Allergic Again!

Options
Ojttocs
Ojttocs Member Posts: 24
edited November 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Ok, Ladies and Gents, I need your thoughts. I cross-posted this, because it's so specific and such an intractable problem. I had my first chemo/perjeta/herceptin combo Thursday. I reacted with something called the rigors to the herceptin, but that wasn't bad. But there was more in store. I had yet another allergic reaction to a taxane. This time, it was Taxol. Nearly two years ago, I reacted to Taxotere. I almost died. This time, on the so-called gentler treatment, I got really sick this weekend on Taxol. I began to itch as soon as the decamethasone wore off, and it was getting worse. When I went in my lips were swelling, but it hadn't gotten that bad yet..

My doctor wants to rerun another trial of Taxol. (She hasn't seen me. She's out of town. This is coming in via nurse.) "We aren't sure it's the Taxol," the nurse said.

I am. I've been here before. It was exactly the same as the Taxotere, except that I hopped on it faster and got into the ER. Now, I'm getting the woman treatment. (They didn't see hives, so they don't believe me.)

I'm refusing to ever have Taxol again. But I'm stage IV!!! Now what?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited October 2016

    I'm also allergic to Taxotere and Taxol. Found that out on my original diagnosis. I reacted in the chemo chair on Taxotere so my oncologist wanted to premedicate me and try Taxol at a slower run in rate. I did the same thing again. Both times I quit breathing but my heart didn't stop. I was unconscious both times but I do know they had to immediately try to reverse it. I'm stage 4 now too and I worry about that. Let us know what they decide to do. Wishing you the best

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShazzaKelly
    ShazzaKelly Member Posts: 909
    edited October 2016

    you could ask your Oncologist about the oral form of Taxol Oraxol. It is a trial drug at the moment. Because it isn't delivered in the camphor solvent that IV taxol is dissolved in it doesn't cause allergic reactions.

    I have been on it since January with no issues

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kdhatfield71
    Kdhatfield71 Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2016

    Hello! I just had a reaction to Ixempra-my second infusion. When I had bc the first time I reacted to my 11th Taxol infusion in the same way- I stopped breathing. Turns out the dilutent for both drugs is the same. Onc doesn't want to take a chance though so she is trying to find an alternative. I worry too.... I am on Xeloda but it's only working on my lung mets, I have several other places it isn't working. There are several other chemos to try, just want to find one that works!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited November 2016

    I also reacted to Taxol turned bright red, couldn't breathe and my heart was fluttering around like a bird. Very scary. I wouldn't take it again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CursiveStars
    CursiveStars Member Posts: 23
    edited November 2016

    While it wasn't Taxol I went into anaphylactic shock while getting a Faslodex injection after taking it for almost two years. My onc tried to give it to me again because he didn't think it was the faslodex that I was allergic to (I went into shock while the nurse was injecting it). I had swelling the size of a golfball, welts and rashes around my injection site for months. I told him I was very uncomfortable with it and was especially leary if I had a delayrd reaction and was driving home or something. In the end the pharmacy at my hospital refused to release the med because of the notes the nurse and the doctor there that day put in about my reaction. If you're not comfortable with it don't take it. You have other options available. If you dont want to scrap s therapy thats working you can also ask about it being given with steroids, antihistamines, different doses or administered slower. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories