Hi MrsVelo. I was told I was being put on a low dose of Paclitaxel after I’d developed neutropoenic sepsis towards the end of my 3 EC treatments. It was a reduction from the planned 80 to 70 whatevers and my oncologist said he couldn’t take it any lower or it would be pointless. So ‘low dose’ may not be quite what we lay people understand by low. He was adamant I would lose my hair by the 2nd or 3rd week and he didn't think the cold cap would make a difference. I’d already decided against it anyway. I did lose pubic and nasal hair immediately, slowly lost eyelashes (sob) and maybe half my eyebrow hair but my head hair, which I’d already had buzzcut, stubbornly stayed. By the final treatment it was sparser but still there and I’ve rarely worn my wig. I finished treatment 3 weeks ago and already my head hair is regrowing and the surviving hair is 1cm longer at least (which my oncologist says isn’t possible as the follicles are destroyed) so I’m optimistic.
Do be very observant about any side effects and report them, no matter how trivial they seem. Sometimes, if caught early enough, something can be done to help. Good luck. It’s not an easy treatment in terms of side effects (though some people seem to sail through and you may be one) but it’s completely bearable and has to be worth it.
I start Paclitaxel next week for nine weeks so that is good news . Hopefully will get to keep my hair which has stayed thanks to cold capn throughout the three FEC and less side effects ....
Hi, good luck all, I am waiting to hear when my chemo will begin. I thought I was going straight to radiotherapy but yesterday they advised 12 weeks of chemo first. They said low doses once a week for 12 weeks. Also every three weeks something injected in my leg.....I didn't have time to ask questions as they were running two hours late with appointments. I am waiting for someone to call me with next appointment, so can clarify then Has anyone had "low dose"? do you know if you still get the hair loss thing? I am guessing not. But want to get prepared.
I was also on Taxol last year and I had terrible diarrhea which meant that I stopped it before the final treatment, although it did mean that I lost even more weight! I also had really bad pains in my legs which needed stronger than OTC painkillers. I had to ice my hands for the treatment when I started to develop neuropathy in them, although that wasn't a problem for my feet.
