Goodbye Xeloda, Hello Taxol or Abraxane

[MacroMom]

Well, I got almost 7 months out of Xeloda, with blessedly few side effects. But my last CT scan showed that liver mets have increased, a lot, so it's time to move on. I would love to hear of your experiences with Taxol or Abraxane. I think I'm most worried about the solvent Cremophor that is needed with Taxol, as Cremophor is basically castor oil and I had a bad reaction to it years ago when I used it topically. My onc thinks it will be fine and I know they'll monitor me as they give it. If you have had Taxol, did you get through a vein? (I don't have a port) Side effects? Did it knock out some liver mets?? If Taxol doesn't work for me Abraxane is the next option so any feedback about that also much appreciated. Thanks for being there!

[beachlover65]

Hello Macro Mom! I did about 11 months of Taxol. It worked well for 6 of those months, and then my numbers went up from there. I did well with it given through my port. I lost my hair for the second time on this drug, but that did not bother me. The worst side effect was neuropathy. Unfortunately for me, it has not gone away. I'm certain that I will have it for the rest of my life. I've gotten used to it, so it is not too bad. If I were you, I would ask about how Taxol is tolerated given through a vein. I know that I did terribly with that from one infusion of adriomiosin before I got my port. Please don't let me scare you in any way. We are all different. I am trying to make it on Xeloda now. I suffered terrible hand&foot syndrome and am now on a reduced dose to see if I can tolerate it. I wish you well! I hope you don't have many problems. I am so sorry that we have to go through all of this. Hang in there!

[MacroMom in reply to beachlover65]

Thanks for your reply! Yes, I've been warned about the neuropathy. My ND oncologist recommends L-Glutamine powder, 1 T twice a day to help with that and digestive issues. I'll continue acupuncture too. And yes, I have concerns about my veins holding up, will ask for more details about that.

Sorry your having trouble with hand/food syndrome on Xeloda. I was on 1300mg twice a day, 7 days on, 7 days off. My feet got pretty bad when I spent two weeks in a hotter climate...walking on uneven surfaces (like beaches!) was especially irritating. I found that sticking my feet in ice water baths a few times a day was soothing, as was Udderly Smooth (be sure to get the "Extra Care" type with Urea) and staying off my feet. It's such a weird feeling. I hope the lower dose works better for you. I'll report back after my first Taxol!

Thanks again...you hang in too!

Patty

[NamasteLove]

Hi, there-

I was on Xeloda for three days before my oncologist took me off of it ,(she was concerned about my labs). Then started on Taxol.

I, like you, do not have a port.

Keep in mind that every body is different, therefore side effects will be different. I had diarrhea, fatigue, mouth sores, my hair has started to shed .

Best to you!

Nama

[MacroMom in reply to NamasteLove]

Thanks Nama! I'm expecting some hair shedding, in fact got a short cut so it's easier to handle. Are you doing anything in particular for the mouth sores? I hope Taxol is doing a number on your cancer....easier to put up with the side effects when we are also getting healing effects!

All the best to you too!

Patty

[lynnhbtb]

HI MacroMom - Yes, I was on taxol for several months until the neuropathy got to me so I"ve switched to Taxotere. I am given benedryl prior to the taxane, so haven't had issue with the allergic type reactions. Benedryl works very well for me. Makes me sleepy, but that's ok. I know Abraxane is delivered in an albumin sheath so there are fewer of those type of potential side effects. I'd remember that not everyone get the side effects and hopefully you would not.

Also, you probably know, but you will lose your hair. I opted to use the cold caps and have been using them with success for 14 months now. I lost all my hair my first go-round with chemotherapy 8 years ago and didn't want to lose it again, esp. because I'm on this regimen for the forseeable future. No end timeline.

I'm sorry the Xeloda stopped working. For me, it was Ibrance that stopped and the cancer progressed to my liver and changed type from hormone positive to triple negative. They are tricky little things, these cancers cells.

Wishing you the best. Keep us updated.

Lynn

I will add that I'm also on Keytruda. Insurance wouldn't cover, so am on Merck's compassionate use plan. Not sure if you're a candidate, but I think that's contributing to my success.

[Bubbles001 in reply to lynnhbtb]

FYI, I’m about to go on Keytruda in combo with Xeloda as soon as I’m approved. Hoping it works. I was pulled off Ibrance after 4 months last year as I developed triple neg skin mets. Those went away with Lynparza and Tecentriq (just like Keytruda). The interesting thing is that my liver mets changed from 67% er+ and pr- to 100% er+ and 100% pr+. It’s like the treatment knocked out all my triple negative cells. Anyway, best of luck with Keytruda!

[lynnhbtb in reply to Bubbles001]

Interesting how these cells morph and change. From what I understand there are more treatments for hormone positive than triple negative. Best of luck with you on Keytruda. I know tencentriq and Keytruda are similar. It will be interesting to see what the different is for you. That's one of the other things I've realized, is that we all respond differently, similarly sometimes, but differently. All the best. :=) xo

[MacroMom in reply to lynnhbtb]

Thanks Lynn! That's so interesting about your cancer type changing. Instead of a liver biopsy I opted for a "liquid biopsy" and it seems as if my cancer is still ER+, HER2 negative. Hope you get great results with Keytruda!

I hadn't thought about the cold caps but I'll ask about that too. So far I haven't been on any therapies that caused hair loss so this will be a new one for me. Luckily I have a 10-year old granddaughter who periodically likes to shave her head, she's already offered to help with scarves!

I like the sound of Abraxane better but I have a lot of liver mets and Taxol seems to have a decent track record on backing those off. I'll let you know how it goes.

Wishing you great results with Keytruda and Taxotere!

Patty

[nstonerocks]

I initially had abraxane for my lung mets. It worked very well. I got it thru a peripheral line, no problems. Besides losing my hair, I had to poop within 2 hours of infusion. It was over 5 years ago, so don't remember all details, but I don't recall any bad side effects. I recently had taxol via peripheral IV. They medicated me with steroids and benadryl for possible allergic reaction and a med for nausea. . Just warning you when they push the IV benadryl I felt like I was being put under, another woman said she felt like she was having a stroke, but it passes. I didn't think benadryl was a big deal, but IV push is a lot different than oral or regular IV. I had no reaction to taxol, and continued to receive 4 doses no problem. I was also receiving another IV chemo. I did not have any bad side effects. It was supposed to make my radiation more effective. I get scanned soon. I certainly feel better.

[MacroMom in reply to nstonerocks]

Nice to hear from you and so glad you are feeling better! I was worried about you after your post earlier this month. Interesting that you got IV benadryl, it will probably knock me out too. What do you mean by "push"...do they purposely do it faster? I'll be having Taxol weekly for three weeks, then one week off. So encouraging that you didn't have bad side effects. Hoping your scans are good too!

[nstonerocks]

Sorry. “Push”means they have it drawn up in a syringe and they inject it into the IV. I didn’t think I’d feel so out of it in benadryl, but I felt like I was going under anesthesia. It wears off. And after the first time I just relaxed into it. After two times and no reaction they stopped premedicating me for taxol. Seems that there is a risk for an allergic reaction to taxol. I got lucky. Thanks for your good wishes.

[hdhonda]

MacroMom,

I hope and pray your new treatment will be successful. Blessings, Hannah