Weekly chemotherapy

[Ovarianne]

Hi Ladies, I have got a possible third recurrence and been advised to have a course of weekly chemotherapy. Wondering how this compares to the usual 3 weekly sessions, in particular the side effects and any good days. Thanks in advance for any input.

[govanhill]

I had weekly Taxol for a recurrence 3 years ago. I found it was the easiest treatment to tolerate. After the first day or 2 I felt relatively normal. Was able to go shopping and do most things around the world house. No nausea just slight fatigue. Hope it goes well for you.

Morag

[Ovarianne in reply to govanhill]

Thanks Morag, that sounds good, I was afraid the side effects would last for most of the week. I know we are all different but don't feel so apprehensive now.

[govanhill in reply to Ovarianne]

That's good. Good luck with it. X

Morag

[Boot1947]

Hi there! Not sure how helpful this is. I had weekly Carbo/taxol first line for 3a OC as part of a trial and was basically fine - still doing Zumba twice a week and no real side effects, apart from my bloods gradually getting so bad that I had to have a transfusion and a course of G-CSF injections before each session. I had only 13 out of 18 sessions, but have been NED since 2014. I’m sure people with more useful experience will be along in a minute! Hope all goes well. Deb x

[Ovarianne in reply to Boot1947]

Thanks Deb, that's very encouraging, hope your good health continues x

[Bowler70]

I am having weekly carbo/ taxol at the moment supposed to be 3 weeks on and one week off but I have never managed 3 as my neutrophils and magnesiumhave been poor and have had to take an extra rest week. I am now having G-csf injections to allow me to have the chemo but I have to pay for them myself. £100 a shot 3 a week!!

I have however found this regime has less side effects than first line carbo / taxol every 3 weeks. I feel a bit flu like on the second day after which usually lasts less than 24 hrs. Def prefer this method

[Ovarianne in reply to Bowler70]

Thanks, all replies so far say that it's a more tolerable method. Astounded that you have to pay for the injections though! Best of luck x

[doodoolatrice]

I finished three weekly taxol and carbo in February and now have my hair back which is great. My CA125 has jumped up again so my Onc is suggesting weekly taxol and carbo. Will I lose my hair again ?

[Ruebacelle]

Taxol ...no nausea some fatigue watch neuropathy...5g powder glutamine helps.

[Sue-m]

Hello

I had three weekly carbo/taxol in 2008. I was very ill with it. Had re-occurance in lymph nodes 2015. Was on watch and wait for four years. I really didn't want to go back on chemo again. But after discussion with oncologist said I would try it weekly. I managed great, hardly any side effects, well, compared with first time round. Only problems with bloods, haemoglobin low and white blood cells low. I had a couple of blood transfusions and course of G-csf. So I managed all 18 chemos but I had to have a couple of weeks breaks during course of treatment. I would do weekly chemo again. I feel fine at moment All the best. Good luck. Sue xxx

[Ovarianne in reply to Sue-m]

Thanks Sue, I also struggled with carbo/taxol in 2015 so your experience is encouraging. Did you lose your hair on the weekly taxol? Hope you continue to stay well, Anne x

[Sue-m in reply to Ovarianne]

Yes I lost my hair but not as quickly as before. Hair probably started coming out about four weeks after first chemo. I had it all shaved off. That was easier for me to cope with. I bought a nice wig. I maybe would try cold cap next time. They do seem to have improved. Hair growing back thick. Still short. Bonus with lockdown I haven't needed haircuts. 😆😆

Good luck. Hope all goes well for you. Sue xx

[January-2016-UK]

I found weekly taxol far easier than carbo/taxol. I needed a 20% dose reduction of taxol first time round because of peripheral neuropathy but it didn't become any worse with weekly taxol, which I had been concerned about. I lost my hair, other than that some fatigue, particularly nearing the end of treatment. Take care of your nails, wearing dark nail varnish is supposed to help.

[Ovarianne in reply to January-2016-UK]

Thanks for the info, sounds good. I'm taking Niraparib pills at the moment and get fatigued and breathless with those. Feel happier about wkly chemo now.