Starting Taxol next week

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booboo58
booboo58 Member Posts: 8

Hello,I am new to the site, but have TNC and have just finished my dose dense A/C chemo and start Taxol next week. Can anyone tell me what to be prepared for and is it really easier to go through than the A/C? Should I take my Zofran for nausea?
Thanks

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014

    Hi booboo,

    I think most people "prefer" (that is so not the right choice of word, but you know what I mean lol) their Taxol days to the A/C ones. I do know of some people who will say the opposite, though. For me, A/C was 8 weeks of feeling pretty crummy and weekly Taxol was a minor inconvenience that really didn't alter my day to day life much at all. I was was fortunate enough to never have any bone pain or bad fatigue or neuropathy. I did, however, lose every last one of my eyebrows and almost all my eyelashes AFTER chemo was done (I'm 4 weeks PFC right now and just in the last week this happened). I am also having some stiffness and achiness at the moment that I didn't have while on the Taxol, but noticed about a week after my last dose. As for nausea, I had ZERO nausea with Taxol and plenty with A/C. The only nausea meds I had during Taxol were the day of the infusion. My premeds were Aloxi, Pepcid, Benadryl and Decadron. After that, none was needed. Hopefully you'll have a similar experience!

  • booboo58
    booboo58 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2014

    Thank you! Interesting, my oncology nurse who also had breast cancer said she lost her eyebrows and lashes AFTER her chemo too, but she did say they grew back pretty quickly. Did you take the Claritin during your A/C and during your Taxol?

  • booboo58
    booboo58 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2014

    Just noticed you are having bilateral mastectomies later this month. I found out I am BRCA 2 positive and am planning the same after the chemo is done. I also have to have tubes and ovaries removed. Are you also BRCA +?

  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited July 2014

    boo yes I took claritan during taxol, and although the extreme fatigue was better, my joint pain went up up. I hope this isnt the case for you. I had severe leg aches. Stay on top of it with tylenol if you can. I had to get a prescription for something stronger.

  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014

    I took Claritin while I was on A/C because of the possible Neulasta pain, but never took it for the Taxol. I did nothing for Taxol - no supplements or icing my hands and feet or anything, just did it. I am not BRCA positive, but am doing the bilateral mastectomies so as to avoid radiation (and so I can sleep better at night ha!).

  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014

    Actually, a more accurate statement is that I am doing the left mastectomy to avoid radiation and the right one so I match ;)

  • booboo58
    booboo58 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2014

    I would be doing the same with or without the BRCA2+. Peace of mind is priceless and matching breast are the bonus! : )

  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014
  • ShazzaKelly
    ShazzaKelly Member Posts: 909
    edited July 2014

    booboo I am on long term weekly taxol and have done 40 weekly treatments. It is a very doable chemo. I don't take anything or ice anything. I'm still working full time. I have got them to drop my dex dose significantly though and change my antihistamine. I think the premeds with taxol can cause more SEs than the taxol its self.  Good luck I hope you have a good run with it. 

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2014

    We wish you the best with the chemo. Hope SEs are minimal.

    If you are considering BMx the we would suggest you read these Topics:

    Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy or Breast Reconstruction

    It is a personal decision to reconstruct, after considering added risks, or going flat without reconstruction. YOU need to decide what is right for YOU after you've read and talked with those who have chosen their options.

    Remember that knowledge is very powerful in helping make the decision and you can reconstruct after initial surgery, you don't need to do both at once.

    The Mods

  • Chrissy26
    Chrissy26 Member Posts: 32
    edited August 2014

    I start my first taxol in the morning after four doses of doxorubicin and cyclo completed. I thank everyone for their responses to boo boo's post. Seems I am in the same boat. I have had a bad time after my fourth ac trt. It was def cumulative and I did not have a good few days before my next trt, being taxol in the morn. I was dizzy and just plain old exhausted. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I am very nervous. Cannot sleep due to the steroids I took today in prep for tomorrow. Will keep you posted. 

    Chrissy

  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited August 2014

    Hi All!

    (My first post !)

    I am starting taxol tomorrow, after 7 rounds of C/A .  I had to split up the C/A because I didnt react well to the first dose of both together.

    I am nervous about taking 5 Decadron tonight, and another 5 in the morning before first treatment.  Did any one else have to take that, too?

    Onc also wants be still on Neulasta for this first dose of taxol.

    I am nervous.   =(

    Thanks so much for your response!

  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited August 2014

    I only had Decadron during the Taxol infusion, never before or after (with A/C I had it for three days afterwards). Five seems like a LOT to take at once!

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