Hi
Just had a failed attempt at 2nd cycle on Docetaxel. Had big anaphylactic reaction to 1st cycle so they gave me extra meds before starting the 2nd and started on an eighth speed but my chest tightened again and I couldn’t breathe.
Nurse said team will review and likely start me on a different drug. Anyone else had this and can share their story?
Hi, Buttyf. I declined Docetaxal for several reasons and my oncologist changed my chemo to Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide (3 doses 3 weekly) followed by 9 sessions of paclitaxel weekly. I reacted badly to the 2nd dose of EC and the infusion was abandoned. After the 3rd dose I developed neutropenic sepsis and was hospitalised on IV antibiotics and it was agreed I should have no further EC. I was told the paclitaxel will be just as effective so I’m sure your onco team will have an alternative regimen tailored to you. This is not a straight road we’re travelling… there are detours and unforseen bumps (I found this very challenging - I wanted to get from point A to point B with no faffing about:laughing:) but things work out in the end. I’m about to start my 9 week pac chemo and trying to be chill about it, but failing miserably. I hope your treatment plan is in place soon and you sail through chemo. Let us know how it goes:purple_heart:
Thanks for your message crainin-up. Ive been reading! I’m hoping they’ll put me on NAB-Paclitaxel as that seems to be for people who can’t tolerate normal Taxel (Doce or Pacli). We’ll see!
sorry you’ve had reaction on docetaxol, that happened to me on my 2nd one but they did manage to get it in at 2nd attempt but i didn’t feel right at all and i wanted to run for the hills. When I next saw my onc I said I didn’t want that again, so i had another fec after that. And I know others got switched to abraxane and they were fine with that. Chemo treatments have moved on since 2017-2018 when I had mine so maybe if you can ring the number on here and speak to a nurse they might be able to discuss other chemo options again I’m sorry to hear you’ve had reaction, it can be 
when it happens but your team and onc have seen it all before and know what to do sending 
Shi xx
I am so sorry this happened to you because this happened to me too and I know how frightening it can all be. I remember actually losing the plot at this point . Nab paclitaxel ( abraxane ) was mentioned to me by the senior chemo nurse when I had this reaction. The oncologists wanted to attempt a second time but I had experienced so many holdups and gutt instinct kept telling me that doxetaxel was so wrong for me. My situation was probably different to most in that this was my second breast cancer experience having been successfully treated with a lumpectomy , chemo ( FEC) Radiotherapy and ten years of tamoxifen and letrozole . Oncologists were concerned as there is no evidence of Abraxane being given with cyclophosphamide. The F is no longer given and the E because I had already had a lifetimes dose first time I couldn’t be given it again . But the C ( cyclophosphamide they wanted to treat me with with this new cancer after mastectomy. I spent endless hours on Google trying to find info where Abraxane was used with cyclophosphamide. There were a few scans case studies in America and basically after seeking a second opinion from an extremely specialised oncologist I was given a combination of these two drugs. In his opinion and he is extremely knowledgeable there is no reason these two drugs won’t work but there’s no evidence. So I basically signed up to the unknown. So as I say my case was slightly different. However just to hopefully reassure you I had no terrible reactions to the Abraxane . The dose had to be tweaked slightly as I suffered neuropathy in my fingers and toes . You should always mention anything like this. However mine may well have been down to all the treatment I had previously and not to the Abraxane. I just mean always mention side effects as lots can be done. I have no regrets about going with Abraxane and feel very fortunate to have been offered this as an alternative. I wish you all the luck in the world
I didn’t even get to try Docetaxel as I was really unwell on FEC due to the steroids. They reduced those so that I only had one tablet at the time of my chemo but it was still an issue.
On my last FEC the chemo nurse gave me a large box of steroids and started to explain how I would take these before the Docetaxel I refused to take them and was told that I couldn’t continue with chemotherapy.
I arrived home and shortly after received a call from the hospital asking me to attend the next day to speak to the oncologist. He changed me to Abraxene as this is a ‘close relative’ to Docetaxel and didn’t require the use of steriods. I was fine with this.
I know there was someone on the ward when I was having treatment who had a reaction to their chemo and they got upset thinking it meant they couldn’t have treatment and the nurse called in one of the on duty oncologists who assured her that was not the case and that they would discuss this as a matter of urgency at the next MDT meeting.
Be rest assured there are plenty of options out there and they will find the right one for you.
Hi Buttyf
I am sorry you went through this.
I had an allergic reaction when I started doxorubicin. They had to stop the infusion. It frightened the life out of me at the time.
I swelled up and my heart was racing and i panicked as i thought i was going to pass out.
I had mentioned when i was given one of the pre meds it felt strange, like burning sensation all over. I was only in 10 minutes with the glucose and a few minutes with the doxorubicin and I reacted.
I had to come back the next day and try again.
I was given 4 different pre meds and claratyne.
I was then sedated with Phenergan.
This helped me and i have had another cycle since but feel really out of it with the sedation.
The nurses said it can happen and if i couldn’t tolerate it, then its reviewed and other treatments are looked at.
Its not an nice experience, I have my 3rd cycle on friday Iam still a little apprehensive.
Sending positive hugs, let us know how you go lovely.
🩷
Just an update…they changed me to NAB-Pacitaxel (Abraxane) and I had no problems tolerating it. The infusion only took 30 mins (plus cold cap time) and no pre-meds needed apart from 1 anti-sickness tablet to swallow. It’s sad the NHS can’t afford to give it to everyone instead of Docetaxel…
Hello every one, I had my first session of TC chemo yesterday. The first infusion of cyclophosphamide I was fine. When they started the Docetaxal they started very slowly and I was ok but had a headache they then sped it up and in a minute my chest was tight I was burning hot and my blood pressure was 202/112 quite scary but the doctors and nurses were amazing and straight away gave me adrenaline and cortisone and followed procedures. I was observed for another few hrs and my oncologist decided we should rechallenge it which I was happy about as I just wanted to get it done! This time within a couple of minutes it all started happening again so same process of adrenaline, cortisone and treatment given. I feel so frustrated as just wanted the first one to be done. I knew it would be nice but this was scary even for me! I now have another appointment with my oncologist to decide what treatment is next. I originally found a lump in December which was found to be invasive lobular bc then they found a mixed ductual lump as well. Unfortunately it had spread to my lymph’s so had wide excision lumpectomy and full axilla clearance. Due to the different types and lymph nodes being involved I had a genomic essay test called pro signa. This came back very high so this was why I had to have chemo. Originally as it’s hormonal I was hoping for radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Sorry for the long rant to be honest I feel quite out of it today and even though my appointments next week I feel stressed and just wondered if anyone else had experience these extreme reactions and what options they had been given. I know everyone’s different but somehow it helps to ask! Thanks! Helen x
Hi Helen
Dont panic! I had exactly the same experience as you (anaphylactic reaction to Docetaxel). They will likely change your drug to NAB-Paclitaxel which doesnt cause a reaction. They explained it’s not the drug that causes a reaction, its the stuff they put it in (solvent). NAB-paclitaxel is solvent free so you will be fine.
Oh thank you for your message! It’s so annoying as I just wanted to get that first one done! Should find out on Friday. Hope you are OK and that your treatment is going well H x
your onc might try you on abraxane, lots have switched to that after reaction to docetaxol and been fine with that. After it happened to me on my second docetaxol, I opted to have another fec for my 6th chemo. Sending Shi xx
Thanks! Hope your treatment carries on going to plan xx
Thanks hc1973 I finished chemo in jan 2018 take it a treatment at a time and remember your teams have seen it all before and will tailor your treatments specifically to you Shi xx
Oh thank you it’s such a stressful time but I’m a super positive person and i know it will be fine but it’s really nice to chat to other people with similar experiences so thanks x