Taxol and Edema

Livy52

I just finished 4 rounds of ac and 12 weekly taxol rounds. I start radiation in two days. I developed peripheral neuropathy and pitting edema almost immediately with Taxol - all in my feet and ankles. My feet and ankles are so mottled and red. Painful. I have tried the lymph node massage, elevating my feet, compression stockings. I was Stage 2B with 3 positive lymph nodes, complete mastectomy. Is this ever going away? I want to return to work but am on my feet 10-12 hours a day managing a restaurant. I just read radiation can cause this edema also. I have had US for blood clots and it was negative. Help please 😊!!!

Moderators

Hi Livy,

Welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry you're dealing with this awful side effect of treatment. You've come to the best place for support and advice, though!

While you wait for the ever-helpful insight from our other members, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Lymphedema, for information on how to reduce your lymphedema risk, ways to manage lymphedema, and working with lymphedema.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

SpecialK

Sounds like a reaction to the Taxol, which is common, but not necessarily lymphedema. Ask your oncologist or primary care doc about a mild diuretic. This happened to me and several of the ladies on the triple pos thread who were on Taxotere, and I was prescribed Triamterene. It did eventually go away, and I stayed on this med for quite a while after chemo was done, then gradually weaned off. Good luck!

Kicks

Talk to your Drs!

"feet and ankles - mottled and red. Painful" screams for medical interventions. Sooner rather than later

Of course anything is possible, but LE post BC surgery is usually limited to arm and/or upper trunk - not feet and ankles bilaterally.

ChiSandy

Have to agree with Kicks—it sounds cardiovascular, not lymphatic. Swollen feet & ankles can be serious and might require intervention by a cardiologist or at least an internist. Adriamycin can cause clots, and you want to rule out deep vein thrombosis—get an ultrasound of your feet & ankles to make sure there’s nothing there but fluid. Make sure you’re not getting under-or-over-hydrated via IV with your chemo—fluid overload starts with swelling, then breathing difficulties and can lead to congestive heart failure. But dehydration can also present with edema.

I didn’t have chemo, but a combination of salty food, spending a lot of time on my feet in hot weather, and then a long flight from Europe left me with feet that swelled several widths and made my toes look like stubs. After an ultrasound ruled out clots, my primary put me on Lasix & potassium for a couple of days. Lost 9 lbs. of water, and I could finally see my toes “lengthen."

Kicks

Renal (kidney) issues can also cause lower extremity swelling.

'Red' and painful swelling/edema needs to be checked out ASAP with medical personnel.

As ChiSandy said edema can be caused by hyper hydration and hypo hydration.

GrammyR

Livy52- I got peripheral neuropathy right after 1st dose mild to moderate but no lymphedema Stage 2b also. I worked as a nurse desk job and wore only comfort flat sandals - luckily in Fl that was all I needed and no hose. Never had the swollen feet like you mention. I agree another opinion may be best way to go. I also had Adriamycin but luckily no side effects except the red pee.

I took FMLA also so my work was very nice about days that I just was not up to a full day. Hopefully your work can work w/you on this -read up on the law on this too.

Big hugs

Rene

Livy52

thank you Rene! Have you had cancer twice