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Paclitaxel

princess74
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Hi,

Ive just finished 4 rounds of EC, moving on to Pacitaxel next week.


Ive had some nausea and dizziness with EC but overall hasn’t been too bad. Will be glad to see the back of the Filgrastim injections!

Anxious about starting Paclitaxel.

Anyone on this or had this chemo recently, and has anyone continued using the cold cap during this treatment?

Nichola x

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    Hi Nichola

    I had paclitaxel for my first round of treatment and tried the cold cap with it.  Unfortunately I had a bit of an allergic reaction to it so I was moved onto docetaxel.  But you can definitely continue to use the cold cap on Paclitaxel.  I think if you stop, you can't re-start with the cap.  My hair started falling out 14 days after my first Docetaxel infusion.  I was less nauseous on that than EC, but definitely more wiped out. 

    Good luck with the treatment.  When do you start Pac? 

  • Offline in reply to Carol1964

    Hi! I start it next wed.

    I used the cold cap during EC but likewise my hair started falling out after about 2 weeks, I’ve still a very thin amount of hair that I can scrape into a pony and just manage to cover my scalp. 
    Im hoping to continue with the cold cap if I can tolerate it.

    Was the reaction you took during it or after?

    Thats why I’m a bit anxious, I often take bad reactions to new products/treatments but thankfully was ok with EC. 

    Are you finished treatment now, how are you? 

  • Offline in reply to princess74

    My reaction was during.  Within a few seconds of it starting to be infused, I started to see stars (which apparently is common and should pass, but mine didn't) then felt really sick and then started going into spasm!  It wasn't fun but the team were excellent and got me sorted very quickly.  Treatment was halted straight away that day!  And yes, I can totally empathise with you re the anxiety.  I too am very sensitive to new medications etc.  I am dreading starting Ibandronic acid tablets for the same reason.  Anxiety about side effects and the daily regime of having to take them on an empty stomach every morning, remain standing or sitting upright for an hour before I can take any other meds or eat.  Will just need to see how it goes. 

    I am finished with chemo, but have another 4 sessions of immunotherapy to go through (one this afternoon).  I then start radiotherapy on the 29th July for 9 sessions.  I had a lumpectomy back in April, and that went really well.  I'm feeling pretty good in myself now, hair is coming back, along with eyebrows and eyelashes, which is why I'm so anxious about the Ibandronic acid.  I so don't want that nausea and exhaustion back.  I guess I have the option to not take it or maybe they can adjust dosage if I do feel unwell on it. 

    Are you having surgery do you know? 

    xx

  • Offline in reply to Carol1964

    Hi! Glad to hear your finished chemo that’s one thing out the way but still lots to deal with.

    Im the same very anxious when taking new medications etc ..

    Hope all goes well for you!

    Ive already had my surgery, I had a microdoctectomy followed by 3 other surgeries at the end of last year and a mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction in feb this year.

    Now having chemotherapy which will be followed by radiotherapy and hormone treatment.

    xx

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