Hi, am about to start chemo - with just taxol and herceptin. Has anyone else had this experience? I've been searching on the online network but it looks like others that have shared their experiences have typically had another chemo drug before taxol. So I'm wondering if their side-effects are also due to the other drugs that have been used. Also, I don't really see any posts where anyone talks about where they got their chemo. Does it really matter? I had to choose between a couple of places in Sydney - basically came down to the one that offered cold capping. Some places seem to offer better additional programs (wellbeing etc). Does it really matter where you go? Private or public? Thanks for the advice.

Hi Annebirdy, im having Taxol but after I finish my AC chemo which I started last week and now doing every fortnight... Im getting my chemo in a private hospital but opted against using the cold cap as I really could not be bothered with it. Good luck xx

Hey Anne I think a lot of us had AC red devil prior to taxol I'm on my 6 th taxol round now after 3 months of the red devil I don't think any of us can predict for anyone else how our bodies do it nor our minds I've found the taxol a lot easier than the red bastard excuse my French but chemo is still hard I find the taxol does more bone pain but remember it's different for everyone on taxol my hair is starting to grow be aware of the steroids drink heaps of water I mean heaps I do with lemon and when it gets mental jump on here the best thing u can do is share with all of us nutbags we get it xxx and no I went private with surgeon I'm public with chemo just remember it's yr body u will know what u can and can't do my onco public well in the beginning not good be strong say what u think my love xxx

I also never went cold cap in the beginning it's all about the hair toward halfway it grows back if anything I'd try Latisse spelling for eyebrows lashes very expensive avail in states but no guarantees xxx

Hi Im about to start the exact same thing as yourself. The oncologist explained to me that its only in small tumours, with no node involvement and HER2 positive that this type of treatment is given. He said only 20% of BC diagnosis is HER2 positive and then when you add the Stage 1 type tumour the % is even lower, hence why there is not much around re information etc. He assured me that the symptoms are "milder" with the common ones being feeling achy, runny nose and the one they worry about is tingling/numbness in fingers/legs. There is also not much risk to your red/white blood cells in this regime. He said to me its still "chemo" but the mildest kind i can give you for your situation and for maximum effectiveness. The Herceptin will continue for another 9 months after the chemo is finished. In my case where im hormone positive too, i will then start on the tablets as well. Im going cold cap for my treatment too, ive chosen private as thats where i can access the cold caps and also where my oncologist practices. My doctor also mentioned that he has had good success with cold caps with the taxol chemo. Ive attached the study he referred me to that shows the effectiveness of this kind of treatment http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/herceptin-plus-taxol-reduces-recurrence Best of luck with it, i start in early January, will keep you posted of any symptoms etc

Hi Anne I had my chemo and Herceptin at Macquarie Uni Hospital using cold cap. I don't think there is difference between public or private except that there's waiting time and maybe less confirm able at public compared to private. At the moment there're are only 2 private hospitals offering the cold cap, non in public hospitals in Sydney. Cold cap cap works a little but in the end I still used scarf because I still lost patches of hair. Rosemary

About to start chemo - taxol and herceptin

19 Replies

angiesg
Member
10 years ago
I'm doing well Anne. Walking daily, going to work, main side effect that's annoying me is a metallic taste in my mouth. Cold cap was OK after the first 15 minutes as you mentioned . Back for my 2nd round on Tuesday.

how about yourself ? Have you had your 2nd lot? Side effects seem to same or different?

Take care

Angie
annebirdy
Member
10 years ago
How did you go?
annebirdy
Member
10 years ago
I'm sure it will be fine. It's been 2 days for me and so far, pretty good.
angiesg
Member
10 years ago
Happy New Year Anne, glad to hear it went well.

Yes i start on Jan 5th, slightly nervous of the unknown, will be glad when the first one is over.

take care
annebirdy
Member
10 years ago
I did take a bunch of pre-meds including an anxiety one. Might be good to take 2 Panadol before cold cap - just in case.

Good luck with your treatment. My next treatment is on 6th so we can compare notes then!
annebirdy
Member
10 years ago
Hi, went well so far. And cold cap not too bad. Felt like a massive headache was about to come on (it didn't) and by 15 mins all good. I haven't been offered cold mittens. One down, 11 to go.
angiesg
Member
10 years ago
Hi Anne , hope all went well for your first taxol/herceptin. treatment today. How was the cold cap? Thinking of you

angie
Rosemaryc
Member
10 years ago
Hi Anne

The freezing feeling if the scalp didn't last for long. I think it lasted about 14 to 20 minutes when your head felt very tight and then numb after that. It gets easier over time. It's the frozen mittens for the fingers/hands that're more uncomfortable.

good luck.

Rosemary
annebirdy
Member
10 years ago
Thanks. Yes, I think it's prob a bit silly to worry too much about the hair loss - compared to everything else the body will go through.

Hope your daughter is truely over the worst of it and can get on with life with her young ones. Thanks for sharing
angiesg
Member
10 years ago
Anne, I'm in Melbourne and doing it at one of the 3 private hospitals that is offering it.

i was told by my oncologist that I would have it 1 hour before treatment started, treatment would then be another 1 hour and then another hour afterwards, so yes about 3 hours in total.

i also chose the hospital I did as they had more experience with the cap than the others as it's important its on properly.

i think they also give you a sedative to take the edge off.

best of luck with dec 30th, I start jan 6th

angie