Reactions to paclitaxel?

[Charlie78]

Hello, i've recently started chemo and had two cycles and two reactions to paclitaxel? Has anyone lese had reaction and if so how did treatment proceed?

Many thanks

Charlie78

[RainbowC]

I had a reaction to my first taxol - about 15-20 mins in I went very hot, my back spasmed and I couldn’t breathe! Fortunately my husband and friend who were with me raised the alarm immediately, the chemo was stopped and I was put on oxygen to recover. Once things had settled down, they restarted it but going slowly and increasing the speed gradually until it was going at the normal rate. All my subsequent taxol infusions were done by starting slowly and gradually increasing, and went fine - it just meant a long day on the Day Treatment Unit as I’d be there for around 7 hours to get the taxol and then carbo (and Avastin for my last three!).

Definitely terrifying at the time, but once we knew that I had the reaction everyone was very good at listening to me and there was never any debate about whether they needed to do it slowly in the future.

[Whippetlove in reply to RainbowC]

I had my first chemo yesterday and not long in maybe max of 20 minutes I was chatting to the oncologist luckily and I was standing up as there was something she was checking on me. I was ok at first and then my back at the base really spasmed , I thought I was going to lose my legs. They was saying it’s how i had been sitting down too long maybe as I’m usually more active. I knew it wasn’t right. It was getting worse then I started to get a pain in centre of chest and pain up my sides. It was turned off. I had a break then it was restarted at same speed and I was ok for the rest. Worried about my second one now 😬 xx

[RainbowC in reply to Whippetlove]

Make sure you speak to them before they start it next time, let them know you had a reaction and are nervous. They should understand and be able to reassure you that they’ll keep a close eye on you, or go slowly, or whatever. I hope it goes well and uneventfully for you!

[Whippetlove in reply to RainbowC]

I will do thank you

[SUE7777]

Having a reaction is pretty common, the first time I had it about 3 minutes in I started to see stars. I said I didn't feel well and the kind nurses were straight over they turned it off gave me a break and more anti sickness and steroid then started it again slowly. I had it slowly from then on, it made for a long day but better safe than sorry. All the best Sue xx

[Esmerelda101]

Hi Charlie, I had reaction to Taxol 2nd time and then prior to next treatment given lots of pre meds. Reaction started again so they stopped it. Carried on treatment with just Carbo. They said they don’t normally try a 3rd time. Reassured me that the Carbo was the more important element. Hope it goes okay for you next time, really does make you nervous xx

[pants22]

Hi Charlie78Sorry to hear things didn't go to plan. The same thing happened to me on my first session of chemo. Very scary.

Within 5 ml of the paclitaxel going in I saw flashing white lights, started to pass out, skin went like a beetroot apparently and felt the impending doom approaching.

Infusion stopped, O2 given along with steroids etc. Oncologist didn't want to restart/rechallenge so I had the whole of my chemo last year with just Carboplatin.

Fortunately it did enough to allow for surgery where most of cancer was removed.

Unfortunately for me I was just starting on a maintenence dose of Avastin when I found a new different cancer had grown in the breast and nodes.

So straight into mastectomy and then have recently started chemo.. Which included nabpaclitaxol a version of the paclitaxel but in albumin rather than an oil carrier liquid.

And success.. It went through without a problem although I was very nervous and the nurses hovered around for a while. I'm on third infusion and wonder why the more expensive nab paclitaxel wasn't tried last year... But hopefully it's doing its thing well this time on the metastatic breast cancer. Maybe the remaining ovarian/peritoneal cancer will be getting a good pummelling from it as well.

So there is a version for Allergic people... But I know they have to aquire special funding for it so its obviously more expensive.

My breast oncologist said that in the U SA they only use the nab paclitaxel now.

Don't worry... Your team will find the best alternative for you.

Trust your oncology team and stay positive.

Kind wishes

Linda

[UltimaForsan]

Hello - I just finished six rounds of carbo/taxol. No reaction first two infusions, but on the third, within 3 - 4 minutes of starting taxol, I felt bad lower back pain and very flushed from chest up. Several nurses immediately came by, stopped the infusion and started IV benedryl (I’d already taken 50 mg of benedryl orally before infusion). They also gave me 10 additional mg of dexamethasone by IV. After waiting 30 minutes, they restarted taxol and it was fine. From then on, the premeds included double (20 mg) dexamethasone and IV benedryl (instead of oral). I had no problem with reactions after that and was able to complete the six rounds with both drugs. I’d thought it was strange that I had no reaction until the third infusion, but the doctor said that sometimes happens.

[AlaNtO]

Sorry to hear of the bad reactions to Paclitaxel. Remember that to make most chemos work they also reduce your immune system ability to fight the chemo. That is why taking vitamins and health foods is usually put on hold. Its a fine line of making your immune system weak enough for the chemo to kill the cancer cells. However your Oncologist must take your bloods, your Blood Pressure and weight every time you go for an infusion. Your dosage depends on these factors and it is easy enough to be overdosed. Forget the rough parts like imsomnia, constipation, diarrhoea, sputum, neuropathy, cellulitis, etc. Worst side effect is for BP to go too low and you fall. You know what happens to women over 60 who fall. They break their hips and dont always recover. Take care and make sure your Oncoloigist does those three things.

[Tillymint61 in reply to AlaNtO]

Done that got the Tee shirt! First chemo on 1st November back in hospital with broken fibula and seriously damaged ankle ligaments. Was unable to have operation to pin two bones together as already started chemo. Ended up in plaster non weight bearing until 28th January. It was very hard. Carried on with chemo then op now maintenance. BP has continued to be a problem throughout, however being too high and getting meds right to control that has been taken very cautiously to avoid any further falls. I am under 60 btw

[delia2]

Hi. I had reactions to taxol in my second and third cycles. It was very scary. However they continued with it and I never had another one. Good luck!xx

[Tillymint61]

I had severe reaction on my second taxol. I decided I wanted them to try it again which they can by giving it much slower however I reacted within minutes so it was withdrawn. I was really concerned at it being withdrawn as the triple chemo of taxo carboplatin and avastin is considered standard first line treatment. However, I had really good results without it and it got me to a point I was able to have De-bulking surgery. My reaction was my kidneys my lungs and my sight went really blurry and nose completely blocked. No idea what the staff did but I was fine within a few minutes of all the panic. I do have a tree pollen allergy so possibly allergic to one of the tree bark compounds in it. X

[Charlie78]

Hi everybody Thank you so much for all the helpful responses with your experiences and information.

This was my first post and now first reply so if I have put it in wrong place, my apologies.

Yes it was scary at the time and nice to know it wasn’t me not managing my fears well - staff gave good re-assurance but its different to hear it from others with same experiences. Reading your different ways forward was really helpful and given me some ideas for very good questions to oncologist and staff team today.

With grateful thanks for taking to time to respond and very best wishes to everyone for your help and wishing all the best for the future

Charlie 78