How do I manage paclitaxel side effects and life with stage IV breast cancer?

Making the transition from hormone therapy to chemotherapy can feel overwhelming, and it's completely natural to want to connect with others who understand this journey. Many people in this community have navigated similar treatment changes and found helpful strategies for managing daily life during chemotherapy. Consider keeping a symptom diary to track how you're feeling each day, as this can help your care team adjust your treatment plan if needed. The experiences and practical tips from others here who have walked this path can be incredibly valuable for both managing side effects and knowing what to expect ahead.

I took arimidex for only 2.5months... and I am on a clinical trial.. I have a WEIRD mutation that is only in 4%of breast cancer… It is a KRAS mutation... I wish you the best! You can do it!

I took Paclitaxel (plus 5 other chemos) for a couple of months, but stopped it due to side effects, mostly diarrhea. I'm on Truqap (capivasertib). I have PTEN mutation with AKT/pi3k genomic mutation. Truqap was working but stopped due to diarrhea. Now I'm on a lower dose, restarted on Monday. I had diarrhea today. I'll try Imodium daily to see if it helps without getting constipated. My journey started in 2016, after 10.5 years I'm getting tired of fighting this dis-ease.

It is so hard.. I am just at the start of my journey with stage 4… I beat it and was cancer free for 20 years.. I am so grateful for those 20 years and I am willing to fight like hell for another 20.. but it does get exhausting.. you slowly begin to realize that all of those things you were gonna do… are out of reach. I love to hike… and now I wonder if I will ever be able to do more than some short walks around the neighborhood. I have seen so many stories where they control it for a while with one drug or another.. and then change and change and change to stay ahead of it… I need to get used to this way of life. I am grateful for all of you out there and your stories.

I also just started my journey with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer estrogen,progesterone +, HER2 -, I was cancer free 10 years. I had really looked forward to hiking in my retirement but now I’m limited to short walks and limited house work . I’m fighting, trusting in God and often feeling exhausted. I’m trying hard to keep up hope for being able to do many of the things my husband and I planned on and at the same time I realize that without a miracle from God many of my dreams will never happen. However I do believe in miracles so I’ll keep believing and praying

There are so many new drugs out there! Stay with it, and keep trying new drugs. There are women that have lived with state 4 for 27 years! You can do it!