Starting chemo this week: Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Pegfilgrastim then Paclitaxel
Hello everyone, this week I start chemo. As I understand it, 4 cycles of Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Pegfilgrastim then 12 cycles of Paclitaxel. I am looking for any advice and tips on how to get through it. We all know that experience and side effects are all different and individual but it would help to know how others have coped. I haven't had my introduction session with the oncology nurse yet and the fact sheet is a bit scary. I am in Melbourne and will be treated at St Vincent's private in East Melbourne as that is where my medical oncologist works. For the time being I am remaining a private patient as insurance covers it. I am choosing to try the 'cold cap' to see if it will help with not losing hair but as I have fine hair and already experiencing age related hair loss, it may not work. I know it will add about 2 hours to treatment and am willing to give it a go. My plan is to take audiobooks and colouring books with me to pass the time during treatment. I'm aiming to keep busy but not taxing myself too much. At this stage I do not plan to work on treatment days but do plan to work from home other days. A friend has suggested a probiotic as a precaution as a relation and her mother used one during their chemo and found it helpful. Has anyone else found this? With the second treatment and Paclitaxel I am concerned about the possibility of peripheral neuropathy side effects due to a previous condition. I read in another post that some ladies have tried cold gloves and socks - has that worked? I will have to look into it further but am curious and want to be prepared. Thank you all for reading and any advice and tips :heart:
Paclitaxol and neuropathy - decision to stop
Hi there, What are people’s experience with weekly taxol treatment and neuropathy? I’m currently having weekly taxol + Herceptin for a recurrence of HER2+ BC. I’ve manage to do 8 taxol infusions but the neuropathy is getting tough. I’ve already had a 2 week break and steriods but the pain keeps coming back. My symptoms aren’t only in my hands and feet, I also feel like I’m being stung all over my body at times. Pressure and drying off after a shower can set it off too. My oncologist is talking about stopping the taxol and I’m meeting with her next week to discuss. Just wondering if anyone a had any experience stopping taxol early (I’m supposed to have 12) and how you felt about weighing it all up? I’m exhausted by the side effects but also want to have the best chance that this doesn’t come back a third time! Thanks!
Its been a while
Its been a while since I posted. Since my first post, I've completed my 2 months of AC, then had a little health blip with fevers and an infection that the medical staff couldn't find in my body, then I had a frightening Supraventricular Tachicardia event, thankfully whilst I was in hospital where basically my heart decided that the heart rate should not go below 200! Turns out my lungs hadn't responded very well to the AC treatments after all! On the Oncologists advice, the weekly Paclitaxel treatments was suspended for a couple of weeks but now I am back on treatments, my mouth has flared up with ulcers and is majorly sore. Sucking on lozenges and rinsing with an Anaesthetic mouth wash is tedious, but we do what we have to do right? The most annoying thing I am finding is that my vision seems to have changed in the 4 months since I started this journey. I struggle to be able to read things for a long period of time. I'm hoping that once I am through the chemo that my vision may(?) return to normal? Anyway, onward and upward :#
Peripheral Neuropathy - Ice Packs
Moderator moved @tinypott post from activity section to 'Newly Diagnosed' tinypott Hi I’ve started my treatment now with AC sense dose which will be followed by Paclitaxel 12 doses weekly apart. Was wondering if anyone has tried the ice packs for feet and hands and if you found it successful for peripheral neuropathy. Thanks for any input November 25
Dose dense paclitaxel
Hi everyone I’m about to have my last of 4 dose dense AC (fortnightly) treatments soon, and it’s got me thinking about the next step which is dose dense Paclitaxel. Ive seen on the forum a lot of people have had weekly paclitaxel after AC but hoping to hear from anyone who has had dose dense (fortnightly) paclitaxel after AC, and how you found it in comparison to the AC. Thanks 😊 Claire.
Blood Pressure changes with Chemotherapy
During my Paclitaxol Chemo last year I required a reduction in my anti-hypertensive drugs. My BP is still lower than my pre cancer diagnosis. I'm going to have it reviewed again as my BP is still lower. I haven't had any other significant changes. My weight is stable. Has anyone else noticed a lowering of blood pressure, like I have? It would be a great side effect, if permanent.
Doxorubicin for 3 rounds and 12 weekly Paclitaxol
Hi All, I was diagnosed with ER + BC in Dec 2020, Grade 3 stage 2b, as it reached two lymph nodes. I had a pet scan after surgery biopsy results from lumpectomy, and there was no distant metastasis anywhere. I have just completed my third round of doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide with one more too go. Hair has started well and truly coming out. I have 12 weeks of paclitaxol after this. I have heard that hair does come back during paclitaxol. If anyone can please let me know of your experience I would be very great full xxHas anyone had Vertigo on Paclitaxel
I've been experiencing vertigo, towards the end of my Paclitaxel, and are still experiencing 7 weeks later. It's not severe, but usually occurs in bed turning my head side to side. My Oncologist doesn't think it relates to my Chemo. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Has anyone else experienced this?
Paclitaxel
Hi all, my next lot of treatments are Paclitaxel when I am well enough to start, and would like to know from anybody that has gone through this one or going through, helpful hints on side effects, recommendations on how to handle myself through these treatments as I am rather concerned , as my body was only able to handle 3 rounds of ac. thanks for any information that you can give Hugs xx
