Peripheral neuropathy.

Hi Sassy

I also had carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in 2022. I started to develop neuropathy symptoms after the first cycle. My paclitaxel was reduced for the 2nd and 3rd cycles and then halved for the 4th cycle. My carboplatin was kept the same. 

I was told that where neuropathy symptoms occur it is best to try to prevent any further damage. My consultant explained that the chemo was like a cake- the carboplatin was like the cake and did the hard work and the paclitaxel was like the icing on the cake. The reduction in dose would unlikely effect how effective the treatment was and it was more important to prevent the neuropathy developing and becoming long term. This is how she explained it to me. 

Jane

 Thanks Jane. Was it your consultant who reduced the dose?

It's very hard for me to make conta t with my consultant as she doesn't have a secretary,  and hasn't had for quite a while.  I've made so many phone calls today to get my question answered. My consultant didn't offer me her email address when I  initially asked how I could contact her.... she just said the phones are always manned. I rang a CNS nurse and she put me through to the chemotherapy unit. Not  much help either. I rang the macmillan helpline and found them very empathetic. 

Bottom line is I guess it's the consultant who sanctions any change in dosage. 

Again, thanks for your response. Sometimes we need a hand to hold. 

Take care, Sassy.

Hi Sassy,

it was the consultant who redused my dose.

the nursing staff follow her prescription. I had bloods taken a couple of days prior to the therapy . This is when she discussed it with me. 

the nursing staff told me that this happens all the time. Very rarely do doses stay the same.

this forum helps us to be kind to ourselves. Our minds are whirring all the time.  A wee virtual hand hold and hug is nearby too . If it stills our brain just for a moment, bliss . I know I need them . 
BM