Taxol Update

[Iwasborntodothis]

I want to put this out there for those considering or starting Taxol and hope it helps. My doctor uses a fairly elaborate pre-med and med protocol that they are studying at our center because his patients tolerate the drug much better than others. I actually witnessed this in the infusion room when a woman who was not his patient started freaking out during her first infusion because both hands went numb immediately. I am doing pretty well, very few side effects, CA-15 number down 200 points after three doses. No neuropathy, hair thinning not gone (shouldn’t have cut so much off initially I guess but I have a lot of thick curly hair), very little nausea (using ginger chews not meds), slight constipation on second/third day after IV taking med for that once a week clears that up, sleep all day fifth day after, feel awesome days 6 and 7. I had more pain this week but nothing I couldn’t handle with Aleve. I have cut alcohol to one night a week 2 glasses of wine and I still have one cup of coffee a day. I have lost 15 pound since my treatment started but some of that was due to my bad ending with Xeloda and I needed to lose weight anyway.

So med regimen is this:

•Even though there are steroids in IV, the night before my IV I take steroids. First dose 5 pills, second dose 4,…etc. next dose I will not take any because I have not had a bad reaction. This is a great relief because they make me crazy OCD and cranky. He said he might reduce steroids in drip after my sixth dose and week off (I guess I am switching to 3 weeks on 1 week off until CA15 goes down more)

•Every day I take a 24 hour Clariton

•Every day I take 2 pepcids

•Every day I drink 2 double doses (more than what package suggests so 2 scoops per dose) L Glutamide mix in water. It says it has no flavor but it does so I add sugar free Mio. Doc believes this helps with neuropathy.

Obviously not a doctor but giving you talking points to hand to yours. I am at the St Joseph’s Cancer Institute in Phoenix.

[blms]

Gotta tell you I loved taxolLast year and so wish I was back on it. I did ice jack my feet and hands 30 minutes before which is important

Also I had my doc stop steroid after first round because they are sooo problematic and it really is only give fir possible allergic reaction which I had none of that.

And yes Claritin helps with bone skin— who knew!

[MyMiracle13]

Thanks for these tips. Makes me less scared of Taxol. Are you using the Paclitaxel brand?

[Iwasborntodothis in reply to MyMiracle13]

yes

[MyMiracle13]

Thank you

[Iwasborntodothis]

Update - my CA15 is down to 80 after on 6 round treatment on one 3 round treatment!