need help Taxol vs Taxotere

[hoofsnhounds]

I did round one six scheduled cycles of Taxol and Carboplatin with no incident.  I went for round two today and after 1 hour of pre-meds 10 minutes into the Taxol I pitched forward, got very hot all over, had diffuculty breathing, got an extremely bad metal taste in my mouth (much worse than the one from Iodine during a CAT scan).  They stopped the infusion and started Benadryl.  The doctor came in and refused to restart the taxol or try to slow it down.  She wants me to take a week off and switch to Taxotere.  I have stage IC with a good prognosis with 6 cycles of Taxol and Carboplatin.  I am not sure I have the same confidence in Taxotere besides I here it has bad side effects, llike vomiting and nausea.  Except for joint and foot pain whick thay are now managing Taxol has been a cake walk.  I also think that since I had no problem the Taxol first infusion, if they just try the same 5 hours vs 4 hours today.  Any thoughts girls.  Thanks for you input it is always helpful.

[Helmar]

Hello... I've had Taxotere on 3 different occasions..together with Carboplatin, and it's worked really well. My Oncol. has never given me Taxol or Cisplatin, as he feels they are much harsher than the other combination. I've had really good results from the Taxotere. The only side affects have been hair loss...which is normal with Taxol too ( I think)... and some swelling in the ankles and wrists. I don't get nausea from any of the chemos, but I do eat small and often, so I think that helps me a lot. I've had a little 'pins and needles' in the feet, but not the hands, but that's been quite o.k..
I think if your Doctor had given you the infusion at a much slower rate, over a longer period, it may have worked for you, but I think the Taxotere will do well. I certainly hope so. Best wishes. Hugs..Helen...

[newlifegal]

I had a similar reactive experience with Taxol and was switched over to Taxatere.  I was told it was just as effective as the Taxol so I finished out the the last three rounds of chemo with Taxotere.  I was also told that the peripheral neuropathy side effects would not be as severe.  My ca125 numbers continued to drop, so I believe it was effective.  As far as the nausea is concerned, I had that all along so I can't say which drug was the culprit.   I hope all goes well with you!

Christa

[freshair]

Taxotere is very good. The only problem is that you have to take more steroids. It has an inflammation response. I had no problem with it and it works great. Best of luck.
Helen

[gah_70]

I am currently on Taxotere as a single agent, after taking it along with Gemzar for a few months.  I know everyone's response is different.  I also know it depends on the amount you are taking, but I have not had even close to the problems I had with Taxol.  It is important to mention I am on a reduced dose for the time being, however.  I have not lost my hair, and I do not have nausea.  I do retain fluid which causes the bottom number of my BP to be higher than normal, but I just started a diuretic that should help with that.  So far, the tingling in my fingers and toes has been minimal.  I have 5 more treatments, and then hope to get a break from chemo altogether.  

Hope it works well for you.  Best wishes!

Gail  

[hope778]

I am on Taxotere. I am taking reduced dosage once a week for three weeks and one week off. I have a recurrence. Tried carboplatin 6 rounds and did not help. CA125 has come down to 29 with 2 cycles. I have to take Neupagen shot for 3 days after the Chemo to keep the WBC from going down. The diagnosis is adenosarcoma as I do not have the ovaries. Side effects are manageable with the reduced doasage. Good luck.

[PF_PVD]

I just finished my 6 carbo/taxotere tx (successfully).  My first tx went fine.  The second tx I had a reaction similar to yours which is really scary.  But, they slowed down  the infusion rate for the first half then sped it back up for the rest and I was fine.  On the 3rd tx, I started to have a minor reaction and they did the same thing.  For my next 3 tx, they just continued the slow infusion at first and then faster later and I was fine.  I had nausea for just a few days for my first 3 tx, but my last 3 tx, I had it for 7 to 9 days, but we're all different.  I also had surgery in between the first 3 and the last 3, so that may make a difference.  My public enemy number one, though, was constipation.  Yikes! Glad that's over now that I am in remission. Paula

[hoofsnhounds]

Thanks so much for your input - I have been real concerned about the switch, but I have had really bad neuropathy in my feet and hands just from one round of Taxol/Carboplatin, so now with the bad reaction it sounds like Taxotere might really be better for me.  My Ca 125 was 17.7 after surgery and before the start of chemo.  They haven't told me where is currently is I just want to make sure it keeps going down.  You are always so helpful - glad you are all here.  Thanks again