Taxol treatment can result in delayed chronic neuropathy

Hopeful · 11-24-2009, 07:39 AM

Article:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171913.php

Abstract:http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5...497-0/abstract

Hopeful

gdpawel · 12-20-2009, 09:06 AM

Patients with curable early stage breast cancer died from chemotherapy solvent

CHICAGO -- A chemotherapy drug that is supposed to help save cancer patients' lives, instead resulted in life-threatening and sometimes fatal allergic reactions.

A new study from the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports (RADAR) pharmacovigilance program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine identified 287 unique cases of hypersensitivity reactions submitted to the FDA's Adverse Event Report System between 1997 and 2007 with 109 (38 percent) deaths in patients who received Cremophor-based paclitaxel, a solvent-administered taxane chemotherapy.

http://cancerfocus.org/common_chemot...eactions/46410

michka · 12-20-2009, 01:07 PM

I have induced neuropathy after Taxol.It is still here almost 3 years after treatment. It is very difficult during cold weather. I am happy to see articles about this side effect. My onc (I left since) said it almost never happens and would disappear. Well it didn't.

Wendywins · 12-20-2009, 10:36 PM

My oncologist said the same thing (oncologists were assured that by drug companies...so I do not blame my oncologist who reacted quickly by cutting my taxol dosage by 1/3 per infusion and we discussed whether I should even continue having taxol. I still have the aftereffects in my feet. The pain and pins and needles went away from other parts but nerves in my feet (sides and soles) seem to be permanently damaged. Taxol was administered in 2002...and its been over 7 years since the last infusion. Later I found out that the taxol actually reduced reoccurence by 40% (!) in Her2 pos. E/P negs. like me so I am still glad I did it. (It also similarly enhanced survival!!)
Do you have neuropathy in your feet? You mentioned an arm.
I agree that dry heat helps and cold weather increases the problem. I spent time in Baja Mexico, swam in warm salt water and felt it was VERY therapeutic. What have you tried...?

michka · 12-21-2009, 09:01 AM

Yes the neuropathy is in my hands and feet. I remember the onc telling me "no side effects with Taxol"!!!
I also have bad neuropathy in my arm (stabs, burns) since the mastectomy. I had Taxol before the mastectomy so I do not know if it is related or not.
I took Neurontin/Lyrica for over a year and decided to stop. It added other side effects. So I learned to live with continuous pain. Doctors should not lie to us and let us decide for ourselves. The Taxol was not really working so I should have stopped before and go for mastectomy.