Hi , I had a mastectomy September 23rd for high grade multi focal DCIS and grade 2 HER2 pos IDC . Nodes were clear and invasives (five) all under cm , due to other long term health issues I was scheduled for 12x weekly paclitaxel and herceptin therapy , however as I’m allergic to castor oil, this has been changed to 4 x 3 weekly Abraxane . I’m due to start tomorrow but am feeling really anxious (putting it mildly ) that this is going to be so much stronger and floor me as my oncologist said the weekly taxel would be better tolerated … I’d love to hear of anyone else’s experience on Abraxane
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I was diagnosed in June last year with HER+ grade 3 plus some DCIS. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy in July.
The original chemotherapy plan was 12 weekly Paclitaxel and three weekly Herceptin injections. However I had an allergic reaction to Paclitaxel the first week. They tried a reduced dose, given more slowly, but that just meant the second reaction took longer to start. As soon as the nurses stopped the procedure I recovered.
After that I was swapped to Abraxane, which I had without any problems. As I understand it the drug is coated with something so it releases more slowly into your system. A down side of that is that I was unable to cold cap so my hair fell out pretty quickly. I had some leg muscle pain which was sorted with paracetamol. I worked throughout my treatment, and had a little nap when I got home. I realise that I was lucky as these things go. Unfortunately no one can predict how these drugs will affect us.
I wish you all the best with your treatment.
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@scientistamafier Thank you for replying x I’m currently sat in the chemo chair waiting to be hooked up so we will see how it goes
Hello, I haven’t posted/replied on here yet.
I had a very bad allergic reaction to my first taxol which wasn’t dealt with by the nurse administering it, who ignored my requests for help. Resulting in extreme chest pain and two A&E visits. Not to be recommended!
I had a 3 week break then abraxane which I was fine with. I’m 10 days past that infusion and only a few mild aches (could be the herceptin) but that’s all.
There don’t seem to be many abraxane ladies.
I hope your treatment goes well. X
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@m40catlady that’s shocking that you were ignored 
I’m glad to hear abraxane had been ok for you . I’m home now and as it happens had a reaction to the herceptin but they were quick to act and filled me full of meds , so I was off my face for the abraxane 
I hope it’s not too bad … I had a bit of a dizzy turn when I got home and seem to have pain in my back and ribs
Glad you’re home and it went OK. It’s all so stressful with so many unknowns. And of course drugs. I do remember feeling a little dizzy too but I was so tired. After I had a sleep the dizziness lifted.
Hope you’re being looked after and can take it easy this evening.
Happy to stay in contact and compare notes. And do please message if I can help in any way.
X X
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@m40catlady I think all the anticipation wipes you out doesn’t it … I do feel v tired too … and still weirdly hot … you might want to come and join us on the November chemo starters thread x
It will definitely help to compare notes as you are a little ahead of me x
https://forum.breastcancernow.org/t/november-2024-chemo-starters/124380/294
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Hi @arty1 - well done on getting your first treatment out of the way. I was switched to Abraxane / Nab paclitaxel after an allergic reaction to paclitaxel & my experience has been a positive one, I would say you have nothing to worry about. I just completed my fourth & final Abraxane on Tuesday.
My main symptoms have been some mild neuropathy throughout (mostly on days 2-3 post infusion) & I’ve struggled with rashes as is commonplace on the taxols (altho I’m on blood thinners so it’s possible my rashes could be from that).
The shorter infusion time of 30 mins is great too, altho if you are cold capping the post infusion cold capping is longer so makes up for it!
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Interesting that you say something about cold capping with Abraxane. I was told that it was not possible because it was more of a slow release drug. The implication was that the drug was still going into your system the next day. However I may have misunderstood and not wanted to argue. I was just anxious about the whole process after the previous experience.
Someone else mentioned whether the muscle pain is from Abraxane or Herceptin. In my case it was definitely the Abraxane as all the symptoms went away once I had my last dose back in January. I carried on with Herceptin until October.
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@sunshineandunicorns Well done on finishing the treatment ! Do you have any other treatment now ? Yes today I’ve got some mild buzzing on my feet … so I’ll mention this at my oncology appointment…so far so good I’ve had no sickness but last night I had annoying palpitations that kept me awake but could have been the steroids
I’m on blood thinners too , I do tend to get rashes and itchy skin
@scientistamafier I said I wasnt going to cold cap so it wasn’t mentioned . How quickly did your hair fall out ? I’m considering just shaving it off now
That’s interesting. No one mentioned this to me at all, but I had done my own research & seen anecdotal evidence that suggested it is tougher on hair as higher dosage - and from a comparison perspective Im visually doing a lot worse than others on weekly paclitaxel.
I am getting bone pain which I thought was from the filgastrim which I have been taking alongside Abraxane. But could indeed be muscle pain & could be the Abraxane! One thing this process has taught me is I’m really bad at identifying specific types of pain! If I’m in pain I’m in pain!
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Yes I have EC next. Dreading it tbh.
Re your question about what to expect with losing hair, I started majorly shedding days 15-17 after first cycle xx
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Just been looking back at some Facebook and similar posts I made. My hair started to fall out quite quickly after my second dose (so about four weeks after starting). I remember that the top started thinning first and for a couple of days I could give myself a comb over. When it became too difficult to disguise I got my husband to clipper it all off.
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@sunshineandunicorns Most people seem to cope well on EC from what I’ve read here , my friend had EC 11 years ago and said she coped well but it was docetaxel that floored her , so hopefully you’ll be ok x
@scientistamafier I guess I’ll leave my hair for a couple of weeks before shaving it then and wait for the actual shed , I might just cut it a bit shorter
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I have had both Paclitaxel and NAB-Paclitaxel (Abraxane). Same active ingredient, different suspension. I had both weekly (Paclitaxel for my primary cancer, NAB-Paclitaxel later for secondary cancer). I found the latter easier.
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@Coddfish Thank you . I’m on it three weekly and must admit as having some nasty muscle aches now and pelvic pain , I hope it’s fairly short lived