can i work while on taxol?

Thanks tracey

Hi Sonya, I've had 3 treatments of FEC, and just had my 2nd treatment of docetaxol on Tuesday. I've found it not too bad the first couple of days, but last time had bad bone and muscle pain, experienced peeling hands and eyelids, and hives. Had a chat to my Oncologist before this treatment, and he has given me medication to treat the hives, eyelids and hands, and has also increased my pain relief so that I can cope better with the pain. My suggestion is to have a good strategy chat with your oncologist, and also talk with your workplace as they may need to be flexible for you. Take care and I hope that your treatment goes well, Tracey B xx??

Thanks jacinta

good luck

Thanks for asking this question. I have my 4th AC treatment next week and trying to work my roster for when is start weekly Paclitaxel and Carboplatin on the 22nd of July. As a shiftworker I have rostered myself off Wednesday and Thursday each week but I am worried as I can't call in sick at the last moment. As I am about 3-4 weeks ahead I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks Gillian, that was really helpful.  the college is incredibly supportive and will give me whatever days i want.  Based on your experience i might be best to just do 3hrs per day most days rather than more hrs on less day.  

cheers sonya

Hello Sonya,

I had 4 AC treatments three weeks apart, and like you, I found I was quite functional in weeks 2 and 3.

I have just finished weekly Taxol which I found easier than the AC. However, it did leave me feeling off-colour and lethargic for a few days after each treatment.I found that I would schedule only one thing a day, and do a lot of resting th e rest of the time.

From about week 6 I began to get signs of peripheral neuropathy and the Oncologist stopped the Taxol after week 9. It was wonderful to stop!

Maybe you could try to continue work during the Taxol and see how you go. It depends how onerous your schedule is. Can you schedule the treatment for Thurs or Fri to get the benefit of resting on the weekend? Or schedule the lectures for the better part of the week?

Good luck, I hope your support network is working overtime!

Best wishes,

Gillian

thanks Hazel

thanks rowdy

Hi, I had 3xFEC followed by 3xDocetaxol. I cruised through FEC but struggled through Docetaxol. Couldn't work at all. A lot of ladies on this site were the opposite and Taxol didn't bother them too much. We are all so different, it's a wait and see thing. Week 2 is the time where you have to be very careful about germs because the white cell count is very low and we are more prone to picking up any bugs etc. Hope all goes well for you, 

Hazel xx

Hi Sonya welcome to the site. I didn't have taxol so have no advice but people I know that have ghad it say it isn't as bad as A/C. I worked through my chem off and on but I did have a understanding boss . 

You moght be really lucky and not be sick, but with any treatment I have found the fatigue hangs around. Good luck do what is best for you.

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