Side effects of Taxol

Hi @Piper17 , like you I also did 4 x AC first and then 12 x Taxol. I think I have been one of the lucky ones as I had pretty manageable side effects on both. The AC knocked me with fatigue for a few days each cycle getting a little worse towards the last hit. With Taxol , I copped the watery eyes and nose and a little stiffness in my hands, mainly around my thumb area and got tired towards the end especially. The weekly treatments are tiresome but 12 weeks does go quickly. I did also wear cold gloves on my hands and feet for the first 3 treatments weather that helped with neuropathy???? Worth a try if they are offered where you are having treatment. As the other ladies have mentioned antihistamines help with the watery eyes and nose ( my nose still has chemo drips 8 weeks after finishing ). I hope that your treatment goes well
Kat x

Hi lgray3911, I'm glad you've had such a positive experience on Taxol so far, and have been able to continue working, as well as being Mum to young children. I don't know how you do it!!! I'm also a teacher, but unfortunately had to hand my class of Preps over to a lovely young graduate teacher near the end of term 2 when my AC treatment began, as my breast surgeon and oncologist advised me that I wouldn't be able to continue teaching due to my compromised immune system. I didn't have such a great time with the AC treatment, so I was glad that I didn't have to work ( although I do miss them)! Thank you so much for your message (it has given me hope), and I hope all continues to go well for you. xx

Hi Piper17 I did 4 3 weekly A/C before 12 weeks of taxol. I am 9 sessions in and have had zero side effects up untill this week. I just started to get a random tingle in my big toes that comes and goes and I need to go to bed earlier or I feel tired. Apart from that I'm all good!! I'm 38 with 2 small boys and am teaching 2 days a week. Taxol so much easier than A/C for me. I hope you are as lucky as I have been xx

Thank you ladies- I think!!! Well now I know a bit more about it, and fingers crossed I may be one of the 'luckier' ones like Jen! Though really I just want to stick my head in the sand. One of the nurses in the infusion room said that usually there's only one 'flat' day, so hopefully she's right. Well as you've all done, I'll have to just take it as it comes, but thanks to your advice I'll be prepared for the worst and hope for the best! xx Robyn

I had pretty much the same symptoms as Primek on taxol. Plus I had a reaction to it which caused high temperatures and put me in hospital after the first two cycles. My Oncologist put me on preventative antibiotics for the last one which kept the temperatures down. I was on three weekly Taxol though, which may be a different dose rate.
It would be a good idea to have a thermometer and monitor your temperature well after each chemo. 

I did taxol first then ac chemo, just finished 11th July. Overall taxol gave me diarrhea for twelve weeks, making it hard to leave my house. Dry bloody nose, some body  aches, aching jaws, hand and foot syndrome and a little neuropathy in feet and hands that I still have. Ac chemo was worse for me as I barely got off my bed due to chronic fatigue. Best of luck.

I'm currently half way through my Taxol treatment after 4 lots of AC. Compared to AC this is a walk in the park. To be honest other than going in every week and sitting in the chair, it doesn't even feel like I'm getting treatment. I've just started to get neuropathy in my fingertips. I have blood noses but I use saline spray throughout the day (thanks to these lovely ladies). I get body aches on day 3 but they go over night. I haven't felt the need to take anything for this. I have constipation from the anti-nausea meds my oncologist has me on but I've got this managed with coloyxl and agarol. I don't feel I need the meds but don't want to risk it by not taking them. That's pretty much it so far. As I said I'm 6 of 12 done but things are going well. Good luck with the treatment. Jen.

So hard to really know. I thought I was sailing through A/C (no nausea, fatigue, nothing much) and did not like Taxol one bit as it affected my nose, my fingers, my feet, my tastebuds and so on but then I got a non Taxol side effect (belated A/C). Most of the Taxol side effects cleared up after the last treatment, peripheral neuropathy lingered but it's nearly 5 years since diagnosis, I think I am fine and that is the big thing, the main thing and sometimes the only thing!! Best of luck, 12 weeks can go pretty quickly if you grit your teeth and hang in there!

Hi and Welcome.
I know many who think taxol was easier than AC. For me it wasn't easier, just different. I didn't gave the nausea, bloating, constipation and dizziness as I did with AC. But I had gut burning, loose bowels, body pains, runny eyes, blocked and blood noses, neuropathy and balance issues. I also had steroid induced oedema...as I needed higher doses as I had an allergic reaction to my first dose. But...although miserable on it...I finished it and have very little remaining issues now. Most people feel it is easier and hopefully you will be one of them. Kath x