Switch from Docetaxel to Paclitaxel

Hi Alison

I have just resurfaced today, but still feeling quite depressed and teary. Mouth is full of tiny ulcers but nowhere near as bad as last time. My eyelashes have all fallen out now, it seems this is the final blow to my self asteem, I look like I have just come off the set of Star Wars. I think my feet and hands are about to peel as the skin looks as though it has air under it and also feels that way, it is quite odd.

I have just one to go, but seriously over the whole episosde.

Great that you are finally finished with the Paclitaxel, is that it now for you?

Regards

Sandi

Hi Sandi,

How are you travelling? I really really hope you are able to handle the Docetaxel better this time. I am having my last dose of Paclitaxel tomorrow and am feeling a bit down and exhausted with the whole thing! Have now developed additional side effects of skin peeling off the undersides of my heels and toes!! This isn't so much a journey as a rutted and potholed track!!

Hope you are faring better,

Cheers,

Alison

Hi Alison

Had the second dose yesterday, still high on sterioids today, so will see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you for the positive thoughts and feedback

Regards

Sandi

Hi Alison

Had the second dose yesterday, still high on sterioids today, so will see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you for the positive thoughts and feedback

Regards

Sandi

Hi Sandi,

I hope you came through the second Docetaxel dose OK? I was thinking about your earlier and really hope you are managing. I am going in for my 4th Taxol treatment in a couple of hours - after this I will just have one to go!! Still tolerating the side effects OK - not feeling wonderful, but manageable.

Sending positive thoughts to you!

Alison

HI Sandi,

I soooo get the over it comment. At my depths, I just said to my husband "I'll take my chances with the cancer - I just can't do this any more!!"  Perhaps your body will have adapted to the D and you will tolerate it better - one of the chemo nurses told me that can happen! Let me know how you go - I'll be thinking of you!!

Alison

HI Sandi,

I soooo get the over it comment. At my depths, I just said to my husband "I'll take my chances with the cancer - I just can't do this any more!!"  Perhaps your body will have adapted to the D and you will tolerate it better - one of the chemo nurses told me that can happen! Let me know how you go - I'll be thinking of you!!

Alison

Hi Alison

I am due to have my second docetaxel on Friday, my oncologist wants me to continue with this regeme as he said "you only have 2 to go", I am prepared to have this next one to see how this goes, but if I am as sick as the last one, I guess I will have to discuss with him another alternative. Needless to say, I am over it already.

Regards

Sandi

Hi sandi,

You poor, poor thing!! What a horrible experience!! Can you at least ask your oncologist about switching to the weekly Paclitaxel (Taxol)?? The studies show it has the same effficacy as the 3-weekly Docetaxel and I am certainly tolerating it better. Mind you, on my second dose, I had a mild allergic type reaction so they pumped me full of antihistamines as well as Phenergan to counter its effects! The histamine-induced agitation and twitchiness along with the phenergan making me feel drunk was weird and most uncomfortable but it passed. I have 3 more of the weekly treatments to go (6 in total) so I am half way there. My oncologist was really good about not putting me through the Docetaxel again. He said he wouldn't even if I had wanted to!! Perhaps ask your oncologist about whether the6 x weekly Taxol treatments would be suitable for you??

Keep in touch whichever way you go... Thinking of you!

Best,

Alison

Hi Alison

I had the treatment that Friday and had a reaction to the Docetaxel, they gave me some antihystamines to counteract, went home and have never felt so ill. I simply could not lay still, I felt really agitated and sick to my stomach.

I was admitted into Calvary hospital on Monday night as I had severe mouth ulcers and simply could not get out of bed. My temperature got up to 38.1, at home, however, by the time they admitted me it had dropped down to 37.6. They kept me in for the whole week on antibiotics and treatments for my mouth and esophygus which was alive with huge ulcers.

Horrible to say the least and my oncologist wants me to try again on the 14th of this month, he wants me to stick with the Docetaxel as he says I only have 2 to go. I really dont want to go through with this, but everyone is telling me to perservere.

If I am as sick again this time I will reconsider having the final one, then.

Are they trying to kill us????