Neurapthy & Taxotere

'lizbeth · 09-21-2008, 06:18 PM

Hello all,

I have one more Taxotere to go, but am having problems with numbness in my hands, and weakness and throbbing in my arms and legs.

I don't want to be a wuss, but I work with my hands all day long and my oncology nurse said 50% of patients with neurapthy don't improve after treatment.

Has any one else regretted continuing Taxotere with this problem?

I've been taking B12, B6 and 600mg alpha lipoic acid.

I'd love to hear other's experiences.

'lizbeth

CindyE · 09-21-2008, 07:19 PM

I had Taxotere and have just a bit of tingling in my hands. I have also had some charley horses in my right foot when I lay down to sleep. It's not bad and I've had been taking l-gutamine but had stop when I started radiation as my Rad Dr didn't want me to take it while I was doing radiation. The l-glutamine does seem to help with the problems as mine got much better while taking it. So far the problem isn't bad and doesn't seem to be getting any worst. I finished chemo on 7/24 and work with my hands quite a bit. I also do crocheting and I haven't been bothered by any real problems lately.

caya · 09-21-2008, 07:35 PM

I had Taxotere, did have alot of neuropathy - mostly pain in my legs and feet - then afterwards it actually got worse when I started Tamoxifen and Herceptin. It took a couple of months to settle down after I finished chemo and my body adjusted to the Tamox. and Herceptin. My onc. prescribed Naproxen which I basically lived on for about 8 weeks, gradually easing off as the weeks went by. I know Taxotere is a difficult chemo, but it is proven to be very beneficial to Her2+ BC patients. Stick with it, I'm sure you will be fine.

I had my last Herceptin a little over 4 months ago, still on Tamox - doing fine. I did start taking glucosamine chondroitin 2x/day last fall , as well as 2 x Omega 3 1000 gm. daily - I think this has really helped.

all the best
caya

Chelee · 09-21-2008, 11:44 PM

Lizbeth, I had six infusion of "TCH". The taxotere did cause some neuropathy in both my hands and feet. It was very annoying as I was so worried it was going to get really bad before I was through. I was concerned like you are that it would never go away after I was finished with chemo. But for me personally that is a chance I was willing to take because I had to know I did everything possible to keep "it" from coming back. Plus most the women I had spoken with on the boards all said in time their neuropathy went away.

That being said I believe it was about six months after I finished chemo that I noticed the neuropathy was slowly going away. Then about a year after the end of chemo I was pretty much back to normal. I can honestly say I don't have any problems with it at this point.

The weakness, aches and pains you speak of will be there until you finish your last chemo. I was pretty achy all the time with the taxotere but that too did pass. In fact the aches and pains in my bones, muscles and body left pretty quick after my last infusion. Within a couple months I felt like a new person just being on herceptin alone. That was a piece of cake after the taxotere. You only have one more Liz...I know its not easy but you really should finish it. For you to have peace of mind...your going to want to know you did everything you possible could so hang in there & get this behind you. You can do this.

Chelee

Mgarr · 09-22-2008, 01:53 PM

Lizbeth,

I am sorry about the neuropathy. I too had it but when I mentioned it to the onc. he cut my Taxol dose in 1/3 so I would go weekly & it seemed to help. As for the neuropathy going away mine has not gone away totally, things usually bother it like extreme cold or heat but it should subside considerably.

Mar

Jean · 09-22-2008, 02:16 PM

Hi Lizbeth,
I did not have any trouble with my hands but did experience neuropathy in my feet. When I spoke with Dr. Slamon he advised that to give it time. It took almost a year for my toes to improve.

Jean

Ceesun · 09-22-2008, 03:16 PM

Yes, I had it in my hands and toes. It took a year or so to improve...I was a teacher so it was very hard for me to pass students' work back to them, but I found ways to compensate. It should improve with time. Good Luck. Ceesun

juanita · 09-22-2008, 04:02 PM

i still have it mildly in my fingers. it's not as bad as it was thankfully, but it does affect what i do. used to cross-stitch but it makes it hard to hold the needle.

'lizbeth · 09-22-2008, 06:16 PM

Dear all,

Everyone - Thanks for posting. I feel much better hearing that in most it improved in time.