hi everyone , i went for my chemo last thursday as normal told them about the pain i have been having plus the stomach cramps the dr was concerned about my health so he wouldnt let me have the taxol .he wants me to have a weeks rest from it also they are cutting the strength down to 80% to see if it helps reduce the side effects if they are still bad he says they will cut it to 60% but they cannot cut further otherwise there would be no use having it. has any one else had this.? i am worried about this now i seem to have had so many problems with the chemo & the side effects have been awfull the taxol hasn't made me ill like the ec did but the pain every where has been unbearable,i am taking oxycontin to help withe pain plus oxynorm for break through pain . what worries me is i know i have a high pain threshold & can normaly get through it but this pain has left me unable to function the thought of 11 weeks of that scares the life out of me.i know we all react differently to the chemo but i did think the taxol would be easier to get through i am feeling like a bit of a wimp at the moment everyone seems to be able to cope with the effects much better than i have been doing or is that just me feeling sorry for myself?.i go back on thursday for my next cycle but have to see the dr first to see if i am fit enough i hope so because i don't want to miss anymore cycles . my family are all worried sick about me missing last week .well i shall go now going to have a nice hot bath it helps . hope every one is doing well love n hugs theresa xxxx
FormerMember
Hi Theresa
Taxol is a bummer isn't it! Like you I have a pretty high pain threshold, but the joint and muscle pains have been horrible. I've also had chemo cancelled - I was due for my fifth infusion just over 2 weeks ago, but was sent home because my bloods were haywire - I had a blood transfusion, and then three more times arrived for my chemo and was sent home. However, I did manage to have it on Friday, despite my neutrophils being below the required count. My dose has also been reduced to 80%. Obviously having treatment deferred is horrid when you're psyched up and ready to go but I'm telling myself that I've got plenty carboplatin and taxol working in my body already, so another few days/weeks won't matter too much in the long run. My oncologist is lengthening my cycle slightly because my body can't recover in three weeks now, but at least I'm still getting the treatment.
Try not to worry about it too much Theresa - deferral isn't the end of the world and the oncologist will be doing what's best for you. It would be much worse to go ahead when your body can't cope with it.
Hello. I'm sorry you are having such a bad time of it. It's rich coming from me if I say it comes to an end eventually, but I had 7 cycles of 4 plus 2 treatments, and it seemed to go on for ever! But it's over now and I'm gradually getting stronger.
I hope you are keeping warm and resting as much as possible. If a hot bath helps, maybe you aren't keeping as warm as you should. Why not see if Freecycle can find you an electric blanket. The one that goes on the top and stays on. With Global warming, maybe a lot of people aren't using them much, but haven't parted with them yet. Word your advertisement "Cancer patient on Chemo needs electric blanket for side effects", and that should do the trick! Of course if you already have one, I'm preaching to the converted, but it may spark off an idea if someone else reads this.
