I would welcome experience of others

[Sworth4042]

I was diagnosed stage 4a in July & was prescribed 6 rounds of carboplatin/paclitaxel

Unfortunately I reacted badly to paclitaxel on the first round

I was given steroids to take the night before & morning of the next session & the paclitaxel was to be given slowly

Unfortunately I had another bad reaction and given that I have a large amount of pleural fluid an operation is not advised and bevacizumabab has been suggested

After the third round of chemo which was just carboplatin my blood pressure was raised so I have been taking meds to reduce pressure before taking this drug

I wonder if anyone has any experience of this drug? I had a fourth round of chemo delayed by 2 weeks & just carboplatin & the side effects were significantly increased I have not lost my hair as a result of the treatments - I tried the cold cap but felt claustrophobic

I had a scan after the third round which showed only slight reduction in tumour size & since the delay in the chemo the bloated abdomen has returned & I get full after very little food

Sorry if this is long winded & disjointed but I'd really appreciate anything from people in a similar position I guess it is the fear of the unknown

[January-2016-UK]

I’ve not had experience of a bad reaction to Taxol, only having had to have dose reduction because of peripheral neuropathy. I have read that some patients have received Taxol extremely slowly overnight in hospital. I’m thinking that perhaps you should seek a second opinion as to what is the best treatment for you.

The procedure for doing this is a pinned post here on this site and is quite normal. Your oncologist will not be upset at all. Often a different pair of eyes or different procedures at another hospital can show fresh light on the best way forward.

All the best!

[Yoshbosh]

Hello,

I had a bad reaction to taxol in my second infusion. For the third one, my. Oncologist tried Docetaxel which is in the same family but a different variant. I was very nervous of it but it was fine and I finished off my course of 6 having that and carboplatin.

There are other options out there.

Vicki x

[Wheelsofsteel]

I had a very similar experience to you with Paclitaxel. I started chemo in February. I hated the cold cap so gave up after first session but haven't lost my hair. I was just on Carboplatin (which I tolerated well) for a few sessions then jointly with Gemcitabine. I was then put on Bevacuzumab which continued after chemo finished in September. Scans have shown some shrinkage. I'm hoping to have debulking surgery in a couple of months so the Bevacuzumab has been stopped. I've had one or two symptoms return in the past few weeks and my tumour markers are raised so had a scan on Thursday and get the results on the 15th at my next consultation two days after I get back from Tenerife. I flew out here on Friday taking advantage of the break in treatment with the agreement of my oncologist. And I know what to look out for and how to get back sharpish if I need to. I agree about the fear of the unknown but I can't change what has happened and continue as normally as possible taking whatever comes next on the chin! A steep learning curve in a new world. Good luck!

[Di16]

I too understand about the fear of the unknown. I remember how I felt when I was first diagnosed. I didn't have a bad reaction to chemo, but wonder if there is any possibility the doctors may be able to drain the pleural fluid? I had a lot of pleural fluid round my right lung, and I was asked to go into hospital a few days before surgery so the fluid could be drained. I had a drain in for 3 days before op, draining slowly, & was removed after the op, when they were sure there was no more fluid being produced. Wishing you good luck. Di

[Sworth4042 in reply to Di16]

I have had a pleurx drain in since the end of July & district nurses drained it initially 3 times a week now down to once a week & barely a show of fluid but x ray has shown that there is now some fluid on the right lung

I think the main issue about surgery is probably my size as I am obese I have lost over 5 stone fairly quickly but still too large for surgery me thinks.

[Bliney]

I was switched from three weekly taxol to weekly taxol with bevacizumabab and carbo three weekly. I found the weekly taxol much easier to tolerate and would recommend this.

[Sworth4042]

I will ask about this option

[Caroles1]

Hi,

I too had ascites and was very full and bloated,but I was drained,have you been?

I too had a bad reaction and had a slow infusion,but given extra anti histomines just before carbo/taxol and it worked.Are you due to have an operation? Or are they starting you on chemo first?

Whatever, I just wish you all the best

Lots of love,

Carole xx