Paclitaxel.

Hello.

I’m hoping I can get some advice for my sister who has ovarian cancer.

She is currently on paclitaxel and having lots of discomfort in her stomach, indigestion, wind etc. Has this happened for anyone else.

Xx

[Nicky100]

Hello,

Yes this is totally common and happens to most people. Unfortunately it is a tough chemo, but might pass as her body gets used to things. She might want to eat things that make it easier for her etc. Have you heard of Penny Brohn in Bristol? They, along with Ovacome also have information on their website that might help and they do cookery/diet workshops that are brilliant and helpful (possibly not just now due to the news).

Good luck and do send her my love xx Nicky

[Hidden in reply to Nicky100]

Hi

Thanks so much for the reply. I’ll pass this on. All the best for you.

Thanks.

[Spinknitter]

I'm on paclitaxol and carboplatin and get lots of heartburn. It's def worth bring this up with her consultant and nurse specialist. I take cimetidine for 3 days around the chemo to help protect the stomach and omeprezole throughout the cycle to keep the heartburn undercontrol, sometimes also some over the counter Rennie liquid. They should be able to suggest or prescribe something to help.

[Hidden]

I’ll pass this on to her and thanks for the advice.

All the best to you.

Xx

[Rankij11]

Hi,

The taxol caused me to have symptoms which are best described as similar to IBS symptoms throughout treatment , which were severe enough to be hospitalised and have a pump with anti-sickness for several weeks . I am sharing this not to worry you but so that she knows it’s not so unusual to have tum problems . I think her MDCU nurses can provide lots of advice and help . I found diet important , any thing you would normally consider healthy such as green vegetables and with fibre were bad news , so she could consider changes ? Am now 4months post treatment and the problem is now only an occasional event , so there will be an end to this for her . Hoping things will get better , and best wishes for you both.

Jennifer

[Platinum67]

Hi

I can sympathise with your sister I hated Plaxo when I was on it and found the tablets they gave me to take home directly after treatment only made the acid and indigestion worse so I spoke to my consultant and stopped taking them which greatly eased my symptoms. Instead I used natural remedies ginger for controlling any sickness and drinking peppermint tea for the indigestion & wind. I still do this now 3yrs on with other chemo treatments.

Please give my best regards to your sister and I hope she finds a route that works best for her everyone is different so it really comes down to trial & error.

x

[AlaNtO]

Sorry to hear of her discomfort. Whilst Paclitaxel is a fantastic drug it does carry side effects that can be hard to bear. Other drugs like Cisplatin can also give nasty side effects - but we are not all the same. Try and read Lance Armstrongs book on how he got over Cancer. He was on Cisplatin. Be careful to ensure the Onco center you go to weigh your sister every time, take her BP and that her bloods are not just taken but discussed with her. Dosage depends on body mass and weight and if careless one can be overdosed. Pass on your love to your sister and let her know she is not alone. Also please get her to talk to her Oncologist and if possible (after lockdown) go with her to encourage her and to remember what the Onco says. Our minds do not always work properly on chemo treatment. Take heart.

[SUE7777]

Hi Giane, Yes I am currently on Palitaxel and am having all those side effects. As time went on I've added constipation to the list. It's one of the best things out there for getting rid of the cancer try and stick with it. Sue xx

[Hidden]

Hi Giane123

My wife started her 1st chemo session this week through our private health cover who started off with paclitaxel but she had a nasty reaction to that so they moved her onto a combination of carboplatin & avastin which has worked well and yes stomach discomfort indigestion,wind are all expected side effects which my wife has had and just having to deal with it.All the best for your sister.

[msuspartan]

Hi, sorry to hear your sisster's discomfort. My mom took 18 round of this medicine for her stage 4 ovarian without major stomach issues. I come across Kefir, a fermented milk drink and started giving her. I belive it did help her in curbing the side effects of chemo. Kefir is a powerful probiotic drink and available in stores. I recently learn very good reviews about Fermented Wheat Germ Extract. Please check that out too. I think one has to change the diet significantly to counter the side effects of chemo. Also ask her to drink lot of water..all the best and wishing your sister a fast recovery.

[akossgolden]

some of the best advice I got during any chemo was from the nurses working in the infusion center. they see and hear everything. they know what works. talk to your nurses. they are angels.

Annette