Had a scary reaction during first chemo - is this normal with Paclitaxel?

What you experienced sounds like a hypersensitivity reaction, which can happen with paclitaxel, especially during the first infusion. Your medical team handled this exactly right by stopping the infusion immediately and giving you additional medications before restarting at a slower rate. It's encouraging that you were able to complete the treatment successfully after the adjustment, and your positive attitude about visualizing the medicine working is truly inspiring. Many patients find that subsequent treatments go more smoothly once the team knows how your body responds and can adjust the premedications accordingly.

This happened to me with paclitaxel. Then I was okay and could tolerate it, but only because they administered the Benadryl by IV prior to treatment. I just want to prepare you in case since you had the same reaction as I did to paclitaxel. I had a reaction to the Carboplatin on the 6th sitting. It happens with that one usually around then if it does happen. They had to switch me to a different chemo after that. Those were the only two reactions I had. I wish you the best, good health and better days ahead.

My issue was low blood pressure, but I mentally prepared for it. That's in the past now. Five rounds of carboplatin treatment, plus Premextred and pembromuzilab every 3 weeks for five cycles nine years ago.