I have now completed 2 cycles of the clinical treatment. My side effects have calmed down with reduced dosages of Gemcitabine and increased steroids. The steroids certainly help but I am wired all the time and this increases insomnia. When I finally finish taking the dosage 3 days after chemo then I kind of crash and have fatigue and headache for several days. Impairs my daily living a bit in that all I want to do is seek the couch. But I try to rest through the worst of it and continue with the things I want to do.
The other side effect that has worsened is the neuropathy. This is weakness, numbing and tingling in the hands and feet. My feet started becoming numb during my treatments with Taxol this past winter. It started out slowly in the toes and then spread to the whole foot. It ebbs in intensity and can be bothersome at times. Sometimes I have cramping in the foot and that can be painful. I have decided to start taking Gabapentin at night. I have had this drug in my arsenal for quite a while but it makes me drowsy so I only take one capsule at night. It seems to help calm things down which is my objective.
Showing posts with label neuropathy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neuropathy. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Good Results from Taxol Treatments
My CT Scan taken on January 12th is showing very little sign of disease! Compared to the scan taken on November 18th the largest site of disease went from 22 mm to 8 mm. And my CA 125 is at 42 down from a high of 497 in November! Queue the fireworks!
The clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital have recommended that I continue with the weekly Taxol treatments rather than begin a clinical trial. This makes sense. Why try something new that may not work as well as something that is currently working? The only drawback is that the neuropathy in my hands is getting worse and now I have it in my toes. If it worsens too much then the Taxol treatments have to stop but for now I am going for it. With such good results it is difficult to change the protocol to something else that may not work.
I have already heard from Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and my next chemo treatment is Monday. It will be 3 weeks out of 4 for the next little while so now I can plan my life somewhat!
The clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital have recommended that I continue with the weekly Taxol treatments rather than begin a clinical trial. This makes sense. Why try something new that may not work as well as something that is currently working? The only drawback is that the neuropathy in my hands is getting worse and now I have it in my toes. If it worsens too much then the Taxol treatments have to stop but for now I am going for it. With such good results it is difficult to change the protocol to something else that may not work.
I have already heard from Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and my next chemo treatment is Monday. It will be 3 weeks out of 4 for the next little while so now I can plan my life somewhat!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)