Neuropathy - Side affect of Taxol

weezie1053 · 05-18-2007, 10:23 PM

Completed 4 rounds of AC/Cytoxin in Nov. Completed 12 rounds of Taxol/Herceptin in Feb 07. Diagnosed with Neuropathy after eighth combo of taxol/Herceptin. Herceptin continues every 3 weeks until Nov 07. Currently taking Neurontin for pain. Advised by physicians the neuropathy may or may not go away in time. Wondering if others experienced the neuropathy and if it did subside. How many months?

Lori · 05-21-2007, 08:57 AM

I had neuropothy (sp?) also, however, I do not think it was as bad as yours. I can tell you that it did subside for me. My feet are almost back to normal. I finished taxol a year and a half ago, so it did take time.

Donna · 05-21-2007, 01:31 PM

I have neuropathy in my feet and at the same time my knees started aching with the same sort of pain although knees aren't typically mentioned. At first it was so bothersome I had to take vicodin in addition to the Neurontin, but after a few months now it has improved alot. My feet and knees are still not back to normal, but the pain and burning sensations have subsided and I only need the vicodin maybe once a week. I look forward to better improvement as time goes on, I think it's pretty rare that it is permanent.

Have a great day!

Donna

Jean · 05-31-2007, 03:05 PM

Anywhere from six to nine months - it has been nine months for me and now
my toes are 75% improved....so I am hoping the rest will follow.

Wishing you good luck.
Jean

hutchibk · 05-31-2007, 05:40 PM

One thing that can help with neuropathy (as it helps heal the nerve endings) is Glutamine powder. It doesn't work overnight, but over time, it can really help with neuropathy. I took it when I was on Taxol, and I still take it. I have been off of Taxol for 2.5 months now, and I do notice that the neuropathy (which was worst in my toes) is subsiding a bit (by about 30-40% I'd say).

I take 1 teaspoon of glutamine powder in a 'shot' of juice 3 times a day...

You can buy it at Whole Foods or any health food/vitamin store. This was told to me by my cancer specific naturopath/nutritionist.

cafe1084 · 06-02-2007, 07:41 PM

I also had neuropathy during taxol, but I took glutamine powder and vitamin e, which I read about in a research article that says these 2 and another supplement(can't remember what it was) would reduce the neuropathy by 35%, which was good enough for me. This kept it at bay for about 6 treatments, then I noticed some muscle spasms in my back and hands, numb feet like i was walking on air, then the pain and tripping over my own feet started. it's only been about 2 months and it's improved about 50%, but I was told it could take a year for it to completely resolve. It also flared up something in my right knee, probably arthritis, that had never bothered me before. It's funny though. I spent a week at the beach in the sand, sea, and salt air and it never bothered me once, until I returned home, the started again 2 days later. I think I've found my excuse to move to the beach full-time

LAURIE · 06-02-2007, 07:57 PM

My fingers are about 90 % back to normal now. I noticed a big change about a month ago. I have some numbness each week with herceptin but that only lasts a day or so. I do not have much feeling in my thumb nut that is because of wearing my lymphedema glove 15 hours a day. My feet are 100% back, but they were not as bad as my fingertips were.

weezie1053 · 06-11-2007, 09:29 PM

Thank you to all who responded to my inquiry about neuropathy following Taxol. I have cut and pasted a couple of the emails regarding Glutamine and I've forwarded the comments to my oncologist who I will see Friday.

I have been off of Taxol since Feb 07, and I am happy to report it is subsiding in my hands. My feet, however, still aggravate me, but I can live with it. I took Neurontin for several months; however, I found that I was suffering from fatigue. Since I stopped taking the Neurontin, my stamina has improved.

This is a wonderful website and resource. I will be checking in more frequently now that I am learning how to maneuver around it.

Thank you all for your help. God bless.

Louise

06-13-2007, 08:18 PM

I have the same situation as Jean. 9 months out from the start of taxol, toes about 75% better. It's good to know they may get better yet.

weezie1053 · 06-15-2007, 04:19 PM

Talked with my Oncologist @ UVA during my herceptin treatment today. They advised for me to use Grape Seed Extract and B6 (100 mg, twice daily). They advised the glutamine powder will only benefit patients while still on Taxol. Thought I'd share this with others.

Also got my BRCA tests back today, and they were negative.

Gals, I'm trying to figure out this website. What's the difference between a thread and a post? I guess I'm technologically challenged. I'm hoping I'm responding to the trails of emails correctly.

Louise