TC CHEMO and neuropathy

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phaila
phaila Member Posts: 279

In TC chemo do both t and c cause neuropathy in hands and feet

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2016

    Hi phaila,

    According to the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Neuropathy, it seems that out of the two, Taxotere may be the culprit. Of course, anything is possible, but neuropathy is listed as a side effect of Taxotere and not noted as one for Cytoxan.

    Others may feel free to weigh in with their experiences, though! Everyone is different!

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

  • phaila
    phaila Member Posts: 279
    edited April 2016

    thank you!

    Was wondering about icing hands feet for both TC meds or just one? Would be 1 hour less of chilly toes:)

    Vicki

  • NoUGo-CA
    NoUGo-CA Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2016

    Hi,

    My first infusion for Taxotere, Cytoxan and Herceptin will be on May 2nd.  During my 'chemo-teach' session with the chemo pharmacists they indicated peripheral neuropathy was a possible side affect of Taxotere.  They told me to take Glutamin (glutamic acid) and vitamin B6 together throughout my entire chemo treatment to prevent or lessen this side affect.  The dosage amount is 15 grams (1 container scoop is usually 5 gram) in 8 oz of juice - or mixed into food by mouth. The B6 is a 100 mg pill taken at the same time as the glutamin.  This combination is taken twice daily.

    I hope this gives you a possible other option or something to try along with icing.

    Vicki (another one)

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2016

    I only iced during Taxotere, and had neuropathy that resolved by the next infusion until infusion number 4, then it stayed but was mild. It resolved completely by a few months post-chemo. I took a B6 capsule daily and 30g of l-glutamine in 3 10g doses.

    NoUgo - be careful that you don't dissolve your l-glutamine in an acidic juice, it can denature it. I would avoid mixing it with food - it tastes like chalk, trust me on this, lol!

  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited April 2016

    Hi SpecialK:

    Thanks for clarifying that L-glutamine is the relevant supplement.

    I note that "glutamine" versus "glutamic acid" (aka glutamate) are completely different amino acids with distinct structures and molecular compositions and are not the same thing (as suggested by a post above).

    Because chemotherapy regimens (and associated drugs), and other drugs received for other conditions may vary, always discuss any proposed supplements with your MO.

    BarredOwl

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2016

    I concur with BarredOwl - I took these supplements, and also acetyl l-carnitine, with the blessing of my MO. He did not suggest them to me, I asked him, and he said it was just fine with him. Same with the icing - he did not suggest, I asked. My center did not assist with icing - I brought my own supplies, and yes, everyone in the infusion room thought I was some kind of nut, lol! Aside from one pinky toenail loss (I think it didn't stay cold enough) which grew right back quickly my nails looked very good - no Mees' lines, no peeling, no ridges. I took it a step further and painted them with dark polish for the day of infusion (there is some thought about light penetration to the nail bed for taxane damage), and then removed that polish the next day and painted on clear nail hardener. Repeated a coat of clear nail hardener every day for the next seven days, then removed it and started that process over until the next infusion.

  • phaila
    phaila Member Posts: 279
    edited April 2016

    Hi Specialk, how long into your treatment did you lose nails? I'm on #3 and have had no neuropathy or any nail problems. I'm hoping the icing is working for me. Number 3 was yesterday and I don't think I was as diligent with the icing so I'm hoping it still works:

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2016

    I just lost that one little toe and I can't remember exactly when it came off, but definitely not before the halfway point. I started chemo in Feb and was not wearing sandals until later in the spring - when I would have worried about missing a toenail - so I am guessing maybe after #4, or between #4 and #5. Also important to keep toenails and fingernails really short so you don't bump or catch them on things, which can accelerate any lifting. Are you doing 4 TC or 6?

  • phaila
    phaila Member Posts: 279
    edited April 2016

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