Taxol Treatment

Hey Judy, I wish I could offer words of wisdom; however, I am in the same boat as you.  I had my first taxol two weeks ago (DD Taxol x 4 -every two weeks). Had it on Thursday, and by Saturday thought I was going to die - Sunday, felt as if I did die and had to miss work on Monday due to all the bone aches and pain I was still experiencing.  Everyone said this was so much easier than the AC - can't prove it by me.  I felt it was much worse. Also got neuropathy in all my fingertips and being a legal asst to a partner in a large law firm, type I must.  Also got it in my feet, they felt as if I were walking on hot coals, then began to tingle and get numb.  During the past two weeks, feet are back to normal but not the fingertips.  When I went this past Thursday for my 2nd taxol, onc refused to give it to me due to the fingertips still being numb and postponed me another week, which I hated.  She is also insisting that I be switched to the taxotere as she said it too does cause some neuropathy, but not as bad as Taxol.  I don't know if this is true or not as alot of the gals on Taxotere are suffering neuropathy as well, but she insists on the switch as she said if she keeps me on the Taxol, it may permanently disable my hands.  Just what I need.  I am triple neg so it is important that I get to finish one of these dang Taxanes - just hope I can.  Keep me posted on how you make out - and again, I wish I had a great answer to your situation, but as you can see by mine, I'm in a stinky position too.  Best of luck with it.

Linda

Hang in there, Judy... and do the best you can.  Different pain meds work better/worse for different people so if one doesn't work, keep asking until you find one that does.  No reason you have to suffer!! 

Today is my get-pounded day and I am feeling some aches and TONS of fatigue, but not as much pain as the first two weeks.  I'm making myself go for a short walk later in case that part is really helping.

Hang in there, everyone... and hugs to all.

I also had the really bad pain with the taxol. The only thng that helped was percocet.

I didn't take anything for the diarrhea, but I spent so much time in the bathroom I think my kids went to the neighbors when they needed to go!

My last taxol was April 30 but the tips of my fingers are slightly numb still, though less than they were. The bottoms of my feet remain just as numb as they were immediately after the treatment.

Leah

Judy, I do believe stress has an impact on symptoms, absolutely; I've thought that for years and there's lots of research on it.  Stress impacts every part of our bodies/physical, mental, emotional... anything that helps alleviate stress is going to help you feel better to at least some degree.

Stress relief for me includes:  I meditate as often as I can (which is not as often as I'd like -- when I'm tired, I have trouble meditating).  Walking in the woods and yoga/stretching also serve as meditation for me, and stress relief (and physical therapy).  Reading, knitting, music. Oh, and it sounds silly, but crying is hugely cathartic for me.  But the physical component is the piece that seems to be helping me most with pain right now.  Whether that will help with neuropathy is yet to be seen, but this treatment has been considerably less painful than my first two so I think it is helping reduce the overall aches and pain and I'm sticking with it. 

Good idea to ask your dr. to recommend pt or mt so your insurance covers it.  Good luck!