Question about Taxol Maintenance Chemo

I am just about to start 12 months of Taxol "maintenance" chemotherapy and would be interested to hear about side effects others have experienced.  I just finished 6 courses of Taxol and IP chemo with difficult side effects and am hoping to hear from others that the maintenance therapy is easier to handle.  

Thanks in advance for any information you can give me.

[elizza]

HI THERE.  MY MOM ALSO HAD 6 ROUNDS OF IP CHEMO AND IS NOW ON TAXOL FOR MAINTENANCE CHEMO.  SHE HAS HAD 3 TREATMENTS SO FAR.  SHE SAID THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE MUCH MILDER AND SHE FEELS PRETTY WELL AFTER THE TREATMENT.  THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT HER NEUROPATHY IS GETTING WORSE, BUT HER CA-125 IS DOWN TO 5!!!  GOODLUCK!

[baguba]

Hi
I will shortly be having my fourth years' maint Taxol trtmnt.  It's not as bad as taking both Taxol/Carbo together.  The three days after my treatment seem to wear me down a bit (a little tired, no taste buds)but all in all, counts remain good, CA 125 at 6, and neuropathy hasn't been a problem so far.  Good luck with your treatment; and let us know how you're doing :)  Judie

[YvonneS]

I am waiting to start IP treatment.  How did your Mom do on it?  All I hear is bad.  My ONO has never done it and they are suppose to be training to begin on me.  Yvonne

[Kimchi]

I too have noticed tiredness and strange taste buds few days after chemo.  Have you been taking TAXOL maintenance for the last four years??? How often, what dosage and why for so long? Are you still bawled? What level  have your CA-125 tests been during this long maintenance? Has it gone up or done or stayed stabel?  Now I am worried as I did not anticipate having to do maintenance and even more worried now that I read about your 4 year session.  Bet you are looking forward to the day all this stops.
Hang in there!!!

[baguba]

Oops. sorry .I am not totally bald; just some "fuzz light" coming back.  I don't expect to have a full head of hair until next year at this time, God willing! I look at it as a small price to pay for a good end result. Good luck to you.

[baguba]

Sorry if I confused you; sometimes I rattle on and on.  I was dx originally in June 2002 - Stage 1C.  Had total hyster. then 6 rds. of carbo/taxol.  Was totally clean with CA 125 in the 5 to 7 range for 4 1/2 years.  I wasn't on chemo all that time.  In May 2006 I had 3 small implants (along with my spleen) removed.  The beast had returned :(  That was followed by 6 rounds of taxol/caro AGAIN!  Now I am on a years' maint.  I don't like the "no taste buds routine" we have to go through; but that lasts for only 3-4 days, and my CA 125 is 6, so I can deal with anyhting they toss my way, if I get good results.  Presently I am off to the hosp. for a magensium infusion.  Unfortunately I am plagued with a UTI following each chemo infusion, then my magnesium tanks!  Aside from this (haha) it's really not bad, and my doctor said I should feel fortunate to be able to take the years' program.  So far so good in the neuropathy department.  What was your stage when dx? and how long were you/are you on the chemo?

[Kimchi]

Ok...still a little confused..when you say" Now I am on a years' maint"  does this mean that you are getting chemo every 3 weeks for a whole year?  
I was dx stage 4 Oct 2006 and have had 3 cycles so far...Lost 90 percent of my hair 2 weeks after the first chemo and shaved off the rest.  But I live in a country that is hot and humid all year round and wearing wig is out of the question.  So I wear very thin cotton turbans but it the heat/humidity and constant surgical menopause, my head is sweaty all the time!!

[baguba]

Hi There~
Yes, I take Taxol maintenance every 28 days.  I have had 3 rounds so far.  It has been easier than taking both taxol and carbo, but there are still some lingering side effects the first few days.  Hair loss is not pleasant, but remember it is only temporary.  How many rounds of chemo are you taking, and what type of chemo is it?  I will keep you in my prayers.

[Kimchi]

Thanks for the explanition...Im on  PACLITAXEL and CARBOPLATIN and have had 3 cycles every 28 days also and 3 more to go.  But I am starting to freak over the idea of maintanance chemo, not sure I can handle it for another year!!!  did you lose your eyebrow and eyelashes too?

[baguba]

Yes, I did lose my eyebrows and eyelashes(they are s-l-o-w-l-y-) growing back now. Even my hair (as wild as it looks, is coming in more each day).  I use these as positive milestone.  Try not to look at the year ahead.  That can be overwhelming. Deal with one day at a time.  I was told once that "Yesterday  is the past - forget about it; tomorrow is the future and we cannot know what is in store; but today is a "gift", that's why it's called the present." So enjoy each day that you are blessed enough to wake up.  If you have to go through a years' maintenance, you're going to do just fine.  It's a necessary evil; but it's well worth the outcome.  Keep your spirits up. I read all the posts on this forum, and I am humbled by the strength of all who write. God does not give us more than we can handle.  Bless you.....Judie