[chicagoetc]

I think the peripheral neuropathy is one of (or the) most common side effects to Taxol. I finished Taxol/Herceptin together at the end of February. Side effects included neuopathy (fingers, hands, toes, feet) also accompanied by hypersensitivity to the skin in those areas, soreness and pain around fingernails. I used lots of bandaids and some neosporin(depending on the sensitivity) both on my hands and my feet (depending on the area worst affected).

I couldn't walk more than a half block because of the pain in my feet. I couldn't feel with my fingers...i.e. problems with buttoning, typing, turning pages when reading, opening cans/bottles.

My husband helped by "opening" everything I had trouble with. This was important I think to reduce injury caused by applying too much pressure on areas that were numb.

My doctor took me off the Taxol for 4 out of the 12 weeks. My understanding is that the Taxol is important so I didn't want to wimp out. Basically he understood the side effects without me saying much.

The only noticeable after-effects I am aware of is slight numbness sometimes in my fingers. But that may go away too after time.

Apparently most people probably don't have all these side effects...so you will probably be more fortunate. The good news is that most of the side effects disappear.

I need to type a lot at work. I had problems typing all through the time I was taking Taxol. But not now.

All this to say that the neuropathy is common, something you will want your doctor to be aware of. But nothing to be particularly scared of (I think) unless it becomes extreme.

Also if you are only beginning to notice after several infusions, that may be a good sign as well.

Melanie