It depends on the person.  I think one might say that AC has more consistent
side effects, taxanes are more variable, better or worse, at least that's
the way it seems to be reported.

If you are interested in the nitty-gritty you might want to look at the
prescribing sheet.
http://www.aventis-us.com/PIs/taxotere_TXT.html
Under adverse reactions it shows for example nail -changes- as common - 40%,
but 'severe' nail changes as rare, at only 3.7%.
Please don't assume that you are going to get all the rare side effects,
remember most people don't get any of them.

My wife had Taxol at stage IV (it was on clinical trials back then), which
tends if anything to be worse for side effects, and she only got hair loss
and mouth sores, and some travel sickness, and of course depressed
white-cell counts.  (But in her case it didn't stop the cancer either, so
I'm not sure that is a recommendation).

Tim Jackson.

   I think I have had all the  side effects that were mentioned except
nausea and throwing up. Sore mouth, sore rear end, fatigue,
constipation, Taxotere burn, hair loss, and the tingly toes.  
   I had my second Taxotere treatment a week ago. I have been getting
cracks in the corners of my mouth, (hurts when I open my mouth) and a
slightly sore mouth, nothing like I did with A/C. I have fatigue which
seems to last most of the 3 weeks between. I have been sleeping a min.
of 2 hours every afternoon. about 5 hours after waking..I don't feel
like doing anything.
   I have been feeling a funny dead feeling in my big toes on and off.
I figure it is working on my toenails. I have lost about 1/3 of my hair,
tho actually shaved off the rest, thinking like with A/C that it would
all go shortly. So far it is hanging in there and growing so I have to
keep shaving or get pricklies. How does Michael Jorden keep his soft and
shiney..? Maybe I was a little premature on the shaving bit.
   I can't stand the taste of coffee unless it is in an iced latte kind
of thing and some other foods especially meat doesn't appeal to me. I
have not lost any weight, tho so guess my caloric content is enough to
sustain me. Veggies go down pretty well and are pretty tasty. I have
decided this time that I am going to eat stuff that taste good and to
heck with the nutriments. Ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and York Peppermint
patties go down well..
   My daughter got me an elixer called Seasilver. They have a website.
Which was supposed to help a friend of hers feel better faster after
treatments. This stuff is full of herbs and minerals, but you have to
hold your nose to take it, UGH!!! I told her I would take this bottle,
but not to buy me another one..So far, After a week, I feel no change. I
tend to want instant gratification, tho..
   On the plus side, my tumor markers were at 2400 and I had a lot of
bone pain, which has lessened alot..Don't know where the markers are at
this point after 2 treatments but will know by the next and hope to see
a big drop...
   Good luck, Pat Richardson
 
 
 

I did A/C & Taxol 5 yrs ago and Taxotere last year.  Taxotere was much
more difficult.  I did it weekly for 3 then 1 week off for 5 cycles.
Have been off of it for 1 year. Had to stop 1 month early due to pleural
effusion. I was bloated and short of breath.  My lymphedema arm became
grossly swollen and is now permanently swollen, fibrosed and disabled.
Also the standard, more minor side effects: hair loss inc brows and
lashes which have not fully recovered. Nails pulling away from nail bed
and infected. Nasal congestion (still have), watery eyes (still have),
bad taste, mouth sores, minor neuropathy, leg pain, weight gain.
Oh, the joys of breast cancer!  Cathy  

Eva:

2 things for mouth sores.  

1.  You can gargle with but don't need to swallow Malox.  It will coat your
mouth and throat and make it easier to eat and swallow.  

2.  Get some Rembrandt toothpaste for Canker Sore Sufferers.  It works because
it contains no Sodium Laurel or Laureth Sulfate which aggravates mouth sores.

Sassy

Eva wrote:

Eva wrote << I'm going to start Taxotere next week, after having an *awful*
time with
A&C.  I've just been sick as a dog for the past 2 months.  I was looking
forward to having something different >><BR><BR>

Eva wrote << I'm going to start Taxotere next week, after having an *awful*
time with
A&C.  I've just been sick as a dog for the past 2 months.  I was looking
forward to having something different >><BR><BR>

Each responds differently to the different chemos.  I did okay on AC but it was
given every 3 weeks and had an awful time on Taxol.  I found Taxotere much
easier.  One of my colleagues had a horrible time with dose-dense AC but is
finding Taxol much easier.  The main problem I had with Taxotere was that the
pre-steroids did a number on my skin--had an horrific case  of acne.  Before my
next treatment I was given prophylactic doxycycline, and did not have that
problem.  Perhaps that was a blessing in disguise in that the doxycycline may
have made the Taxotere work better.
I had the Taxotere with the Herceptin, but I had been given 5 weeks of
radiation after the AC and before starting the taxane.
I hope you have an easier time with it than you did with the AC.  Take care and
wishing you all the best!