paclitaxel

[Hm50]

hi is anyone on this line of treatment and finding they have extreme fatigue that floors them for days? I also have asities so not sure whether it’s that or chemo

[fancydog]

I think some people who have more experience than me will respond to you. I only got in 7 treatments then had a severe reaction that may have nothing to do with the actual drug. I was already living in a fatigued state so I could not really say it caused me more fatigue and that was 8 yrs ago, but it worked wonders in cutting in half the number of mets I had! Best wishes

[urthmothr]

I had Taxol/paclitaxel for 12 weeks due to metastatic breast cancer in lymph node and (possibly) spine. It stopped all cancer and I have been on maintenance for 3 years.

My hair grew back, but I still have peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet. Diarrhea was a big problem, it improved after chemo but still very sensitive to certain foods, which could be related to the immunotherapy infusions I am still receiving.

Fatigue is harder to judge because I was isolated during the chemo due to the COVID pandemic, and I was already experiencing fatigue before cancer diagnosis. I don't know how much is from aging+fighting cancer (5 years since first diagnosis), how much is from isolation, and how much is from immunotherapy.

No ascites (edema), though.

cancer.org/treatment/treatm...

[HK0201 in reply to urthmothr]

That's really good to hear, so pleased it worked for you. I am just about to have my 4th treatment of Paclitaxel. What maintenance treatment are you now on and what type of breast cancer do you have?

[urthmothr]

5 years ago, I had a breast removed because I had Ductal Cancer in Situ but no sign that it had spread outside the breast. Only follow-up was annual exams in remaining breast. 2 years ago I learned that I had Metastatic Breast Cancer in a lymph node and possibly my spine. The same type of cancer, HER2+. I received 12 weeks of Taxol, plus Herceptin and Perjeta. After the Taxol, I have received H+P every 3 weeks, plus Zometa every 6 weeks to strengthen my spine.

[Ntash01]

Hi Hm50

Hope you are well…. May I ask, are you still on Taxol or have you changed? I’ve just began with this treatment.

N

[Hopeful4Cure in reply to Ntash01]

How you doing on Taxol? Hope all is good. Blessings

[Ntash01 in reply to Hopeful4Cure]

Hey Hope - how are you doing? I’ve had one infusion before going on holiday - onc wanted me to have at least one as I’ve been off meds for while after Vino. Last Tuesday I had my 2nd infusion, but onc is counting it as the first of 3. Tuesday will be my 2nd, Monday I’m getting a port 😔, sad feels like the end or beginning of something! I’ve got my head around it because my veins are so bad but still… you know how it is. The good news my liver results came down from 217 to 66! Probs go back up now I’m on these meds.

How’s your treatment? Is it going well, do you feel good? Still eating black garlic? Gosh- looking forward to stability for us both.

N x

[Hopeful4Cure in reply to Ntash01]

Yep, still eating the garlic! Great news that your numbers have gone down for your liver. So many of these drugs give us another thing to worry about. My veins are shot too. Although, some are still good in my hand. They tried years ago to put a port in, but the vein was so thin (upper right arm) that they could not even find it. On my way to the doc appt in a few hours. Hopefully enhertu is working this will be the 3rd. I have a sharp pain comeing from under my right breast and there is a small bump too. Just happened right after flying back from the states a few days ago. Still no nausea and do fine after treatment. My neutrophilos (sp) have been low so I hope I do not have to wait a week for the 3rd cycle. Hang in there. Blessings

[Ntash01 in reply to Hopeful4Cure]

I hope your appointment went well and you got some answers re bump, you know another difficult thing with our diagnosis is every twinge gets us worried! I do hope it was nothing serious and you managed to get your treatment on schedule.

My initial stage 4 dx I had spots in liver, a few scans later a spot on my femur was mentioned so I received Zoladex. Since having taken Xeloda - these are not mentioned anymore. Change from Xeloda came when MRI shows a ’gift’ in my right side chest wall that was growing and I have a solid mass in my right clavicle which I can feel (had this from beginning too). Also, my right arm is swollen from lymphoedema but I suspect that the mass is also pressing on a nerve which is contributing to the swelling - apart from my tiny hand looking like a blown up marigold glove, I have to pick clothes with sleeves that fit over my right arm😂I’m laughing so not to cry!

I hope your visit to the states was therapeutic, my holiday definitely was - lots of walking and no matter how tired I got…. My mantra was ‘do it while you can’ morbid but it worked!!!

Nx

[Ntash01 in reply to Ntash01]

*Zometa not Zoladex!

[Hopeful4Cure in reply to Ntash01]

Yeah, gotcha. I have stopped zometa because I need my crowns in front two teeth repaired. I updated the post I asked and doc did take xrays and compared to scan from June and said he did not see anything. Well, it has got to be related to something, otherwise it would not hurt or the bump woud not be there. I also have a dull pain, which was a sharp when I just arrived under my lower, left rib. Took ibupro and it went away, but now it is back. Darn it. Feel for you and all the rest of us going through these issues. Still waiting on the tumor markers. I can't remember when my actually last vacation was. I mean real vacation for me. In my condition, I have to go back to the states to help with my aging parents. My sibling then tells me to get to work. So no, not relaxing. I am happy to be back home. To relax and recupe.

[Ntash01 in reply to Hopeful4Cure]

Hey Hope

How are you? Dental work always stresses me, but they are non negotiable!

I hope your bump has reduced in size and not causing too much discomfort and you’re not needing the ibru. I have read your posts and can feel the stress - it’s all so freaking up & down! This time last week I had port implanted - I was so emotional, it was really difficult but one week later it’s a memory and things go on😔

Tc N

[Hopeful4Cure in reply to Ntash01]

Hi Ntash, Hanging in there. Won't have the dental work until I can afford it. Plus, that is the least of my concerns right now. Nope, bump is still there and I saw the xrays and can clearly see something, so for the doc to say (first doc I had saw me because my doc now was on vacation) she did not see anything and compared them to my june scan, is crazy. I won't see my doc until the 5th of Sept. Plus, I checked the tm's on my portal and they were seen by her the same day as appt, but she did not tell me of the huge increase. Not happy. I waited on pins and needles for it to be posted. I hope your port works out for you. I am still able to have them use my hand, but I am thinking not for much longer, as they are all getting too thin and take over a week to heal with a rainbow of colors, if they do not insert correctly. u2tc Blessings