Day 2 Paclitaxel red face!

Hi Londonmumof2

Yes, I’ve had exactly the same red face and hot burning cheeks on my last two cycles (docetaxel, herceptin and perjeta).  I checked with my unit and they said that it was caused by the high steroid dose required for docetaxal treatment (4 x 2 tablets on the three days around treatment).  They said that it would go away once I stopped the steroids, and it did. I hope that it clears up soon.

Blackcat xx

Hmm.  The odd thing is i had only 8mg steroids yesterday instead of the 12mg for EC, and I don't have any to take with thr weekly paclitaxel (unlike 2 x 4mg with the EC daily)  so it can't be them  I think it's an allergic reaction.  I hope so too as it's uncomfortable! I've called thr chemo suite and they're going to call back later.  Thanks. X

I hope you've heard back from your medical team by now. I've been out so I didn't see your post.

I remember having a red and blotchy face too but looking at your photo your face is certainly red for a weekly dose of the taxane. I think it was quite a common reaction when I had my treatment and it went in about 48 hours. However, just keep an eye on yours hands and feet now. Having seen how your face has reacted, I think if you notice any reddening in your feet / hands or feel any burning, I would contact your team again. That was the mistake I made.......I didn't mention it because I thought it was a normal reaction. With hindsight the face was probably a warning. 

I hope by now you have had some more reassuring advice but I can see you haven't had many replies so I am wondering if the reddening doesn't happen so often with the revised treatments.

I know how worried you were about the taxanes and I'm afraid I'm not saying anything to alleviate those worries at the moment because I learnt the hard way this is not a drug whose reactions should be ignored.

Let me know how you are getting on when you feel up to it.

Love Karen

Thanks Karen,

Well the redness has now gone down a bit (more flushed than sunburnt!), though I took the Piriton at about 8.30am, and it was still quite red and hot at 11.30am. I wore cool pack booties on my feet yesterday, and although no gloves I also held coolpacks wrapped in a scarf for the 1 hour infusion and about 45 minutes after that. My feet were so cold I had to keep taking them out over the first hour, and it was certainly less cold the second hour it was still cold. I think that I'll just bring in a couple of food coolpacks and slide them in for the second hour next week.

My vision went a bit blurry, though was like that last week on the EC, so could be triggered again, and I have a muggy headache and upset tummy, but apart from that no dreaded nausea like the EC. I know that it's cumulative, so I'll stop as soon as I get the tingling for more than a few hours and mild. Despite the side effects I cooked pesto pasta with chickpeas and broccoli for lunch, with yogurt , walnuts and pear for desert, so can't be too bad ATM. ((Touch wood!)

I have flushed cheeks today and it's happened  2 or 3 times before....but weirdly not every week. I've taken an antihistamine in the past but not today...it's dying down now. It's never really worried me though.

It's mostly all settled this evening. It Is  nice not to feel sick and hungry on the EC steroids and anti nausea drugs though.  I'll see what the rest of the week brings,  but I'm glad not ro feel queasy apart from the iv piriton yesterday. 

I can't believe that you're nearly there now! X

I've had some slight nausea on the Pax and take metoclopramide occasionally..today is my good day though..been out for lunch with a friend, had a steak pie dinner and now eating an individual banoffee pie!. I know I won't feel as good as the week progresses so made the most of it today.

What are your bad days?

Last week it was Thursday, but mostly Friday...feel very wobbly, shaky/tremor in hands, tired, feel cold and get chills going through my body...tend to just put the heating on and get under a blanket on the couch and doze on and off...it passes in a day or 2 at the most.

I get a red face usually 2 days after Paclitaxel but then it goes away. Having problem with feet at the moment one has swollen ankle and  the other feels like plantar fascilitis which I had a few weeks ago in the other foot! Chemo today no 13 of 18 will b a struggle hurts to walk. Good Luck with your treatment.