removed, (they removed all 24) I have 4 treatments of Taxol. Had my first 2 weeks ago. I go every other week. I wonder if thats enought. I staretd with AC for 4 treatments. All together 8 treatments. I have my second one this upcoming Thursday the 1st. Hopefully no cramps the second time around. I was in so much pain for 2 days later. AC for me was better I rather deal with being tired then those awfull pevlic cramps. Good luck to you with the rest of your treatments. I shouldnt be complaning I dont think I could do 18. Is this every week? Best of luck to you

Hi,

   I found Neurontin made my neurapathy worse. I was grumpy, sleepy and my hands and  feet  were no better and it seemed to extend up my legs and arms. I also had tried some anti depressant I think that knocked me out for 23 hours.

I just live with it. I find tramadol kind of took edge off so I could sleep. Good luck ladies .

Rose

Curlysue... Let's keep our fingers crossed that the camping doesnt start. I started cramping 2 days after my first does of Taxol that lasted 4 days getting weaker as the days passed. I get my second dose out of 4 this Thursday. I hope when I meet with my MO she can explain why this happens seeing this wants mentioned as a sidde affect. I'm hoping it doesnt start again they are painfull. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED

Hi Curlysue I'm sitting here at Dana Farba getting my second out of 4 TAXOL. I talked to my MO earlier she said it might come back. This is a symtom cramps cramps cramps. I will let you know if it does happen again. Shoulkd start again around Saturday if I do get them again. My MO also stated that it's very common in woman using Taxol. I'm going to try Aleve next time if it doesnt work, they gave soom pain killers to take. Keep our fingers crossed it doesnt happen to either of us again

No good news, it's Saturday around noon and the cramps are starting. Woke up with a huge headach too. Looks like cramps will be with me for the next 4 days. Only 2 more treaments and I'll be done with Taxoll for good. Was hoping not to cramp this time, oh well there's always next itme.

rose2010 -- I'm jealous! Taxol made my hair fall out again!

Omg tell me it won't fall out again! I have about 5mm but my hubs says it is getting thicker. I lost my eyebrows with Taxol and my eyelashes are almost gone but I see hope up on top!

My hair is growing back too (legs and underarms too) but I'm losing my lashes and brows. I have been getting a lot of shampoo in my eyes from my lack of brows lol. I hope the hair on my head stays! I have 6 weeks of chemo left, I would love to get a head start on a head of hair!

I am so concerned. On am on my 8th round of taxol and my abdomen is very swollen. Pain with palpitation on the left side when standing up, not with laying down. Occasional pain on my left side. No nausea, constipation or other GI symptoms. Can u get abdominal swelling with taxol. I also have not gained st. Since the beginning of this process. Appetite good. Very scared with abdominal swelling

I concur, call the doctor. Hope it's nothing serious! 

One question for the day... no three questions.

Does Taxol+Herception cause severe flatulance for anyone else but me? Or am I blaming it on chemo when I should be blaming it on fresh cucumbers?

Peripheral Neuropathy: How much Neurontin/Gabapentin are people taking? Do you find it helps? Does it reverse the neuropathy, or just keep it from progressing? I have 100mg tablets to take 3xdaily. I can increase as needed until I reach 12 a day. I have numbness in my fingers and toes and on 300mg, it doesn't seem to get worse, but also isn't getting better. My doc is anti-supplement, so I'm waiting to take the recommended supplements till I'm done with chemo.

Is there a "Herceptin Only" board that folks have found helpful? I'll be at that stage in about six weeks. I'm also looking for a good board that discusses cardiac effects.

6cats and septembersong, a few months ago I overheard a conversation as I was standing in line for something.  The conversation was about a clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for relief of peripheral neuropathy.  The people talking knew someone who had spent 10 days at the Mayo Clinic doing the trial, and they said he was helped.  I just did a search and came up with a web page on the trial: 

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01347723

I have no idea what "scrambler therapy" is.  Also, even though the name of the trial includes "peripheral neuropathy", it seems to be more oriented to pain.  But - you might want to look into it further.

LeslieVilla - I used 30 grams (not mg) per day of L-glutamine, which is the amount suggested by my research and my chemo nurses.  I'm really surprised that 100 mg would do anything for neuropathy!  6cats' oncologist won't let her take any supplements for her neuropathy, so she's looking for advice on what else she can do.  I know some people have had their dosage of taxol reduced because of neuropathy; thankfully that wasn't necessary for me.

I started weekly Taxol on 8/5 (Monday) and today is 8/8 (Thursday).  Although I took my Benadryl pills an hour before my scheduled chemo time as directed I developed chest tightness, red face and sweating within the first 10 minutes of my IV so they stopped, gave me an IV of Benadryl and was fine the rest of the time, though I had some restlessness.  Slept for about an hour that afternoon and experienced the facial flushing and hot flash/night sweats several times that night.

Tuesday I developed some lower back pain which still comes and goes, and last night the IV site became pink and I experienced some tingling and numbness in that hand that came and went and is gone today.  Now my stomach is a little "grumbly," but not sure if that's one of the SE or not.  I also have a sore throat and since the EC have been experiencing alternating dry eyes/watery eyes.  Of course, I'm tired now too!

I see my MO this afternoon for a follow-up following Taxol #1 but I'm hoping this is as bad as it gets SE-wise for Taxol other than the expected cumulative fatigue.  At least I can say 1 down and 11 to go, right?

Good luck to all the ladies on here, and thank you for your insight and support. I'm ready to move on!