Pain after Taxol treatment

Photobuff
Photobuff Member Posts: 17
edited March 2020 in Pain

Good Morning everyone. Well, I have recently started my 4 rounds of Taxol chemotherapy and although the nausea, diarrhea and severe chemo rash have subsided after my first four rounds of Doxorubicin I am now experiencing the worst joint pain and fatigue I have ever had. I have put a call into the Oncologist to see what to do as Tylenol is not touching this pain. I normally do not take any pain relievers (including Tylenol) but I am willing to do anything to make this stop. I have some slight tingling in the finger tips and feet (almost like you have laid wrong on them and they have gone to sleep). Has anyone had any experience with this extreme joint pain after Taxol treatments? It almost feels like the worst flu you have ever experienced.

Comments

  • Gamb
    Gamb Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2020

    Photobuff, I had the severe pain after my dose dense Taxol infusions. The pain got less as I approached the next dose, but it never went away. I took Norcor for the worse part of the pain, but it helped only a little. After the last dose of Taxol the pain lasted 10 days. I had the numbness and tingling in my thumb and forefinger and now 4 weeks pfc its gone and so is the pain. I hope you find something to ease the pain, I know how bad it can get.

  • berries
    berries Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2020

    I am so glad I found this thread. I have my last dose dense taxol next Thursday (last dose dense infusion was 5 days ago). I am having weird aches and pains, on my right side, hips, breast, etc. Is this normal? My Onc says yes, bone pain is totally normal, however, these aches seem more ab/internal related?

  • Gamb
    Gamb Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2020

    Hi Berries,, with does dense Taxol I hurt bad in my back hips and legs and arms. I also was very exhausted and had lots of gas. If something feels off to you talk to your mo again.

  • Moca66
    Moca66 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    hang in there it will get better. For my last 2 months i had taxol and i did have pain make sure you take some pain medication ( consult doc first ) and now im finish chemo i was told it will take another 2 months to recover. I still have leg pain so i was recommended exercise program. Take one day at a time.

  • Moca66
    Moca66 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    Taxol does make your body go through alot, i had constipation then the doc said take colace and miralax i did, then had diarrhea which made my potassium low. So the doc had to prescribe potassium meds until i finish taxol chemo. Now i finished chemo i still have bone pain in my legs and i was told it will take 2 months to recover. Tylenol 500mg works for awhile and i use heat pad too. Its your body so only you know not the docs

  • Moca66
    Moca66 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2020

    Yes its normal im afraid, i still have bone pains in my legs and i was told 2 months it be ok and i finish taxol jan 8th

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2020

    Moc - my doc started me on a standard magnesium supplement for my leg pain/cramps. It has worked.

  • berries
    berries Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2020

    has anyone experienced side cramps or aches on taxol?

  • Photobuff
    Photobuff Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2020

    Thank you all for your responses to pain after Taxol. I talked to the Oncologist and she said the pain was indeed from the Taxol treatments and gave me some tips to relieve it. However, the next day I ended up in the Emergency Department. Seems I had a lung infection which is now being treated. Dose dense Taxol does cause pain and your oncologist can provide tips to help relieve this so don't be afraid to call them. To everyone who is experiencing this rest assured it is a normal side effect of the chemotherapy. I trust my Oncologist with all my being and tips from this forum have also helped a lot. The support here is amazing and I appreciate each and every one who have responded to my post.

  • Photobuff
    Photobuff Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2020

    Hi Berries: Pain with Taxol is very common. After my second dose I experienced aches and pains as well as tingling in the tips of my fingers and my toes. It was the worst body aches I have every had (similar to having a really bad flu). I spoke with the Oncologist on the phone and she reassured me that this is a common side effect of the Taxol and gave me tips to relieve some of this pain. I recommend calling your Oncologist and speaking with them about it. They are great at relieving symptoms that crop up during treatment. Hang in there, I know it can be frustrating but know that it too will get better.

  • Photobuff
    Photobuff Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2020

    Thank you MinusTwo for the information. I will discuss this with my Oncologist to see if Magnesium may work for me as well.


  • Photobuff
    Photobuff Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2020

    Hi Moca66. Thank you for your response. I spoke with my Oncologist who confirmed that in fact this is a side effect of the Taxol but it is reassuring to see all the post and know that I am not alone. I am happy that you are finished your Taxol treatment and wishing you all the best and in 2 months I hope you are pain free from this treatment.

  • fishtrap
    fishtrap Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2020

    My last Taxol treatment was around Thanksgiving and I finished radiation over a month ago. I am still having pain all over. My shoulders and r arm really hurt. I had a lumpectomy on the left side. I feel weak and I’ve lost elasticity in my skin maybe due to weight loss . I know exercise is good but it seems to make me hurt more. I’m turning 65 next month but my body feels much older now. Good to walk everyday and soak up the sun when you can.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2020

    Fishtrap = It's not surprising to have pain after radiation. If you don't stretch that area every day, those muscles & nerves pull back like a rubber band. See if you can get a recommend to a good PT.

    If you'll go to My Profile & post your diagnosis & treatment it will be easier to understand where you are. There are several other possibilities.

  • Mariadelpilar
    Mariadelpilar Member Posts: 65
    edited March 2020

    I had the same pain also. My dr. Lowered the day after shot from 6 to 4 ml. and I did not have the bone pain again! She said that lowering the dosage would not interfere with the effectiveness of the shot in the recovery of my bone marrow. She also had me taking Claritin in the morning and Benadryl at night.
    Good luck

  • TheShadow
    TheShadow Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2020

    The worst part of taxol for me was all my toe nails fell off...

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