Paclitaxel

I had my 2nd round of paclitaxel yesterday. Due to me having so much bone painlast time she has cut out the white blood cell injection and lowered the paclitaxel dosage by 10% to see if tha5 makes it better. I should know by the weekend

I wasn't  sure about the condoms either but my husband and I opted not to use them on taxol and he just had a quick wash after for safety sake. 

Suzy, you could always call your Oncology Nurse to talk of anything uncomfortable rather than in front of your husband. I certainly hadnt heard anything about condoms for those reasons though, so definitely ask. I finished Chemo in mid December last year, and I expected to be normal immediately haha!!! OH NO!!! my oncology nurse said it generally on average takes about 1 year to recover from Chemo, some symptoms 2 years. I honestly thought it was crazy. But 9 months on, and I walk like an old lady in pain still combination of Chemo and Arimidex. I have just found be super kind to yourself and let go of any expectations you have in regard to everything. Day at a time...when I did that I was able to cope with each step..sure there are horrible bad days but great days too. 

Thanks again Melinda it's great to be able to communicate with someone who has been there.  I believe the condoms are because what they are giving us is a carcinogenic so could harm our partners and yes also because of the compromised immune system.  I will check tomorrow when I am in there and find out for sure - it's always just a bit awkward to ask those questions face to face and also my husband is always with me.  I have already been through menopause but had to stop taking remifemin and chinese herbs I was taking and of course the hot flushes have come back but I can cope with those.  How long has it been since you finished the last lot of chemo?  Is it since February - that seems like a long time - I was hoping for a week or two after I finish to be feeling somewhat normal again.  Am I living in dream land?

Hey Suzy!
Oh Arimidex has taken the place of Tamoxifen and is usually prescribed for post menopausal women, its an Oestrogen Blocker. Chemo threw me into menopause, mind you I was heading there, but it isnt natural this way. Condom? what was their reasoning? sorry I hadnt heard about that before. Maybe its because your immune system is compromised, not sure. I defninitely didnt have any problems with that at all, and didnt use condoms LOL. 

Yes the recurrence was devastating last year, left my Breast Surgeon dumb founded and speechless...thankfully I am all clear, Im recovering post chemo still, side effects are still really difficult. Ive been back at work 3 days a week since Feb but its very difficult, I have income protection luckily who pick up the other 2 days and will do for another 18 months. They have also referred me to an Exercise Physiologist as my bone density is bad since treatment :( and have to have Prolia injections twice a year...so this referral will help alot!!! 

Keep us updated, and ask away, we're all happy to help anyway we can...or just come and vent LOL!!! its good for the soul!
Hugs

Melinda 

Thanks Ann-Marie and Melinda.    Sorry I do not know what Arimidex is?  The reason I asked about the sex is because initially on the AC they told me that you had to use a condom.  Unfortunately I find using them very uncomfortable mostly for me but also for my husband.  I am sorry to hear that you are having a recurrence now it must be devastating after 5 years. 

Hi Suzy,
Welcome! Ohhh Yes I can agree I had 4 rounds every three weeks of FEC and then I had 8 weekly rounds of Taxol. I did find Taxol a little better, FEC was hell! I too ended up in hospital after each infusion. Taxol hit on the 3rd day and had severe muscle, bone and nerve pain, yep the lot LOL. Uuugh!!!! for me it was cumulative and to be honest even 9 months post chemo I have pain, I also put this down to Arimidex. As for Sex LOL, yes its absolutely fine I think? I had no problems with sex all the way through Chemo. Though I do find now all this time on, never thought Id say it, am having problems and its disheartening thanks to treatment :( something they do not discuss with you sadly. So youre in a great place here. Yes it does feel never ending, so make sure you give yourself plenty of space and time just for YOU! 

This is a recurrence for me at 4yr mark, well Im 5yrs now, all is well, lumpectomy and chemo but cannot have radiation as did that 4yrs ago. Next mastectomy and they say only because I had a recurrence inspite of treatment and 4yrs of Tamoxifen...uuuugh did nothing!!! Happy day!!! 
Step at a time, be kind to you! hugs Melinda 

@SuzyG I just wanted to welcome you to the online network. This is a great place to ask any questions you may have as the members are always willing to provide support. 

Hi All first time posting on here so hope what I am asking is OK.  I also had 4 rounds 3 weeks apart of AC and it was pretty much hell.  I ended up in hospital twice first time with an infection and second time as the blood test said my kidneys were not functioning properly.  In between all that I got shingles and a urinary tract infection. It was all an awful experience.  I am now to have 12 doses of Paclitaxel once per week.  I had the first dose last week and so far apart from being tired I am finding it a lot better than the AC.  I have a couple of questions - first does anyone know if it is OK to have sex whilst on the Paclitaxel?  Also does anyone else feel like this is a never ending thing?  I just want it to be done with and not have to go for any treatments ever again but the more I read the more I feel like this has completely taken over my life.  By the way I am having neoadjuvant chemo so have not had any surgery or radiation treatment as yet.

Thanks.  I can't swallow tablets so i am only taking panadol soluble. I soooo hope it lessens, at least for a bit between rounds...