Reaction to Carbo, first 15 minutes of Chemo

[marleerose]

Has anyone had a reaction to carbo within first 15 minutes of chemo? The symptoms were extreme redness, flushing in face, feeling like on fire all over, many spots before the eyes, like ready to pass out, and shortness of breath. The team d/c the drug immediately, waited, gave more Benadryl, Zantac, cortisone, and resumed the chemo 2-3 hours later with no problem. Chemo coming up again soon,  friend is scared,scared that it will happen again and she will be unable to take that drug. MD says not to worry. Thoughts? That was not first chemo. Thanks my friends! Hope all is well with everyone today, especially those dealing with Fay!

[marleerose]

Chris,Thanks for the info. She had chemo today without a hitch. I go tomorrow for my 3rd round and am expecting to hear something in regards to surgery, my plan was 3 chemo, surgery, 3 chemo. I am anxious today, one of those dips on the roller coaster. I hope you are doing well! Barb

[crecco]

I also had a reaction to the carbo but got confused and told them it started when they gave me the taxol. so the next time they went with taxotere and carbo and the same thing happened. I broke out in hives all over my arms, hands face and neck and my throat began to swell. I was given high doses of benedryl and steriod to counteract it. I was also told that I could not recieve carbo again.
  Chris

[onniebay]

I had a reaction to taxol.  It was not even that bad just the burning red itchy rash and swollen lips.  My oncologist would not even let me challenge it.  I ended up doing gemzar instead.  I never understood why he was so protective because I never had any breathing difficulties like some of the ladies here.  

[StillFighting]

nods thats not uncommon. I had an alergic reaction to it as well.

I did not have that reaction, but the onc nursed warned me that it could happen but that if it did it would just happen the first time the drug was introduced to the body.

that statement is not true. I had a round of chemo with the taxol/carbo for a year and did fine, round two of chemo I had 6 doses of it before I had my reaction...be alert the first sign I had was a burning sensation in my lungs.

[marleerose]

Thank you Teresa, I have just shared and will keep that advice for me as well!! Did Onc's give any rationale to you that it happened twice? Great picture of you by the way, love the short cut, fabulous!  Barb

[Teresa222]

I had the reaction twice during my chemo treatments. They did the same things to me, but resumed the drug within 15 minutes.  Tell her she won't have it every time.  It is more important to finish the chemo treatments than to worry about a reaction and stopping because of fear.
Teresa

[marleerose]

Thanks for the insights! I go this Thursday for my 3rd chemo and was nervous as I had not heard of this before!! I am on Carbo and Taxol,( which they did say could cause a reaction down the road.) I feel better and will share. Thanks again, everyone here has been fabulous, supportive, and understanding!!!! Love, Barb

[yrrek]

I did not have that reaction, but the onc nursed warned me that it could happen but that if it did it would just happen the first time the drug was introduced to the body.  I was in the room when another patient had a reaction and it happend like you stated, she was quite elderly and they also put her on oxygen.  I think that the nurses also told me that about 20% of people will have this reaction the first time.  Hope this helps.  Kerry

[gah_70]

It is not uncommon to have an allergic reaction to Carboplatin.  I had one, too, and later learned many women do.  It is usually not the first chemo treatment.  Apparently it takes a while to get built up in your system to the point it would cause a reaction.  Mine was on the second treatment for my recurrence.  Like your friend, chemo was stopped immediately, and I was given Benedryl and a steroid.  Many Carbo reactions can be avoided simply by slowing down the infusion.  Perhaps that's what your friend's doctor did.  If it does turn out she continues to have a reaction, there are many other chemos out there to try.  If she and her doctor decide Carbo is still the best one, then sometimes working with an allergist can help, as well as slowing down the infusion even more.  I have heard of women who actually check in the hospital and recieve one treatment of Carbo over the course of 2-3 days.    

Good luck to your friend.  Hope you are having a great day, too.

Gail