Hi All, this is the first time on this site. I was diagnosed with a TNBC on the 1/3/2017 post a routine mammogram. Age 52. Surgery on the 16/3 (wide local excision and 4 nodes taken). Thankfully no spread to the nodes and the margins were clear. Stage 1, 0 nodes, 0 mets.Chemo commenced on the 16/4. 4 x cycles of AC and 12 x weeks of Paclitaxel. I live alone so most of the everyday stuff needs to be done. I just had week 11 of Taxol yesterday. (Yeah, 1 week Left, so excited!!!!) I am finding that I am so fatigued now that I don't want to do too much more than sit on the couch.I did go back to work ( Oncology Nurse) for 5 weeks when I started the Taxol and was happily working 2-3 days a week. I then caught some virus, I think from one of my gorgeous grandchildren. Spent 2 days in hospital as I was febrile. Since then I have not re gained my energy and feel, what I call it "blah". I am feeling like a bit of a whinger, I just changed the sheets on my bed and I feel like Ive ran a marathon!!What are others experience? As I normally give chemotherapy to patients it is a very different experience on the other side, which can only make me a better Nurse.I have read radiotherapy can cause a lot of fatigue as well, another thing to look forward to. :(I know everyone's side effects can be dramatically different, however I would love to hear your experience. Any Ideas to help with fatigue.Cheer All, Brenda

Taxol and me did not get along. I was incredibly tired. I would walk up 4 steps to go to my chemo unit and I would be huffing and puffing by the fourth step. Found out after my 3rd cycle that I was one of the 1% of people to get shortness breath as a side effect if taxol. I also did cyclophosphamide and herceptin. It took about 4 - 6 weeks after taxol finished for someof my strength to return. Hang in there it does get better.

@PatsyN Ohhhh I have to agree, I was told Taxol will be much easier than FEC Ummm NO, it was different but I suffered bone, muscle and nerve pain right through and it was relentless with no reprieve in between the infusions, and not to mention our little friend neuropathy LOL. Everyone is different absolutely, thank goodness for that! Ive had to learn to walk again like you, whilst I can walk, I cannot fast paced walk anymore and definitely cannot run. Chemo certainly helped that LOL, caused a massive decline in bone density and osteoporosis in my lower lumbar and neck...but hey! Im not over 70 so can't qualify for my Prolia injections on the PBS pfffft! I have been on income protection since last year for 2 of my 5 days of work, thing is though, as its deemed a 2nd income Im taxed double!!!! and only get 75% of predisability wage. Whilst I used to think its better than nothing...it equates to next to nothing!!!! so much so I can no longer survive and have to work full time moving forward to support myself..but concerned how...I just try focus on each day keep moving forward as best I can with what is now the new me. Thank God I have a sense of humor!!! :D xx

I have had no 2 of cycle 2 of taxol and yes was told it would be easier on my body than AC....NO it just different, so that ever present neuropathy effecting feet, hands, mouth. Weekness in legs, can't do much exercising, breathlessness requiring oxygen therapy, then the meds take one to alleviate this and the another to combat that and so on...its a chore thats for sure.

Hi everyone, thanks for sharing your experiences. I have now finished my chemo only had 11 out 12 taxol as my neuropathy was getting too bad. No arguments from me on that decision

@Brenleigh welcome to the forum! I just put up a post earlier on fatigue - it hits us all at varying stages and more often than not more than once as we cope with diagnosis, surgery, treatment and those side effects! There is a information sheet on the website for fatigue, here it is! Hope it helpshttps://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/fatigue/Hope you settle into the forum and the website as there is a wealth of experience and informationTake care and good luck with your treatment and management thereof! xx

Side effects of taxol | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Hopes_and_Dream
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Brenleigh, I can't share any experience with chemo as I and didn't need it after my mastectomy but just wanted to say welcome.
Wow, an oncology nurse! I hope you are receiving all the love and care twofold that I'm sure you have given others. Wishing you all the best, Jane x
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Sound awful, but nearly over! I had lots of extremely irritating side effects from Taxol but fatigue wasn't one of them. Happily most of them cleared up when the treatment stopped. Hope yours do too.
poodlejules
Member
8 years ago
HI Brenda. I'm a similar age and just starting to get some energy back now , 5 months after chemo (12 weeks Taxol then radiation , I year Herceptin which I finish in Jan 18). I had 4 days in hospital too with a high temp and still describe how I feel as "blah" when someone asks me !! :) You will get your taste back after chemo and that helps with the blah feeling. I had naps when I could and got right into Netflix which I had never bothered with before. I'm exercising more now and I think it gives me a boost and helps me sleep better. All the best with eerything and take care x
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Yep the fatigue sucks. I'm 9 weeks post chemo and 3 weeks post mastectomy and fatigue is bad. About to start radiation on 26 September so can only imagine what more fatigue on top will feel like.
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
@Brenleigh welcome to the forum! I just put up a post earlier on fatigue - it hits us all at varying stages and more often than not more than once as we cope with diagnosis, surgery, treatment and those side effects! There is a information sheet on the website for fatigue, here it is! Hope it helps
https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/fatigue/

Hope you settle into the forum and the website as there is a wealth of experience and information

Take care and good luck with your treatment and management thereof! xx

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Side effects of taxol

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