Taxol side effects and how to take care?

Hi Cutie-

I got peripheral neuropathy like you are describing in both my hands and feet. I'm over a year and a half out of chemo and I still have some issues with it.

Its definitely not as severe as it was and I think some of what I feel is actually side effect of Arimidex. When I first got it it felt like someone was cutting off circulation to me hands and I used to trip a lot. It's not like that now.

I don't think there is a timetable for it to “go away". Everyone is different.

Your MO probably doesn't know the answer to when it will go away. My MO said to me a couple months ago could take 2 years or even 10 but it will go away. Not sure that is true either.

Some prescribe gabapentin for it. I took one of those and was out like a light for over 12 hours. Cymbalta was suggested as well. Didn't take it.

I did do acupuncture and I felt it helped but I was painful too! Thats right,now I remember it was super helpful to me.

They tried to send me to PT but my PT guy that was helping with my reconstruction issues said don't bother it won't help you! I took his word for it and didn't waste my money.

Hi cutie. I have peripheral neuropathy in my fingers and toes. I finished 12 weekly taxol treatments Feb 22nd and since the effects of taxol have worn off my pain? from the neuropathy has gotten worse...more intense. At first gabapentin helped then MO upped it for me..3 was ago I asked for a mild pain killer... 5/325mg hydrocodone/tylenol 3x's a day. I had relief but now I have none. Sometimes I feel like I have ankle booties on due to the neuropathy.

What I found that has helped is I use some heat booties DH got me a few years ago. I pop them in the microwave for about 90 seconds and then onto my feet. They have these little beads in them that hold the heat and also massage you feet if you get up. They help wonders and I can usually go to bed once my feet feel warm again.

I've done research on foot neuropathy and found that warm water soaks can help, adding vitamins B6 & b12, alpha linolenic acid and a few others.

I also heard it gets worse before it gets better so I try Not to dwell on the fact that I'm uncomfortable 24hrs a day. I'm just waiting to feel 'normal' again.

Good luck to you and please stay in touch as we can all learn from each other.

I am also experiencing neuropathy while doing dose dense Taxol. I am two cycles in with two more to go. I am so ready to be finished with chemo! My husband just got me a foot warmer to see if it would help with the numbness in my feet. I haven't tried it yet. Also, I have been taking hot baths daily. This seems to relieve any pain I have in my joints while letting my body relax for a bit.

During taxol I was advised by my onc to eat foods that are rich in magnesium to help. (Mangoes are a delicious choice and there are lots of other choices if ypu look it up

I'm over 5 years out with neuropathy from TCHP. Fortunately I don't have pain. I still do have mostly numb, dead feet and reduced feeling in my finger tips.

If you haven't finished the chemo, you can get your MO to adjust the dose - although in the end I chose not to do that. Yes I iced. Yes I took B vits & glucosamine & magnesuim & water & every other recommendation.

I've been to see a neurologist twice since ending treatment. She did all the tests to confirm. If you don't have pain, there's really nothing they can do. She said it might get some better in 2 years - 'better' meaning up from the worst day, but not back to where we were before chemo. I was thrilled that my original symptoms improved so I could do up the zipper on my levis by myself, but I have problems trying to swipe a phone since I can't tell if I'm pushing too hard or not hard enough. The balance issues with my feet are more problematic - but I do exercise 3-5x a week to keep the blood flowing at least.

Some people have posted about relief of symptoms with acupuncture - but I expect that means relief from pain. I haven't heard of anything to get the feeling back.

Dear TXDPSTrooperbeatscancer,

Welcome to the BCO community. Thanks so much for sharing your story with our members. We know that it helps to hear from an 8 year survivor. Let us know if we can be a help to you as you navigate your way around the boards. We hope you will stay active here and lend your experiences and hear from others.

The Mods