Carboplatin and pacitaxel chemotherapy side effects

[jd39316]

[Hidden]

You will find a lot of variability in how poeple react to these drugs. For me:

Taxol: joint pain.

Carboplatin: peripheral neuropathy (tingling in hands and feet - quite bad at times), mild nausea.

Neutropenia (low white blood counts + consequent vulnerability to infection) - not sure which drug causes this.

Cracked mouth corners.

General fatigue which eased off at the end of the first week of the 3 weekly cycle.

Hair loss is guaranteed with Taxol.

[Hidden]

My side effects were opposite way around, it was taxol that gave me the neuropathy and it was omitted on last cycle as tingling didn't disappear before next chemo was due.

My anti sickness meds were increased after 1st cycle because I felt nauseous, The side effects usually only last the 1st week then you start to feel better, then they zap you again. Good luck, hope the side effects aren't too bad for you xx Chris

[osborne1963]

hair loss, tiredness and neutropenia.. No neuropathy or nausea.

Jackie

[Hidden]

My side effects where, more housework, more shopping and more cooking whilst Sandra had the chemo. Lol

[HerThing in reply to Hidden]

haha! I hear you Paul, my symptoms are similar!

Andy

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

Love it!

[Hidden]

I already had neuropathy due to pressue somewhere though my oncologist never said where the pressure was. This was eased when I had carboplatin treatment but returns at night and wakes me up often. I was very tired during chemo which was worse just after the infusion but ironically, I found it difficult to sleep. My GP gave me sleeping tablets to deal with this which I used for a week after each round. It really helped. x

[TrishLey]

I had few side effects apart from joint pain 3days after lasting 4 days, hair loss, and the usual neuropathy.

[fluffycloud]

Hi, I think we all experence different side effects, as for me personally, i consider myself very lucky, my few side effects were tiredness, aching limbs, and slight breathlessness which lasted over a period of 3/4 days then i would feel human again,good luck with your treatment you will be fine. Love Pamx

[drdu]

I had fleeting muscle pains, rather than joint pains, due to taxol, but they didn't last long fortunately, and didn't stop me doing usual activities eg tennis, hillwalking. I had no side effects of note with carbo/taxol otherwise, very fortunately, though food and wine didn't taste quite as normal till near the end of each cycle. Of course I had the usual hair loss, and was a bit tired and feeling odd for the first 7-8 days each cycle.

Best wishes.

Eileen xx

[Whippit]

I only had carbo-platin and had reduced blood counts which I was told is associated with the high dose of chemotherapy I received.

I really didn't have much else in the way of side-effects - just began to feel a bit tired and like Eileen was breathless if I walked uphill. I had no infections and no nausea. Apparently it is thought patients who suffered from morning sickness in pregnancy are more likely to suffer nausea on chemotherapy.

Whilst Taxol is generally thought to guarantee hair-loss there are women who use the cold cap very successfully and retain their Barnet.

xxx Annie

[Zannah]

Hi

I had neuropathy really badly and 9 months later still can't feel my left foot properly. The paclitaxol had to be stopped after 3 rd treatment. I continued with carboplatin for another 3. Lost hair and was pretty sick despite trying number of different anti-sickness drugs on 3rd and 4 th days after treatment. I did need 3 blood transfusions during chemo. All that said I had 2 weeks each cycle where I could live a pretty normal life and am now really good. Thesideeffects were worth it and I would do it again if I have to. Good luck.

Love

Zannah x