Weekly Taxol

[Angie1412]

Hi I am on weekly Taxol after Carboplatin did not work. I have done 5 infusions but I have lost my appetite and this weekend I had the shakes which was unpleasant. Has anyone encountered this. I feel as though I am going backwards although my CA125 level has come down from over 1000 to 275. I am trying the cold cap but my hair is thinning quite a lot. Not in a very happy place at the moment.

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Angie, no advice I'm afraid as I haven't had weekly Taxol but I do feel the need to give you a big virtual hug xx I know what it's like to be having a tough time and it feels very lonely but you aren't alone, we are all behind you xx I do hope you feel better soon. As for your hair, if it's not thin enough for a wig you might want to try having a look at natural hair fibres. You shake them on and they make such a difference. xx Do let us know how you get on xx Kathy xx

[Angie1412 in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi Kathy

Thank you for your reply. I am back to see the nurse tomorrow and to have bloods taken so will see what she says. Hope you are doing ok. This is my third year with no break. Take care xx

[Katmal-UK in reply to Angie1412]

Geez, 3 years with no break, no wonder you are feeling as you are! I wish there was something I could do or say to make you feel better. Fingers crossed for visit tomorrow. Kathy xx

[Lyndy]

As Kathy has said we can all relate to having a down on treatment.... it’s hard! Remind yourself that you have been through so much and feeling unwell and shakey is no picnic. Through your guts and determination you have got your numbers down but you need a bit of tlc just now. All the best xx

[Angie1412 in reply to Lyndy]

Hi Lyndy

Thank you for your reply. Hope you are doing ok. Xx

[Annr5h]

Hi Angie, if your markers are going down surly that’s a good sign and something is working I’d of thought. I’m on weekly taxol it’s my 7 th week and I’m worried as my markers are going up. I’ve an appointment on Friday with my oncologist so I’m concerned as to what can be done or given to me to get my markers down. So let’s keep positive and kick the bugger out of our lives. Love and hugs xxxxxxx

[Angie1412 in reply to Annr5h]

Hi thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear your levels are going up. I know I should be happy but I would like to feel normal in between infusions instead of having no energy or appetite. I hope your appointment on Friday goes ok. Take care xx

[shortfriends]

Hi Angie

I had the shakes and lost my appetite. I was given magnesium drinks and then had a magnesium flush. This seemed to do the trick. Apparently chemo can affect the amount of magnesium in your body. I also had a coating on my tongue like thrush and was given medication for this, when this cleared up my

appetite was a bit better, but not great. Sometimes refreshing things like pineapple chunks and ice lollies help but I suppose that is a matter of taste, which also changes with chemo! I gave up on my hair and had the remainder shaved of and it seems to have grown back very quickly. I used lots of chemo turbans which you can get online and some of them were very attractive. You are entitled to a free wig and maybe a hairdresser could help you with this so you are happy with your hair. I am sorry you are feeling low and hope these feelings pass soon. Please remember you have many friends here who understand what you are going through and want to help and support you through this. This is the place to express any feelings no matter what. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Hugs and love, pat xx

[Lizchips]

Even though. You don't feel like eating you have to force yourself. Taxol your going to loose your hair. Take co,trip, forget the cold cap shave your head. By taking. Control it empowers. You. You have to eat. Small amounts.. If your getting nausea your not drinking enough fluids. Sorry for being tough, but you have to eat to survive. I've been on both those drugs, in 2014, I'm a 5 year survivor, they're going to nearly kill you for you to survive, you have to do your part. Best wishes, Liz

[Angie1412 in reply to Lizchips]

Hi Liz

Thank you for your reply. I lost my hair 3 years ago when I was on Carboplatin and Taxol. I just hoped I could avoid it again. I know I need to eat but everything tastes so bland but I will try. Hope you are ok. Xx

[Pendle99]

Oh Angie, I really feel for you. I had number 5 of this regime yesterday. My CA125 has come down thank bloody heavens but it seems tough as the chemo comes round quickly. Ask your cons /CNS abt appetite as mine put me on low dose steroids and they really really helped to actually fancy eating food again. In the kitchen i have what is referred to as My Drawer. It is full of possible snacking food so the children are banned - monster munch crisps, pineapple cubes, sherbert lemons, mini kitkats, you name it it is there so that I can just grab something if it takes my fancy. I too have low magnesium. Broccoli is meant to be high in this but so is dark chocolate which I now have in my drawer. My hair decided to start going so am at the miserable dragging it's feet stage of it falling out slowly. Just wish it would all go and be done with it then I can rock the moody look with bright red/purple lippy. I know people have said it but your markers are bloody ace. Just need to get on top of appetite and I swear by dexamethaseone. Sending you love teal sister-let's kick it's arse in a steroid filled blur xxxx

[Lindaura in reply to Pendle99]

Hi Penny,

Fantastic that you are contributing to the forum.

Your experience will help us all!

Hope that pleural effusion drains away soon.

Much love and hugs,

Laura

[Angie1412 in reply to Pendle99]

Hi thanks for your reply. After seeing my consultant today they have decided to cancel my 5th chemo on Thursday and it is now booked for 2 weeks time. I had to have an infusion of magnesium at the hospital before leaving so hopefully it will make me feel better. I like your idea of the drawer of goodies. I lost my hair three years ago when I was on Carboplatin and Taxol. I was hoping to avoid it this time! Take care xx

[yudalef]

Dear Angie,

I'm not expert but what I have seen in my wife treatments, made me much more criticiser on the taxol old protocol implementation.

my wife suffered hardly and we decided to get more two experts advices and stopped the taxol immediately.

that save her life in that point. she continued Carbo and Avastin which

help her to recover.

you should take more experts advisory to prevent the Taxol

put you out of balance your body and soul.

One of the best ways of bringing self control on your health is to find good oncologists which is Expert and human-merciful person that you can trust him

along the hard way.

I wish you all the Best!

[ntapia26]

Hi Angie my mother also didn’t have a response to carboplatin and taxol, have you tried genetic testing? They tested her tumor tissue and matched her to treatments that are suggested for her.

[Colman]

Hi Angie

I'm on weekly chemo im on a trial tho octova. I've been on it since December with a couple of breaks for holidays. I'm on my 23rd infusion next Thursday. I have found it far better than taxol carbo combination. I loose my taste buds on the Friday and Saturday and would say this has an effect on your appetite and eat alot of lolly ice and pineapple chunks and the not so healthy chocolate. It's really important that you make yourself eat something as it will make you feel stronger for a couple of days before your next treatment. Through my whole 2 half years of treatment I have not struggled with food hence the 3 stone weight gain. Weekly taxol has just become a normal part of my life now and I except it as it is keeping me alive. I hope you can find some food you like and start to get stronger in mind and body. Feel free to ask me anything about weekly taxol and I will try and help you.

Claire❤💜💚

[Angie1412 in reply to Colman]

Hi Claire

Thank you for your reply. I am in my third year of treatment with no breaks. I find weekly taxol hard to take and I have only had 5 infusions. They have cancelled this weeks one and rebooked for 2 weeks time. I also had an infusion of magnesium today as it is always very low before chemo. I will try and find some foods to encourage me to eat. Hope you are ok. Xx

[yo207]

Hi Angie! This disease sucks! Even when you are feeling well you never feel safe. I think most of us have been where you are now. I wasn’t drinking enough and I once ended up in the “cancer” ER at Sloan Kettering in Manhattan. It was like waiting at the morgue! After that I promised myself that I would never do that again. It is very hard to eat but eat something. My doctor told me to eat anything even if it was junk food. I ate potato chips to make me thirsty so I would drink. I ate ice cream, drank chocolate shakes, loads of devil dogs too! You have to put something in your system to counter the chemo. I have not had to go back to that ER to date. I gained almost 50 pounds but I lost it afterwards. I was also very depressed and all I thought about was when I was going to die. I don’t do that anymore either. I live for today, tomorrow and next week. A healthy mind is worth a million dollars in this fight. I am a seven year survivor so far. I didn’t think I would live one year past diagnosis. It’s tough but we have to be tougher. I hope I helped a little. Sending you a big hug! You are not alone. God Bless!