Another chemo reaction question

Low and behold, I had just asked a question a few days ago about carbo reaction during chemo for a friend, ( she is not on this site, does not have ovca)  Of course, that set off alarms for myself! I had my 3rd chemo today and, within the first 5 minutes of the Taxol, I have a whoppin reaction, a real one, not one that I imagined, as I was so hoping. It was heavy duty, O2, the works.  So, all the Docs camre running and after their pow wow, Taxol was d/c and replaced with Docetaxel, which I did have today with no problems. So, here is the question... has this happened to anyone?? Anyone been on Docetaxel? It was a bummer as my Doc told me during my appt before the chemo that my clinical picture is fabulous, no fluid anywhere to be heard nor felt, my markers ( ca125) way down, she does not believe in giving the actual number, I feel great with no previous symptoms holding me down. I am trying not to take switching meds as a step back I have a CAT Sept 5 to see if more chemo or we go to surgery. Thaks for listening to this ramble, post chemo/steroid thing! ... Best to all and hope this finds you happy and doing well....Barb

[Kimchi]

After my 9th cycle of taxol and carbo, I developed a reaction to carbo...I noticed my body was going into what I call "shock" and had itching attack, felt flush, felt my heart was beating 10 times faster, so I buzzed the nurse and asked her to slow the speed of the infusion.  After consulting with doctor, she did and I was able to complete cycle #10.  Pointed it out to my onc but she insisted it was not a reaction, so onto cycle 11, same thing happened and again at cycle 12 which then my Onc wanted to stop but I was so pissed at her for not believing me back at # 10, that I was determined to finish the course at a superslow speed!!  
I think that sometimes the speed of infusion may be too fast, not allowing our bodies to adjust to the medicine (dosage differs each time).  By asking them to slow it down and waiting about 10 minutes, my body was able to accept the meds and I didnot have to change to something else.

[marleerose]

Thanks so much, every little bit of information helps. It is so comforting to be able to speak with others who have been around the track. Hope you are feeling on top of the world today!!! Barb

[jlock]

I had a reaction to Taxol my very first infusion.  They just gave me more steriods,benadryl and slowed the rate down and I made it through the rest of the cycles.  I hope all goes well for you,everything sounds so positive according to your Onc  and that's the best news!!!  Sening (((hugz)))~~~Joanne

[marleerose]

Joanne,Thanks!! Well, last time I had some flushing in my face, not much else, they slowed down the rate, Doc came upstairs to see me, but no one said the word reaction, and I was ok and thought nothing more about it! No one made a big deal of it, but the nurse did sit with me for quite awhile. Then yesterday happened, and as I said, everyone came a runnin ( Docs offices are downstairs and they all respond) Very scary!!!  ( thank goodness hubby was with me, my rock)I gave permission to speak to my allergist, as I have many, and I am very allergic to certain tree  pollens, have been sneezing alot  lately as the season begins to change, and Taxol is from the Yew tree, related to many of my  tree allergies, so there ya go! Docetaxol looks very close to Taxol so I will remain positive!~! Hope you are doing well and the rain has not caused any havoc!! Hugs back, Barb

[StillFighting]

I've not had a reaction to the taxol (knock on wood) But I did have an anaphalactic reaction to the carbo. I can no longer take it. symptoms were average I guess. my lungs started seizing up so I couldn't breath, my face turned blue from lack of o2 etc, but i'm doing ok now. Sorry you had a bad reaction as well. Good luck with the new meds though.