Feedback On Anyone Taking Taxol/carbo/herceptin

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

I know there are several of you taking the combo of Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin but I can't remember how far back the post goes or who is on it.

I would love to get some feedback on how well you are tolerating and how it's working for you/how long you have been on.

I will start my treatments tomorrow with this combo. I will be on three weeks on with the three, and the fourth week just the Herceptin. I just got off of Abraxane and have not been on Herceptin since last July because my onc would not ok the two together.

I am anxious to see how these will react on my tumors.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you all and take care.

[Lee]

And it worked very well on my liver & bone mets. I'm NED right now! I had 3 lesions on my liver and a spot on my pelvis, and they are all completely gone.

I found it very tolerable - I lost my hair and was more tired than usual, but the nausea and other symptoms were pretty nonexistent. I had some issues with diarrhea but Immodium took care of that. I usually took an anti-nausea med 2 days after treatment and that was about it.

Hope you have good luck with it also!

[Lolly]

Irene, just wanted to say good luck with your first tx tomorrow, I am pleased you're getting what seems to be a potent mix; kick some you-know-what!!!

<3 Lolly

[lisahammo]

Hi Irene

I have been having this combo for 8 weeks now. I have had no issues with side effects; very, very slight nausea (no need for meds), a few hot flushes from the Taxol, blood noses, a bit tired & that's about it really.

I did have a problem with my haemoglobin & neutrophils for a couple of weeks, and had to stop treatment, but we are back on track now. I also found that my liver levels weren't dropping as quickly as I would have liked. I also have 3 spots on my liver. However, my onc said the Taxol could be causing the bad readings, and we would give it another 2 sessions. Anyway, all of a sudden it has kicked in, and they have dropped dramatically. I am so happy this week.

So, all in all, I am happy with the treatment so far.

Good luck with your treatment. Keep us informed.

Love Lisa

[storyteller]

I took that same "cocktail" beginning March 2005 and ending Aug 2005. Results were great. Did chemo first and when I had my surgery, there was less than 1 cm of tumor left which was removed (and surgeon got clean margins). I began with a whopper of a tumor!

Stayed on Herceptin Sept-Mar to complete a full year.

I am thrilled the rest of you had few side effects, but I had a totally different reaction. Was very sick and had no energy during treatment. But with such great results, it was definitely worth it.

I sit here today feeling good and will celebrate my 58th birthday next week. (Honestly didn't know if I'd make it when I got my diagnosis last year). NED!

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Had my first cycle yesterday (was a long day) I got used to in and out in 30 minutes..

So far so good with side effects. The only I really felt yesterday was being drugged from the Benadryl. Had a good nights sleep though.

Of course this was my first and it's being broken down into 3 weeks so we will see. Main thing is that it works for a while anyway.

[chrisy]

I did 3 weeks all three T/Carbo/H then one week H only for 6 cycles. I found the side effects did not change over the course of the treatment, so if you are doing well after the first, there's a good chance this will continue. I hope so!

I had no nausea, minor diahrea (but not enough that I learned to spell it I guess), no hair, and lowered blood counts, but never so low that I needed any "help" and they usually came back on the "week off" with H only. I also would get REALLY flushed in the face the day after treatment - I thinkt his was the premed Benadryl or Decadron. By the end of the 6 cycles, in retrospect I was pretty tired, but at the time I thought I felt great and, in your words, found all the side effects very tolerable.

This combo worked well for me, reducing my extensive liver mets to one tiny "area of interest" which I think it just left behind to tick me off and keep me from getting to be called NED! The tumors were total chemo virgins as my original dx was DCIS only and I hadn't had any prior chemo.

THis chemo is a powerful combo - I hope it will work well for you!

Thanks for your inspiration (10 years and still going strong!) - how bout another 10 or 20 for good measure!

Much love
Chris

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Thank you for your very humorous posting. I am the type of person that can actually laugh and try to find humor in this disease (as much as I hate it, so I can appreciate a funny story when I hear one.

It sounds like you did great on your treatments. Have you been off of chemo since, if so that is wonderful and keep up the good work.

I was also thinking the same thing (at least hoping) since I came through the first treatment fairly well with no nausea, that the rest might be the same.
I have been very lucky in that sense so far.

Yes, 10 -20 more years. That is my request to the man above. If I am asking I am asking big time. I want to see great-grandchildren one day.With any luck, I will and it won't be because I have not tried everthing out there possible of course with lot's of faith and prayers also.

Thanks for your response Chrisy.

Good luck to you