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Blossom1961's avatar
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago

Fluke???

Three weeks after finishing Paclitaxel I got severe leg cramps that refused to go away. Six weeks later I have an Oncologist appointment. She informs me it is delayed Neuropathy caused by the taxol but it is no way associated with my three weekly herceptin and then has a couple tests done to rule out anything else. Three weeks later again and they are being kept under control with lovely drugs. Here is the thing. Day 4/5 of my Herceptin cycle the cramps get worse, every time. Even with the drugs I wake up with the pain. Is the herceptin flaring up the damage caused by the taxol or did the herceptin cause the damage or is it all a fluke and the Australian doctors are correct in that Herceptin couldn’t possibly be related to any of this? 
chemotherapy-side-effects
paclitaxel
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    7 years ago
    I had to take panadol osteo regularly after I finished taxol and continued herceptin and started letrozole. Everything ached, cramped when exercising and my ankles were unbearably stiff. I started on fish oil and managed to drop som weight and my joints improved a lot. Enough to stop regaular anything. I've gained some weight so sadly back on fish oil which has git me moving again. I didn't find anything changed after herceptin for me. But I do have less cramping issues now 2 years post chemo.
  • Blossom1961's avatar
    Blossom1961
    Member
    7 years ago
    Drugs.com and cancerresearchuk.org also have side effects listed but Aussie doctors prefer the Aussie research so I guess it is a wait and see game. Not much fun playing though.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    7 years ago
    Can definitely see your point. If you check the side effects listed by the manufacturer, or on a reliable website, you may have something to go back to your oncologist with. 
  • Blossom1961's avatar
    Blossom1961
    Member
    7 years ago
    Definitely worse at night. I try to walk but only manage a couple kms. My ankles are quite sore after the herceptin treatments so walking causes more pain but I lather on the magnesium oil and hope for the best before I set out. My concern is probably the cause of the pain rather than the pain itself. I am resigned to taking pain killers for a short time but not long term. 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    7 years ago
    I never had any pain (or any side effects that I could identify) with Herceptin. I got peripheral neuropathy with Taxol but no leg cramps. I will quite cheerfully (and possibly unfairly) blame anything on Taxol! It's possible that some residual influence is at play - Taxol damage can take quite some time to abate.  Is it worse at night? If so exercise might help. Best wishes.
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    7 years ago
    You may as well be asking what is the meaning of life...

    (Yes, I know, 42!)