Hi all. This is my first post.I am triple negative and have had surgery to remove lump & two lymph nodes which were clear. I've finished four rounds of AC and have had three rounds of paclitaxel with 9 to go. This has been such a roller coaster ride of emotions and fear. First the AC either constipated me with a bloated stomach or made my head bang in pain. Now I'm finding paclitaxel is not too bad (at the moment) with a rash on my arms, legs & chest and I've got a little tingle in my fingers but the side effect that is really annoying is the diarrhoea. Or at times the loose motions! My oncologist told me not to have too much fibre in my diet, but if the chemo triggers this effect does it make a difference what you eat. Has anyone else had this problem and how did you cope. I've had two trips to hospital because of it!!Any advice would be wonderful.. Is paclitaxel and taxol the same thing?

Yes Taxol is a brand name for Paclitaxel. Can't help with the diarrhoea, but just watch the tingly fingers. It can get worse and can take a long time to recover. Your oncologist or oncology nurses can probably suggest some ways to help if it continues. Good luck.

Hi there...I've also had 12 weeks of AC and have had 7 doses of Paclitaxel, another 5 to go. I also get the trots...big time... after each session. Terrible gripes too and the ozone layer takes a massive hit too from the (very) smelly wind!! I pretty much just push the fluids +++ and have resorted to Gastrostop. I get small blisters on the backs of my hands and the sides of my fingers, typically on about day three or four, but not too badly. Also have tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, but again, not too badly.

Hi Marina1, I had 4 AC & having my final 12th round of Taxol on Friday! I have had intermittent diarrhoea but not serious enough to take anything. It usually settles on its own. Some rounds I have had aches & pains & others nothing. I have a bit of numbness but it comes & goes so am determined to finish. If he diarrhoea continues you will need to take something, all the best.

I had loose bowels day 3 to 4 from about halfways through. Perhaps an urgent dietitian referral might be a good idea regarding foods. Bland plain stuff and white rice...which sort of slows the gut down as a bulking agent without too much fibre might help meantime. Avoid spices etc. As it burns all the way through. Hope things improve.

I never experienced tummy problems while having treatment. I'm also triple neg. however since finishing treatment I have experienced lots of tummy problems. My oncologist ask me to take nexium whilst having treatment (for reflux) but because I didn't have reflux I didn't take it, turned out I had silent reflux and it did some damage.....now I take Nexium. I'm also on buscapan for tummy spasms. I think the treatment does damage the gut area....but remember we are all different and this may not happen to you. With the numbness in fingers & toes. The oncologist kept a close eye on this & when my toes started to feel a bit numb she cut the dosage back slightly which helped. I finished chemo last April 2015 and the feeling is starting to return even though it wasn't too bad.will you be requiring Radiothreapy?Take care And remember to look after yourself. Anne-Marie

Paclitaxel side effects | BCNA Online Network

Payne
Member
9 years ago

Zoffiel said:

I forget that I'm hairless. Monday was a nice cool day and since I was feeling well I decided to have a go at the woodpile. It's exercise and it has to be done. Anyway, I dragged the splitter out, fired it up and got stuck in only to be interrupted by a ute full of lost tradies heading up the back lane who stopped for directions.
I m chatting away to them and toook my hat off to wipe my face. The looks on their faces... A middle aged woman using a log splitter is, apparently, unsettling. A bald middle aged woman... They couldn't get away fast enough. Can't say I blame them. I went inside to have a cuppa and was shocked at my reflection. Filthy and exhausted, I looked like Lord Voldemort on a bad day :)

Thanks for the post re Voldemort. Made my day x
Marina11
Member
9 years ago
Hi Shaylis
I am thrilled you are able to work through AC. I had trouble with my stomach for the first week after treatment then an couple of good days and a week of fatigue in my head which felt like I was being hammered in my head.
But Taxol is different I found that by the third round my head was clear and the bloating had disappeared. I felt better but the side affects I have are diarrhoea which is annoying because it has sent me to hospital twice. ( but this is not a common side affect ) lucky me!!
I also have a rash which is really not that worrying, just is itchy now and again. Also I have a slight tingle in my fingers.
From what I have read and heard tingling & joint pain is more common side effects. And many people work through this treatment with no problems. I would have liked to return to work a couple of days a week but because I work with kindy age children I'm more likely to catch their colds and stomach bugs!!
Can't tell you how much I miss my little darlings but I'll go back by June.

To have my life back....... I have a grandchild due in a few weeks & my sons' wedding next January. Im so looking forward to my life.. And yours is not to far off either!
Radiotherapy is something I'm looking forward to.... no real side effects!!
All the best Shaylis, let me know how you are going.
Shaylls
Member
9 years ago
Hi Marina. Thanks for this post. I'm on the same treatment path exactly as you. Had three rounds of AC, one to go and then my taxol. Been wondering about side effects. Have had a few through my AC and have been working still as much as possible, 3-4 days most weeks, so have been wondering how I'll go on taxol with the side effects and then work.
I like you don't know at times how I'll keep going through the treatment but I guess we do what we have to. As I say to everyone, around August/September I'll have a life again and start to feel normal.
All we can continue to do is to stay strong and positive and take inspiration off all these wonderful ladies who have gotten through xxx
we can do this.
Afraser
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Zoffiel for Lord Voldemort on a bad day. Loved it!
Marina11
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Melinda
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Marina! Just remember you are braver than you think and stronger than you could ever realize. Dont doubt it, I say that having been through and come out the other end, its all doable and a life waiting beyond it :)
Marina11
Member
9 years ago
Oh Melinda

i pray all goes well with the operation. You are so reassuring, can't wait till its over..
if I hadn't had the AC round I would have more strength.
but you concentrate on you! Let us know how you go
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Marina yes i had a rash mainly on my hands and elbows. It goes away after treatment stops, good news! Ohh yes i just laughed bald was odd lol and it all comes back im enjoying having it back and being well. You absolutely will get there i promise. Be kind to you...i learnt to put me first and love me so much more. Such important lessons. This was a recurrence for me so was harder than first time. I have a preventative mastectomy diep flap recon on monday bit scary but hoping to move forward after that. Xo Melinda
Zoffiel
Member
9 years ago
I forget that I'm hairless. Monday was a nice cool day and since I was feeling well I decided to have a go at the woodpile. It's exercise and it has to be done. Anyway, I dragged the splitter out, fired it up and got stuck in only to be interrupted by a ute full of lost tradies heading up the back lane who stopped for directions.
I m chatting away to them and toook my hat off to wipe my face. The looks on their faces... A middle aged woman using a log splitter is, apparently, unsettling. A bald middle aged woman... They couldn't get away fast enough. Can't say I blame them. I went inside to have a cuppa and was shocked at my reflection. Filthy and exhausted, I looked like Lord Voldemort on a bad day :)
Marina11
Member
9 years ago
Hi Melclarity

It sounds like you're doing well that's good to know.. I know it's going to be hard but I was prepared for the nerve,joint, bone & muscle pain but not the loose bowel. But it's great to have you all understand.. at the moment I have a rash over my arms, legs & chest.
I was wondering if anyone else gets a surprise sometimes when they see their efflection and remember their bald.. makes me laugh because I forget when I'm busy around the house. And sometimes I answer the door without a scarf and the person there looks awkward