Neuropathy... what????

Mamatwoboys
Mamatwoboys Member Posts: 22
edited December 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I have been trying to stay away from the internet and the topic of Breast Cancer.

Because let’s be honest, sometimes we need a break!!!

Anyway I pull something up that talks about a drug they are going to use soon Taxol?? Something?? And that it causes horrible neuropathy.

Anyone know what I can do, before, during, after to minimize this?? More water? Special foods? Supplements? I have had so many issues with my back and knees for many years as it is, I don’t want anything I have a chance of fixing before it happens, if possible.

Anything else I need to worry about? And should be doing now to minimize anything?!?!?

Second treatment Tuesday... getting scared again

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited December 2017

    Mama, take a deep breath. It is not a given that Taxol will cause you to experience whatever horror story you have read about. Please understand that there are degrees of neuropathy -- it can be no more than slight numbness or tingling that is not even painful, and can go away completely after chemo is finished. You will meet with your oncologist or nurse regularly, and keep them informed about any side effects you have. If it looks like you have worsening symptoms, you can talk about reducing the dose, taking a longer break, or stopping the drug. Talk to your onc or nurse and get reassurance that they will be keeping an eye on you. Any cancer treatment has its risks and benefits, and in this case your doc believes the benefit outweighs the risk.

    As for prevention, I have three suggestions: Some people use cold gloves and cold socks (or packs) during the infusion to minimize the amount of drug that circulates to the hands and feet. Also, eating a good diet that gives you B vitamins (e.g. whole grains) may be helpful for nerve health. (No supplements without doctor's ok.) Finally, my nurse explained that Taxol does its work on cancer cells quickly, and if you flush it out of your body after your infusion by drinking plenty of water the rest of the day, you can help minimize side effects. So there are some things you can do.

    Courage!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2017

    As ShetlandPony said - take a deep breath!

    Not all SEs you read about will be experienced by everyone - they are a list of possibles that are experienced by some but not everyone.

    "Horrible neuropathy" is experienced by some. Some experience no neuropathy. Different ones of us experience varing levels from none to 'horrible'. No way to know what we will each experience ahead of time.

    I did 12 weekly Taxol adjuvant and had no issues with neuropathy at all (didn't have any on DD A/C neoadjuvant either). The worst SE I had with Taxol was very lowered temperature (dropped to 94 more than once). Because of my lowered temperature, I had to have a glassed in cubicle with it's own thermostat to raise the temperature and be covered by warmed blankets, so 'icing' my hands and feet was not an option for me. I have read many who said that 'icing' hands/feet did help them so if that's an option for you - check it out. I have read that 'icing' also helps with nail issues. Others who did it can give you input on that too

    Gain all the insight/experiences to be armed with the 'possibles' but we are each so unique and do not/can not have the same experiences that anyone else has experienced.

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