Taxol Side effects?

Much less issues with paclitaxol as they give weekly which reduces the side effect.

Oh ok, well that's Taxol then, so symptoms hit day 3 after infusion and its generally nerve, muscle and bone pain. See how you go, just make sure you communicate with your team, its certainly manageable. My nails were a bit lined and strange and kept breaking, but really had no probs with my hands, mild neuropathy in my feet which 1yr on still causes a bit havoc, I cant be on my feet for hours or walk more than 30mins im in pain. Once treatment is finished, theres lots of things you can take to build yourself back up again :) let us know how you go. Hugs Melinda xo

Just checked my paperwork and its Paclitaxel im being given. 

Hi @Beckyw,
I had 3 rounds of FEC at 3 week intervals followed by 3 rounds of Docetaxel at 3 week intervals. I found Docetaxel did not cause the nausea that I had with FEC. That was the good bit  :|. 

They gave me more of the steroid medication on Docetaxel and while I was on that I felt good. But as soon as that finished I would have a lot of muscle and bone pain with extreme fatigue. Just could sleep all day. I eventually found that nurofen worked the best for me with the pain. They gave me endone at first which caused awful constipation. Nurofen was just as effective for the pain without any other issues!

I unfortunately developed a fever on about day 11 of the first round and was hospitalised with neutropenia. I think this really knocked me and I struggled with fatigue for the remaining 2 rounds of chemo.

I was given ice gloves to wear to protect my hands/nails which worked very well. Sucking on ice during chemo also helped to reduce the mouth issues (ulcers). 

Docetaxel was very hard on my hair growth. I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes and my hair regrowth after chemo finished was very slow. Took 9 weeks to get some 5 o'clock shadow happening! I had very thick hair before but now it is very thin especially around the front hairline. This could be the effects of hormone medications too. I finished chemo in September 2013. 

Everyone is is different and I had contact with two other women who had exactly the same chemo and did not have the same issues as me. Both of them breezed through Docetaxel and worked full time through it. Just keep an open mind and get on top of any side effects quickly. Wishing you all the best for it. Deanne xxx

Afraser is correct, Docetaxol is taxotere and Taxol is Paclitaxel, both are Taxanes and come from the same family, but are a little different and depending on type of Cancer you have as to which one they use. I think the side effects are slightly different between the two. There are women on here who have had both, I have read some threads on docetaxol so I hope those ladies jump in with their experience. Hugs Melinda xo

Docetaxol is often branded as taxotere, it's not the same as taxol but has some similar characteristics and a similar base - all natural yew tree! My toe nails went chalk white, grey, brown and black and my fingernails got a slight nicotine tinge and lines, but I didn't lose any. Did feel like wearing a big sign saying " I do not have fungal nail disease!" when I went swimming or to a spa though!

Is docetaxol and taxol different? Thought it was the sam thing

Hi, I coped well on taxol 12 does. When I stopped my feet swelled up for about 2 weeks. My finger nails had lines in them and toe nails were a little strange. It was ok even though I was glad when I was done. Now been nearly 12 months ago and nails and feet are good.  All the best with it I hope it goes quick. 
Rita xo

Its doxetaxol im going to be treated with....

I was one of the Taxol horror stories, but I do believe they are rare.  I had AC treatments, which I managed very well, and then was due to have 12 weekly rounds of Taxol.  By week 2 I was losing feeling in fingers.  This is really expected to start around week 8.  At week 6 it was decided that continuing would cause permanent nerve damage.  I had been very well,  feeling good and working.  I was changed to Doxetaxol, which is not used a lot now as it has more side effects and causes greater fatigue.  You may find that many stories you have heard are actually about this drug.  People, even in the hospital, get confused between the two.  I ended up hospitalised and then bedridden for about 6 weeks, and took a long time to recover, but I do believe I was a rare case.  I also lost all my fingernails and toenails, but they all grew back.  Do keep your nails painted.  The oncologists say paint them black, but the chemo nurses didn't think it mattered.  What it does do is help to keep your nails intact as they become fragile, and oxygen, even for 24 hours, accelerates the deterioration.  It gives you a good excuse for a long time not to do the dishes.