Taxol

Hi Mel,

Found taxol much more do-able than AC.

Yes I had to take more steroids, can't remember the dose!

There are some side effects....one a bit unusual but let me tell you in case you get it. You get a steroid injected prior to the taxol drip (versus nurse administered injection). Some people have a reaction to this such that you get really itchy down below, ants in pants is what it feels like. It goes after 2-3 minutes. Someone had mentioned it to me so was prepared but is was strange.

Another SE is an adverse reaction to taxol. The medics will talk to you about it. First time I got quite bad back ache as the drug started. It lasted about 5 min. Second round I had a stronger reaction, got really hot and had shortness of breath. Hollered for nurses and the stopped drip, gave me antihistamines and started drug on a really slow drip. I was fine thereafter but for round 3&4 the upped the steroids even more.

I managed with the high dose steroids....house got a super clean while on my steroid highs but I had to take it easy once I came off them.

As I said before, walkin park compared to AC...you will be just fine.

Oh and my hair on my head started to grow back on taxol. Lashes and brown fell out towards the end but returned pretty quickly.

Good luck.

Hi Lindylu,

Thanks for you great reply. The nurses did say I would be monitored very closely while being given the taxol and it comes from the drip over a much longer time. I'm not entirely looking forward to it in case I react badly to it. There's always some thing to worry about! The high dose of steroids is freaking me out too! I hate how they make me feel....full of jitteriness and very on edge if that makes sense. I was giving a drug to help with that horrible feeling and to help with the nausea and its working quite well this week and last time too. I've no inclination to do any cleaning unfortunately !!

Hopefully the next 4 sessions will go off smoothly and I get out of this black tunnel soon!

Mel

Hi Mel1
I'm starting taxol next Friday and not particularly looking forward to it. I've 12 weekly sessions ahead and think it will be so much more of a pain having to go in weekly (instead of every 3) & then weekly after effects. I didn't find AC particularly bad, I was just very tired for a few days, so hopefully taxol will be ok too. I didn't take steroids while on AC (I'm not really sure what their purpose is?) but have been told I will on taxol so not looking forward to that either. Really hoping I don't lose my hair again (it's grown back a good bit over the last few weeks) and I'm enjoying not having to wear hats / wigs.
Best of luck and I hope taxol goes well for you too!

Pamela

Hi Newtothis,

Unlike you I did have a crap time on AC so It must depend on the individual. I was v nauseous so It meant lots of meds and steroids but they are helping. I guess they effect everyone differently. My taxol will be given 2 weekly cycle as was my AC 2 weekly. Perhaps by having it weekly the dose is reduced, it might be question you can ask your oncologist. Hopefully we will get through it without any major deals. Let us know how you get on,

That's good to hear the hair is growing and hope you hold onto the lashes and brows. Mine are still there but are light enough!

Mel

Hi Mel
You're about a month ahead of me in terms of treatment, I am due my 3rd AC next week, am getting it fortnightly as well and will start 4 * Taxol when I'm finished the AC. I know you had an awful time on the AC, I felt very bad for you reading your posts. I have been ok on the AC so far (touch wood) and I am taking each cycle as it comes. I am finding the steroids not the most pleasant in terms of being wide awake at 4am and then fading rapidly later. I guess the way I see it is it's better than the alternative of not being able to get out of the bed at all. My oncologist had mentioned the steroids changing in terms of timing at least when I go onto taxol so I presume it will be the same or similar to the way you are taking them. Do you know if they are the same steroids as the ones for AC? I will be really interested to see how you get on with the taxol and the steroids, and I really hope you get a much easier ride this time. Best of luck with it x

Hi mamato

Glad to hear you're doing ok on AC, I'm only glad they are over me now and just try get these next few days behind me, I will let you know how how I get on with the taxol but I'm hoping for an easier time!! I'm delighted now I'm half way though chemo...and the fact that I can see an end date now is encouraging. All my chemo is scheduled to be finished at end of April, sure that's not too far away!!

Good luck with the rest of your treatment mamato!

Hi all!

Well I've completed 5 of my 12 taxol sessions and hair is holding firm so far! I'm definitely finding taxol easier than AC but my veins aren't being too accommodating and I've had reactions to taxol most weeks (red face, sore back, heart racing & funny taste in mouth). This means I'm being given the taxol really slowly so I'm in the hospital most of the day.

I hope everyone else is getting on ok too!

Pamela