Paclitaxel peripheral neurothapy experiences

Hi

my husband suffered from the neuropathy and chemo had to be stopped. He had it really bad because he didn’t say anything for weeks. 

I got him some cream called Udder cream from amazon it works wonders it’s worth it. 

My husband starts paclitaxel on Wednesday first course for second line treatment 

cath 

Thanks Shanney, I'll look into the cream, I hope your husband is ok and doesn't get it back with his new treatment. I read something about vitamin B helping with the nerve endings?? Have you heard about that??

Yes he was prescribed that it is a drug beginning with a P forgotten the name pyrexeton or something like that. His Consultant didn’t think much on it but the nurses prescribed it at the chemo. 

People have said the new chemo isn’t as harsh as the last one the symptom fingers crossed that’s correct 

cath 

Hiya can i welcome you to the community none of us want to be a member of but as you have already seen from the lovely there is always someone around to offer help and support.

This group tends to be quiet as there are only a few of us, so maybe also try posting in The breast Cancer group too, more people visit there so you will get more responses. 

as for Google, put it out of your mind, the information can be wrong and out of date. I never looked on google till half way through treatment and had myself dead and buried. That triple negative breast cancer is difficult to get rid of!!! Well google you are wrong because a few weeks later i was given the all clear :O) 

Hope you're feeling better this morning, keep talking to us, i had a different treatment to you so can't really off any advice apart from take each treatment as it comes and if you have any worries or concerns speak up and tell your chemo nurses, they are there to make sure you are ok and will do whatever they need to do to keep you well.

Also remember everyone is different, and they have to tell you the worse case scenarios to cover their backs, it doesn't mean it will happen to you. 

Thanks Shanney 70 it sounds hopeful that the new chemo won't be as bad, fingers crossed!

Tessa11

Hi TheScriptfan

Yes, I have to say it made my day to receive Shanney70's reply so quickly!

and I know you are right about Google and the worst case scenarios. It was more the way the oncologist just dropped the info about possible permanent damage that got me searching for more info.

I'm OK for now and this is a wonderful support forum

Hi tessa 11 

just wondering how you are doing on the paclitaxel ?my husband has just had his 5th dose this is how his week pans out: 

thursday - chemo - shattered and bed early 

Friday - burst of energy throughout the day slight tiredness but feeling good slight nausea 

Saturday - feels good, slight nausea, eats well once nauseas  eases 

sunday - has a couple of naps during the day, nausea passes feels ok 

monday - extremely lethargic, lots of naps 

Tuesday - pre chemo - tired but not too bad no nausea 

Wednesday - tired but no nausea

thursday chemo 

his pain is getting a lot better and in the last 5 weeks he has only had one bad night that he was awake and unable to sleep. Is having MST 15 mg twice a day and oramorph for breakthrough pain but has gone from having 15mls of oramorph a day to 2.5 ml or none so pain is easing. He was up most of the night during March and April rolling around in pain but that seems to have subsided hoping it’s the chemo that is having a good effect. His hair started falling out after the fourth treatment so it’s now shaved off. He was having the steroids two for two days after the chemo but I asked could it be one a day for four days which works so much better for him 

how’s everything with you !?! 

Cath 

Hi Shanney 70,

I meant to reply earlier, sorry. I'm so glad your husband's pain has eased, that must be so difficult for both of you.                                   I'm moving along, have just had 6th Paclitaxel, 6 more to go. I don't have a real pattern, but I certainly get very tired and I feel weak, breathless after the least effort. I don't get much  nausea, I sometimes get a headache but that's usually if I haven't drunk much water. I've had some weird inner ear pain, but it went away, and some skin rashes. Last week the skin on my toes started peeling, this week toes have gone just a little bit numb on the tips, and the tips of my fingers feel a bit strange too.My hair mostly went with first kind of chemo, my eyebrows and lashes with Paclitaxel. That's about it physically. I am more anxious than usual ( and I already tend to be anxious), but the oncologist said that's people with cancer on chemo rather than a side effect of Paclitaxel. I can't make decisions, feel overwhelmed if asked to, and I have a shorter fuse than usual,I'm sure my husband would agree!

Good luck with everyhing

X Tessa11

Hi Tessa 

lovely to hear from you. My husband agrees with tired and weakness he really struggles Tuesday and Wednesdays before chemo again on Thursday. 

the anxiousness I can recognise in my husband. He has his 6th cycle tomorrow. He had the neuropathy before I’m hoping it doesn’t happen again. Ensure you use plenty of cream on those hands and feet it does help we used udder cream is fantastic

it is such a shame steroids can’t be given all the time during chemo, I’m sure it would help the energy levels

good luck

cath  

Hi Shanney 70

I have started using  cream a lot more often- thanks. Hope Cycle 6 went OK  for your husband.

Take care,

Tessa