Anyone have delayed allergic reaction/hives on TC? Need opinions

I had hives and rashes but not until near the end. I took Claritin and a topical ointment. It helped, but I had them through the end

until about two weeks after. My face looked like teenage acne. I look back at pictures and am horrified by how bad it looked.

They upped my steroids before chemo.

GOOD LUCK!

Appyfan, are your hives coming and going in different places? Or constant?

While on TC I had contact dermatitis that looked liked hives, but it came and went throughout the day. I also had very itchy palms. However, my symptoms were actually not hives, but an unusual neurological reaction, and the start of neuropathy.

I hope you can see your MO before your next infusion, and that you get some satisfactory answers.

appy if it continues, you may be allergic to cremaphor, the solvent taxol is mixed with. Switching to Abraxane, which is taxol mixed with albumin instead of cremaphor, can help. You should discuss with your doctor is the switch is warranted.

Appyfan

A result!

I'm sorry you have an unsympathetic onc. It really doesn't help, does it.

One thing in particular that I've learned from this website is that sometimes we have to raise concerns with the medical team and be our oewn advocate for our own peace of mind.

You may find your next infusion somewhat easier. But please do let the nurses know immediately if not.

I hope it goes as well as mine did after the reduction.

Alice

Appyfan:DELAYED ALLERGIC REACTION TO TAXOTERE AND THEN TO TAXOL

I was on TC x 4 (every 3 weeks); started late June (had 1 extra week off between #2 and #3 infusion because of daughter's wedding)

Day 8 after #3 infusion, I got all-over body hives. This is called Delayed Reaction, as you said, since it didn't pop up during the infusion--this has been explained to me, and it has to do with how our immune systems deal with allergens, and so "delayed" can happen, although it's less common than having a reaction immediately. Not only are hives awful (itchy, hurt) but of course, the NEXT step in an allergic reaction can be anaphylaxis, so my oncologist treated this as a Very Big Deal. In fact, it was recommended that I have an Epi-pen around, but there aren't any right now in the US. !!!! A supply problem. So, I took my steroid plan seriously.

I was put on 8 mg Dexamethasone every 12 hours. Instructions were that if that didn't keep them down, move to every 8 hours or whatever works. After 5 days, I was tapered off. I ALSO took Claritin each day, just as one more insurance, and that was also recommended by oncologist.

Then, for Infusion #4, my oncologist changed Taxotere to Taxol, in case I didn't have a sensitivity to Taxol, which is related to Taxotere but slightly different. Before Infusion #4, I also was given 20 mg of Dexamethasone two times (12 hrs apart) the day before (usual had been 8 mg, but this was to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction during infusion), and another 20 mg two hours before infusion, and then I-V 10 mg. I had no reaction on infusion day.

However, on Day 9, I got all-over-body hives again. So, again, Dexamethasone 8mg every 12 hours. It worked and kept down the hives. Again, after about 5 days, I tapered slowly. My tapering schedule: First, I reduced the nighttime one (6 p.m) to be 4 mg, and if no hives, then next day 6 a.m. down to 4, and that evening, change 4 to 2 mg for the night, next a.m. 2 mg and then I was done.

SLEEPING was a challenge. So, I always took 2 Benadryl + 1 Lorazepam on the nights when I'd had 8 mg of Dexamethasone at 6 p.m., and that worked.

WORRY: I was cautioned to be always watching, and making sure that the steroids were working, so if I had to be gone out of town for part of a day, I took extra steroids along, just in case....

FATIGUE was huge for 4-5 days after getting off steroids, both times. This is very recent---my 2nd experience was just 2 weeks ago, by the way. At about Day 14, when I'd been on steroids for 5 days, I started tapering down, and I had no hives, and no evidence of them at all after that.

Applyfan....so weird that you posted on this subject. The same thing is happening to me. I had my third round of TC Sept 11..On Sept 19th I started itching. At first it was my legs, then my arms, then my hands. I scratched my hands so hard, it caused my left one to bruise.I was surprised by it, because my MO had increased steroids after 1st round, due to the SEs. This is worse then that 1st round of itching. I called RN. She said to take Benadryl & use Benadryl cream on rash. That's it. You know how much cream I would need for this rash. ALOT! It does seem to be getting better, thank goodness, but I'm concerned about my next round Oct 2. Unfortunately this rash started the day after seeing my MO. I think I will give my MO a call this week, let him know about it. I doubt RN even mentioned it. Good luck, hope your doing better.. Cyn

Hi I am currently doing TC. I too 8 days after #3 infusion, I started to have rashes all over my body except my torso. I went to see two dermatologists, both think that I have Erythema Multiforme - allergic reaction to medication. One of the dermatologist works at my cancer center. He said that it is unlikely that it is caused by the chemo, but since he can't be certain, he said that if I am in fact allergic to my chemo drugs, then next time when this happen, it will be deadly. I am wondering what all of your rashes looked like. My hands, feet and ankles are swollen, but not the sole of feet. They are itching and burning at the same time, especially on my hands. My wrists were swollen for about two days to a point that I thought they are bruised. I am not sure if I should continue with my last round. I am waiting to hear back from my MO on Monday. Can anyone let me know if you finished your round and have no more problems with the rashes? Thank you.

I have the bad skin reaction too. This is the third time on Taxol and it happens every time, 2012, 2017 and again this year. My onc switched me to Abraxane, but I'm still having the same skin reaction from day 2 - 5 following infusion. I'm taking Claritin daily, one Benedryl every 6 hours during the day, 2 at night. Plus Aveeno oatmeal bath before bed, hydrocortisone skin lotion, and on 10 mg Prednisone. This is just to manage the symptoms, it won't be better until I'm done with chemo, 6 down and 6 more weeks to go.

The pathology report came back stated that my rashes were hives which could be anything. I had my last infusion yesterday. My oncologist didn’t switch the drug nor did she reduce the dosage. She did, however, told me that she will not give me Neulasta this round and told me not to change anything I have been eating or using. I also got a 4mg steroid prescription for a week. I am hoping that I won’t have rashes again this time. Oh, no I am also taking zrytec twice a day since the rash started and wi

Hello Bigdan

Almost seven years ago, I was on Taxotere after other chemotherapy. The only way I could tolerate it was to have Piriton, an antihistamine, in the drip before the infusion. The onc had to change the Taxotete to 80% of the standard dose. A result!

Good luck to your wife. Would it be worth discussing a reduce dose with your wife and onc?

Alice

Anxiouslady, I haven't heard of that regimen, personally. I took 4 TC's. The SE's are cumulative. Seems like my 3rd dose was the worst. Maybe you should ask for a second opinion if you are unsure.. Best wishes.