possible taxol reaction

[moowife]

My husband's weekly chemo is starting 12/1 and his radiation is starting 12/2. His medical oncology office has me scared. One drug he will get is taxol. They keep talking about allergic reactions to taxol. They have scared me. He will also have carboplatin. they don't say much about the carboplatin.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

When they give him the first treatment they will set the drip very slow on each of the drugs they give him. As they see there is no allergic reaction they will slowly increase the drip. It’s possible for him to have an allergic reaction to any of the meds but they have medications to deal with them right there. Also, carboplatin is easier on his system than the cisplatin he had before so my guess is they have fewer concerns about it.

The first day always takes the longest because they will monitor him closely. Take along something he can use to distract himself. Books, laptops, notecards some small treats, a sandwich, that kind of thing.

Sending hope he tolerated treatment well. Because he is having concurrent chemo and radiation he will be exhausted. Keep him well hydrated. Let him rest. Make him get up and walk to the table if he can for meals. I used a walker in my worst fatigue days.

[moowife in reply to Denzie]

He's had chemo in 2018 so I know about the possible allergic reaction with the drugs. This time he is having different chemo drugs. He tolerated cisplatin & taxotere well. This time is taxol & carboplatin. With taxol the PA at his oncology office mentioned the allergic reaction so many times that it got me worried. I talked to a nurse at the infusion center who was one of his nurses in 2018. She really helped.

thanks for your help

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to moowife]

Checking with friends who had taxol the most common complaint is the mouth sores. They urged regular rinsing with Biotine. Also the Magic Mouthwash he may have had during his first round of treatment.

[moowife in reply to Denzie]

Thanks I will get him some biotene. He didn't need anything like magic mouthwash but will ask about it

[moowife in reply to Denzie]

btw - this is the second time he is going through cancer treatment. First time he had surgery then chemo of cisplatin & taxotere. He didn't have swallowing problems then because there was no radiation. He will be using healios for swallowing issues. I will ask about the magic mouthwash.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to moowife]

My mistake, sorry. When I went back and reread your entries and saw he’d had the prior chemo I should have edited all that first day stuff out.

If it’s alright with you I’ll leave it in. It might help someone new who is having anxiety dealing with this their first time around.