Paclitaxel

Hi RKD 

I had EC followed by 12 weeks of paclitaxel. I didn't cold cap and lost my hair while having EC. It had started to grow back by the time I'd finished paclitaxel.

I didn't have any side effects while on paclitaxel, just felt tired on the evening of the day I had it but then was fine from the next day. I found it much easier then EC.

x

Hi RKD

I fortnightly EC for 4 cycles and paclitaxel also for cycles . I cold capped through both types of chemo and even those the paclitaxel takes longer I found they gave me so much anti histamine that I slept through most of the 5 hours which helped. Hope this helps and good luck xxx

My mums on number 11 of paclitaxcel after 4 ECs and she’s found it really difficult much more than EC

I’m sorry you are having to go through this whilst pregnant. 
I had paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks. I was ok on it, I just had a nasty rash on my hands and lost nails. I did have this first though and it was followed with EC. I didn’t cold cap so lost all my hair so can’t help with that. 

Hi, I’m so sorry this is happening to you whilst you are pregnant. I’m following & hoping you get some more answers here as I’ll be having 12 x weekly sessions of Paclitaxel followed by EC every other week for 8 weeks. How did you find the side effects of EC? 

I seem to be on the same treatment plan as you, 12 x weekly Paclitaxel followed by 4 x bi-weekly EC. Appreciate everyone is different but just wondering if you have any advice on this combo? X

I was fine on paclitaxel apart from a rash on my hands which the treatment team gave me something for that and antihistamine helped. For EC I felt exhausted a couple of days after treatment and this lasted 3/4 days. I found I had to just rest completely. I didn’t the first time and I felt awful. After that I literally did nothing, I slept if I needed to and although I did manage to shower and eat I didn’t do much else. I’m lucky as my children are 20 and 18 so I didn’t have them to think about. Hope you will be ok xx

I found EC not as bad as I thought. Had some mild nausea for a couple of days after, my bowels were affected, had mild constipation, stomach cramps and poor appetite. It did ease off and by 2nd week I was back to normal. I did cold cap and started shedding between 2nd and 3rd cycle. Luckily no bald patches and thinning all over. 

Hi RKD,

im so sorry you are having to go this this, especially while being pregnant.

i had the same treatment as you, but the other way around. I had 12 weeks paclitaxel first, I started to lose my hair after my 2nd treatment and didn’t cold cap as I suffer from migraines and didn’t want to encourage any more! So I shaved off my hair once it started to fall out, it felt like taking the control back. 

I found paclitaxel easier than EC, but did get a few side effects, I got neuropathy in my fingers and toes, worse in my toes, and still have it now a year on, so guess it’s permanent. I lost my sense of taste, everything tasted horrible and I found everything tasted of black pepper which I hate! So ate a lot of fruit as I found it was the only thing that tasted as it should. And just the usual feeling very tired it hit me on day 3 for about 2-3 days, then recovered just in time for the next treatment. 

I wish you all the best for the rest of your treatment and your upcoming birth.

best wishes Sharon.