anybody have ankle and foot swelling with taxol

About week 9 of weekly taxotere, my feet and ankles swelled so much that I could not wear normal shoes.  My footgear consisted of a pair of large hiking boots (worn with very thin socks) and a pair of clogs.   A couple of weeks on a diuretic and they returned to normal. 

I just finished my 12th (and last) weekly Taxol/Herceptin about 2-1/2 weeks ago. I noticed swelling after the second treatment. The swelling continued throughout treatment. For the first 7-8 weeks, the swelling would go down as I slept if I elevated my feet. After that, it was pretty much constant. First it was the ankles, then also the feet, then also calves. My feet would look like sausages with toes. For me left was worse than right. The doc. recommended the elevation, and if "necessary" compression socks and a diuretic. By the time that elevation stopped working, it seemed like I was so close to being finished, I just didn't want to do any more drugs.

So 2 1/2 weeks later, I'm still getting swelling, but it seems a bit less. 

Around week 5-6, I noticed my legs were feeling tired. This persisted too. Around week 10, tired was feeling more like muscle pain. Now, it's persistent muscle pain and stiffness. Just legs, mostly below the knee.

Dang. Taxol was so much better than AC for so long. The first 6 weeks, it hardly seemed like I was on chemo. But 12 weeks of it really wears your body down. 

Hi Mel and all

My wife has had a bad time with chemo and was worse after the Taxol. Her problems started a few days after the end of the taxol treatment to the extent that she now can't walk due to severe edema along with peripheral neuropathy. She has this in both legs and feet and it is now ten weeks since she has been able to walk, although she can get around the house with a walker from time to time. Her oncologist says that she has never seen this in anyone before and she may be right for as far as I have looked on websites many people have had a bad time with feet and legs but I have not come across anybody who cannot walk or is as bad at walking as my wife is. Should anybody who views this be able to help please do. Mel what diuretics did your pcp recommend?

Bob

Dinkumscot - My experience with swelling came right around the time of I ended chemo from the CT X 4. I am a petite person and my ankles, feet, calves thighs, hands, fingers and arms swell to a frightening proportion. I've never seen anything like it. It was the only time I have called for the on-call MO in the middle of the night. I could walk but something like exercise wasn't likely. My MOs assured me I would be OK and prescribed lassix. Two pills is the effective dose for me. Well, I lost all of the water in a few days totaling 10 lbs. That is a lot of water to carry around. I had a few bouts of this early on and now, a few years later, I use the lassix once every couple of months when I notice the start of swelling. Nothing like the original episode thank goodness.

And so, I am wondering how this is going for your wife now. All of my MOs recognized it and assured me it was easy to treat and confirmed it is related to my chemo. If no one has suggested lasix she may want to inquire. It is a super strength diuretic and best to take when you know you'll be home for 4-6 hours. Anyway, I am not a doctor, I do not have neuropathy but I hope my related story can help.

"Frusemide (Taxol)". Frusemide/furosemide a diuretic that is used for alleviating fluid for patients with heart or kidney issues. Taxol is Paclitaxel.

Perhaps your wife needs a further evaluation to figure out what is going on. Other health issues can be aggravated by or develope during/after chemo.

Hi

Thanks for your comment. Sorry for the confusion with frusemide (lasix) which somehow got deleted from my message - Should have read (Lasix) (taxol) the taxol being part of the treatment. Thanks for pointing out what appeared to be in error. Hope you are going well with any treatment.

Bob

Hi Kicks

My wife before chemo was a pretty active person. She is 73 but never had any trouble doing normal activities. She has a physical therapist and an OT who has supplied her with some aids but the OT feels she does not have the expertise to treat the Edema. However the case manager is trying to source somebody who can. I feel that they are a bit slow in treating the Edema because the longer she has no aids like splints, the less likelihood there will be for her walking skill to be maximised. I do not know what a "foot board" is but will ask the OT. Her own doctor has recommended support stockings but because of the amount of swelling the OT was bit reluctant to try them, but we will at least give it an initial try. Her physical therapist comes about every ten days and she does do exercises and tries to sit with her feet up. I have not got the total dx yet - when I do i will post it.

During her treatment the larger tumor grew from about 48mm to 67mm, though one of the oncology team informed me that it had shrunk though only slightly so the mastectomy (right) was going ahead in six weeks time. I was and still am puzzled.

Thanks for your email

I am experiencing almost the same thing with an exception there is more swelling on my right foot. Today was my last chemo treatment. I completed six treatment. What are you doing to reduce the swelling ?

Stacy

A few I tried are,

Elevating hands and feet as much as possible

Walk 30 min min - I know it is hard

Massaging feet as well as repeating fists and relaxing with Arnica gel

But honestly, I think it took its own time to go away. I am just done w radiation 2 wks ago. 14 or 15 wk PFC. It sure feels swellings in general are gone. Chemo and rads have to leave system another words.

Take care

p.s. my bad side swelled more

I swelled up really ALOT after Taxol was over in my feet, ankles and legs. My MO said it was normal and told me to drink a lot of water.

I did. It went away in about 2 weeks! My sister had the same experience - swollen for 2 weeks post Taxol.