taxol fear

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sftfemme65
sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
taxol fear
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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited March 2008

    Ok, I thought I was afraid before but now its worse.  My treatment center called they want me to come in early since its my first taxol so they can run it slow to avoid a reaction.  They want to give me Ativan since they know I'm scared and they don't want me to have a panic attack.  I don't want to be so drugged up with ativan and benedryl that I don't know I'm in trouble well she told me don't worry they will have everything available to help if I get in trouble like an epi pen...for anaphylatic shock....are they kidding?!  This is just freaking me out.  I don't want to go into shock.  This is unbelievable.

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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited March 2008

    Do you have some history of allergy that is making you afraid?

    You are going to be fine.  See how many women have posted on breastcancer.org?  Almost all of them have had taxol or taxotere at some point. 

    Everyone is watched with first dose and gets some sort of steroid or benadryl in the mix.  It is hormal to be apprehensive and nervous, but you are working yourself into a frenzy! 

    Breathe, relax, take the ativan.  

    You will be fine.Smile

    Watson

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited March 2008

    Watson, I must be stalking you!

    The treatment center nurse just likes to talk, I guess.  Watson's right, of course.  The taxanes can have an allergic reaction, and so, especially the first time, they give it very slowly and watch carefully.  They will know if you start to react (itchy, short of breath, red in the face) and since they are giving it so slowly, they will stop the infusion and give you something to stop the reaction.  It's rare, don't worry.  The benadryl will make you sleepy, but it will also lessen the chance of a reaction.  The ativan will relax you, which is a good thing because taxol infusions take so dang long.  You will most likely get premeds in your infusion, and then have to wait for a half hour before they even begin the taxol.  Don't worry, it's long and boring, but it will be fine.  I've never heard of anyone going into shock, that's why they give you all the premeds.  She was just mean to scare you like that.

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  • Sadie-Rose
    Sadie-Rose Member Posts: 222
    edited March 2008

    Hi All.

    I was one of the people that had a reaction to taxotere.  My face turned very red and I felt hot.  I attracted a lot of attention from the nurses and the doctors at the clinic.  They increased my Benedryl and slowed the infusion down.  They watched me closely and checked my breathing and other vitals,  but we continued the treatment.  It was a very long day.  The next time I was instructed to take Benedryl the night before.   I also took a steriod I think.  The doctor instructed the nurse to go very slow with the infusion.  It was about an 8 hour process.    I got through it and all is well.

    Sadie

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  • pattypoo53
    pattypoo53 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2008

    Sadie,

    I also had taxol and took benadryl and steroids the night before and had no reaction. I was diagnosed in Dec 03, over four years out and doing great, stage IIA no nodes no angiolymphatic invasion 2.8cm atypical medullary triple negative 4ac 4taxol 33 rads.

    Patty

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  • Sadie-Rose
    Sadie-Rose Member Posts: 222
    edited March 2008

    Patty,

     I am so glad to hear you are doing so well. I am 3 1/2 out from the end of treatment, so I think I was diagnosed just a couple of months before you.  I had 3 rounds of AC and my tumor did not respond so we switched my cocktail to taxotere and carboplatin for 6 rounds. So far all is going well.

    Warmly,

    Sadie 

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  • HeatherBLocklear
    HeatherBLocklear Member Posts: 1,370
    edited March 2008

    Hi Femme,

    I understand so well how you feel -- I'm also the kind of person who fears meds of all kinds, and am always convinced I'll turn blue, my eyes will roll back, and my tongue will swell up and envelop my entire head. And that's if I don't have an allergic reaction.

    I had Taxol for the first time yesterday, and feel OK today. No allergic reaction. As the others say above, they do keep a very close eye on you, and are ready to step in with emergency measures should you not tolerate the drug. I asked the techie yesterday about the percentage of patients who have serious allergic reactions to Taxol, and he said he's never seen one in nine years of practice. I found that reassuring.

    Of course, he may just have gotten lucky. I am joking! You'll be fine.

    Hugs,

    Annie

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  • cmb35
    cmb35 Member Posts: 1,106
    edited March 2008

    Hon,

    I know how scary it sounds, but you will be fine. I didn't have an allergic reaction, but the lady across from me did once. As someone already said, major flurry of activity, but the net net was that they gave her more benadryl and slowed down the drip even more. Her face got red, but she remained pretty calm otherwise. (Quite frankly,the benadryl kind of knocked me out.)  They will be watching you very closely for a reaction, and act immediately, that is good to know, but shouldn't have been presented to you in such a scary sounding way.

    As someone else said (how lazy can I be? can't be bothered to scroll and it's only one page! LOL) many, many, many of us have had taxol, you will be OK!

    Hang in there!

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited March 2008

    lol Oh Annie your post made me laugh.....which feels so good right now.  You and I are alot a like I think.

    Thanks everyone for posting.  I'm going to try to remain hopeful that I will sail through it. 

    Teresa

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  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 1,574
    edited March 2008

    My onc preferred Taxotere of the Taxanes because, in his experience, the allergic reactions were fewer.   Also, I believe there's been some recent news on the efficacy of Taxotere over Taxol for triple negs.  I went with the Taxotere and didn't have an allergic reaction but was watched very closely, especially during the first infusion.  All four infusions were preceded by an infusion of benadryl and the steroids were to be taken orally the day before, the day of and the day following treatment.

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited March 2008

    Well, I had my treatment today and I'm happy to report I had no reaction!  And Ativan was great! 

    Teresa

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited March 2008

    That's fantastic, Teresa!!!

    Hugs,

    Ann

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  • HeatherBLocklear
    HeatherBLocklear Member Posts: 1,370
    edited March 2008

    Great! You're on your way. Celebrate! :-)

    Annie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    ativan is your friend...:)

    sure does come in handy in that chemo room for sure...

    taxol was not as hard as the red devil but take it easy...the hard part is that long infusion...yuk!

    may the taxol do the job for you and kick that beast to the curb! 

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  • steppingstones1
    steppingstones1 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2008

    i am with u guys ativan is a good friend . i did not have a reaction at first but two days later i got numbness in my feet and finger tips any one else had that happen?

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