Anyone on Taxol

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

I get my bloods taken at GP including tumour markers. Am happy to say mine have also halved. 😀 Oncologist said this was a positive sign but CT needed. Not counting my chickens just yet. Having CT in next month and then back for results in six weeks. Having a break next week so can have flu jab.

Must admit am having a bit of a hard time with painful finger nails and toenails.

Best wishes.

Lorraine

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening Lorraine

Pleased your treatment went well on Thursday.

Thought I might of had them last Monday when I saw oncologist but unfortunately not. Back to see her in 2 or 3 weeks. I have not taken the tramadol she prescribed dont want to feel spaces out. She did say depending on CT scan results treat ment might get stopped at 10 as opposed to me having 12. Don't know whether your hospital you attend does tumour markers. Mine does and they have halved since starting this treatment which I suppose is good but I would still like to see scan results.

The weeks seem to be flying by no. 9 already chemo. Hope it goes well with oncologist and you get a CT scan sorted.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

My treatment went ok yesterday. Am off to see oncologist later when will discuss getting a scan.

Just thinking of you and wondering if you recieved your scan results?

Regards,
Lorraine xx

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

I have it in bones and liver. Sorry you are suffering so much with bone pain. I was once given Tramadol when I had pain in ribs near liver. I took one and was spaced out not good. Didnt take another. Different for everyone though.
Hope you get results soon. I hope to get a scan before end of month. Results here take at the very least two weeks if not longer. Dont know about you but are times I wonder if it is worth all of the pain. All we can hope for is positive results. Xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Lorraine

Can't remember whether u have bone mets as well as liver like me. At moment my hands are OK but my bones and joints in feet hurt. My bones in ribs front and back tend to be the worse ones. I do get pains in left leg down as well. Falling to bits. I mentioned it last time I saw oncologist. She prescribed tramadol 3 times a day. Not keen on taking that strong a pain relief. I have been taking co codamal before going to bed if it is bad. Oncologist mentioned some patients get pain so bad they feel like they have been run over by a bus.

I think once I get scan results and hopefully it is working well I will start to feel less stressed.

I hope results are there tomorrow . I have asked whether she can go through the results on the computer.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

You mentioned bone pain. I have just started to experience pain in my right leg from my hip down my leg. I also have sore fingers and toes. Have u had any symptoms in hands and toes?

Lorraine x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine thank you for your good wishes regarding scan results. Went OK apart from hunt the vein.

I agree regarding them not wanting to spend too much money on us. Another reason for them not wanting to spend money on me as I am now 66. Until this chemo I was plodding along nicely. Swimming and aqua fit regularly. Unfortunately not been able to do that in case I pick up a germ. Hopefully I will be able to get back to that.

Pleased your treatment went well yesterday.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Hope scan went ok. No have never been offered a liver biopsy. Sometimes I feel secondry means not worth spending money on you! I have always had CT scans where some have had MRIs.

My treatment went ok yesterday.

Best wishes for your results.

Helen - i hope your meeting with oncologist went well.

Regards,

Lorraine xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening Lorraine

Pleased your treatment is going well now. Yes I get bleeding from the nose when I blow it which I do alot with the constant watery eyes and runny nose. That seemed to start when I started cape last October. Did mention it last week when I was having chemo reply was you may have less hair in nose and on eyelashes. Advise try cucumber or tea bags. Do you have the same problem?

Thank you for your good wishes regarding scan tomorrow. Least it is early 10.30 so I won't have to starve too long.

Have you been offered a liver biopsy?

Still wonder why they used all options up on hormone therapy treatment. Suppose each oncologist has their own preferred treatment plan.

Good luck for Thursday. Hope it goes smoothly.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda and Helen

Things going ok for me now that they have sorted the reaction. Have aches and pains, tiredness and sores inside nose which bleed now and then. Got some ointment now. My fingers and toes are also a bit sensitive. Still managing to do every day things which is a bonus.

Linda - I hope your scan goes ok and you get positive results. Hopefully pains you are having are just normal side effects. Fingers crossed.

Helen - Thanks for your post. Hope your chat with oncologist goes well. Is always a worry waiting to see them. Not sure what other treatments are. I was told there were other chemos to try if this one doesn't work.

I see oncologist on 18th and then will be referred for a scan.

Best wishes for you both.

Lorraine xxx

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Helen

Hope you had a great holiday.

Treatment not going to bad. Going to have CT scan this Wednesday. I will have had 7 treatments. When I got diagnoised with liver mets I have not had a biopsy have you? Alot of ladies on the forum seem to have one also I have known people whereby the receptor is different from the breast cancer so treatment won't work. I asked that very same question last October was told no that does not happen.

My main side effects are fatigue joint and bone pain which is quite worrying as I have not had bone pain in the 9 years I have had mets. Mentioned the pains to oncologist last week I think that is why she has rushed an appointment through for CT scan.

If you have to change treatments I wonder what it will be?

Hope appointment goes OK on Wednesday with oncologist.

Linda.

[helen44]

Hi Linda & Lorraine
Just checking that you are coping with the paclitaxel at the moment. Have you had a scan midway through? I am hoping it's doing the trick for you both. I've had 13 now, 5 to go. See onc on Wed for a chat about how it's going. As I said last month, I'm not sure how long I can continue with chemo whilst 2 of the liver mets increase each time I am scanned though everything else is stable. How big do they have to get before we rethink? I feel pretty well most if the time for which I am thankful.
Let us know how you are.
Helen x

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Lorraine

Pleased everything went well for you last Thursday.

Not sure whether cold cap is working as I have lost more than normal although I have a full head of hair still. I have got long hair so at moment no one would notice. Just have to wait and see. Not lost any hair anywhere else eyebrows eye lashes etc..

Back to see oncologist next Monday so hopefully she will arrange for me to have a scan.

Good luck for Thursday.

Linda.

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Everything went well on Thursday. They gave me extra meds before chemo and no reaction thankfully. Been fine apart from inside of my nose is sore and has caused a few nose bleeds.

Yesterday my hair started to come out. 😣

I hope you are doing well and that the cold cap is working for you.

Just got to live in hope it is all worth it.

Take care and all the best for tomoro.

Lorraine xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine

Hope everything went well yesterday.

Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine

I noticed you have put a section on reaction to taxol hope you get some useful information. Not sure what our next treatent is taxol does
For me if it does work I will go on hormonal therapy like tamoxifen. Wonder why they used up all your hormonal options before chemo. Would have been nice for you to have some easier options to choose from.

Good luck for Thursday. Hopefully it will without a hitch.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

It's all a waiting game. Am glad today went ok.

I saw consultant today for catch up. Discussed scan and he said would not have one until complete another six weeks.

He was also very concerned about reactions I have had. He said to see how next few go and if still have reactions then will discontinue. This is stressing me out as if cannot continue that is one less option. Will have to see how Thursday goes.

Have actually just started a post asking if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Regards,

Lorraine

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine

Well that is number 4 taxol done and dusted. Treatment went well apart from the problem of hunt the vein. Did request to have a port line fitted before treatment but still not fitted. Went for pre treatment assessment last Monday. Said at time could come not on Tuesdays as having chemo. Well got back in to find a letter asking me to come for 12 o clock today. To be honest with only having 8 more treatments I don't feel it is worth having one now. Another thing once I have finished how long will it take for them to take it out. With it taking over 5 weeks to get an appointment to have one fitted could take just as long to have it taken out. They will be on no hurry.

Good luck for Thursday.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Was in ny lymphs on left and had spread to bones. Said was best treated with hirmone therapy and no chemo. I wa Grade 3.

You have a lovely weekend too.

Lorraine xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine

Sorry you had reaction again to the chemo. Wonder why you did not get chemo back in 2014. Unless you had no lymph nodes involved or it is grade 1 which is very slow growing. Mine was grade 2 and in lymph nodes.

Yes I don't miss taking cape. Even though we are at chemo unit for a few hours least we can come home and forget about it till next time.

Have a good weekend.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Glad you are feeling ok after third one. Hope you get sorted with line. I seem to be ok with veins. Just not so good with taking chemo. Had a reaction again but nurse was ready waiting so gave me meds straightaway and wasnt as bad. Had rest and then chemo went in ok. From now on they are giving extra meds before to pre-empt reaction so tell me should be fine. Trust me to be awkward. Feel fine today. Do not miss taking cape tablets.

Hi Helen,

Sorry about your results. Its rubbish when you get this news.

It will be lovely to get away. I never try to go abroad now. Always think will not get insured. Break will do you good.

Can I ask how long or how many treatments it took before your hair started to fall out. Did you get head shaved long after and do you need to put anything on your scalp to protect it? I am not having cold cap but have bought a wig ready. Even though diagnosed in 2014 I never had chemo so this is all a bit daunting losing hair.

Have a wonderful time in Majorca. Xxx

Hi Nicky

I remember you from Cape forum. I hope you are doing ok. Xx

[nicky08]

Sending you big hugs Helen, you've had a rough time so a bit of welcome sun and relaxation will do you the world of good.

Enjoy the holiday 

Nicky xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Helen

Sorry the results were not as good as you would have liked.

Upto now side effects have been less than when I was on cape. I look and much better in myself even hubby as noticed the difference in me. Hopefully I stay as I am.

As you know I am down to have 12 treatments but oncologist mentioned she has had a patient managed 16 before neopathy in hand and feet. Don't know whether she is now thinking of giving me more. I said to her I would rather not. My oncologist likes to get the most out of each treatment before treatment change.

Upto now anyway I have only 2 types of hormonal therapy so there is at least couple more I could try. I have only had Letrozole and exemestane. Got 4 years out of Letrozole and 3 years 8 months on exemestane which I suppose is good.

Enjoy holiday you deserve the break from the treatment.

Linda

[helen44]

Hi Linda & Lorraine
Glad to hear you are settling in to the Taxol sessions ok. Hope you're not suffering with too many side effects. I have now had 11 but having 2 weeks off for my holiday to Majorca. I had results of MRI and to be honest I was disappointed that there had been no reduction in the liver ; 2 had increased slightly whilst the others are stable. Will continue for the 18 cycles planned and be scanned again in Nov. Feel pretty ok, no hair but then I am not trying cold cap so was expecting to lose it again-have fun coordinating scarves with outfits! I have a little neuropathy in toes from time to time.
All the very best with your treatment both of you and anyone else on this chemo.
Helen x

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening Lorraine

3rd taxol went really well. Had slight red face with steroids last night. Gone now. I have asked to have a line fitted instead of having to hunt the vein each time I go. Took 3 attempts to find a vein. Been for the assessment regarding having a line fitted just waiting for an appointment to come through hopefully before next Tuesday.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Thanks Linda

Hope your third one was ok. Like u I was told my tumour markers have dropped. Happy days.

Lorraine xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening Lorraine

Thank you for your reply. Hope your treatment goes well this Thursday.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Really hope cold cap works for you and good news u will soon have a scan. Glad tumour markers are also going down is a good sign. Take care. Xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine

Pleased u. enjoyed night out in Newcastle. It is a good day out. We often go.
As you know I am trying the cold cap so hopefully I hang on to my hair. Mind least bit itch I keep thinking is it going to start falling out. There is no guarantee with the cap I just think it is worth a try.
Saw oncologist today asked about scan. Reply was she will arrange one next time I see her in 3 weeks
time. She did say even after 2 my tumour markers are going down which is good. I also asked about seeing my scan on computer so she can go through it with me. She replied yes to that as well.

She did mention about neopathy pins and needles which can happen after a few treatments. That is when treatment is stopped. It is planned for me to have 12 but if I start to get pins and needles before then it will be stopped. I know you mentioned yours is planned for long term treatment. We will just have to wait and see how we get on. Time seems to be flying by at the moment. It will be our 3rd treatment already this week.

Good luck for this week that you don't get an allergic reaction.
Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Hope you get your answers about scan and glad your treatment went ok. Hopefully mine will be straightforward on Thursday.

We enjoyed our night in Newcastle. Have been there loads as we only live in Carlisle.

My scalp feels a bit itchy today. Dreading losing my hair.

I see my oncologist on 18 September and will also be asking about scan.

Take care.

Lorraine x

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening Lorraine

Yes allergic reaction happen. When I had mine on Tuesday it went in slowly just in case an allergic reaction. Fortunately I was OK. It must have been scary for you when it happened.

I live in the North East of England near Newcastle. I have visited before?

Don't know about you I will be pleased when I have had a scan to see if it is working. Going to ask on Monday when I see oncologist when they plan for me to have one.

It's a good night out in Newcastle.

Have a good weekend.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

Glad you are doing ok. I have had little patches of redness on my face but otherwise have been fine.

Had my second taxol yesterday and 7 mins in had an allergic reaction. Pain in my chest and lower back. They had meds ready just in case and within a short time all was ok. Was scared I would not be able to restart but was fine when started off again. Was scarey but apparently can happen. Told first time your body doesn't know what to expect but second time tried to fight chemo. Typical it happened to me. All was ok though.

Enjoy your weekend. I am having a night away in Newcastle whilst I still look ok. Told within next two weeks hair will start to change.
Regards,
Lorraine

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening Lorraine

Sorry I have not replied earlier. The red face comes same day as when I have taxol It tends to last the next day as well. Rang chemo unit last week seemingly it is to wirh steroids I have before taxol.
I tend like you feel tired when I first arrive home from hospital.. Then can't sleep that night. How have you found taxol? You would have had your second one today.

Helen thank you for your reply regarding scans. I back on the 11 Sept to see oncologist I am going to ask for an MRI. I think it must be cheaper to do CT scans.

After the scan in May when it showed up more liver mets is that when your treatment got changed to taxol.

At the moment the treatment seems to be going well for me with no major side effects. Although for me it is very early days yet. Feel I have more energy on this than I had on capecitabine.

Have you had the results from your MRI scan yet?

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda, Had my first Taxol today and am a little tired but otherwise ok. Hope your red face disappears.

Helen - fingers crossed for good results.

Best wishes to all.

Lorraine xd

[helen44]

Hi Linda
This will be my first scan since starting Taxol as I am about halfway through the course. I had always had CT scans with contrast due in the past then back in May I was sent for a liver MRI with gadolinium which is a dye they inject beforehand. My onc told me it gave a more accurate picture of the liver than a CT which begs the question why hadn't I had one before!! Sure enough, multiple liver mets showed up which weren't on previous CT 2 months earlier. I would definitely ask for one if you can. My cousin is a radiographer and he agreed it was better for liver than a CT.
Helen x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Nicky

I rang chemo unit this morning no reply so I thought I would ask the lovely ladies if they have had the same. Seemingly it is the steroids that cause it. I eventually got through to chemo unit. Mind like you I had Taxetere in 2009 can't remember it happening then but it was a long time ago I suppose.

Hope u are doing OK and thank you for your reply.

Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Helen

Thank you so much for your reply to my question about red face. I.did eventually get through to the chemo unit it is like what said it is the steroids that causes it.

By you have been through the mill with all the chemos. I had chemo back in 2009 DEC Taxetere. This is the first IV chemo since then so I suppose I have been quite lucky.

I am hoping they arrange for a scan half way through. No point in having 12 if it is not working. I keep asking how big is my liver met which was diagnosed in October last year. I don't get a reply.

I would like to see my scan on a computer so she can go through it with me but unfortunately there is no facility at the hospital I attend. The oncologists come from a different hospital to where I attend..

In one respect if this is the only side I get red face for 24 hours so can cope with that.

Good luck with your results next Wednesday. If you don't mind me asking is this your first scan since starting this treatment?

I have only had one MRI scan back in 2009 usually CT scans I get with dye. When you have an MRI is that with dye as well? It is such long time ago O can't remember.

Linda

[helen44]

Hi Linda
Glad to hear you have now started on paclitaxel, I do hope it will be a good chemo for you. I am on week 10 of 18 and hoping it's doing the trick on my liver mets. I have a red face & neck on the day after chemo which seems to only last about 30 minutes when I wake up - I call it my steroid glow! If it lasts a long time for you I would mention it to your onc.
I have a liver MRI on Friday, results next Wed so fingers crossed....
I have been ok so far with side effects, just feel pretty tired most of the time & no hair again. I think you asked me in an earlier post whether my chemos were back to back - Yes, diagnosed Dec 2012, 1st chemo docetaxel Nov 2014 then Herceptin and Kadcyla (when they thought I was her2+) then eribulin & now paclitaxel. Unfortunately my largest liver met 4cm is in the most awkward place right under the diaphragm and is not suitable to even be biopsied. So I am really hoping the Taxol is shrinking it and the others.
All the very best with your treatment.
Helen x

[nicky08]

Hi Linda

I hope you are coping OK with your first dose of Taxol.  I havent had it (yet!) but have had docetaxel which is from the same taxane family of chemo's. Regarding the red face and neck, have you taken steroids? I found on taxotere that the steroids made my face red but wore off after a few days of taking them.  Hopefully someone else can come along and either say they have had similar or give other pointers.

Nicky xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning taxol ladies

Wondering whether any of you ladies had a bright red face and neck. Started last night and is still the same.day. If it did what treatment did you use or what was prescribed for. Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in afvance.

Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening all you taxol ladies

Just to let you all know had my first of 12 sessions of weekly taxol. Went well I think after from taking 5 hours from start to finish. As I mentioned before I am having the cold cap so that is why
I was there long.

Lorraine good luck for Wednesday.

Linda

[CLJ]

Hi everyone

My partner has secondary cancer. She finished radiotherpay in March this year, but in May started devloping maculopapular lesions along the mastectomy scar area. There is also low volume metasatic disease in bith lungs.

Her chemo cycles were stopped in November last year after her team decided that it would be best to proceed with the mastectomy and lymph node removal (12 in total) as a matter of urgency because she wasn't responding to chemo. However, she didn't have Paclitaxel. I think it was EC. And because they didn't give her Paclitaxel, she has not been able to get on an immunotherapy clinical trial (it is one of the conditions that make you eligible to participte in the trial). 

She is due to start chemo again this month and this time they will give her paclitaxel.

I would be grateful for any views and opinions about this drug.

Many thanks.

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening greenmachine

Sorry it has not done all that you both hoped for. With it not working very well is your wife's treatment not going to be changed then?

Hope the reminder of the treatment works better.

[greenmachine]

hi
My wife developed secondary breast cancer last Feb five years after the initial diagnoses..its in the bone/lung/liver..she has been on Taxol since one a week with the fourth week off..she had a scan after 9 weeks and it showed improvement in some areas
but not in the liver and bone..the side effects are fatigue 2 days after the chemo and an itchy each on her hands and chest..she has never suffered from sickness but some do...we are disoppinted
that it's working on the liver bone but maybe with the remainder with the treatment it may..

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Lorraine

I am just turned 66 in relatively good health at moment excercising regularly. I am still hoping to do something during this treatment although I mentioned to oncologist last Monday about going swimming and aqua fit she advised against it because of the germs. That same oncologist I asked her then when I was on cape and she said same. I still carried on swimming. There are germs everwhere. I suppose they don't want the come back if we caught something.

Not looking forward to it but it has got to be done. I am going to ask next week at my pre assessment if they scan half way through to see it is working.

Linda

[Lozzer2014]

Hi Linda

I am 53. Is devastating whatever age! Fingers crossed for the both of us.

Lorraine x

[LYNDYLOO]

Afternoon Lorraine

You are probably still young why they intend to keep you on it all the time.

Upto now I only had 2 hormone treatments. Not sure how many there are still for me to go on.

It sounds like taxol must be aweaker chemo than Taxetere which I had back in 2009. I only had 3 and 3 FEC. then Letrozole for 4 years.

Good luck.

[Lozzer2014]

Linda - I start on 30 August. I still work 3 days and hope to continue altho change hours. It keeps me sane. My Taxol will be ongoing. I have had Hormone therapy and run out of options there then Cape. One thing after another but it has been four year since diagnosed so feel lucky. Hope this luck continues on Taxol. I wish you well with cold cap. I will be looking at wigs as said because no break in treatment so will not get chance to grow back. Yes you can PM me however not sure how that works? You sound like me so we will accept what is to come and deal with it as is only way. Fingers crossed xx

Mollymop - 21 months is inspiring. I wish you continued stability on your current treatment. Xx

Lorraine

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening mollypop

Thank you for your reply. 21 months thats a long time. Wonder why some of us lije are only having maximum 12 while some seem to have loads. I am planning to have cold cap. Did you loose all your hair when on taxol?

I normally I have an active social life. Also I swimming and do aqua fit. I asked oncologist the other day if I coukd continue with exercise was told best not just in case I catch an infection.

Don't like to pry but do you never get a break from having chemo?

Pleased you seemed to have cooed well on taxol hope I am as lucky as you.

Linda

[Mollymop]

I had weekly Taxol for 21 months, it kept me stable all that time.  I was active throughout and it didn't stop me doing anything.  Have been on Kadcyla for just over a year, I do admit this one is much easier x