Chemo 5 put off and Taxol stopped

[Choski]

After my bloods have been just 'OK' for the last two chemos to go ahead (chemo 3 had 7 bloodd test results at or below the lower limit and chemo 4 had 10, including RBC, WBC and HB) I've Just been to my meeting with the Oncologist today who listened to my list of additional issues since chemo 4: migraines, cold sore, cystitis , oral thrush problem, feeling more weary and not only has she put off Chemo for a week (I was sort of expecting that) but she's also cancelled any more Taxol.

I understand that Taxol is only a top up but I feel quite upset and after speaking with my hubby afterwards this morning he is not happy at all.I thought my additional weariness and issues were more than likely due to my blood results. am I wrong to feel upset? Should I ask for Taxol to be put back for my last two chemos? Apprecate your input and any comments from anyone who has also gone through this before. I know I've read posts recently where Taxol was stopped. Clear cell, first time ( and jopefully only time) with chemo Many thanks

Clare x

[Katmal-UK]

Hi I wouldn't worry about them taking the Taxol off. I didn't have Taxol for my last two chemos (back in 2008) due to peripheral neuropathy and to be honest I don't believe it made any difference. As long as you are still receiving the standard chemo that should do the trick on it's own. Be guided by your oncologist, if they feel you are not benefiting and indeed being made to feel worse then they will withdraw the Taxol. Don't be down about the delay of the chemo either, you'll probably find most of us have had a delay at sometime or another which again has not impacted on the overall outcome of the chemo. Take it easy and hopefully you will be feeling much better for your next dose, after all I'm still here 9 years on having had two recurrences, 3 rounds of chemo. I wish you well. Kathy xx

[Choski in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thanks fir your reply, I was ok with it when talking with my Onc but had a bit if a wobble after speaking with my hubby!!

X

[Katmal-UK in reply to Choski]

I think we all want to throw as much at the cancer as possible but when it's making us 'ill' then it's time to say no more to a particular drug. For instance, I can no longer have carboplatin (following a grade 3 anaphalatic shock) and have to have cistplatin when I need chemo. The oncologists know what they are doing and whatever they do will benefit you the most. By removing the Taxol (which as others will probably already said only adds about 5% to the mix and can do more damage than good) you can build yourself up to cope with the chemo that is going to do it's job. Please keep us updated as to how you get on . Wishing you well. Kathy xxx

[kittie]

Hi Clare. I was taken of Taxol 2 weeks ago after been admitted to hospital with severe body pains. I have been on it for all my treatment s over the last 3 and a half years and had 3 cycles of it this time I start cycle 4 tomorrow with just Carbo/Avastin . My immune system was at an all time low when I had my 15 day bloods done last week , I had them done again today for chemo tomorrow so here's hoping they have improved . My Oncologist told me Taxol only does about 5% of the work but does a lot of damage to our body. I wouldn't worry about it been stopped especially if your marker has dropped mine was 37 3 weeks ago. Kittie

[Choski in reply to kittie]

Thank you for replying, sorry to hear about your pains that sounds awful. I feel better about it now, obviously a wobble after chatting about it with my hubby this morning. It was difficult to explain to him that this decision is ok

X

[minard]

Hi - I also had Taxol removed from the mix for my final 3 cycles of carboplatin/taxol. My oncologist didn't seem to think it was a big thing at all (which makes you wonder why they give you it in the first place!) x

[Gleedy]

Sounds like these lovely ladies have reassured you and it won't make any difference to the outcome. It hasn't happened to me yet but still two more cycles to go. X

[Yoshbosh]

Another one who missed a taxol here. I had an anaphylactic reaction to it 10mins in during round 2. I was devastated that I only had carboplatin and was convinced I was going to get worse...however, with carbo only I felt great, it was the only time I haven't been hospitalised with neutropenic sepsis, and my CA125 had it's most significant drop.

Please try not to worry.

[Choski in reply to Yoshbosh]

Thank you, that's very reassuring indeed. X

[Boot1947]

No Taxol for my last two sessions and have been NED for nearly two years now. Try not to worry (easier said than done, ai know!). Best of everything. Deb x

[Choski in reply to Boot1947]

Thanks Deb, great to hear that you're NED xx

[Naimish]

Lovely ladies, if indeed paclitaxel does not have a significant role to play , why will it be a drug of first choice to the onco's? Are they still at a trial and error game even after so many years of usage and research? Surely there must be a reason for it being administered especially given the known side effects. nOC and PPC having similar strains, the combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is used across the world. To the best of my info, the total qty of active ingredient used is less than 1000mg. (will be happy to stand corrected).

Naimish

[Choski in reply to Naimish]

Very good comment and the question if the usage iof Taxol is one both I and my husband discussed yesterday

Clare

[Yoshbosh in reply to Naimish]

My husband and I have also discussed this, in light of the reaction I had to paclitaxel. There's a lot of evidence to suggest that reactions to it are quite common, and indeed, on my chemo ward, I've noticed that the nurses always sit paclitaxel patients in the chairs with a mainline oxygen supply. They don't make a big deal about it, but I've noticed them subtly steering patients to those chairs.

I asked the CNS about the differences in the drugs and she explained they act in a different way to attack the structure of the cancer. I guess maybe it's an insurance policy in the treatment, that it comes at the cancer from a different angle?

[Naimish]

Having said this , I am more determined in my thought that oncologists yet do not have a complete grip over the subject of OC and PPC, especially PPC..... The unsung heroes are the surgeons who toil for 10 to 12 hrs over debulking , and if they have to work on the peritoneal surface, it calls for even more patience and dexterity. Once the dosage is fixed over six chemos (normally), the caring nurses take over. I am not trying to bunkum the role of the onco's, but the numerous responses to Clare's post on paclitaxel set me off......

Naimish

[Annr5h]

I would always go with your oncologist they are the experts.

I've just done my 4 th chemo op due on 13 th July so can't help you as I've not had the symptoms that you have apart from tiredness , sore hands and a bowl problem. Hope you'll soon move on from all your problems. Sending hugs xxxx

[Choski in reply to Annr5h]

Thank you and wishing you all the best and a calm and peaceful recovery from your Op

Clare x

[Naimish]

Maybe ok and just maybe, if I am allowed to hazard an opinion..... do you think that Paclitaxel is administered as an insurance, just in case the patient turns platinum resistant? I have in the past read somewhere that paclitaxel alongwith bevacizumab (Avastin) is prefered for platinum resistant patients.

Naimish

[Lorent]

Hi Clare sorry to hear you are feeling down due to this, thinking of you will keep you in my prayers,

Take care, keep smiling you will get through this

L x