Anyone gone from Taxol to Abraxane?

[Lisa]

I'll be having my regular 3-month brain MRI and PET next Monday. Even though I'm on Taxol 3 on/1 off and Herceptin 3 and Zometa 4, my tumor markers continue to climb way too high. And I'm feeling down, like my intuition is calling me.

My onc said today that depending on how the scans look, we may switch to Abraxane from Taxol. Since they're both Taxanes, I'm wondering about the different results they'll have.

Anyone out there been on Taxol for several months, then switched? Would love to hear from you.

Love and light,

Lisa

[jojo]

I don't mean to hoot my horn, but I think Jessica experienced the switch of Taxol to Abraxane, if memory serves right...

Jessica, what did you take? Sorry, if I'm wrong.

Lisa, I am also not happy to hear of your news. But please try to remember to take deep breaths. This is all you can do until after your scan results, right? I HATE the waiting game, but what can we do??? So, any form of meditation really does make a significant difference. Look for happy distractions over time. And lots of prayers!!

Sending positive vibes your way, Lisa.

[Barbara H.]

Lisa, I will be thinking of you on Monday, and hope that Abraxane works for you.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Cindy H.]

I had the full 6 rounds of taxol last summer and just had round 2 of Abraxane Wednesday. Taxol didn't completely work for me so my fingers are crossed with Abraxane. Side effects seem to be the same...I have "funky tounge" setting in today...I plan to chill at home this weekend and by Wed my taste buds should come back ...... I took an anti nausea pill this morning just in case. Haven't experienced the neuropathy yet. Hair fell out about 14 days after round 1. I hope this stuff catches on and I hope and pray that I am a success story. It sure is convenient to get and beats having a 3 hr drip!

I am also 8 days out from Gamma and 6 weeks out from a craineotomy...I'm healing. I find out today when my mri will be to see whats what.

I hate decedron...I'm on 8mg/day...yuck!!!!!!!!!!!

[Patty H]

I just saw my Dr. Friday and had a scan today. Unless I get a good scan which I never seem to, I will starting abraxene Friday. My Dr. said it had less neuropathy but I always though other wise. He seems the drug for me will ne lapatintb but won't be avaible till next year. He didn't think I would not quailfy for a trial because I have already taken to many tpes of chemo. Patty H

[jessica]

hi~jojo's right...i did switch from taxol to abraxane.
taxol/herceptin had always been a great combo for me, but we couldn't get this one pesky spot in my liver to go away completely & stay away. so we switched to abraxane/herceptin q3weeks x 3 cycles. unfortunately that didn't do the trick either, so i'm back on taxol/herceptin+carbo. now THAT did the trick after 8 weekly cycles, I'm NED again.
i had a much easier time w/the abraxane than the TCH-that carbo does a number on me...i should clarify that by saying i'd never had any major nausea w/ the 70+ tx's prior, but once carbo was mixed in, i did have some moderate nausea & that awful taste in my mouth. the abraxane infusion is quick-30mins & no pre-meds, which is so great too.
i've recently read some new research re: weekly tx & higher efficacy than q3week tx's. from what i understand, the chemo is cytotoxic-poisoning/killing the cells-AND causes some type of interrupt of the signals of the epidermal growth factor, bringing more cell death. (JOE-DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS RESEARCH...I CAN"T QUITE RECALL WHERE I READ IT...?)
i've had some great success & maintained a pretty darn good quality of life on weekly treatment...i'm bald, but i'm still active & happy. but if weekly tx gives me an additional advantage & response, i know from this point forward, if i have to go back on chemo again, i will always choose weekly treatment.
hope this info is helpful...oh, and my hair fell out by day 14 after my first abraxane too...
Keep the Faith!
Jessica

[jessica]

...ps-Abraxane VERY EXPENSIVE!! ~$10,000/dose!!my insurance covered it w/out any hesitation, but at that cost, itt put a significant dent in my 'total lifetime coverage' in the short 9 weeks I was on it. ofcourse, the cost shouldn't prevent you from using the drug, but it is, something to think about.