Chemo Advice

[Ang80]

Mum is having carboplatin and taxol for OVCA reoccurance (stage 3 March 2005, reoccurred Nov 2007)
She had the 4th of her 6 treatments today, and had another reaction to the carboplatin. The reaction starts 10 mins after the carbo starts going in her vein and she goes red and hot. In the past they have given her some steroids and antihistamines waited 45 mins and then started the carbo again and she has been fine but today, they wouldn't carry on with the carbo (it was a different Dr doing the treatment). She has to go on Wednesday and see her normal chemo Dr.
She has had a good response with his treatment CA125 down from 60 to 16 after 2 treatments.
Will they stop her treatment?
I am so worried and so is she.
The Dr did say that carbo could be doing such a good job that her body doesn't need any thing as strong.

Thanks

[crecco]

Before my initial 6 round of carbo/taxol were done, my onc decided to add 2 more rounds, making 8 total. I had a reaction to the carbo on round 6 and we just finished with taxol only. Due to the reaction that I had (hives, redness, itching, throat consticting) my onc has told me that I can not have carbo again. I recently asked him about de-sensatizing and he said that it really wasn't worth it.
  I was given extra benedryl and decadron to stop the reaction, but onc did not want to chance it again.
  I wish your mom the best of luck. LOL Chris

[alanpvegas]

wondering why they don't also give IV benadryl...that can usually help with the reactions.  It's always good to be in that CA-125 range by the third treatment...unless there are serious issues, she should continue on double agent chemo if possible.  A recent study showed that double agent chemo...no matter the age...is important.  Onc's who thought their patients were 'too old' for double chemo (such as carbo and taxol) actually increased the chances their patients would fail chemo compared to those who received both agents (who had more favorable results)

[Hazel30]

They may just continue with Taxol alone which works great.  My Mom was not able to finish her chemo with carbo because of the same reaction.  The doctors said NO.
She achieved a remission.  So that may be a plan B for your Mom.

[Kimchi]

Same thing happened to me during round 10, had what I call an "itching attack" no hives or spots, but itchy arms and legs,,,had nurse slow down the drip and no problem after...same thing happened at round 11 and 12 but it passed and I was able to take the rest of medication at super slow drip...Dr said that round 13 would be taxol only

[PF_PVD]

I had this same type of reaction to Docetaxol twice (2nd & 3rd tx) at right about 10 mins too.  I was so afraid they would stop giving it to me as well.  They just slowed down my infusion rate for every other treatment, and I was fine.  I always got the steroids and antihistamines before my chemo drugs, but it wasn't enough if they infused too fast.  Does your Mom get these preventative drugs too?  Have they tried giving it more slowly?  I hope everything turns out OK and they try again.  Best wishes to you and your Mom. Paula