Hi everyone,I have finished 3 out of 4 rounds of AC and still have 12 rounds of paclitaxel to go :( I get quite anxious and worried when i think of how many more weeks of chemo i have left to go though. it feels like i've already been doing this for so long already. I've been using a cold cap to try and keep my hair - I've seen a bit of thinning already. I'm just wondering if there are any ladies who've had similar chemo plans and could share how paclitaxel side effects were? just want to mentally prepare myself for what's more to come.

Unfortunately side effects are variable and one person’s experience is quite different from another even on the same chemo therapy. That said, paclitaxel can be hard on soft tissues - nose, mouth, eyes. It’s usually all temporary and best to just soldier through, side effects often sort themselves when you stop. Slightly blurry eyes, crusty and slightly bloody noses can occur. I lost most of my taste buds - annoying but not dangerous! Truly excellent for keeping your weight down! Paclitaxel can affect the nerves in extremities, hands and feet - again, it usually rectifies when you stop the treatment but any tingling or odd sensations should be reported to your oncologist straight away as it’s possible to diminish the chances of any longer term effects. And of course, you may get none of these! Remember this is just twelve rounds, every one completed is one less to go, count them down. Six and you’re half way there. Best wishes.

Hi @arpha875, I found AC harder than taxol. I did however get numbness in my toes and the oncologist reduced my taxol dose to get me through treatment. I agree with comments @Afraser made. Everyone is different but do speak up to your oncologist if you notice anything as they can help. Best wishes

Dear Alpha875,I had EC(similar to AC) X4 + Paclitaxol X12, R/T X 25I feel I got off quite lightly compared to many other ladies here.I definitely had side effects, but nothing that wasn't manageable. Ie reflux, taste changes, nail changes, dry eyes and some joint pains.No nausea at all was a big bonus. My WCC stayed quite good, no infections or hospital stays.I did use my income protection insurance in my Superannuation, so no work stress.Occasionally I had a rest, but not often. I don't look back on it as a difficult time.I did just take it as it came, one step at a time.I used the cold cap, with good success. But that still meant some thinning on top, where the cap didn't fit perfectly.Sometimes we added a strap over the top, down to my chin, to bring the cap tighter on top.I was more than happy with the result.I lost my eyebrows ( they were thin before) and they have not grown back (2yrs later). I've had eyebrow tattoos now.My eyelashes came back, and I almost have no body hair now.I completed all 12 of the Taxol without major side effects.But it is odd, that I seem to have a small degree of Peripheral Neuropathy of my feet.This was more noticeable after treatment was finished. To me that seems odd.I wish you all the best. I hope that you are as lucky as I was.

I also has AC that was tough now on taxel. Had some pretty bad side effects for the first 2 treatments and ended up in hospital for a week. Had 2 weeks off. My dose has been reduced and last week was ok. Chemo day today. Current side effects are neuropathy, skin peeling on the bottom of my feet, metallic taste in my mouth and loss of appetite.

@Abbydog My oncologist told me that peripheral neuropathy can continue to developfor some time after paclitaxel treatment ends. Most other side effects clear up pretty quickly after the last dose. Best wishes.

Paclitaxel side effects | BCNA Online Network

Kabee
Member
3 years ago
Hi @arpha875,

I also found taxol much easier than AC. With AC I felt like I was a nauseous zombie for 2 out of the 3 weeks and I felt anxious about the following AC knowing what I had already felt like in the previous cycle. Whereas with taxol, I almost felt like my normal self again.

I did lose my eyebrows and eyelashes and by week 7-8 started getting a little peripheral neuropathy in my right foot. I had nail damage (mostly chalky dark nails) despite painting my nails black. My finger tips towards the end were really sensitive so I found it hard picking up some things but this didn’t last too long. I also wore gloves if I needed to do any washing up.

Like you, during AC I also didn’t think I would make it through the rest of my chemo but once taxol arrived, it kind of wizzed by quickly as it was weekly, not every three weeks (I would dread waiting for the next AC). With taxol though, I broke it down into two lots of six. The first six weeks went by and then it was like, wow, there’s only six to go. I found it easier to count up to six and then count down to 1.

Despite the side affects, it was a more gentle process because I felt like my head was clearer and I could manage things better.

Hang in there, you’ll be done before you know it :-)
Ausmum2
Member
3 years ago
Hey there @arpha875
I am late to the party but @Abbydog was my cheersquad when I did 4xAC followed by 12xpaclitaxel with cold capping last year. I found the Paclitaxel “different” to AC. The AC cycles were easier to manage as they were longer, but knocked me around a bit more, because you know AC. But the Paclitaxel felt a bit more “relentless” as the cycles were shorter and basically took up 3 days of every 7 when you did bloods, onc visit and infusions on seperate days (learnt to try and get them in no more than 2 days ha ha ha). I also didn’t get to whack out my 12 consecutive as my WCC crashed and burned as it didn’t have the chance to bounce back - so I ended up with the WCC shots for three days out of every 7 day cycle too, so that o would be ready to go again… basically I found the Paclitaxel took a bit more of my head space.
The cold capping “worked” for me - overall I kept about maybe 40% of my hair during AC and during Paclitaxel it starting growing back in and fast and thick and very curly. The regrowth and thickness was thanks to cold capping.
With the Paclitaxel I also had more in the way of side effects with reflux (lots of meds, all the meds basically), nails (used good quality cuticular oil on hands and feet nails 2xday plus dense hand cream on both 2x a day but other times of day) and neuropathy (which has continued but I’m working on). I also found the chemo brain and lack of co-ordination real ha ha ha.

Also, after being excited that my eyelashes and eyebrows survived AC, they all promptly fell out over my second cycle of Paclitaxel. Apparently it’s really common for them to hang in through AC and fall out just after you finish. Lovely… traitors :)
but I did learn to draw them in that’s to “look good feel better”.

Good luck as you head into Paclitaxel!
jennyss
Member
3 years ago
Dear @arpha875,

from jennyss in Western NSW
arpha875
Member
3 years ago
@Afraser @Abbydog thank you so much for the input ladies. Hopefully i will be alright with taxol. I have one more round left of AC - i still have my eyebrows and eyelashes, hopefully they stay on haha
Abbydog
Member
3 years ago
I hadn’t heard that. Thank you
Afraser
Member
3 years ago
@Abbydog

My oncologist told me that peripheral neuropathy can continue to develop
for some time after paclitaxel treatment ends. Most other side effects clear up pretty quickly after the last dose. Best wishes.
Abbydog
Member
3 years ago
Dear Alpha875,
I had EC(similar to AC) X4 + Paclitaxol X12, R/T X 25
I feel I got off quite lightly compared to many other ladies here.
I definitely had side effects, but nothing that wasn't manageable. Ie reflux, taste changes, nail changes,
dry eyes and some joint pains.
No nausea at all was a big bonus. My WCC stayed quite good, no infections or hospital stays.
I did use my income protection insurance in my Superannuation, so no work stress.
Occasionally I had a rest, but not often. I don't look back on it as a difficult time.
I did just take it as it came, one step at a time.
I used the cold cap, with good success. But that still meant some thinning on top, where the cap didn't fit perfectly.
Sometimes we added a strap over the top, down to my chin, to bring the cap tighter on top.
I was more than happy with the result.
I lost my eyebrows ( they were thin before) and they have not grown back (2yrs later). I've had eyebrow tattoos now.
My eyelashes came back, and I almost have no body hair now.
I completed all 12 of the Taxol without major side effects.
But it is odd, that I seem to have a small degree of Peripheral Neuropathy of my feet.
This was more noticeable after treatment was finished. To me that seems odd.
I wish you all the best. I hope that you are as lucky as I was.
Naomi7_
Member
3 years ago
I also has AC that was tough now on taxel. Had some pretty bad side effects for the first 2 treatments and ended up in hospital for a week. Had 2 weeks off. My dose has been reduced and last week was ok. Chemo day today. Current side effects are neuropathy, skin peeling on the bottom of my feet, metallic taste in my mouth and loss of appetite.
Afraser
Member
3 years ago
No nausea at all - but then I didn’t with A/C either. I lost all my hair on A/C - head, underarms, pubes, legs, eyebrows and eyelashes! I was warned and it happened right on schedule - my eyelashes were the last to go. BUT my hair started growing back when I was still on Taxol. As I sighed over my last eyelash landing on my cheek, I realised I had perfect rows of the tiniest eyelashes imaginable growing back! It’s ridiculous how excited and cheered you can be by eyelashes almost too small to see. Best wishes.
arpha875
Member
3 years ago
Thanks for the advice ladies, really appreciate it! Did you find you lost your hair/eyebrows/eyelashes? and any nausea?