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Nicole_Helen's avatar
Nicole_Helen
Member
11 years ago

A panic attack on first day of Taxol

Well this morning I was feel ok until I got to the hospital for Part2 of my chemo , today was the first Taxol of every week for 12 weeks . At home I felt ok and happy because I am now half way through my treatment but upon entering the hospital I was feeling scared again and  holding back the tears. I cried when I spoke to my Oncologist then I panicked and broke down once I sat in the chemo chair and just wanted to run away and go home because I was scared again of the unknown of how my body would react after having a dreadful time with the 12 weeks of AC unwell for most of it until the last dose was dropped to 80% . Last week I had a good week and even we out to dinner on the weekend. This morning the nurse gave me something to calm me down before Taxol treatment . I was very tired and nodded off  a few times then went straight to bed when I got home at 1 pm and didn't wake up until 5pm. I was not very hungry but had a small dinner. Today I was not given any medication to bring home so that must be a good thing that I may not have nausea which this treatment.  

 Up until now from the AC I have had horrific nausea, hot and cold body, loss hair, headaches only with fatigue getting worse with each day

Has any of you had nausea, lost fingernails, or put on weight with 12 weeks of weekly Taxol. 

Take care you wonderful bunch of people having you all here makes this horrible journey a easier to keep getting through. Thank you from the bottom of my heart :) xx

side-effects

4 Replies

  • Mozzie_Bear's avatar
    Mozzie_Bear
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Nicole, I had 9 weeks of Taxol and in general it went ok.  I was given anti-nausea meds before the Taxol and didn't need anything after that which was good.  My hair and eyebrows started to grow back during this treatment which was nice.  I have had some nerve damage in my toes and fingers which I hope will clear up in time and that occurred right at the end of the treatment.  Good luck with and just try and keep your eye on the prize - finishing, it will go quickly.  thinking of you. Maureen

  • Loubegg's avatar
    Loubegg
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi,  I finished 12 weeks I taxol on 2 April and found it ok.  It wears you down as its weekly but I had no medication either and not many side effects.  Just the tingling hands and feet and fatigue.  My hair started growing back in taxol but my eyebrows and eyelashes are only now growing back.  Good luck with it. It goes really fast which is a good thing!  Lx

  • Pink66's avatar
    Pink66
    Member
    11 years ago

    I totally understand your fear.. I found AC a total pain and spent 1/3 of the 18 weeks in hospital trying everything to stop throwing up!! then the next 1/3 trying to get moving and when i did had enough time to realise that it was time to do it all over again!!
    I recently had a course of TC which is Taxotare and Cyclophosphamide  where the taxotare is from the same family as taxol and I found it much easier to deal with overall.  I did have issues with my red and white cells staying up, finger nails became brittle so kept them short and also with a clear strengthener on them and yes, bye bye hair... but overall would certainly choose the TC over the AC anyday.. 

    I hope your Taxol treats you kinder than the AC did xoxoxo

    hugs Sharon (Pink66)

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Nicole,

    I also had 12 weeks of weekly Taxol and can honestly say there were no bad side effects until the very last week when I became a bit dizzy.  However I did have Dexamethsone tablets before and after treatment days, and Navoban for 2 days after.  There was no nausea, just a mild tingling in my toes at night, and I found a glass of milk stopped this straight away. I didn't lose fingernails, but they became brittle and I kept them very short.  There was about a 2 kg weight gain, but with subsequent exercise and the 5:2 fast diet (recommended by my MO) I have since lost 7kg and feel really fit.  I am now in the 18-25 BMI range.  My Taxol started 3 years ago this month  (8/5/12) and life is now back to normal.  You will get there too.  Taxol is a more comfortable chemo than others - I hope you experience this, too.  Let us know how things are going for you.  Big hug.  xxx Michelle