Paclitaxel and other tabs

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy
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Hello everyone
I’m due to start weekly paclitaxel in a few weeks (just finished 3 x EC).
Please can you let me know what pre meds or meds will i be taking on this regime. Any steroids? Anti sickness? Onc said no injections this time x

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Hello :wave:t2:. I had 3 x EC and then 9 x paclitaxel. Premeds were steroids and antihistamines (intravenously rather than tablets) and anti sickness tablets, then only take home meds were anti sickness and steroid tablets for afew days x

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Hi @stafford22 I am also on weekly pax at the moment.
I have fluids, steroids, anti-sickness and antihistamine all IV before the pax, then steroid tablet for the next 2 days.
They also give me mouthwash, anti nausea, sickness, diarrhoea and constipation tablets to take away with me if needed!

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Thank you. I had a rough time on EC so I’m hoping weekly pac will be kinder to me!

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Thanks so much for the info x

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I also struggled with the EC side effects. Paclitaxel was much kinder with side effects - I didn’t have any nausea or sickness on paclitaxel, just tiredness and started to get pins and needles in fingers towards the end. It can also cause diarrhoea - they can give you loperamide for this. Hope it goes well for you xx

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This is good to hear, did they stop the treatment as you had pains in hands? I’m worried about the neuropathy x

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No they didn’t. It started in my thumbs and I reported it at an oncology appointment shortly after. They said they may need to reduce the dose, which made me cry. But they agreed to proceed (I only had 2 left) on the condition that I reported if it worsened. It didn’t and now it’s manageable - I finished the chemo in October and I still have some numbness, but it doesn’t affect my life and I’m used to it now. If you’re worried, consider using cold gloves. I know afew people on here used them x

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Thanks so much. I’ll order the cold gloves and socks. Well done completing it all :star2:

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The antihistamines made me sleep almost instantly. I have hardly any memories of my 11 infusions. x)

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Omg I’ve heard this!

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It was a very welcome side effect, as I was wearing the cold cap =)

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I have 1 week left of Paclitaxol, I have had that along with Carboplatin for 12 weeks. And then Pembro every 3 weeks. The Paclitaxol has given me very red sore hands and feet. To the point of needing steroid cream to reduce it. My taste buds have been random throughout but mints have helped!

I’m due to start EC in 3 weeks time, I am really hoping the side effects won’t be too bad.

As an info only point - I have Stage 2b Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I’m BRCA1 gene positive and 33years old.

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How did your treatment with Paclitaxol go? I’ve just started but had to stop due to very low neutrophils. Starting again soon.

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Hi there I had number 10 packitaxel this week and I’m now v tired, each week the tiredness builds and I have chemo on a Tuesday and from Thursday to sat/sun I’m not really doing anything as the tiredness is a lot. Apart from fatigue and a vile mouth, I’m getting thru them. Also find I’m teary every Friday and Saturday. Hope your levels go up soon x

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Thanks for your reply. Yes, I get fatigue but too. I have now had dose reduction so I’m hoping I will improve.

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Yes it’ll help for sure but it does still add up, this is why lots of weekly have the odd week off to recover then they go again x

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Hello everyone I’m new to the forum. I am 83 and just had a mastectomy and have.

been given the option of paclitaxel every week for 18 weeks and trastuzumab every 21 days followed by radiotherapy. After reading all the side effects I’m not sure what to do as atm I’m fit and active enjoying weekly gym sessions and still living very independtly I worry during and post treatment this could stop. Is there anyone here of a similar age who has gone through this?