Weekly Carbol/Taxol experiences?

[Stuee01]

Hi everyone!

Unfortunately my partner has recurred after approximately 1 year of remission. Originally diagnosed in August 2020 with Stage 3C HGS ovarian cancer. She finished chemo in Feb 2021 and numbers started to creep up around September 2021. Nothing showed on scans until recently.

For frontline, she had 3 weekly carbol/taxol/avastin for 8 cycles. Now, her oncologist is recommending weekly carbol/taxol for 18 weeks. Has anyone had this regimen? I was told that the side effects 'should' be less as the weekly dose would be less than 3 weekly...though cumulative it actually is more.

Thanks!

Steph

[Tesla_7US]

I had weekly taxol and it put me into remission for 2 years. I'm also HGSE OC 3C.

[Stuee01 in reply to Tesla_7US]

Oh that's encouraging to hear! Thanks for your feedback. Hoping then that the combo of carbol and taxol will get her into remission for a longer period too.

[Esmerelda101]

Hi Stu, just in the middle of it now, very similar experience to your partner. I’m having Abraxane Taxol as I had a reaction to the normal. It seemed daunting at first but 9 weeks in it’s tolerable, still working full time but I do get very tired. Worse part is the suppressed appetite, can’t wait to want to eat and enjoy a meal with a glass of vino. Hope all goes well for you both. X

[Stuee01 in reply to Esmerelda101]

The oncologist did mention that there may be extreme fatigue, so will see if my partner will still be able to work while on this regimen. Do you suffer from any constipation from this schedule right now? The 3 weekly frontline chemo was quite bad for my partner with regards to her regular toilet schedule

[Esmerelda101 in reply to Stuee01]

Must clarify, I’m working from home, just popped to the office and it completely wiped me out. I wouldn’t be able to physically get to work daily. No constipation but we are all so different. X

[MOOKIE-FOX1234 in reply to Stuee01]

Hi Stuee01,I just started on Taxol to try and shrink aTumor which was found on a pet scan . Taxol seems to have kept my CA 125 steady even on a reduced dose . Had considered surgery but my oncologist is against it , too long and too complex . I respect her opinion as she is married to a surgeon.

The carbol is to added next session.

For constipation I drink hot lemon water every morning followed by prune jce with a little OJ and a teasp of miralax. Seems to work after a day or two with drinking plenty of 💧water.

Hope that your partner does well !! There seems to new treatments popping up all the time , hopefully a cure really soon !!!

Gillian, Mookie Fox 1234

[Ruebacelle]

I had se eral months of weekly taxol which reduced cancer side effects manageable. Hugs from paris

[Iwillbeatit]

Hi stephUnfortunately I cannot offer any advice but I am interested in what replies you get as I am in the same position. In 2018 I had 3 weekly carboplatin and paclitaxol followed by 18 months of Avastin. Then 4 weeks carboplatin and caelyx in 2021. Last Friday I had the first of 18 weekly paclitaxel chemos. Suffering with a lot of a ascities. Had 4 drains this year. Last week 7 litres taken on Thursday today Tuesday feel fit to burst with fluid again. Any advice and wishing you and your partner the best stepj.

[Stuee01 in reply to Iwillbeatit]

Thanks! I will certainly update everyone here once she starts her treatment.

[Kissmeonce1939 in reply to Iwillbeatit]

Are you saying that you retained fluids with the paclitaxel? I started retaining fluid (ankles and whizzing ) last week after I had 6 treatments, weekly. Last one was 3/21/22. My Ca125 has gone up and up, now 185 so they stopped all chemo until I have a pet scan on April 1st (no, this is no joke). Will get results on April 4th. I have battled ovarian cancer Stage 4 which now is in my liver for the past 5 and 1/2/years. I have been told to drink lots of water or unsweet tea as that is a natural diuretic I pray for all of us that have this disease

asking God to put his loving arms around us, take our pain away, and restore our health.

To be honest, I think if this were a mans disease ,there would have been cure a long time ago.

Kissmeonce39 - Amy Pierson TX

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Kissmeonce1939]

Hi Amy I had fluid on my an in ankles before I started chemo last Friday but since then i have had 1st chemo and fluid has got worse . Last night fluid increased on rhs ankle fluid is sore and tight on very lose bed socks. Other Leg has massive increase in fluid cannot fold knee back as so much fluid inside knee.. have rung cns nurse again. Only last Wednesday/ thursdayhad 7 litres drained off and full again. Abdomen so tight.

[Bettyxxx]

Hi StephI had this regime in 2014 as part of the icon 8 (original trial) it was totally doable and i was pretty much normal throughout. I didnt take the steroids every week like you normally do after 3 weekly chemo as i felt i didnt need them. The results if that study however did find that the outcomes of weekly chemo or 3 weekly were the same. I have since heard of weekly taxol but not both. I am convinced it gave me a great start and read an initial report where the study was done in Korea before the uk and it suggested weekly chemo was more effective. The only problem is going every week not to be underestimated and access if it’s difficult for you. If you can overcome those then go for it is my advice. I got 4 years before my recurrence. Xx

Good luck

Diane

[Stuee01 in reply to Bettyxxx]

Thanks Diane! I think the oncologist is giving both carbo and taxol as my partner is still platinum sensitive. They feel this 18 week schedule will be more effective than going back on every 3 weeks. Fingers crossed! 🤞

[Amerthist]

Hi Stu, I had 18 weekly carbo/taxol finished in May 2018. I have remained stable since . No further treatment just scans every 3 . months.

[Stuee01 in reply to Amerthist]

That sounds encouraging! Thanks! Can you let me know how your side effects were? We were told that my partner should have less side effects eg. Nausea etc.. with this weekly regime.

[Amerthist]

Hi StuThe side effects were manageable ,the nausea was well controlled by the prescribed anti sickness meds. The effects are cumulative so did become more tired towards the end of the treatment. All together it was very doable.

Hope it goes well for your wife.

Best wishes

Anne

[Realistic]

I had this treatment yes l won't lie it was toughat times, but for me it worked lve been NED ever since 2019 lm grade 3 ovarian serious l know mine had gone into my lymph nodes. And ld have it again if l needed it and was able to have again not sure if you can have the same treatment again. Good luck l do very well and try to enjoy life family &;friends sending love SheilaFxxx

[Stuee01 in reply to Realistic]

Thanks for the encouragement Sheila! 🙏

[Clipper15]

Hi there, I had 6 months of taxol with excellent results. I couldnt have carbo as I have developed a severe reaction to it but can certainly say the side effects were less with weekly taxol. I had treatment once a week for three weeks and then a week off, repeated for six months. My CA125 was 1000 at the start of treatment and has reduced to 50. I lost my hair and felt fatigued but managed well. I wish your partner well. Xxx

[Inguc_is in reply to Clipper15]

Hey, Clipper, are u platinum resistant? My mom is and on sunday she has chemo again and i hope it will help without platinum chemo

[Clipper15 in reply to Inguc_is]

I had a severe reaction to carbo and cisplatin so cannot now have any platinum based chemo. I had taxol only and the results from bloods and scan are excellent. CA125 down from 1000 to 50 and scan shows shrinkage and stability. I have had ovarian cancer for six years and this is my fourth lot of chemo. Xxxx

[Inguc_is in reply to Clipper15]

Thank you! My mom have on 2017, but till 2021 was remission… and that 2021 may reccurance and till 17.10.2021 she get the same chemo as on 2017 all mts go away but came back after 4 month :(((

[Clipper15 in reply to Inguc_is]

There is so much they can do. Is she having taxol over a longer period this time?

[Inguc_is in reply to Clipper15]

She got platinum chemo standart both time in 2017 and 2021 now we dont know what she will get but know that it will not be platin

[Clipper15 in reply to Inguc_is]

Sending you and your mum hugs. Xxx

[Inguc_is in reply to Clipper15]

Thank you! Hope chemo will work🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[Stuee01 in reply to Clipper15]

Thanks for the wishes!