Forum Discussion

Jacqui's avatar
Jacqui
Member
15 years ago

Taxol and side effects

Hi Everyone, Looking for some feedback on the side effects of Taxol. I was diagnosed with TNBC and had 4 lots of AC Chemo which made me very sick. I then started weekly Taxol and have had minor pain and gastro burning, but was very happy not to be sick. This bone pain and heartburn seems to be accumulating with each treatment and is becoming very uncomfortable, fortunately I only have 4 treatments to go. I have had no neuropathy yet and consider myself one of the lucky ones. Has anyone else had this experience, I know Taxol can cause some horrible pain and neuropathy so I am not complaining, just interested.

Best wishes to all...Jacqui

8 Replies

  • Meliss's avatar
    Meliss
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Julie,

    Clarantyne is used as a antihistamine to prevent allergic reactions to the taxol.

  • Julie_A's avatar
    Julie_A
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Meliss,

    Thanks or replying to my post. Can I ask why claratyne?

  • Meliss's avatar
    Meliss
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Julia,

    I just had a claratyne half an hour before starting the Taxol.

  • Julie_A's avatar
    Julie_A
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Ladies,

    I've had 4 very trying rounds of AC and start on 4 rounds of Taxol in just over a weeks time. I've started reading up about it. According to the Consumer Medicine Infomation provided by the makers of Taxol, they talk about premedications and I'm wondering if anyone had premeds 12 & 6 hours before they had Taxol, as my oncologist has not mentioned this.

  • Julie_A's avatar
    Julie_A
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Ladies,

    I've had 4 very trying rounds of AC and start on 4 rounds of Taxol in just over a weeks time. I've started reading up about it. According to the Consumer Medicine Infomation provided by the makers of Taxol, they talk about premedications and I'm wondering if anyone had premeds 12 & 6 hours before they had Taxol, as my oncologist has not mentioned this.

  • annie2's avatar
    annie2
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi jacqui,

    I did the 4 rounds of ac and now currently having taxol.

    I have had similar gastric problems which is getting worse with each treatment.I am on nexium which tends to help with the heatburn.I was having severe chest pain and this has eased with the nexium. i too have pain in my legs especially in my calves and shins.now i am retaining fluid in my lower legs so increases the pain.

    I have 3 to go and cant wait for it to end. good luck with it all.

  • Jacqui's avatar
    Jacqui
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Mellis,

    Sounds awful but I agree, better than AC. I went back  to work  (just one day a week)  a few weeks into my course of Taxol but the aches and pains are making me wonder if I will continue. Its in my hips feet knees hands shins and thighs. I have also had nose bleeds recently. I have a script for Nexium, I will give it a try, thanks for your help and good luck!!

    Jacqui

  • Meliss's avatar
    Meliss
    Member
    15 years ago

    I have Triple Negative Breast Cancer and I had four rounds of AC which made me extremely sick too. I am currently having Taxol and my dosage was meant to be reduced this week by 25%. When I went in on Tuesday for Chemo (what was meant to be my eighth treatment) the nurses were very concerned about my side effects.  After speaking with my oncologist I was sent home with a week off to see if my nerve damage will calm down a bit (it hasn’t). I am due to have 12 treatments in total but it looks like I may finish earlier.

     

     I have been getting tingling in my toes, fingers and lips since weeks five. It hurts sometimes to walk and I can’t walk properly in heels anymore. I have lost one toenail and looks like I may lose another and possibly a fingernail. My back has been aching from the start but now my whole body seems to ache! I get lots of headaches and constant bleeding noses. Now while these side effects might see bad (and I have more) Taxol is a dream compared to AC!

     

    As for the heartburn, I had severe esophagitis on the AC and was prescribed Nexium. I am still currently taking it. Speak to your doctor about it.