Numb toes from weekly paclitaxel

Hi

yes I have been left with peripheral neuropathy in my toes and tips of fingers . I finished treatment Aug 18.

its tough as we all want the full treatment but continue to be honest and tell your team and be guided by their decision. Peripheral neuropathy can be life changing and effect walking and how you work with your hands . 

I manage fine but sometime my feet are sore . I didn’t get my 6th Dosetaxel . 

I hope you have a nice Christmas, it will be different from last year , but you can still make it special . 

love 

Ruby Rose  

I didn’t suffer peripheral neuropathy until my 8th out of 9 Paclitaxel and then only mildly, so I finished my treatment, that was 28/11. I still struggle with numbness in my fingertips and toes some days I think it’s gone, the next it is back. Mine must be really mild as I only got it at the end of my chemo. I can only imagine how life changing it is if it takes hold early on. Be guided by your team as I understand this can be permanent and you wouldn’t want that. I know some of the ladies on here have done some % and number crunching as to how much treatment advantage is lost by cutting short the treatment and it isn’t always very much. 

Good luck for the rest of your treatment

Eileen

Like you I had 4 EC then was due to have 4 paclitaxel (followed by mastectomy & rads).  I responded very well to the EC (people generally respond to one better than the other) and had my first paclitaxel 21st Nov following which I got peripheral neuropathy.

For me quaility of life far outweighs longevity so, although my oncologist was keen to carry on with a reduced paclitaxel dose, and given my good reaction to EC, we agreed to stop the paclitaxel and return to EC.

I would ask your team for information re the pros & cons (i.e. % chance of your surviving 10 years etc.) of the options open to you so you can make an informed decision given your priorities in life.

Good luck and hope your feet improve - mine are still "odd" (as are thumbs) but I can now walk normally, they are no longer tender and the odd sensations have died down and can wear normal shoes.

Sam 

Thank you. I have been back to the hospital today as was due blood tests. The nurse checked the notes the consultant had made last week and she said if no improvement then chemo has to stop. My two toes are still numb and she seemed to think by now some sensation should've come back. I asked what would happen if it started to improve by next week and she is going to email my consultant. As its Christmas the nurse doubts whether she will hear back before next week. I just hoped I would be able to manage a few more but have to be guided by them. 

I have had surgery already in July and this as they say is precautionary and to reduce the chances of it returning. I am being referred for radiotherapy and will start taking tamoxifen once the chemo stops.

Merry Christmas x

Hi.My situation is different but I am on weekly Paclitaxel too since August and have numbness in my fingers not toes.I have told it to my Oncologist and she said if I want to stop we can.But because I am responding well to the treatment - I am "apparently" stage 4 breast cancer my tumour I can feel it is almost untouchable and the scan confirmed it, in my breast I don't really want to stop it because if it's working that's important for me.I am not planning to go back to work anyway.I can still get dressed and for can opening I am using for fork or spoon.I know its sound mad but I really want to get rid of the tumours.I also do some hand exercises.

Good luck.

Hi, I think if I hadn’t had my mastectomy already I would push to carry on with the treatment even with numb toes. They are going to give it one more week to see if feeling returns if not I will start radiotherapy. 
Am glad it’s working for you and wish you all the best with the rest of your treatment. 

Good luck 

Hi - yes, me too, was supposed to have 9 weekly cycles of paclitaxel but it was stopped after receiving cycle no. 7 as my feet were tingling, numb and painful. Several weeks later there is much improvement although a way to go.  Especially noticeable at night - I've found massaging E45 around cracked/hard skin on heels has helped a lot and apply Morrisons vapour rub to the balls of my feet which strangely seems to calm the nerve sensations so I can get to sleep.  I had been prescribed a medication but decided not to take unless absolutely necessary (not taken so far) as felt body had been subjected to so many chemicals over the past few months I didn't want to bombard it with any more but rather give it a chance to recover. I hope that helps!