Topotecan and Paclitaxel

Hi SteveK68 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm sorry to read that your wife's cervical cancer has spread to her lower spine and that her current chemo isn't working. 

I am currently on paclitaxel for breast cancer and have found it to be very tolerable. I have it once a week and generally just feel a bit tired on the following day but haven't experienced any other side effects, other than hair loss. However, that's just me so I don't know if your wife would have the same experience especially as her oncologist believes the side effects will be too much for her.

As you know the online community is divided up into different support groups so it might be a good idea to also join and post your questions in the cervical cancer and secondary bone cancer groups as then you'll connect directly with others who are on these types of chemo for the same cancer as your wife. 

If this is something that you'd like to do, clicking on the links I've created will take you directly to the groups where you can then join and post in the same way as you did here. You can also join in with existing conversations by clicking on reply.

When you feel up to it, it would be great if you could pop something about your wife's diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

I finished chemo in August and was on a combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel. There were side effects and they weren't pleasant but I was able to tolerate them with dose changes and medication for the side effects. I had 4 cycles of 21 days. 

Main side effects I found- and I can not say which drug caused them were tummy effects/nausea, pain in my back, hair thinning (I used paxman) . I also had a sore mouth (treated with mouthwash) sore eyes (eye drops) and numbness and tingling in hands and feet. 

After chemo I had 5 weeks of radiotherapy and still feel very tired, but not sure if that is from the chemo still. Back pain has settled, tummy is starting to settle but I still have some tingling in feet and hands. I would do it again if I had to. Mine was to stop the cancer coming back. I had womb cancer

I hope this helps and wish your wife well 

I’m about to have round 5 of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin on Monday, I too have side effects pretty much the same as you, If all goes to plan I will finish Chemo in November and then in the New year 5 weeks of Radiotherapy. If you don’t mind me asking what happens to you now? Do you get regular check ups going forward? Im really struggling at the moment wondering what will happen next as no test will tell us if treatment has worked. Xx

Hi- sorry to hear you are going through this and I can remember how I felt when all the treatment was ahead of me. Next for me is to see the radiotherapy consultant at the end of this month. This is to check for the side effects I believe. I have also had telephone appt from the radiotherapist. After this from what I have so far been told I will be seen every three months and will be checked for any symptoms/ examined and then I believe a scan if any concerns. Mine was stage 1b but grade 3 which is why I was recommended adjuvant chemo and radio. The surgery was to take out the cancer and the chemo and radio was to stop it coming back. I have also been told that the radiotherapy will be continuing to work for some time yet. I also have had regular blood tests that look for indicators that something is not right. I hope that your chemo goes as well as it can. I did find the radiotherapy quite hard- tiredness, tummy effects but it does actually go quicker than you think once it starts

Mine is the same as you surgery to remove cancer, my tumour was so large it penetrated the uterus wall by more than 50%. Histology was stage 2 grade 3c so 6 rounds of Chemo and 25 sessions of Radiotherapy. Each region is so different as to what treatment you receive, I’m in Scotland and have a friend south of the border and her treatment regime is slightly different. It is however lovely to support each other through this nightmare. I hope your keeping well xxx

I’m new to the forum, I was diagnosed with grade 3 cancer fortunately I found the lump myself and just wanted it out , they offered me a trial which I refused mine was feeding off hormones so just wanted it out asap , I’ve just finished 12 weeks of paclitaxel and about to start EC which I’m dreading , I’m having everyone thrown at me to prevent it coming back 

I’m so sorry to hear this Vonny, is it breast cancer you have? Gosh 12 weeks Taxol is tough going, I hope you’re keeping well. I can understand you just wanting it out asap I was the same. Never felt better after my surgery for 6 weeks everything was great then Chemotherapy started. I’m so fed up of feeling poorly but needs must! 

Yes breast cancer , I do check myself though it took the lump a month to get to its size , which although I feel fortunate to have found it , I have one daughter 30 , she’s been my rock through it all , I’m fed up as well with all the side effects, having to watch what I eat , making sure I drink plenty as like you say you can become dehydrated very quickly , after my surgery it’s really lumpy and bumpy , I’m due to go for a scan beginning of November