Taxol & Herceptin

[LisaJ]

Hi everyone. I just finished 4 rounds of AC and will start a 12-week cycle of Taxol & Herceptin. I know everyone is different, but I am not sure what to expect from this treatment. Can anyone help? Thanks.

[CherylS]

Dear Lisa,

After AC, the Taxol/Herceptin was a breeze. I have been on Herceptin alone now August and really don't experience much for side effects from it. I think with the Taxol the feeling I had was more from all of the premeds, the steroids than anything. Ladies here recommended B-6 and L-Glutamin to help with neuropathy and I never got any using them. I was able to get out and do things which with AC was impossible. My hair started growing back while on Taxol too. I think the steroids made it grow faster. What is your diagnosis and how long will you be on herceptin?

[LisaJ]

Thank you so much for the response. I was diagnosed at Stage IIIA with 7 of 12 lymph nodes involved. I had a lumpectomy in December. Despite the lymph node involvement I had clear scans which I was so thankful for. I will start radiation after the Taxol and Herceptin and then be on Herceptin for the rest of the year. The last year and a half has been a long road for my family. My mom just passed away last Monday of lung cancer after battling a 1 1/2. For the first time I am coming to terms with my diagnosis. I have a 2 1/2 year old little girl who is the light of my life. It scares me to think I won't see her grow up. I am going to do everything I can to fight this.

Did you have 12 treatments of the Taxol/Herceptin? Did you take those supplements during your treatments?

[CherylS]

Lisa, Yes, I had twelve weekly taxol/herceptin and then went to herceptin alone every three weeks for the remainder of 1 year. Yes, I took the B-6 and L-Glutamin during the taxol/herceptin and never experienced any neuropathy. I don't remember the doses. They were recommended here by several of the ladies. Maybe a search would turn up the dosages. Let me try it and get back to you.

[CherylS]

Lisa,

I found a recommendation for 5 grams of L-Glutamine and 50-100 milligrams of B-6. I believe this is what I took too. Keep fighting. We have a lot in our corner, and that beautiful daughter is all of the inspiration you need.

I will pray for you.

[LisaJ]

Thank you so much Cheryl. What is your diagnosis? Are you still in treatments?

[al from Canada]

I would also consider 100 mg CO-Q10 2 X DAY for protection from the anthracycline / herceptin cardio-toxicity.

Good luck,
Al

[sadie]

LisaJ
I too just finished my 4 rounds of AC; I will begin the Herceptin/Taxol 12 week regimen on Feb 10th; I 'm terrified! I get mixed responses from my onc & the nurses. The dr says the Herc/Taxol will be much easier than the AC and I MIGHT experience some muscular aches that can be treated with just tylenol. On the other hand, the nurses give me a sympathetic look and ask "do you have an understanding employer? The tiredness gets worse over time." Is this regimen going to put me on disability?!
CherylS: It was encouraging to read your response to LisaJ. Thank you.
Sorry for rambling, but I'm really nervous about this.
My surgeon said: don't worry about the HER2 factor because they got it all, so it doesn't matter now. He was surprised by such an agressive treatment by the onc,but he did not dispute it.
My IDC was 1cm; er+/pr+; Upon biopsy, HER2+++; Upon lumpectomy, HER2++; Sentinal lymphnode neg
Sadie

Hi Lisa,

I have the same chemo regimen like yours. I am done with 4 doses of AC and started with Taxol/Herceptin on Dec 6. I took 100 mg B6 and 10g each morning - noon - and nightime of Glutamine for 3 days beginning the day of AC dose.
The original schedule was for Taxol (full dose) to be given every 3 weeks. Due to problems with my WBC, the second Taxol dose was changed to smaller doses given weekly for 3 consecutive weeks followed by 1 week rest. First full dose of Taxol suppressed my bone marrow that neutrophil (WBC) was extremely low. This required hospitalization because I was running a fever even without visible or significant sign of infection. This would have been avoided if I was given Neupogen shots. For body aches and pain. I started with 1000 mg Tylenol but I needed something stronger so I used vicodine.

I completed the second set of 3 consecutive doses of Taxol on Jan 24 with Neupogen shots. The difference is like night and day in terms of the side effects. On the 3rd dose we managed to improve the dosing so as to reduce the side effects of the premed. Because of my sensitivity to alcohol (Taxol dissolved in alcohol) the Taxol mixture was further diluted from 250 mL to a 500 mL of saline solution and I requested for for slower drip. I didn't feel any bone/muscle pain this time. I did not even use Tylenol

Overall, I would say that Taxol side effect is nothing compared to AC. I will start my next Taxol dose on Feb 7.

I started with Herceptin at the same time as with Taxol. This is on a weekly basis for one year.

Take care.

[Her2nSue]

LisaJ,

Looks like we're on the same time frame with treatments. So far, haven't experienced any side affects compared to AC. Hope it continues this way. After the 12 weeks then I'll just be on Herceptin for a year and tomoxafin after that. Wish you luck, be strong and give lots of hugs & kisses to your daughter to help you through this.

Sue

There has been some reports indicating that Taxotere may have a better result, but Taxol is still very much around, probably only because, based on past data, it has been easier on side effects, compared to Taxotere, which effects may be too severe & not tolerable.