Switched to taxol from irinitecan

[Mford786]

Hello,

Mum had first dose of Taxol after having single dose of irinotecan. We had second opinion from another oncologist who suggested Taxol is proven to cause reduction in metastatic disease in ovarian cancer. Mum did not respond to carboplatin or caelyx ( liposomal Doxorubicin).

Any one with success stories of Taxol? What are the side effects?

Many Thanks

Losh

[Gonewith]

Hi, if you mean Paclitaxel, then I had six with Carboplatin and Bevacizumab (Avastin). It worked for me. bringing the ca125 from 7000 to under 35. I lost all my hair (every where). My worse side effect was numbness and tingling in my leggs not being able to walk after the chemo for few days.

[Kieran2018]

Hi Losh ,

I was told I would get very little benefit from taxol by my consultant however I started it along with avastin and it’s working well for me . My CA125 has dropped from over a 1000 down to 46 and I’m due a scan on the 13th . The side effects are loss of hair which effects me greatly. I also have discoloured and sore nails . I’m afraid I could loss them . Saying that I’m managing well .

Hope this helps . I wish your mum all the best . 🙏🙏xx

[Cheadle in reply to Kieran2018]

I got a nail fungus on weekly taxol. My doc prescribed clotrimazole cream. You've got to keep the affected nails as short as possible so that the cream can get under them (it can't penetrate the nail itself). My big toe nails were both badly affected and I clipped them back to a few millimetres (the damaged nail just breaks off). The cream did eventually work but you be got to be persistent.

[Kieran2018 in reply to Cheadle]

Hi Cheadle ,

Thank you so much for that . I will contact my Gp. The last time I was on it a few of my toe nails went black . This time I have a few toe nails going brown but my hands are terrible.

Thank you again . Appreciate your advice .

Xx

[Claricejourney in reply to Kieran2018]

You can protect your nails by using black nail polish to block UV rays

[Kieran2018 in reply to Claricejourney]

Thank you Claricejourney. .xx

[delia2]

Hi. Most of us have had carbo taxol as frontline but many have weekly taxol with or without Avastin once they become resistant to platinum. I have seen quite a few people on here for whom it has worked and I know someone personally who’s having it now. She did become very fatigued after several months so they have gone to every two weeks. I don’t know if mirvetuxemab (Elahere) is available there yet but she might be able to get on a trial for an antibody drug conjugate.

[Mford786]

Thank you all all, such useful information. Another update, now the oncologist has had another appointment with radiotherapy oncologist and have advised for mum to have radiotherapy along with Taxol( chemo). They suggest 5 sessions of radiotherapy only to reduce the size of the growth and bleeding risk.Any thoughts/experiences on that please 🙏

[Mford786]

Hello,

Mum is having severe diarrhoea after Paclitaxel. Any tips for dealing with diarrhoea?

Is that a reason to delay the next dose?

Thanks,

Losh

[Cheadle in reply to Mford786]

Not necessarily but she should try and get on top of it. Imodium is the go to drug but she must get clearance for taking it from her team first. If the hospital has a hotline, I would call it.

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to Mford786]

Dear Mford786,

I'm sorry to hear that your mum is having severe diarrhoea. You can call her chemotherapy hotline number or NHS 111 for further advice, especially if this has been going on for some time. It is important for your mum to seek medical advice before taking any medications.

Best wishes,

Alice - Ovacome

[rhyspeace12]

I'm 83 and am in remission from breast cancer for 3 years now. My blood work shows that I am in great shape. My biggest problem with Taxol and Herceptin was developing neuropathy in my feet from it and I had to quit driving. I'm heading off to Cancun with my daughter and her family on Friday, so life is good!