Is Taxol worse the Adriamycin?

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  • vonnie
    vonnie Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2008

    Hello everyone. I join this group to get some information that doctors do not discuss. I will have a mastectomy next week. My doctors told me that chemo and radiation therapy is much different from years ago. Well reading your experience it seem to me that have not been a change. My two freinds have now ten years since their mastectomey and during fine. I read your comments so I can know what to expect and I'm glad I did. I not good with pain that the most problem I have, however thank's for your comment. Oh I forgot how long do you suffer from the mastectomy and how soon the hair start folling out?

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited May 2008

    Hi vonnie, try checking other threads for the answer to your questions about mastecotmys and hairloss - I know there is a hairloss thread and im sure tons of mastecomty(?) threads - this is a great website - just look under the topic your interested in. This particular one might not give you the information - its about taxol vs. adriamycn but again, so many more threads with great answers to the ones you asked.

    Best,

    Heidi

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  • 2grace
    2grace Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2008

    the comment was "is there anything good about BC". Well, yes, sort of.Tho' I'd give it all back to have never had this happen. The ex is being wonderful and a new business of sorts is blooming making "SAVE THE TA-TAS" t-shirts. I like the smiles so much more than the stares and the pitying looks.

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  • ppfhealed
    ppfhealed Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2008

    I am in between my 2nd and 3rd treatment of taxol and have neuropathy in my feet.  It is so bad that I cannot stand or walk anywhere for more than 10 minutes without feeling this horrible inching in my feet.  It then starts to spread and I feel like creepy things are crawling all over me.  It is really bad I can't take it anymore has anyone eles experienced anything like this and if so what can I do for relief.  I can't go anywhere or do anything with my daughter.  Please help

    ppfhealed

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited May 2008

    Hi ppfhealed, I am starting Taxol this Thrus. so I can't help you with your question, however, did you tell your Onc. about this!! This sounds terrible! Are he or she aware of what you are going thru? - they the one that should help you with your side-effects? I hope someone here can also help you as well . ...

    Heidi

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  • ppfhealed
    ppfhealed Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2008

    I told her about it after the 1st treatment but it wasn't this bad then it has progressively gotten worse.- Good luck with the taxol.

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited May 2008

    I wasn't going to post about my Taxol experience but decised to anyway.

    I hated A/C as I felt like the living dead for 4 weeks but Taxol was MUCH worse for me. I had the worst body pains and neuropathy set in immediately. I couldn't touch anything without extreme pain in my fingers and toes. The neuropathy continues to a certain extent to this day, 3 years later. I only did 2 of 4 Taxol due to the neuropathy. My onc wouldn't allow me to do anymore and while I did feel guilty about it it was definitely the right decision to stop.

    My advice is: report everything to your onc no matter how small the issue may seem they need to know and they should listen to you!

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited May 2008

    You know it seems that those with the worse SE from taxol are the ones that did it every 3 weeks or bi weekly.  I did mine weekly, last one is tomorrow and aside from really ugly nails and infection under a couple my SE have been ok.  I have body pain but nothing that isn't manageable.  When you have taxol weekly the amount is adjusted, my onc said the SE are usually less and studies show it works better.  I have had a couple toes that go numb every now and again but other than that no neuropathy to speak of.

    Teresa

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited May 2008

    I had me first Abraxane last Wednesday and the weekend was not so bad..I did have bone pain but it was not so bad..I did take tylenol twice..I was able to function so much better than when I was on AC..I am in the process of moving and was able to get the things done that were needed...so far so good ..tomorrow I get my second infusion..I am hoping the se will be the same and not worse ...in comparison to AC this is a piece of cake

    Pat

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited May 2008

    Hi Pat, I was thinking about you all weekend. Was about to write you a PM and saw this post. THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS. I'm so happy for you, you have no idea. You deserve this welcome break since your last 2 months have been hell.  I start this Thrus. and will post to let everyone know. Good luck to you on your second treatment and hope its as good as the first! :)

    Best,

    Heidi

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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited May 2008

    Just checking in on you guys to see how you are making out.

    I am glad that those who were able to get the Abraxane are finding out how much easier it is than the Adriamycin. I feel really badly for those suffering on Taxol. If you switch to weekly doses it does help a little ameliorate some of the side effects. I just wish that they would give everyone Abraxane instead because the Taxol women are not only getting a reaction to the Taxol, but to the Cremephor that the Taxol is mixed with.

    IF your doctor permits it, and not all do, some woman have found relief by taking vitamin b6. But don't take anything unless you check with your doc first. At the very least, they should at least try the weekly dose to help ease your pain.

    hugs to all,

    g 

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited May 2008

    Hi Everyone

    Believe it or not I am having my treatment of Abraxane as I am writting this..It takes about 2 hours total ..I am getting some pre meds to make sure I don't get nausaus...I have the tendancy to get nausaus..but this is not like the pre meds I was getting..not as strong...I am relaxed and I am not getting the chills as I did on AC..the Chemo nurse commented how good I looked this week...Abraxane is the way to go if it can be done...

    Pat

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited May 2008

    Hi Everyone

    Believe it or not I am having my treatment of Abraxane as I am writting this..It takes about 2 hours total ..I am getting some pre meds to make sure I don't get nausaus...I have the tendancy to get nausaus..but this is not like the pre meds I was getting..not as strong...I am relaxed and I am not getting the chills as I did on AC..the Chemo nurse commented how good I looked this week...Abraxane is the way to go if it can be done...

    Pat

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited May 2008

    Hi everyone, I just got back from from my Onc. appt. this morning - I got a call at 4pm today that I got approved for Abraxane instead of the Taxol!!! I am so excited! Thank you pdm for making me push for this. I starting pushing her 3 weeks ago after reading this board, and continued this morning being a noodge! and just got the good news via phone call. I start tomrrow and I have added HOPE now that my side-effects won't be as bad. I am just thrilled, you all have no idea. I will keep everyone posted on how this is working as I start tomrrow morn.! 

    Heidi

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  • SuperMujer
    SuperMujer Member Posts: 100
    edited June 2008

    Hi Dorothy,

    I had my second Taxol last week. It was horrific. By the second day I was immobilized in bed with bone pain, joint pain and a headache that was unreponsive to everythingYell. I usually work through the treatments but I was actually in bed for three days. When the physical effects eased up I found myself extremely depressed.

    Has anyone else experienced severe headaches and depression after Taxol???

    Two to go!!!!!!!!!!! Hope I can make it!

    LA

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  • SuperMujer
    SuperMujer Member Posts: 100
    edited June 2008

    Hi ppfhealed,

    My onc prescribed Neurontin for the nerve issue as well as Twice daily Vit B6. It definitely helps but I had to buy the Neurontin myself because the ins rejected it..

    Good luck.

    LA

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2008

    Hi LA

    I was suppose to have taxol after AC but it was changed to Abraxane..now I know why my onc changed it..I had my second treatment on Wednesday and it takes 2 to 3 days for the se to kick in..I am having some bone pain but nothing I can't handle..last night I was uncomfortable but took no pain meds...

    I am so sorry you have to go through this...AC was hell for me and Abraxane seems to be so mush easier...I am tired but not put down ..I can function..I actually moved this weekend and did quite well..

    The depression might be from the steroids..are you taking any or maybe it was in the pre-meds??

    Try and take it easy and listen to your body...

    Let us know..

    Pat

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  • SuperMujer
    SuperMujer Member Posts: 100
    edited June 2008

    Hi Pat,

    I dont think that the depression is from the Roids as I only take a premed dose before the Taxol. I fear my next dose and that's not like me. Maybe its a cumulative effect of everything including the onset of chemopause. I just can't get a handle on it right now.

    I'm trying though!

    Thanks for your encouragement.

    LA

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2008

    LA

    What we go through is very depressing..I went through the same thing and sometimes I still do..It isn't fun to have all this put on us..just know you are not alone ..if you can find something that you enjoy do it..it doesn't matter what it is..are you getting out at all..it does help just getting out in the air...even a short drive ..

    When my husband saw I was getting depressed he would just take me out for a drive, even when I didn't want to ....believe it or not, even when we went to the food store helped...I was shutting myself in..thats not a good thing..the depression only gets worse..there are days I want the world to just go away and I have to push myself..

    This is very hard on us..its a battle but we will win...

    Sending you a big hug

    Pat

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  • SuperMujer
    SuperMujer Member Posts: 100
    edited June 2008

    You're right Pat, I do tend to shut in when I feel this way. If it weren't for my husband and kids I'd be in DEEP trouble.

    LA

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  • dorothy1918
    dorothy1918 Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2008

    Hi Super Mujer

          I had my second Taxol on the 30th of june. I have numbness in my fingers but really no bone pain this time. It is easier this time. Doctor says she will change the drug if numbness continues.I have two more treatments.I have done dd a/c and now dd taxol every two weeks.Hope it gets better for you.     GOOD LUCK,

                                                                Dorothy

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2008

    Hi Supermuger, have you thought about switching your drug to Abraxane? I was scheduled to have Taxol -and with input here as well as reading about it, I found out about a new drug (almost same thing but better! and side-effects are so minimal) I heard that this drug is for people who suffer bad side-effects from Taxol. You sound like the perfect candidate! I would ask your dr. to switch you. You should not have to go thru this! I am on Abraxane and its been a god-send. If you put this drug in the search menu above, it will tell you all about it. Best of luck and I'm so sorry you have to go thru this.

    Heidi

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

    Hi Super Mujer and all other BC sisters

         on this thread:

    I did A/C DD every 3 weeks, had a difficult time with it. Then I did Taxotere DD every 3 weeks, which was horrid!! I couldn't recover from the last treatment to the next.

    I was told Taxotere was the best/most aggressive drug for very aggressive CA. As I had IBC, decided to do the best I could.

    One year later, and I am so glad I did. During that year the S.E. slowly subsided and at least I know I did the best I possibly could, at least it gave me a better chance to beat this.

    I think this is a very individual decision, but mostly depends how aggressive the CA. is!!

    Wishing you the best and sending many warm hugs,

    Erika

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  • SuperMujer
    SuperMujer Member Posts: 100
    edited June 2008

    Hi Girls,

    I added a new chapter to my Taxol chronicles this week. I developed SEVERE itching in my hands, feets, and trunck about 8 days after I received the drug. It was uncontrollable!!!

    My Onc said it was cause by peripheral neuropathy (neuropathic itch). I doubled my Neurontin and it worked! It was not an allergic reaction and she said that Abraxane can cause a neurapthy that is worse than Taxol and is mostly used for women that have allergic reactions to Taxol.

    Anyway, the long and short of it is that I have to take the last two doses over four week instead of the dose dense two week cycle.

    Maybe I wont lose my eyebrows now!!???

    LA

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2008

    I just had my third treatment of Abraxane and I am still doing good..yesterday I was down a little but was able to function...I had more bone pain this time and was so very tired..today I feel fine..I will take one day of feeling off..no neurapthy to speak of...not even sure what to look for ...

    Heidi ...I hope you are doing ok...sending you best wishes... 

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  • dorothy1918
    dorothy1918 Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2008

    well the doctor is taking me off taxol because of numbness in hands after 2nd dose.I will be taking taxotere starting this Friday 13th hope that doesnt mean bad luck.Well wish me luck and good luck to all of you and GOD BLESS ALL

                                                         Dorothy,

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2008

    Hi pdm, Oh, Im sorry to hear it was a little harder this time. I go for my 2nd Thursday. We'll see. Do you have that zombie-feeling in your head like AC? I noticed you said you were very tired. Hopefully just sleepy tired. Ill say a prayer for you tonight hoping it will pass fast. I'll post and let you know how my 2nd goes. Ill give it a couple of days to kick in.

    Best wishes to you too and Im thinking of you too.

    Heidi

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  • Amers
    Amers Member Posts: 82
    edited June 2008

    I did really well on Taxotere-no side effects-just a little numbing in my hands and feet the day after treatment.

    Things tasted funny too....

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  • pdm
    pdm Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2008

    Heidi

    I wasn't feeling like a zombie but I was really tired..had more pain this time ..it was just for one day..I will take it...this is still so much better ...

    Let me know how you are doing...

    Pat

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  • myheidiscrapbooking
    myheidiscrapbooking Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2008

    Hi pdm, Im so glad yours only lasted one day - one day you can take! :) Its Sat. night and I had my second Abraxane/Herpecin this past Thrus and I feel great! Not one side-effect at all. I actually feel completely normal. I am so happy right now. I can't thank you enough for letting me know about Abraxane rather than Taxol. Life is good! ;)

    Ill keep you posted! you too ok!

    Heidi

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