Forum Discussion
Allergic reaction to chemotherapy - docetaxel
Hi all, has anyone had an allergic reaction to docetaxel?
I’ve had 2 cycles so far. I’ve sailed through the first one, and the second one seemed to go well too. But after a week of the second, I went out, had a pizza.. and from then on I had absolutely horrible side effects. First, my scalp and throat became very itchy, next day I started having very painful sensations from my stomach up to my throat, like a burning sensation, or as if someone was strangling my throat. I also started having rashes all over my body, I ended up in emergency, where they gave me some strong steroids. From that I then developed a lot of bruises. Rashes almost diminished, but still have a painful throat, as if someone was holding it or strangling me.
I’ve had 2 cycles so far. I’ve sailed through the first one, and the second one seemed to go well too. But after a week of the second, I went out, had a pizza.. and from then on I had absolutely horrible side effects. First, my scalp and throat became very itchy, next day I started having very painful sensations from my stomach up to my throat, like a burning sensation, or as if someone was strangling my throat. I also started having rashes all over my body, I ended up in emergency, where they gave me some strong steroids. From that I then developed a lot of bruises. Rashes almost diminished, but still have a painful throat, as if someone was holding it or strangling me.
Has anyone had this kind of reaction? I still don’t know if it’s from chemo, food or a combination of both.
5 Replies
- It’s always possible it’s more than one thing! An irritated or sore scalp
is often the sign of impending hair loss (sorry!) whereas your other symptoms (throat and stomach) sound like a reaction to something ingested. - No one in emergency suggested to do an allergy test. I’m seeing the oncologist tomorrow, so I’m curious what he’ll say. It’s just that I asked in other forums as well, and no one seems to have had these reactions, that’s why I’m a bit worried.
Like Cath62 said, normally a chemo reaction appears right away, not like what I had. Anyway, I’ll report back tomorrow. - Any reaction to taxel would happen straight after or as you are receiving that treatment. Like the others have suggested maybe it was a reaction to something else. Talk to your oncologist or gp about it. Best wishes
- What did your Oncologist say?
I wonder the same as Afraser if it could be another allergy.
I was watched very closely for my first dose, as that is usually when the allergic reaction happens. - Did anyone in emergency suggest any allergy tests? Most people who have a chemo reaction seem to get it sooner rather than later. When I was being treated, the woman in the chair next to me had a very vivid reaction (visual) only minutes after her treatment started. It may be worth some tests to establish more certainly what has happened.
