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!
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
Decision time re continuing Paclitaxel due to peripheral neuropathy - help needed
I have started to have signs of PN on soles of feet after 4 of 9 planned weekly Paclitaxel. Onc has left it to me to decide when to pull the pin. Symptoms are mild atm I think (numbness on soles, slightly tender on rough surfaces, discomfort after 3/4 of my usual 40min walk) but I have no idea how quickly they will progress from this to severe and very long lasting ones like some of you describe in other threads. I am terrified of becoming badly incapacitated after all the effort I have put into exercise and gym to keep mobility, balance and strength as I grow older. Time is so limited to access expert advice between weekly treatments and Christmas and I am scared that even one more dose may tip me over the edge. Is there anyone who was in a similar situation that can perhaps give me some concrete idea of the timing of the progression of their PN from week to week. The onc has said if I say this is all I am prepared to live with for 12 months he will delay the next treatment and see if there is any improvement. If there is he will try one more because it has shown that improvement is possible. If no improvement I will then have to go onto another kind of chemo that takes longer and is more involved (and I guess another swag of side effects 🙄). He says my prognosis would not be affected. Any information will be much appreciated as only a few days before next chemo. 🙁 Thank you!