Paclitaxel (Taxol)

I had 4x EC then 12 x paclitaxel weekly, with herceptin and perjeta every third week.  Paclitaxel was nowhere near as bad for me as EC. It built up and at the end I was very tiered, and although there were other side effects (diarrhoea so make sure you have some Imodium in, and slight neuropathy, red face, itchy skin) it was very doable. I recall a lot of afternoon naps and early nights. Good luck xx

Thank you Sandy.  I'm leaning towards Paclitaxel as the fec5has killed my bloods and round I was neutropenic with a white count of 0.02 !! They reduced the dose today by 25% and increased the injections I do by a 1/3.. So hopefully I won't be blanking out this time. Time will tell. 

So you didn't get too much pain with it? 

Thank you for replying it's appreciated. 

Lesley 

Hi. 

I had 2 cycles of EC - I found it hard going.  WBC took a battering, sickness was a big thing, I struggled to get off the sofa for the first week but the other 2 weeks I was better.  Paclitaxel I found much more tolerable.  Other than treatment day I went to work - I was a bit more tired than usual but didn't really notice any major side effects at all.

Unfortunately, every one is different though, so you never know exactly how you will react.

Hi Lesley

I had EC reduced by 20% as well. I was hospitalised the first two rounds with zero neutrophils. After my first paclitaxel I had such bad diarrhoea that I then had that dose reduced by 20% as well. (But I had a complete pathological response so be comforted that a reduced dose does still work.) I found EC absolutely dreadful. By comparison paclitaxel was a walk in the park! I was absolutely exhausted at the end and it does build up, I don’t think my body could have taken any more, but I would say the worst is behind you. You can do paclitaxel. xxx

Hi.

Thanks for your reply 

I've had very little in the way queasiness as they seem to have that under control. Apart from first round and threw a reaction to oncadestron  but ok now. My worst is week 2. Fatigue is vile and I too was neutrooenic last time as jabs didn't touch it. The oncologist said my blood was red water. 0.5 red count and 0.02 white count   

It's comforting to hear it might get better as I feel so battered and broken already. Plus my daughter and granddaughter are doing the messy run in June and I really want to watch. 

I'm also 60 on 27th June  and would like to be conscience!!!

So your message is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Thank you

Xx

Thank gir yoyr reply. 

The Fec has  been tough. But today was the last. I'm ok for a few days then the fatigue starts and depression. I too took a hit on the R AND B BC. 9.5 red. 0.02 white.  Got very dodgy last time. But the reduction may help. 

It seems from all replies that Paclitaxel is better a option to taxotere. 

Let's hope it's easier than too. 

So pleased to hear your results as I'm waiting for surgery after and 21 days radiotherapy do that woukd be great.  But I'll settle for cancer free. 

Xx