Taxol Pain

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pupfoster1
pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Well GRRRR,

I had really hoped I would be lucky with the switch to Taxol, but by day 3 I started feeling the se's.  I'm not getting  a lot of bone pain so to speak (although some) but a lot of stabbing, jabbing pains, in particular in my lower abdomen---my uterine, ovary, vaginal area (anyone else have pain in that neck of the woods??)---UGGGHHH!  Motrin isn't cutting it and I've got some heavier pain killers but only a few left.  Not sure if I'll be able to get a refill as a lot of the area is still snowed in and they can't call in a controlled substance so I'm trying to ration the last few.  Could be a long weekend.

Oh, for those who asked---my onc office said there were no studies showing the weekly prodical works better than the dd one, and the dd is over in 8 weeks opposed to 12 withe the weekly.  BUT it seems for sure the weekly ladies don't seem to get as many se's.  SOOOO, who knows.

Take care,

Sharon

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Oh, Sharon, I am so sorry it has hit you like this.

    I didn't get pain in the areas you described, but I had awful underskin pain in my upper torso up to my neck - I couldn't stand to be touched. Then I also got bone pain in my legs. I just took myself off to bed for a couple of days - my pit of despair, I called it! Armed myself with movies and just popped pills every 4 hours and waited it out.

    I hope you get some more pain killers - could they call in something stronger for you that isn't a controlled substance?? Hang in there, try and focus on how it will be behind you in a few weeks.

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited February 2010

    Ugh, Sharon I'm sorry.  I had a bit of the pain you are talking about but it mainly was the sharp stabbing pains in my hips and legs and feet.   I compared it to acid eating my ligaments. :)

    Today should be the worst of it then it should start easing up.  Hot baths helped me, also.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Ugggh Sharon ~  The stabbing Taxol pain.  I still have it and don't know if it's caused by any lasting risidual Taxol in my system, or if it's from the Rads which I finished in November, or if it's the Arimidex I'm taking now..  I just know I have chronic pain in my joints around my shoulder armpit, neck, back, hip, knees, It's  just so annoying.  I feel like a 90 year old women.  The pain starts at regular times during the day and is even moreso when a weather system is moving thru.  I get the stabbing pain around the breast area where they did the mastectomy and recon.  I live on motrin and excedrin at different times of the day. 

    My heart goes out to you.

    image

    Barb

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    I had terrible stabbing pains in my hips, thighs and feet.  In addition my entire body hurt so bad I couldn't stand to be touched.  It's awful!!!   I had weekly Taxol and my onc told me that it would have been worse for me had I been on DD Taxol. 

    ((((HUGS)))

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  • Leslie1962
    Leslie1962 Member Posts: 233
    edited February 2010

    Just finished 2/12 taxol treatments yesterday. First dose was a loading dose and therefore I got more of the chemo and had generalized body aches. Second dose so far have noticed nothing. Hope that trend continues!

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  • Billynda
    Billynda Member Posts: 121
    edited February 2010

    I just got 2 of 4 (dose dense) on Wed. and yes, I have pains in the vag area, too.  I was too embarrassed to mention them!!!  I'm also getting some stabbing pains in my elbows?  And just about everywhere but it's real subtle.  My first time I took some meds on day 3 I think.  Haven't had to take anything yet this time around.

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  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited February 2010

    Ask your oncologist about this, but there is research that shows melatonin may significantly reduce the side effects of taxane based therapy.

    Here is the abstract from a published work in ASCO in 2007.  I would think if ASCO published it, its not sketchy.

     stract
    Effect of melatonin on taxane-induced neuropathy in breast cancer patients
    S. Sweany, J. Lafollette, J. Pruemer, M. Swango, M. Clark, A. Wainino and Z. Nahleh

    University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

    19640

    Background: Neurotoxicity caused by taxane chemotherapies(CT) can be dose limiting and can cause a decrease in quality of life. Melatonin has been evaluated for its use in decreasing adverse reactions of CT. Preclinical data suggests that melatonin has neuroprotective capability. The objective of this study is to determine if melatonin will decrease the incidence and severity of taxane-related neuropathy. Methods: Fifty patients beginning CT for any stage of breast cancer with paclitaxel, albumin-bound paclitaxel, or docetaxel will be enrolled. Patients should have no underlying neuropathy. Melatonin is given at 21 mg at bedtime on Day 1 and continued for 28 days after the last taxane dose. Every 28 days, neuropathy is assessed using the NCI-CTC 3.0 scale and possible side effects of melatonin are evaluated. Quality of life (QOL) is analyzed using the FACT-Taxane QOL assessment. Outcomes analyzed included the incidence and severity of neuropathy, and changes in QOL. Results: Currently 17 patients have been enrolled with 12 having completed taxaneCT and melatonin. Five have withdrawn due to non-medical reasons and were evaluated for toxicities. The mean age is 49 years (range 36-67 years). The end of study FACT-Taxane score was available for 11 of the 12 patients, with an average score of 135 (range 106-168). The average baseline QOL score was 131 (range 99-148). The average change in QOL score was +4. Eleven have completed paclitaxel with an average dose of 862 mg/m2 (range 525-1620 mg/m2). One patient received docetaxel t 450 mg/m2. Five patients self- reported adverse effects including night-time sedation (2), hot flashes (1), headache (1), constipation (1), nail darkening (1), and fatigue (1). Neuropathy distribution was as follows : 50 % (6) of patients had grade 0, 33% (4) grade 1, and 16% (2) grade 2 neuropathy. The mean change in neuropathy score was +0.67. Conclusion: Melatonin appears promising as a neuroprotective agent in patients receiving taxane-based chemotherapy. No patient developed grade 3 or 4 neuropathy compared to historical controls of 22-33%. Fifty percent of patients treated with melatonin while on taxane CT developed no neuropathy, and those who did, had grade 1 or 2 neuropathy.QOL was maintained. Melatonin's neuroprotective effect should be further evaluated.

    No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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