Taxotere and Icing Fingers and Toes

Hi Theresa,

I iced my hands during taxotere by freezing small 8 oz water bottles and wrapping my hands around them.  I couldn't think of a way to do feet.  I have no neuropathy in my hands or fingers but a little in two toes on each foot.  I can live with that!  I'm still doing Herceptin and my nails look like cra*.  They are peeling in layers.  Don't know if that's left over from chemo or the Herceptin. 

 The nurses were very supportive of me reading about the "icing" on this website, and even asked if they could keep my water bottles for anyone who wanted to try it.  In my opinion, it definitely works!

Shelly

Hi Ladies:

 The onco nurses know about the icing but I didn't think I'd need it - yikes I should have done it - my onc did recommend Sally Hansen Hard As Nails for my fingernails and I did put it on starting with the second chemo and it worked - didn't get a chance to use it on toenails as they darkened right away and I still have neuropathy to this day and it's been almost two years...

Ann, thanks for the links.  My onco doc said that "It may be helpful but icing is your choice".  I would like to take her this thread.  I say, if there is a smidge of a chance that icing would prevent the neuropathy...heck yeah do it!  Exactly...we have gone through enough and if it can be prevented...well I just don't understand them.  My nurses on the other hand were very helpful.  I iced my toes.  I have some tingling in 2 of my toes on right foot...especially when I walk/run.  I would advise everyone not to gamble and ice! JMO;))

This info on nails--especially finger nails--is fantastic.  I will be trying this on my next chemo.  Evidently the cancer center that I go to is not aware of this "icing".  I also have ovarian cancer and while using Doxil I had experienced the "hand and foot" syndrome and had found on the internet that packing the wrist and ankles while receiving the Doxil prevented the hand and foot syndrome.  I had also shared this info with the cancer center for other patients.  Thanks so much.

I didn't know about icing when going through  FEC and taxotere.  However, it was summer, with the A/C going full blast and I was wearing sandals.  No problems with my toes 'cuz my feet were always cold (!) but I did lose both thumbnails and the rest of my fingernails peeled and were very brittle.

Some clinics now have ice mittens and ice socks.  I hope, hope, hope all oncs will soon start listening to their patients and their nurses and start taking this issue seriously.  And, as AnnNYC has pointed out, there are studies which prove that keeping the blood from circulating too easily in the extremities keeps neuropathy and nail problems at bay.

Icing of wrist and ankles.  During the last three taxol treatments I have been using ice in one form or another for my wrist and ankles.  I am currently, using the "Thera-Med Deluxe" hot and cold compresses.  Freeze the gel packs; insert into the wraps (which have velcro) and wrap around both wrists and ankles.  After three treaments using this, my fingers nails are no longer SORE.  My nails had got to the point of feeling like each nail had been mashed.  I also seem to have more feeling in both my hands and feet.  This is GREAT.  Also, I have been using the OPI Nail Envy for "sensitive & peeling" following product directions.  This has been the greatest thing I have tried for the peeling and spliting.  The cost of this was $16.95.  Money well spent.  How I wished this information was given to us by the cancer clinics.  Prevention would be so much better rather than treating the side effects.  More studies need to be done.  I feel like I have been thrown out in an ocean and give a life preserver (chemo) but the sharks (side effects) are nibbling away at my hands and feet.

Have any doctors complained that the chemo can't reach ALL parts of your body if you ice? Or is it not important for hands and feet as it can be for the scalp, and using cold caps?

I have finished 5 tx and I wish I had iced my fingers (and maybe even toes). My fingers and toes are a mess. My thumb became infected and my fingers do  have some pain (had more before after tx4). Yes icing prevents the chemo from going there but I've never heard of anyone getting finger or toe mets. Usually mets  start in larger bones, lungs, liver, brain etc. I might not be comfortable icing my head though because of brain mets but there hasn't been any research to support that cold caps prevent chemo from getting to the brain.

Nope. My onc mentioned icing when I told her my tongue got sore. I started sucking on ice after that and it worked. She never mentioned icing for the fingers. I did it last time but I think it's too late. Granted after icing my fingers didn't hurt as bad as last time… but they are still getting worse.

My chemo center gives you heated blankets. I wish they had those ice gloves and booties instead. I can bring my own blanket or dress warmly.

Good idea to "start a movement" - I've done two cancer centers now and on line here BUT I am met with skepticism from the oncs - they just smile and ignore me - the onc nurses on the other hand listen and nodd and tell me about other patients who "believe the same thing.

It isn't beliefs people!  It is proven fact!  I wonder if BCO wants to put out a position paper (statement) or something - so that the oncs would at least talk to their patients - as for cold caps I know the oncs don't like that at all because of the possibility of brain mets but I wonder if that is even valid - it's going to take some research.  The clear nailpolish idea is from the drug company they hand out freebie bc kits when they bring in lunch for the staff at the centers and the kits contain clear nailpolish so they are well aware that taxotere is causing se's and what they are.

Glad you had your last treatment lago - don't worry your nails will come back and the pain will go away pretty quickly - just remember to wear gloves when doing anything around the house or garden (when spring comes).

Sandy

lago:

Oops, we'll celebrate next Tuesday too!

Hugs, Sandy

I found the Acetyl-L-Glutamine (500mg) worked well to prevent neuropathy for me. Started taking it after my 2nd tx. I still have a numb left heel but so far no other symptoms.

As far as the issues I am having with the nails lifting and hurting underneath… it happens but not as common as some other SE. Odd but they are not splitting.

Over here in Oz we are given ice mits to put on but only for the hands. The staff told me they were supplied by the taxotere company - not sure if this was true. I still had most of my nails break off half way down, but I didn't lose the whole nail. They also said painting them black helps but I didn't try it. Wearing gloves out in the sun was also another suggestion. My toe nails were fine and weren't affected.

Sue