Fortnightly Taxol vs Weekly

Same as you, AC x4 fortnightly, then Paclitaxel (Taxol) x4 fortnightly.  33 radiation "sessions" after that, but there was about a month off in between. 

Thanks Bobbie,

Did you have AC followed by Taxol? 

Penx

Thanks Bobbie,

Did you have AC followed by Taxol? 

Penx

Thanks Bobbie,

Did you have AC followed by Taxol? 

Penx

I had fortnightly stronger doses of Taxol as well. I was given a choice - My oncologist said that the end result is the same either way, it's just that some people prefer smaller weekly doses as it can cut down on side effects. (Good if you have kids or cannot take time off work.) They suggest weekly doses also for elderly or more fragile patients. 

I decided to go the shorter "dose dense" way as I just wanted to get it done! Also, I found it more convenient to only go to the hospital once a fortnight, as opposed to each week. I was told that if the side effects got too bad, I could change over to the weekly method. I'm also terrified of needles and wanted to cut down the number of them I had to have!

You might have to have an injection of Neulasta after each chemo to increase white blood cell production, they can do them either in the belly or thigh...that caused the worst side effect for me - horrendous bone pain, I was pretty much living on Endone for the first week after each chemo. BUT - not everyone gets the bone pain! I was just lucky. 

As it happened, overall, the side effects for me weren't too bad - I got neuropathy (tingling in hands & feet, numbness / pins & needles) but that has now all resolved. I had a bit of bowel trouble but that was more from Endone I think, I had a few more days of generally feeling "bleh" but no nausea or vomiting.  No mouth ulcers either. 

I'm glad I chose to go with fortnightly doses, it gave me more "normal" time in between each treatment. I could plan around my "good week" or "bad week". Good luck with it :-)

from Bobbie