Carboplatin & Paclitaxel for TNBC

Hi Doubletrouble, 

Sorry to hear that you facing yet more chemo and had a bad experience with EC.  I wanted to reassure you about Carboplatin.  I was diagnosed with TNBC (Grade 2 no lymph node involvement) at the end of November last year.  Started chemo on Christmas Eve (what a rollercoaster!) and have been on the same regime that you are about to start - 12 weeks of Taxol with the Carbo added in every fourth one.  I have just had my 3 dose of Carbo and can say that, apart from some increasing tiredness on days 4/5 of the cycle and a metallic taste in my mouth, I do not find the carbo weeks much different to when I just have the Taxol.  To be honest, the Taxol  part has been harder to tolerate as it caused painful red lumps on my head (folliculitis) when my hair started to fall out.  It's clearing up nicely now thanks to Salicylic Acid cream. I haven't been neutropenic or hospitalised due to Carbo. My oncologist told me that most people tolerate Taxol/Carbo pretty well and I've hear from other forums that many people find EC harder.  I'm moving onto that near the end of March, all been well!  I hope your treatment goes well and will be thinking of you. xxx

Hi,

i had my first chemo yesterday, I am on 12 weeks taxol & 4th carbo.  I found a lump on NY day its all been a bit of a whirlwind!! Feeling ok from the chemo so far  getting a pic fitted this week.  Its scary as not sure what's ahead just taking one day and one week at a time & trying to remain positive & enjoy life. 

Hi there, I'm on carboplatin and docetaxel.  Only had my first one so limited on side effects but was not too bad. 3 days of feeling terrible and a bit weird in my brain - crazy dreams etc. Now ok.  I had FEC a couple of years ago for my first diagnosis. Both my cancers have been in same breast. Not sure yet if it was a recurrence or new primary or even if that matters!  Best wishes, Jude

The picc line is so much easier for chemo - not so for showering, ha ha.  If you haven't got one yet a LimbO is great, a cover for when showering to keep it dry x

Dear Flossie73

How very kind of you to write such a long email - it is much appreciated.  I do wonder how Oncologists decide which way round to give treatment but at least for me my EC is out of the way now.  I am still nervous tomorrow as I understand they give other meds as well not just the chemo bags but I will ask the nurse exactly what she is giving me.  Every time I enter the hospital I feel terrible anxiety but as a friend said to me, don't count how many chemos you have left, just look at it as one less every time! I have to self inject with blood thinners and now on day 4/5 they are giving me bone marrow injections which make my bones hurt - my poor sister has to give me those ones as the needle to big for me to do it!  Not good for a cancer patient to be scared of needles!!  Good luck with the remainder of your treatment.    

Hi. I was diagnosed August with TNBC, a her2 positive and a her2 negative.  Had 4 EC and then on 20th December I started carbo plus Pacetaxil weekly. Half way through now 

Hi 

Warm welcome to the Mac Community - Congrats on getting 3/4 of the way through all you chemo sessions; hope you aren't suffering too much from side effects. If it is giving you some baggage, there is a regular monthly chemo discussion in the Main Breast group; you can find the February Chemo discussion clicking the link where those having BC chemo help support each other.

Just read your profile and wanted to let you know there is also a BRCA Group here. It isn't so active on a daily basis like the breast group(s) but may be worth checking out if you want to have a browse through the discussions.

Are you having any specific treatment for the HER2+ positive part you mention ?

Take care, G n' J

Hi. Thank you for the reply. I had 4 EC to start then moved onto the pac weekly + carbo 3 weekly. So sad the TNBC has only reduced slightly. The her2 negative is almost gone. The her2 positive has shrunk a lot 

x

Me! I started with 4 x EC then moved to pacitaxol weekly and Carbo 3 weekly. I have TNBC, her2 negative and a her2 positive. 

it’s not great but then all chemo am has side effects. The filgrastin isn’t nice after either.  Sorry. I have good and bad days x

Thank you. I have now joined the BRCA1 group and will have a look at the chemo group too. 

no. Just on pac/ carbo at mo. 4 more to go then I hope to have lymph node op mid April then double mastectomy just after. Then radiotherapy then back on chemo but not sure which one yet. 
thank you for your reply xxx