Facial Numbness / Neuropathy on Taxol

Yes, I had this happen on Taxotere, starting from the first infusion. I took L-glutamine and B-6 to keep it from getting worse. It resolved completely once chemo was done, as did the tingling/numbness in my hands and bottoms of my fee. I believe there is at least one on the weekly taxol thread who also experienced this. You might talk to your MO about adding the supplements - I used 30g of the L-glutamine, broken into 3 10g servings mixed with non-acidic old drinks. I took one regular capsule of B-6 daily. I also took one capsule of acetyl l-carnitine, but studies using megadoses had some contraindications so it has fallen out favor during chemo.

Yes, this happened to me too. It started after 9th round of Taxol. It is around the left side if my mouth and chin. I also developed numbness in my feet ant fingers that would come and go but then stayed. I also developed the darkening of the skin on the backs of my hands an a red rash that spread across the backs of my hands and fingers. The skin was rough and sore. Due to all these side effects they stopped the Taxol therapy after round 10. I've had to pause my AC treatments halfway too because of a nail infection that will not clear. My doctor prescribed Gabapentin for the neuropathy and my feet are a bit better but I still feel the slight numbness near my mouth. I'm anxious to get my last 2 AC treatments done to see if the face numbness goes away. I will say that I do not notice it too much but I am aware of to off and on. Good luck to us!

Hello! Just wanted to revive this thread since I am experiencing numbness in my chin this week. I had dose dense Taxol on Thursday, Neulasta on Friday, and then Tuesday noticed numbness in my chin. Feels like I just came from a dental procedure where they numbed up my mouth! I went to the ER because my doctor wanted to rule out something more serious, like a stroke. So that's good it isn't a stroke, but I still have the numbness. Does anyone else have some input about this? Thanks so much!

MinusTwo, thanks for the input. I'm sure at my next appointment I can discuss the option of decreasing the dose. My doctor was not even sure that the Taxol is causing the numbness in my chin. Did you have numbness in your chin/ facial area? I really hope this isn't permanent! It's good to be able to get input from other people out there! I appreciate it! On another note, I see that you did Neuasta. How did that go for you? I had one injection so far and had a lot of bone pain, even with the Claritin/ naproxen combo that was suggested. But definitely don't want low WBC to become a problem (again). Thanks!

I had some numbness in my nose and upper lip during Taxol and, to a lesser extent, the entire left side of my face. The left side is where I had Bell's palsy many years ago and it's also the surgical side. It mostly resolved without a problem, but not so with the neuropathy in NY fingers, toes and, at times, left shin. I hope you regain feeling soon.

Lyn