I’m about to change drugs - on to TAXOL (not Taxotere as some people get confused with). Does anyone have any experience of this regime?
I’m really scared about changing. I’ve not been too bad with EC so far!!
Many thanks in advance.
Love Loopy xxx
Hi Loopy
I had 3 x FEC then 2 x Taxotere then they changed me to weekly Taxol for 6 weeks. I found the Taxol easier than the Taxotere, maybe because it was weekly, but they are both from the same family. I finished 3 weeks ago and am still getting some side effects, like aching joints, but doable!
Good luck
Ginny x
Hi Loopy,
I just had my first taxol yesterday after having 3 x EC. I didn’t do too well on the first EC but that was probably to do with the Neulasta injection they gave me to increase my white blood cells so that I could have the treatments every 2 weeks. Anyhow I was so ill that the injection was stopped and I went on to 3 weekly.
Feelong absolutely fine at the moment on the taxol, I thought I was having it 3 weekly but my onc wants me to do it 2 weekly again, possibly with the neulasta injection again but I said no to that so we’re going to see how my bloods are next time and I may have to succunb.
Anyone know of surefire ways of increasing the white blood cell count? I’ve been told to rest more which I find hard but I have done it today at least to give my body a chance to deal with the taxol.
Haven’t had to take any antisickness or any other medication than was given me at the chemo session so very promising. Didn’t sleep too well though so going to try for an early night, just trying to hang on to take the dogs out at a reasonably late time!
lots of love
Lee x
I found Taxol much easier than AC which is similar to FEC. Abour 3 days after my first lot i got horrible sharp pains for a while but this soon wore off and never happened again. My bones and joints ached and became weak but no sickness. I did get tingling in my feet and fingertips - peripheral neuropathy, my nails fell out and a layer of skin came of my hands but again, after the first cycle my nails and skin were fine. I’ve heard it’s easier than Taxotere and that most people find it better than AC or FEC.
Good luck
Kelley
Hi Lee,
it is difficult to know a guaranteed way to keep neuts up although the most popular choces are manuka honey, nuts and mushrooms. Mine were always high throughout 8 doses and the last 4 were doubles so 12 altogether. I ate loads and loads of protein - meat, eggs and cheese. I couldn’t eat fruit or veg at all but my meat and egg feast used to make mine shoot up between day 1 and day 8 when I had the second dose.I was also at home off work and as you say lying around a lot.
Good luck
Hi guys
Thanks for the info. I’ve been having the neulasta injection with my EC and have been fine - apart from really painful shoulders, arms and neck for a few days after.
The bit about losing finger nails doesn’t sound too pleasant. Is there anything I can do to help stop that happening? My nails are fantastic at the moment - in fact they are growing quicker than normal.
I’ve been using the ocld cap with the EC and so far success! I’ve lost a bit of hair so it’s thinner than normal but stillhave a complete head of hair! They keep telling me that with Taxol my hair will fall out anyway and not to bother. I’m using the Paxman cold cap - so i’ve been in touch with the Mr Paxman who assures me this information isn’t correct!
I think i’ve got away lightly with EC to be honest - i’m not saying it’s been a walk in the park by any stretch but I haven’t felt as bad as I had imagined. Hence why i’m not looking forward to Taxol as it’s a new set of symptoms and side effects!!!
Loop xxx
Hi,
I had 4 x EC followed by 4 x taxol with gemcitabine and it was ok. Like you I had neulasta injections after each dose and I had plenty of rest as I was off work throughout treatment. I did get achy joints and thighs but paracetamol helped. My nails and hands were fine - indeed my eczema disappeared during chemo! - but I did get tingling and numbness in fingers and toes and found some fiddly things like fasten small buttons difficult to do.
I know I was lucky and didn’t suffer sickness and some of the other truly awful side effects some people have for which I am eternally grateful. Hopefully, if like me you have managed ok on EC, the same will be true on the taxol. I think it is inevitable that you will have concerns when changing from one regime to another just when you’ve got used to what to expect !
Hope it goes well.
Liz
I’m normally poorly with EC for about a week and then very slowly I start to turn the corner - but with bouts of feeling sick and tired etc throughout the whole time.
Glad to hear the excema cleared up! Very odd isn’t it! Strange how some people get some things and other don’t too.
I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see what happens but i have my last EC to get next Thursday first.
it’s the weight issue I have trouble with - just doesn’t move one way or the other now! I immediately put on about a stone and it’s stuck there - despite what I eat and despite the little exercise I do. I’ve been out the last three mornings walking for an hour - fast walking too - enough to work up a bad sweat!
Loopy xxx
Hi Loopy,
I had 4 x FEC, over 12 weeks on a 3 week cycle. I have now started weekly Taxol (have had 2 doses) and can honestly say that apart from a little tiredness in the evenings I have been completely fine. Not even any aches or minor tingling. I was worried too about starting a new regime having got used to the previous one, but there is every chance you will be fine too. Good luck.