What to Expect with AC Chemotherapy?

I’m doing the opposite. 4 rounds every 2 weeks of AC then 12 weeks of weekly Taxol. I had mouth sores. Ask your doc for Magic Mouthwash to numb your mouth. Suck on ice chips during infusion to keep chemo away from your mouth. It worked for me last week. Any side effects from Taxol? Hopefully the infusions take less time than AC.

Karen W, for me, the actual Taxol infusion goes in over an hour. 20 minutes for the premed and 15 minutes for the flush afterwards. My fingers and toes feel a little numb but very manageable. Keep your hands and feet on ice during the infusion.

Oh, and my red and white blood cell counts are dropping each week. I’m getting close to needing an intervention.

I got ice gloves and socks for the Taxol infusions. Do they give you Nuelasta after Taxol?

Karen W, I haven’t needed any medication yet to boost my counts. I was told most likely I would be given a week off from chemo and if my counts didn’t improve the next week I would get Zarzio or Neulasta.

Good luck with your remaining Taxol. Thursday is my last AC. The 2nd of the 4 was the worst for me. No issues with the 3rd. Hopefully the 4th is just as easy. My hair even started coming back. Peach fuzz, but it’s there!

I completed 12 cycles of weekly Taxol in March where I also had Keytruda and Carboplatin every 3 weeks. I had a 2 week break in between and started Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Keytruda. I will do this 4 more times over the 12 weeks.

Taxol side effects were hair loss, mild tingling and numbing of fingers and toes. I also had insomnia and weight gain from the steroids prescribed. The worst was the loss of taste towards the end of the first round.

They have added a shot of Neulasta every 3 weeks while on Doxorubicin. So far I've been twice as tired and my legs felt like weights through the first week. Not sure what's causing it, but walking was very difficult for about 5 days. After that it was better. Genital sores and hemorrhoids from the Keytruda that I got the first round seem to have subsided. Going to see if ice on hands and feet during infusion makes a difference with leg heaviness and a nurse said to try Claritin. Just have to get through June.

My 2nd cycle of AC was the worst. Mouth sores were indescribable. Used Magic Mouthwash to get through it. 3rd cycle was a piece of cake. No side effects whatsoever. Just had my 4th and final cycle of AC today. Feeling good. Chewing on ice chips during infusion kept the mouth sores away. They told me to use Claritin for leg pain, too. Fortunately, I didn’t have any leg pain. In 2 weeks I start 12 weekly Taxol infusions. Hoping it’s easier than AC. Melissa, make sure to drink lots of water after your infusions and pee a LOT!

2 weekly doses of Taxol and the joint pain is no joke! I have infusions on Thursdays and by Saturday evening and Sunday I can barely move. It’s usually better by Monday afternoon. I’ve tried Tylenol, Advil, Arthritis strength Tylenol, but nothing seems to help. Just has to run its course, I guess. My mouth feels numb and nothing tastes right. My fingertips are tingly even though I use ice gloves and socks. I have 10 more weeks of Taxol. This is rough!!!

I had AC-T treatment prior to lumpectomy. Taxol is a nervy chemo… I came down with neuropathy in hands and feet. I walked 3-4 miles a day which I truly believe helped get past AC-T. AC (includes Red Devil) is quite harsh. AC is more gastrointestinal. Important to ‘stay’ ahead of potential symptoms. You will find out how your body will react on first cycle… next cycle stay ahead of expected symptom… if gastrointestinal fallout, don’t wait before taking anti nausea meds or constipation/diarrhea PRIOR to experiencing the symptoms. I found that CERA VE Healing ointment in TUB worked for peeling effect on bottom of feet. Lather it on! Helps your feet recover once taxol is done. Also helps for subsequent capecitabine(another nervy drug) if prescribed

I have done 7 weeks of taxol and carboplatin with ketuda every third week. ( 12 total treatments) Mostly tired. Lost some of my hair after the third week. Used mittens and booties to ice my feet and hands during the taxol. Fortunately I have no neuropathy from the treatment. Next is adriamycin and cytoxan with ketruda every three weeks for 12 weeks. I have triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma stage 2. My tumor is very topical and was extremely painful before I started treatment. After the third week of treatment my pain resided some and has shrunk some. Surgery is scheduled for after the second round of treatments. I’m hoping for just a lumpectomy. Keep your faith in God.

Many community members share that AC can bring different side effects compared to Taxol, with some experiencing nausea, fatigue, and potential hair changes, though everyone's experience varies. Connecting with others who've completed this treatment sequence can provide valuable insights and encouragement as you navigate this next phase of your journey.