Abraxane

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2018

    I’m only on my second dose of the first cycle so don’t know yet how bad things will get but I took a Zofran yesterday to try to prevent nausea. I took a Rolaids too since they don’t interfere. Zofran works on seratonin so it tells your brain you’re not sick where an antacid tells your belly it’s not sick. I don’t think the Zofran has an immediate effect so you have to plan ahead. It’s hard to determine at first when to take it since it’s for prevention. I don’t like taking a bunch of pills either but I talk myself into it. Some days it’s just routine and other days it’s a struggle. Maybe try it for a day or two and see if it helps.

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2018

    Isthere a standard length of treatment for Abraxane or do they just figure it out as they go along? I asked the nurse today how long I will be on this and she didn’t know.

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited September 2018

    My onc said six months and then for as long as it’s working and I can tolerate it

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited September 2018

    Wandering, Abraxane was my first line chemo (adverse reactions to the others) and I did 5 months, however it was weekly for me. I think it works out to be the same as 6 treatments given every 3 weeks.

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2018

    Thank you GracieM2007 and Illimae. It was a sudden change of plan and not a lot of information given. I see my MO next week and will ask questions. I have a trip planned in the coming weeks and planning ahead for holidays and what I may or may not be able to do. I was not on any treatment last year during the holidays so this will be new. I’m a planner and I’m finding it frustrating to not be able to plan. I guess I need multiple plans

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited October 2018

    I'm meant to be on a 3 weeks on, one week off regime for Abraxane. I had my first dose on 20th Sept, then my second on 28th after getting a shot to boost my neutrophils. After my second dose my neutrophil levels went down to 0.6, and with my platelets low and also low hemoglobin (8.4) I took a week of Abraxane. I'm hoping to have my third dose next week if my blood levels raise up. Ive been so tired, most likely due to my low red cell count. I really want this to work (who wants treatment to fail!) but it feels hard. I didn't get such a strong reaction when I was on Taxol.

    I hoping things might settle down, but feel its not likely. I had to cancel a trip to the UK to see family/friends so feeling quite down about the whole processes.

    How is everyone else getting on? Did anyone else treatment startup hard but settle down and become manageable?

    Sarah


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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited October 2018

    Sarah, I'm on week one if round four. They gave me iv iron last week and will again this week because my rbc are very low as well as hemoglobin. I haven't had to have anything for my wbc yet, thank goodness! Abraxane has been pretty tough on me, lots of neuropathy already and nausea, muscle soreness and absolutely no energy. They did lower my dose by 10% last month due to the neuropathy. Here's the good news...my tumor markers, which have done nothing but go up for two years, are almost within normal limits! It's not an easy chemo but it seems to be workjng

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited October 2018

    Gracie - so great to hear Abraxane is bringing your tumor markers down. :D

    I'm happy to have had this extra week off but fear it will become the norm and I don't want to keep missing chemo. Maybe a lower dose would be the way for me. I am early days on this TX - maybe the iron IV would be something I should/could do. I'm having blood tests done on Tuesday - so I have a day or two if some form of boost is needed before chemo Friday.

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited October 2018

    With the iron, they can do a blood test to see if you are low on iron, that helps to get the insurance to pay for it. And my onc said lowering the dose doesn’t have any effect on how well it works, so you could at least ask about those.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited October 2018

    Thanks for the advise - I will be ready when I get my bloods done on Tuesday.

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited October 2018

    Always ask questions about your bloodwork if you have them. I don’t want to know just what it means, I want to know how it affects me regarding treatment and what’s “normal” with treatment. If you’re asking about things he hasn’t recommended let him explain why you don’t need it. Sometimes their decisions seem quite random until they explain it.

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited October 2018

    Finished the third week of my first round and my hair is falling out in chunks. Going to get a wig tomorrow. Doing this week and taking a trip for a week.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited October 2018

    WanderingNeedle - Mine is falling out too - expected but Im not happy. Oh well. Hope you get a great wig, I'm going shopping for a wig too as I want a shorter one than last time. Enjoy your trip

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  • skitzblitz
    skitzblitz Member Posts: 153
    edited October 2018

    abraxane is kicking my butt. I had a week off the first round and theyndid lower the dose as well. My red platelets have been low and the past two times at the dr they told me I could get a transfusion if iwant one. Well I'm ready! I did my theee rounds and week off and I'm still tired and not rebounding.

    I have my first scan Wednesday

    I have not had the neuropathy so lucky there but I ache and ache so bad I just can't take it. I am hoping some is from low platelets as well.

    I will ask about the iron iv but not sure if we have them here.

    I really don't want the shots for the wbc, heard they were horrible.


    Will keep you posted,

    Sarah

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  • mlc96
    mlc96 Member Posts: 33
    edited October 2018

    Does anyone have itching and rash from Abraxane? I had 5 rounds of Taxol and had terrible rash and itching, was switched to Abraxane last week but rash and itching are the same. I was told to take Claritin daily, Bernedryl at night, was also given 1 week of Prednisone which has not helped at all. I'm supposed to have 6 more weeks of Abraxane, not sure how I will tolerate it unless I take Benedryl around the clock!

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited October 2018

    mic96, have you had a long break between taxol and abraxane? Rash is listed as a common side effect. Have they offered you anything topical for relief rather than internal? Maybe a cortisone cream or an oatmeal bath may help? Good luck, I’m sure it’s extremely uncomfortable.

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  • mlc96
    mlc96 Member Posts: 33
    edited October 2018

    There was no break between the Taxol and Abraxane, I'm getting weekly infusions for 12 weeks, the first 4 were Taxol and the rash started after the 2nd infusion. I have a cortisone cream to use topically. I did try an oatmeal bath last night and it helped a lot.

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited October 2018

    mlc96, I found this while looking up blood pressure information. http://www.oncohealth.eu/en/patient-area/understanding-cancer/patient-information-support/general-information/treatment/chemotherapy/listado-farmacos/abraxane

    It lists a rash as an allergic reaction, not a side effect. Aveeno lotion has oatmeal in and is very hydrating. It may offer a little topical relief. I hope you’re not on this for very long and can trade these side effects for something more tolerable.

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  • mlc96
    mlc96 Member Posts: 33
    edited October 2018

    Thank you for the info! I have (hopefully) 6 more weeks. I'm managing but can't wait for this to be over. I'm on Prednisone 10 mg daily, Claritin, benedryl, hryocortisone lotion and oatmeal baths before bed. If I have to have chemo again in the future, I will have to move to another drug, not Taxol or Abraxane.

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  • klmpk
    klmpk Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2018

    Hi All,

    I've just started Abraxane with Carboplatin. 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I have my 2nd infusion on Monday. Feel really tired, but everything else is pretty random. An ache here a pain there. Came off of Xeloda (which I loved, no SEs to speak of). but it wasn't working. My first round of bc was ILC 50-75 % ER, PR +. Now i'm 1-10% ER, PR negative. that's almost triple negative which is really scary. Any advice any of you can shoot my way will be appreciated.

    Karen

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  • Wanderingneedle
    Wanderingneedle Member Posts: 222
    edited November 2018

    Hi, Karen,

    Sorry the Xeloda is no longer working for you. I felt that way with Ibrance/letrozole - no huge SE’s. I believe losing your hair is a common side effect, along with nausea. You MO can give you meds for that. I quit taking blood pressure meds because I was getting dizzy and lightheaded for about 4 days after treatment. I still get a little dizzy but not as bad. Rest when you’re tired - sometimes all you need is to rest a bit and keep going. Take care of yourself!I don’t know if it’s a side effect but I’m crankier than usual!

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited November 2018

    Hello everyone! I just started abraxane Monday. Last night I started feeling numerous aches and pains, not real bad, but one of them is in the lower abdomen, I think near the the bladder. It's like sharp twinges. I do have a small amount of ascites. I'm a little concerned about peritonitis but just wondering if this is common side effect of abraxane. Thanks for any insight. I have to get ready for work so I did not read any of this thread yet but I will. 

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited November 2018

    HLB, I don't know about ascites, but my pain level went up the first few months of abraxane. I think it was tumor flare. Do you think you might have had a small spot in that area? If it doesn't get better you might check with your oncology nurse. Hope it goes away for you! I'm the good side, Abraxane kicked the back out of my cancer. Brought one tumor market down to normal limits, the other one down hundreds. I'm on a three week break after month five due to growing neuropathy! Will probably go back in it, for however long it works.

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited November 2018

    Thanks Gracie, I am hoping it's tumor flare. As of right now, we don't know why I have ascites so it's possible. It got worse throughout the day so I called onc, who sent me for urinalysis, gave me some Ultram, and I will see him tomorrow. I usually try to avoid appts if at all possible but I don't want to take chances with peritonitis. Plus the ascites is messing with my head.

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  • Tychad
    Tychad Member Posts: 65
    edited December 2018

    Hi. I was wondering what neuropathy is. (If I spelled it right). I’m not sure if that’s what I have with my feet. They hurt and are swollen and feel tight and sometimes it feels like pins and needles in it. Thank

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited December 2018

    Sounds like neuropathy. Tingling, pins and needles, feet feel like sandpaper, mine ache badly. Mine don't swell at all though.

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  • Tychad
    Tychad Member Posts: 65
    edited December 2018

    Thanks for the info. But what do you do about it. Did you tell your doctor. Thanks Rhonda

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited December 2018

    yes, do tell your oncologist. They can adjust your dose or give you something to help. L Glutimine (sp?) Can help. Use the powder form and mix in with a non acid drink. 30 grams a day. I did 10 grams three times a day. Also B12 can help. Ask your oncologist how much to take.Hope that helps a little!


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  • Tychad
    Tychad Member Posts: 65
    edited December 2018

    hi. What are the side effects of neraphy. And what are you taking to help it’ll thanks rhond

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited December 2018

    Do most people lose their hair on this treatment? I just had my 3rd and no hair loss. I've kind of been looking fwd to it because my hair is crap from the treatments I've been on lol.

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