Hi. I was dianosed with breast cancer in 2004 and had a mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. That time I had 4 EC and 4 Taxol. I had an allergic reaction to taxol one one occasion, and the usual side effects but generally was quite well. I was tired for the first week, but pretty much able to do stuff after the second week.
Wasn’t troubled with mputh ulcers.
In June I was diagnosed with a new primary on the other side and had a mastectomy with reconstruction.
My oncologist says I am going to have cyclophosphamide and taxotere x 4 this time. I can’t have Epi again.
Has anyone else had taxol and taxotere? Are they much different in terms of side effects? I’ve been reading the forums and am worried that I will be more tired and more unwell. I’ve got 2 small kids and I wonder if I’ll be able to manage. Will it make a difference that I’ve had chemo before?
Also I need a Hickman line this time because we killed all my veins last time ( as I found out in hospital post op!)
Just feeling nervous and would appreciate any info or tips for managing.
Thanks
S
Hi S
Sorry I don’t have any answers for you but I’m sure someone will be along soon although at the weekend it can be a bit quieter than in the week on here so you may need to wait a bit longer than usual. If you don’t get many replies try ‘bumping’ this up to the top of the list by adding another comment yourself - that should work!
Good luck with you post op recovery and forthcoming chemo.
Nicky x
Posted on behalf of new user Tiffany
Best wishes
Lucy
Hello
I did Taxotere in about september last year. I also have two young children. I did three cycles. I learned something each time- what was my experience may not of course end up being yours, however, in retrospect there were a few things that I should have done to make life easier. Firstly, on the first round, I had quite a bit of pain, which I should have just taken some Panadeine Forte, and this would have dealt with it. So, on the second and third time, that’s just what I did and it was better. I also took sleeping tablets for the first few days until I got over the cycle- impossible to look after little kids when you have not had enough sleep. I also used the frozed gloves when I was having the taxotere put in- to help look after finger nails etc. I had no problems. Good luck.
Tiffany
Hi
Sorry to say but I had a bad time with taxotere too.I took co -codamol as joints ached terribly,walked around in a daze from friday to tuesday,had tax on the previous wednesday,and my neutrohils dropped really low after first one meaning spending 4 days in hospital on anti- biotic drip,after this i had a neulasta injection the day after my tax to keep levels up.I was supposed to have 4 treatments but cut to three as my lump had started to grow again, I was having chemo first to shrink it so went in for op.My finger nails went ridged and I lost all of my toe nails,only just growing back and finished in March.Sorry to be doom and gloom,but my advice would be to have plenty of rest when you can and take painkillers from day before treatment and throughout,my onc advised this to me and while it didn’t totally go it was more
bearable.
Good luck
Mary
xx
I’ve had 3 cycles of Taxotere so far, each time has been slightly different.
The first time it hit me almost immediately with flu like symptoms, and I developed an allergic reaction which caused bad itching and soreness vaginally. Anti histamines and a steroid cream sorted this out though. Quite bad aches and pains, but pain relief did help this.
I’ve experienced constipation, diarreah, strange mouth, tingling fingers, earache, dripping nose but the worst side effect has been an aching in my ribs which no amount of tests has got to the bottom of, so they believe it is bruising (possibly from the minor op I had when dx). Yes I do feel tired, but so far has been manageable.
On the plus side, after 3 cycles my cancer has shrunk by almost half and I have not so far had any bad vomiting, just a bit of nausea that is manageable.
I am lucky, I don’t have very young children to look after and I would advise the same, painkillers and rest when you can. Go to bed when the children go to bed and don’t worry about housework. Do you have anyone that can help you with the children sometimes?
Good luck, I do believe the benefits of Tax outweighs the negatives.
Thank you everyone for your comments, although I can’t say it has made me feel any better! However I will take on board your comments about the pain killers. I will be getting the babysitter to come in and help with the kids in the evenings till my husband gets home or they go to bed ( whichever comes first!). Also looking to get some one to the housework may be one day a week. This is how expenses add up, but I did it last time and it really helped.
Good luck peacock with any further treatment.
S