Chemotherapy Taxol information

[seven7]

Thank you for answering questions. I am 69 years old  and had one breast removed in April,  stage 3 cancer. Estrogen positive.  I was told mine is is a fast growing type, with a high rate of recurrance.  This time my question is:

I have taken 4 chemotherapy treatments with Adriamycin and Cytoxin.  (That may not be correct spelling.)  .  I am taking chemo every three weeks for a total of 8 times.  My next chemo,
my Doctor said he will use a different drug.
I have been getting along very well with the drugs I have been getting.No weight loss, and tests come out good.  My white blood count after 4 treatments has not gone down.  It is tested as 7.2 after 3 treatments, and my HGB is very little low,  11.4.  It has gone down about 3.5 after each of the first three treatments.  I guess this is o.k. isn't it?

The different drug is TAXOL.    
He says that is is much easier to put up with after treatments,  but has allergies connected with it, as I guess all drugs have.  
Is it more prone to allergies than the drugs I have been getting?  Tell me something about Taxol please.
                              Thanks!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear seven7:  Taxol is a chemotherapy that is derived from the pacific yew tree.  It has proven effectiveness in breast cancer and is often used after 4 cycles of AC in more advanced or aggressive breast cancers.  Taxol does tend to be associated with hypersensitivity reactions (allergic).  Doctors will generally prescribe pre-medication to help prevent these reactions.  Most folks tolerate it fairly well.

[seven7]

I wish you had given me more information about the allergy troubles.  Another site lists many who have lasting nerve damage from Taxol. Is this considered an allergy,  or side effect?  I certainly do not want nerve damage to my feet and hands and arms that lasts the rest of my life.  How much trouble have people on Taxol had with this?  Please, someone, answer this.  I would appreciate your reply.

[DFW]

Hi.  I'm 45 years old and was diagnosed with an aggressive 5 cm. breast cancer.  April-September Adriamycin & Cytoxim..very well tolerated.  Mastectomy September '01.  October - December "Terrible" Taxol.  Hands and feet hurt!  Doctor had advised possible "mild" tingling...I'd like him to experience this!!  I've visited some websites and have found others experiencing lingering neuropathy (mostly in feet) from Taxol...some several years later.  I've learned of a medicine called neurontin and am going to conduct further research on that.  However, investigate!!  While I would never advocate any treatment over another because there are soooooo many variables associated with this disease, I just know what I've experienced, and to tell you the truth, I wasn't aware I'd have lingering pain & suffering to content with.  I feel very naive and very wary with doctors now.   I guess I would have just thought "Oh well, I'm experiencing a horrible side effect, but after going on-line and finding soooooo many Taxol after-effects sufferers' can't help but wonder, why doctors don't take into account Quality-of-Life issues?"  Hope my posting helps others question their doctors...and, please anyone out there with coping strategies?  Help, please!  Thanks to all.

[SMcK]

Hello,

I have stage 3B breast cancer. It was in all my lymphs.  Two doctors said my tumor was inoperable. I cannot recall my surgeon's name at CCF (my chemo wiped out a lot of my memory), but they kept me alive from 4/00 until now.  

I took Taxol from 1/02 to 3/02 (4 treatments).  I am applying for Social Security Disabilty from severe Peripheral Neuropathy (and central nervous system damage).  I cannot stand for very long on my legs or use my arms very long.  I have 2 narcotics to contol pain (I tried neurontin, I had too many side effects from it).

Yet, all the people in my BC support group did not have anything close to my nerve damage - just permanant numbness.  I ended up with the pain /weakness stuff.

I was never told it would be so dangerous.  But I DO NOT REGRET IT.  I believe I would be dead without the chemo and radiation.  NOW I am i having 2nd thoughts about the tamoxifen I have been on for 2 weeks. I called my RN sister tonight and said "I am going off it til they can get these hot flashes under control". I do just a little exertion and it is like Niagra Falls for 30 minutes + all day long. A person can only take so much suffering...