Paclitaxel PN question

Hi Londonmumof2

I'm just 'bumping' your post as I noticed that you hadn't had any replies.

x

You are not alone , I have alsorts of foot problems due to paclitaxel...….they are numb , feel like I an walking on waterfilled pads …...my ankles swell , sometimes I can`t bend my toes etc etc , I would not dream of trying to run , I overbalance very easily !! How are your hands , I can`t feel most of my right hand at all …….Oncologist tells me this sometimes improves , but can take months , especially if you have had another 2 taxol "  too ….like Docetaxol ….I did .

I am told Vit b can help , ask your oncologist …….

I have bought some ugly shoes ( I have a lot of shoes I love , but cannot wear now ) but I am alkive and that is what matters !!!  Best of luck   x

Thanks and sorry to hear about your problems. Have you been told that they will improve? 

I cooled my feet and hands so they're not very tingly,  but I've dropped a couple of things,  and yesterday burnt my hand on the oven but didn't realise until bedtime! The wobbly legs have mostly resolved again,  but my ankles are clicky and sore still, and my lower legs tingly.  I will see my oncologist on Monday and ask if 7 paclitaxel and 4 EC is enough. Chemo adds 4% over 10 years on average,  so I think I must be well on my easy to the 10%:)

Good luck! X

I love the Steven Hawking quote , but if I try to look up AND walk , I will fall over , and it is too blooming cold to stand still ……! Best wishes !!

Londonmumof2

Morning.  As you know I have this too following one & only Paclitaxel on 21st nov.  Can't recall if I told you but agreed with onc to go back to EC (quality of life trumps longevity for me).  I still have annoying feet and its still there but is getting better day by day, all be it really slowly.

I also still need to wear "sensible" shoes...not fun at all.  On the plus side my Mrs Overall shuffle has disappeared.

I think you have it a lot worse than me and do hope that you get it sorted.  My main concern was that it can become permenant, hence the request for change of drug.  I think rubbing feet with Vicks vaporub is helping but what helps the most with the tenderness seems to be walking (benefit the following day).  Not sure that will help with dropping stuff though.

Good luck

Sam X

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the reply. I decided (reluctantly) to stop the Paclitaxel at 7, and move on. I requested stopping at 8, but my onco said that it wasn't really much different, as they were both short, but it should make a difference (in as much as noone knows if it would work or if I needed treated at all. I've had 4 full dose EC and 7 Paclitaxel, so feel it's nearly there, as some women have 3 EC and 3 2-weekly Paclitaxel which equals 9 Paclitaxel as full treatment. My gain from chemo was 4% average, so I figure that I've covered most of that(?) I'm not dropping anything now, though the pain and tingling in the legs comes and goes. My PICC line came out yesterday and I've pain between the ribs now, which I also had when it went in so hopefully that will settle.

I've a question mark over radiotherapy now, so need to speak to him, I have my Letrozole, which I'll start after Christmas and the Biophosphate infusion in a couple of weeks....then back to normal until my 1 year follow up in April:/

Glad to hear that you are recovering and the EC is going OK. Will you manage your last dose by the new year? It's great that you managed to swap, and you're not the only one on 6x EC on the chemo thread, so I think that it isn't unusual. I hope that you have a lovely Christmas without too many side effects:) xx

Londonmumof2

Hi there, Glad to hear the chances that your phone, glasses, plate full of Christmas dinner making it from A to B in one piece have significantly increased, pain that you've still got painful/tingly/annoying feet like me.  I did treat myself to a session at the chiropodist yesterday which was so nice and think they feel much better as a result.

Great you're rid of PICC line, will lose my port by Feb when have surgery, can't say it bothers me that much,  What does bother me is that apparently its my hospital's policy to not use port for power injected scan contrast (and my hand still hurts from the last cannulation 2 months ago) so have sent a mail to the CEO asking that they reconsider a pointless decision...hopefullyin time for my final MRI in Jan (some hope!).  Am however a woman-dog with no veins-a bone...

What is your question mark over rads?

And yep, last chemo 27th Dec - HURRAH!  And its been so relatively easy for me, just be glad to be rid of this end-of-chemo pathetic lethargy....need my energy back! Am hoping taste buds make a resurgence for Weds....

Hope your family have a cracking one too.

Sam X