Taxol Side Effects

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dibel
dibel Member Posts: 161
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Taxol Side Effects
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  • dibel
    dibel Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2007

    I feel like I'm the one who always experiences the worst side effects.  On Tuesday I started my Taxol and since then, I've been in horrific pain.  Finally called the Dr.  He has me on 800 mg of Motrin 3x a day plus Percocet.  I read where others found Taxol to be easier than A/C so I was gleefully expecting the same.  NOT.  Any suggestions as to how to manage this pain?  I can hardly walk.  Didn't expect this.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2007

    Are you referring to bone pain, dibel? If so, I'll say that many of us experience that on Taxol, to one degree or another, so you're definitely not alone. I had pain in my hips and lower back, which wasn't helped at all by my daily injections of Neupogen. I took ibuprofen and applied a heating pad. The good news is that, for me, instead of getting worse with each infusion (as you might expect), it got alot better over time. I hope that you have a similar experience.

    Hang in there, girl...there is definitely an end in sight!

    ~Marin

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  • shrink
    shrink Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2007

    I took oxycodone which did the trick but it made me itch.  I only needed one though.  Two tylenol took care of the rest.  Sorry you're having so much discomfort.  My experience was that after days 3 - 5, the pain was minimal.

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited December 2007

    I didn't do well with Taxol either ... I likened it to a cattle prod (although luckily I'm just guessing, not firsthand knowledge!)  I found that warm baths helped, along with an extra blanket over my legs when I slept.  During the day I just tolerated.   I was lucky- the symptoms stopped soon after my last treatment.  Hope that's the case with you too.  Hang in there - if it's making you feel that miserable, we must believe it's kicking cancer's ass too, right?

    Hugs,

    marlegal

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  • booklady
    booklady Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2007

    Hi Dibel, I had bone pain with Taxol also.  The good news is that the pain doesn't last.  I had treatment on Tues or Wed, bone pain started on Fri and was gone by Monday.  Walking especially was painful for a couple of days, especially the first time because you're not used to it.  At least with taxol, your taste buds are back and hopefully you're not experiencing any nausea.  Except for the 2-3 days of bone pain, hopefully taxol will  get better. 

    Good luck and hang in there.  How many treatments do you have to do? 

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  • mrs_X_Sunneedazee
    mrs_X_Sunneedazee Member Posts: 541
    edited December 2007

    I had pain from Taxol too.  Really achey, especially in  my legs and back.  Felt like I had the flu.  Hang in there! 

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  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited December 2007

    Hi,

    I did much better on a/c than taxol.  I had joint aches(even my ankles) and leg pain.  it also lowered my blood pressure. it lasted about 5 days after tx.  good luck

    Lots of hugs, Jackie

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  • snowyday
    snowyday Member Posts: 1,478
    edited December 2007

    I also have really bad pain from this chemo treatment, the worst is the legs lower back and shins and the left leg ankle. The shins have become a constant ache that never stops even at night.  And a new and wonderful thing in the last week it feels as if my legs are twice the size it's driving me crazy.  I'm wondering if this will go away or am I stuck with it.  It started with my first treatment of Docetaxel and has continued to get worse with each one.  The Onco's seem to play this down and I don't think they should it really hurts.

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  • dibel
    dibel Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2007

    Oh yes, I am talking about bone pain.  I sure hope you're right that it got easier with each treatment.  Why would that be?

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  • dibel
    dibel Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2007

    4 total--3 more to go if I survive

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  • Nicole58144
    Nicole58144 Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2007

    Dibel,

    Are your treatments once a week, or every three weeks?  I wonder if that would make a difference.  Hang in there.  Hot baths, and the heating pad should help.  Of course some good meds might do the trick too.=)

    Nicole

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  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited December 2007

    I too had that incredible bone pain in my legs  --- wowzers .... had Taxol on a Tuesday and by Friday and saturday my legs were in tough shape .....  I also found hot baths helped my achy legs -- as well as Percocet -------  By Monday - I was ok with my legs --- I believe -- for sure by Tuesday =)  I finished Taxol every two weeks mid -april 2007.

    Hugs - u can do this =)

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  • jdg1
    jdg1 Member Posts: 608
    edited December 2007

    It seems like there are so many that don't have any lingering SE from this drug.  I have not been able to feel my rt foot for days now sometimes it goes up to my leg as well.  I have had 2 doses already with my next one this Friday and really not looking forward to getting it.  My body feels like I am on fire at times. 

    I am truley afraid of the long term SE and that is what is making my decision so hard about getting the next tx.

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  • hlg2314
    hlg2314 Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2007

    I had a horrible time with the Taxol as well. The only thing that worked is Vicadin.  I would honestly take two every 6 hrs.Once I was done with the Taxol and it started clearing my system the bone pain did go away.  My last treatment was 4.5.07-and I went every other week.

    Hang in there,

    Hugs

    Heather

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  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 954
    edited December 2007

    Yes - the bone pain on Taxol is debilitating.  I guess if I had to compare the two, I liked Taxol better because even though the pain was worse, it went away in a couple of days and then I felt back to my normal self.  With A/C, I had something bothering me every day until I was done.

    Best of luck to you - it will get better!!

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  • dibel
    dibel Member Posts: 161
    edited December 2007

    It will be a week tomorrow since my first Taxol and I am still taking the Percocet.  I should have taken 2 pills much earlier in the game.  Didn't do it because I was afraid I would get hooked on the pills.  Although I don't need as many now, I still need the pills and then have to lie down and sleep for awhile when the pain flares up.  I sure didn't plan on this pain.

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  • LivingIt
    LivingIt Member Posts: 710
    edited January 2008

    dibel, How's it going now? I just had my first Taxol and Did fairly OK. Some pain for sure, but I could still walk. Did you have to take nulasta also?

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  • cali64422
    cali64422 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2008

    I had the bone pain, and didn;t expect it either. Should have read the online info. I took Tylenol with Codeine. (30mg codeine in 300 mg Tylenol). Worked well and made me feel better emotionally as well. I don't worry about becoming addicted to pain relievers. More important at this point to stay happy, eat well, and sleep well.

    I had the good fortune to have a 60 MG codeine on hand...it had been presribed for a dog who got beter before all the pills were gone.

    I slept so well after taking that pill...but my doc wrote 30mg so 30 it is... 

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  • Dmac
    Dmac Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2008

    Has anyone's doctor decided not to do the last taxol treatment due to numbness in the fingers and toes?

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  • sandeefeet
    sandeefeet Member Posts: 60
    edited June 2008

    My Mom is getting the Taxol. It sounds like she is suffering from a lot of the same affects. The pain, nausea, hair loss. I'm not sure about the numbness though, she hasn't mentioned that. She is having a horrible time breathing right now though. Along with the bone mets she got mets on her lungs and a partially collapsed lung. The Dr. gave her an inhaler today. I hope it helps her.

    How long have you all been on Taxol? My mom, 3 weeks Taxol, 1 week Aredia for the past two months so far.

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  • sandeefeet
    sandeefeet Member Posts: 60
    edited June 2008

    Can anyone tell how long they've been taking the Taxol chemo? Since my mom has mets the Onc told her she would have chemo the rest of her life. Will she have the side affects the rest of her life? Will she stay of this type of chemo the rest of her life? Will they change her to something else as time goes on?

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  • erika-canada
    erika-canada Member Posts: 142
    edited June 2008

    Hi:

    Just wanted to say I had every horrid S.E. there is and then some with Taxotere. It was hell. But, there is a rainbow after the storm.

    Got DD every 3 weeks, couldn't recuperate from one treatment to next.

    The rainbow being after treatment was completed slowly ALL S.E.'s went away.

    Hang in there Ladies, when its finished you'll be glad you did. Lord, do I know what you're going through....but please keep going.....

    Many warm hugs,

    Erika

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2008

    dibel, ask your dr. if you can switch to Abraxane instead of Taxol! Virtually no side effects. Its much more expensive for insurance companies BUT its a better drug and is usually OK'd if you have side-effects on Taxol. Im on it now and its Wonderful!!!!

    Heidi

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  • dove
    dove Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2008

    I've now had 2 doses of weekly Taxol---and Herceptin---(ten more to go!) and found the side effects of the Taxol to be very uncomfortable.  My right food is quite numb, both ankles very painful week one---and pelvis,back and rib pain---which is, of course, where red blood cells are manufactured.

    On doctor's advice, I had my feet iced during the 2nd infusion of the Taxol and my feet are better (not as much numbness) this week.  Extra strength Tylenol helps---and just knowing what to expect---which is namely=discomfort.  This too shall pass.  I've SOS'sd my family for consistent contact so my spirits don't get too low.  I'm grateful to have Adriamycin and Cytoxin behind me---and I'll be mighty grateful to see the end of this as well!! 

     All of it is giving me my life---and that is a miracle!!  In the meantime---each of you have my empathy, hopes and prayers!!  Dove

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited June 2008

    Dove---I was hit hard by Taxol too! Especially the first treatment. It seems like it got better with the last 3. Taxol was much harder on me than AC. I also started Herceptin in February and will have a treatment every 3 weeks until January 2009. With everything we're putting in to our bodies, something's got to be working to keep that evil thing called "CANCER" away !! I pray you make it through the remainder of your treatments with strength and courage!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!

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