Anyone been through 12 weekly Taxols?

[lankylass]

Oh that is brilliant news! So has all treatment finished now? Did you have any neuro hands/feet/joint problems? Would be interested to hear if anything crops up after treatment has ended, as I have read on some sites. This inspires me to keep plodding on with it, am spending this weekend, like the last, in bed too knackered to do anything.

[riversidedawn]

I've just finished 3 x fec and 11 x weekly pax. I had to miss week 8 as I was knackered and very emotional. Cold capped the whole way and kept a good head of hair, eyebrows and lashes! Worst se was taste. Moisturised hands, feet and nails daily.

[lankylass]

Have just had the second of twelve weekly taxols after FEC, having herceptin jabs every three weeks too, just had the first last week. Had mx with veritas mesh and expander implant in Jan, hoping to get the permanent one done after all this lot is over with.

There's another thread on here called weekly paclitaxel (taxol) side effects (or something - doh, just posted on there and chemo brain already kicked in) which has some tips. I'm so glad I'm on this and not the three weekly docetaxel/taxotere, I think this is a lot kinder, relatively speaking, but not without it's own bunch of little surprises.

[Herewego]

Sorry to hear you've been through so much rac83 but well done for getting through it all.
It's good that your team allowed you to have some breaks along the way when you needed them. Although I'm counting on not having them as otherwise we won't be able to have a summer holiday (my Taxols are due to finish end of July and my eldest starts school in in September so August is our only chance of a holiday this year). But as with everything on this journeyI expect there to be bumps along the way so just have to wait and see.
All the best with your recovery xx

[Debtex]

Bless you rac83 . Well done to you , I managed 8 as well and my onc was more than pleased with that . Xx

[fiz83]

Hi, I have just finished my weekly Paclitaxol treatment. I was supposed to have 12 cycles, but I have only managed complete 8 as the numbness in my hands and feet have got really quite bad. I had a mx in December, in hospital for 7 days and 10 days after that started fertility treatment which was a bit complicated as I made too many eggs!! I then started weekly chemo in January, having had a portacath fitted. So in all fairness I started from a pretty low point!  I am 31 and expected it to be a doddle! Although I have had most side effects and had 2 infections which I have ended in hospital with. Saying that however, I have not lost my hair, justed thinned (not had the cold cap) and my nails have been fine. I have had a few 1 week breaks which has made the world of difference. At times it can be exhausting and feel relentless but you have to remember that it is totally worth it. And although at times you may feel it is never ending, it is! There have been times when I couldnt imagine getting to the end but here I am! And this is a brilliant forum to find support and answers to anything you mught be worried about. Good Luck xx

[SmartiePants]

I have a port in too. And yes, the toes, feet and fingers are a bugger!

[Herewego]

thanks for the tips Debtex, I'll def keep an eye on the extremities.
I got a portacath as my veins were really bad to beginning with and would not have coped with any sort of chemo.
thanks again xx

[Debtex]

Hi I had paclitaxel for 8 sessions after I had a bad reaction to docetaxel . I found it ok at the time , I had already lost most of my hair due to fec but it did start to grow a little during paclitaxel and grew back really quickly once I finished . Please be aware of your fingers and toes though . I had bad peripheral neuropathy and 8 weeks on I'm still struggling with one of my feet . I'm on meds for this but speak to your onc to see if they can mitigate this in anyway for u . Also I did not have a line in and my veins played up badly on the last 2 doses . But I managed to complete it . For me paclitaxel was a doddle compared to docetaxel . Hope this helps xx

[Herewego]

Hi SmartiePants,
I love your name! Anyway thank you for your insight, it's very useful.
I had my 4th and last EC chemo today so my hair's already gone. Like you, it just came out even after using the cold cap for the first 2 lots so I shaved it off as a Mother's Day present to myself 🙂
Someone else recommend Evonail on a different thread so I've ordered that in the hope it will save my nails but like you say we'll never know how things turn out.
Thanks again and hope your remaining treatment goes well.
Ps. I wouldn't mind losing my taste and especially appetite as I've put on so much weight with EC, been eating like a pregnant woman quantity wise

[SmartiePants]

Hi HereWeGo

I have paclitaxel weekly and I am on week 13. Im having it for 18 weeks.

Obviously with regard to the coping, we are all different so probably affects us differently but I have to say, I have coped much better than I thought. I lost my hair after about 4 sessions and it didnt so much fall out but was coming out when I brushed it. So rather than it looking patchy I just shaved it off. I had no other side effects until quite a few weeks after starting. But thank goodness the side effects I have had havent been too bad. Ive had no sickness or nausea and I dont get too tired. I have chemo on a Thursday and usually by Sunday Im starting to flag a little. My feet have gone numb but its being controlled with Gabapentin. My fingernails have gone black and are lifting but hopefully they wont fall off! I have lost my taste wich is probably the worst thing for me, I hate not being able to taste food! And I did have an issue with my skin coming out in little whiteheads but Im on daily antibiotics for that and a cream. So, all in all not too bad! Madly enough my hair has started to grow back and is now very wispy, not sure if it will stay now but Im hoping so.

Hopefully things will be as easy going for you too x

[Herewego]

thanks Sam, I'll read this through

[Sam_BCC]

Hi herewego

Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with their expereinces you might find it helpful to have a lok at the BCC publication about taxol, it contains information on how it works, its benefits and possible side effects. If you would like to order a copy or to read this on line just follow the link below:-

http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/paclitaxel-taxol-bcc34

If you do have further questions or would just like to talk things through do give the helpline a call on 080 800 6000.  Here you can share your thoughts and concerns with a member of staff who will offer you a listening ear as well as support and information.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator  

[Herewego]

I got one more EC dose next week and then will be on 12 weekly Taxols from beginning of May onwards.

Any tips what to expect on Taxol and how to cope with the weekly doses, thanks