Abraxane after Taxol Experience
I just had a total hysterectomy or radical with bilateral oophorectomy in may after beginning my fight against cancer in march 2026. The tumor was causing necrosis and I had to emergently get it out ended up having two surgeries so they could stage it after ended up with ovarian clear cell carcinoma stage 1C3 because my abdomen was full of blood with tumor cells floating in it. My left ovary ended up having a rapidly growing thing on it after the initial surgery that they were worried was more cancer but it ended up being a ton of endometriosis. Any how I already have all this anxiety because all these things keep happening so fast that I kind of haven’t had much of a choice because of the danger. Like I had a pulmonary embolism too. I’m only 33 we were trying to get pregnant for 5 years now I don’t have any ovaries and am on menopause. Luckily my tumor isn’t affected by estrogen so I am able to be on the patch.
Anyways, post op they wanted to do at least 3 cycles of chemo so I started on Carbo/taxol the highest possible dose and of course was scared going into it because reading up on the allergic reactions. I had a small reaction during where I got shortness of breath and back pain but after slowing and doing some oxygen I finished. Then over the next probably 7 days the shortness of breath persisted and got way worse along with strong palpitations that would only somewhat stop if I squatted on the ground. So I ended up in the ER and luckily everything was negative it was just side effects. I got more steroids and Benadryl. Also got fluids. I had neuropathy immediately. Lost all my hair within 10 days. And just overall was extremely sick to where I thought I wouldn’t make it. I felt like a total wimp seeing how so many other people went through way more than me and pulled through or on the other hand other people didn’t have nearly as much issues as I was experiencing.
They are switching me to Abraxane/Carbo and doing an infusion every 3 weeks. I know my reaction to taxol wasn’t nearly as bad as a lot of people but idk if it’s just a combo of anxiety from the menopause too and my hormones being all out of whack but I’m like tormented by the thought of doing more chemo and scared of it being worse. But I’m going next week as my Signatera result from last month was higher than the one before my last surgery. So I kinda don’t have too much of an option at this point.
Can anyone tell me what their experience with Abraxane was like especially those who started with taxol and switched? Any input would be very appreciated. Or any advice as to how you handled it and took care of yourself after.
Thank you.