Another bad reaction!

marybeth · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:52 pm Post subject: Another bad reaction!

As some of you will remeber, I had the rare serious allergic reaction to Neulasta while going thru the A/C part of my chemo. Well, today was #1 Taxol and did fine with the first pre-meds but crashed on the Benadyrl. BENADRYL of all things! they use that to block reactions, not cause them don't they? What I got was 50mgs thru my port and was told I would probably be tired. Well, I started to get very drowsy then I could feel my heart pumping, then started with the shakes. Felt very nervous, and agitated and started having what I think were panic attacks - a sudden rush of fear. terrible. I sat there thinking this is just too intesnse so got the nurse. They took my bp and good Lord it was 198/98, heart rate was 110. (premed was 135/80 and 85) They flushed me for 1/2 hr.and gave me 1/2mg Ativan. I stared to come down to earth (I couldn't even focus or stand up) and then they started the taxol. You can imagine I was a wreck getting that taxol and they were wachting me like a hawk LOL.... Feel much better now 8 hours later. Can you imagine? breeze thru taxol and react the benadryl - go figure. Wonder if the dose was just too high for me and would have done ok with 25mgs?But they decided I should try Claratin tonight and forget the benedryl for now. and then premed at home the day of taxol with 1 claratin. Hope that works - Any thoughts? Thanks for your support as always...
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07

leo · Contributor Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1575

Marybeth,

Even benadryl can cause problems, as you found out the hard way. I am sure they will avoid this for now. I am glad you did well with Taxol, which tends to cause reactions. 50mg of benadryl is a very reasonable dose, but some people just become agitated and confused with it.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

marybeth · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Another bad reaction!

Thanks for the info Leo...update is that doing very well on the lower dose of taxol, pre-med is now Clarartin, no benedry and tolerating it well. Knock on wood, really no reaction it seems to the taxol! Started the combination of taxol and herceptin yesterday and so far so good. 9 more taxol/herceptin and then they said once the chemo is done we go to herceptin every 3 weeks. Assume it's a higher dose than the weekly - is that tolerated well too?

And, I know it cuts down the reoccurance rate by 52% but not sure HOW. Does it actually destroy cancer cells that it 'detects' or does it prevent the 'formation' (for lack of a better word).

As always, thanks! MB
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07

leo · Contributor Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1575

Yes, Herceptin destroys tumor cells by coupling to proteins on the cell surface. See this manufacturer's page for more details.

http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/oncology/herceptin/moa.jsp

regads,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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