Weekly taxol

[ElayneZ]

Hi all - I’ve had 12 of 18 weekly taxol - and every 3rd week Carbo is included. Have noticed past couple weeks even after resting I still have extreme fatigue. This past week chemo was cancelled due to an infected tooth and a necessary root canal. I thought I’d feel stronger with a week off from chemo but really all I’m doing is resting. Is this likely how the next 6 weeks will be? Any suggestions to being less tired?? Thank you!!

[BeeWild]

Hi sweetie I’m on dose 17 of 18 tomorrow and felt fine up until about week 11 or 12 then the fatigue hit and I’ve still not got my mojo back so I have basically become a couch potato!

I’m still working but tbh that’s all I can manage then I get home and hardly move again! Housework is a bit of a distant memory but hey dust will wait lol! I’m just going with the flow now and listening to my body and hoping my mojo will return once I stop the taxol x

Good luck and be kind to yourself xx

[ElayneZ in reply to BeeWild]

Wow - 17 of 18 - blessings to YOU! That’s great!! I’m “thrilled” to finally say “just” 6 more out of 18. I am listening and resting most of the day and yet still feel tired when I’m up. Sure hope we both get our mojos back soon after finishing our 18 weeks on taxol! Take care!!

[Supergran38]

Hi, I was fine until cycle 14 then hit a brick wall! ☹️

But for me it was worth the fatigue as I went two years without any treatment.

Good luck with your remaining cycles and fingers crossed 🤞 you get good results. Xx

[ElayneZ in reply to Supergran38]

Thank you! Two years without treatment sounds wonderful. Congratulations! I’ve often thought if fatigue is the worst side effect - I am blessed. Blessings!

[Cropcrop]

I’m afraid it’s the norm, the fatigue suddenly hits like a brick wall, the carbo makes quite a contribution to the fatigue too. Once your chemo is finished you’ll slowly start to notice your energy levels getting back to more normal levels, it does take time but you’ll get there. I think we’re all initially impatient to getting back to our pre diagnosis selves, I possibly now have more energy than I’ve had in a long long time but this disease makes us take stock and hopefully go on to live much healthier lifestyles.

Good luck with the remaining treatment and I hope it does it’s trick for you lovely ❤️Xx Jane

[ElayneZ in reply to Cropcrop]

Thank you! How wonderful to read you now have more energy than you’ve had in a long time. What surprised me was even after resting - I still feel so fatigued. I am so thankful to be 2/3 through the 18 weekly chemo. I will continue to listen to my body - and rest - and pray for remission. Thanks again and blessings to you!

[tara108]

Hi. Carbo/taxol side effects are definitely culmulative. I get seriously knocked out every 3 weeks with the double dose, especially with extreme fatigue, nausea, dry mouth and oral thrush and a host of other side effects. This is my 2nd time round with carbo/taxol and after a 17 month remission and have gone quickly into remission again. So that's great. The side effects do wear off but the timing seems different for everyone. Also the extent of the side effects are different for most of us.

So hang in there and rest when you need to and try and have a short walk etc when you feel a bit better. You will feel better. Sending hugs from Australia.

[ElayneZ in reply to tara108]

Greetings to you in Australia! I’ve experienced the same side effects except nausea. They gave me Zofran to take after Carbo and thankfully haven’t had any nausea. Loose BMs is another but they tell me it’s better than constipation. Great to read you are in remission! And I appreciate your words that I will feel better! Take care! Sending you blessings from California!

[grammeejill]

Hi Elayne! First of all, how wonderful to have only a few treatments left! I had 6 treatments of Carbo /Taxol a month apart and had severe fatigue a few weeks out of the month after the 3rd treatment. I think the effects just build up over time. When you're done, take it easy. Listen to your body and take naps when you can, as often as needed. Do a bit more physical stuff every day as your energy get better. I just reach my 3 year mark and STILL take a daily nap.

[ElayneZ in reply to grammeejill]

Thank you. Yes when I complete my 18 weeks (6 more) - I will continue to rest and hopefully gain more energy regularly. I’m not opposed to a nap - I just hope to feel rested after resting. 🙏 Hope you are feeling well - and if your profile info is up to date - that you came through fine with Hurricane Florence! Blessings!

[ElayneZ]

Had labs done this morning. Granix has helped boost White Blood count. But results show I’m anemic which attributes to my tiredness. They discussed a transfusion possibly - but I’m hoping to find another way to boost Low red blood cells. (I’ve been drinking papaya leaf tea with extract daily - platelets are low but have come up some - and I appreciate any increase.) Anyone know a way to build up red blood count besides a transfusion? Thankfully I can have chemo #13 tomorrow- then just 5 weeks to go!