Starting Taxol tomorrow.....

Hi Meryl!

I did 12 rounds of Taxol, and they weren't so bad. (I also had four rounds of AC.) Taxol gave me mild diarrhea on Days 3-5, and I controlled it with Immodium. It made food taste funny to me, and I ended up eating a lot of bland food (like chicken and rice). It made my bones feel achy, and by Round 12, I had some fatigue. When I put my kids to bed at 8:00 pm, I would go to bed. But, I felt less spacey on Taxol and had less chemo brain than I did on AC. My hair started to grow back, but not my eyebrows or eyelashes, which became sparser. My fingertips and toes tingled a little on Taxol, but I never got serious neuropathy. No, I never felt like just giving up, but maybe that's just me. Hope it's gentle on you!

hi Meryl

I had pretty much the same experience as ElaineTherese except I didn't get diarrhea but constipation instead (only for a few days though). I just finished last week and no I never felt like giving up either. It was all doable. I did have to get neupogen shots a couple of times toward the end of treatment. Good luck and hang in there.

Nancy

I just finished my 12 weeks of Taxol last Wednesday.

Some minor numbness in the feet and fingers. Mild constipation through day 3 or so and then mild diarreah for a couple of days. Easily managed with OTC meds. The worst part for me was the metallic taste in my mouth and at times my tongue would feel very sore. Compared to the AC, Taxol was not as hard though.

Sometimes I did feel very, very discouraged. The AC can really tamp down your energy and spirits. The other thing I found is at the chemo clinic you tend to be reminded of the struggle rather then the light at the end of the tunnel. You will get through this, one week at a time. Remember there are many, many women who are done with all their treatments, survivors outside the chemo clinic living their lives. You will be there too!

Hang in there! (((((Hugs))))

I had 12 weekly doses of Taxol, Jan-Mar 2014, after 4 fortnightly (every 2 weeks) doses of AC. I found Taxol much easier to tolerate. I slipped into quite a routine. I was a little dozy after treatment, they gave me benodryl to counteract allergic reactions. I definitely needed someone to drive me home. Later I would get affected by the steroid, and gave up going to bed early on treatment day to avoid tossing and turning. A few days later I would get the feeling of having flu (shivers, tiredness) then recovering over the last few days of the week. I wanted weekly Taxol as I understand this is better for neuropathy. I do have some loss off feeling/slight tingling in my feet - Taxol Toes! - but There continues to be some improvement 8 months on after my last treatment.

To me it was all worth it and I feel I have done everything I can. I finished radiation treatment in July and feel so much better now. We all react differently, look after yourselves through your treatment and trust your instincts. Also take up all offers to help you, particularly driving to/from treatment. My neighbour would offer to cook for us frequently, and it was lovely to have and to know she cared. I also had quite a few friends and my lovely sister come from the UK to help me for a week at a time. This was so helpful practically but also emotionally. Know that this time will pass and you have the support from everyone here.