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ilovewhenitrain's avatar
ilovewhenitrain
Member
4 years ago

Cold therapy for paclitaxel

Hi ladies,
I’ve been recently diagnosed with triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3 with lymph node involvement. I’ve been doing ok-ish, lots of ups and downs since I got the news 2 weeks ago. 

I’m starting weekly paclitaxel with 3 weekly carbo on Friday, for 12 weeks, and I’ve been reading that cold therapy can help with peripheral neuropathy; I’m more worried about this than losing my hair to be honest as it sounds so scary…and possibly permanent.

My oncologist didn’t mention cold therapy, and I’m wondering if it’s too late to ask since my next appointment is going to be the day I start chemo? Has anyone had experience with this or can provide advice on how to approach it? Do you wait until you experience some numbness and then address it?

Thanks :smile:

2 Replies

  • noosa_blue150's avatar
    noosa_blue150
    Member
    4 years ago
    Do ring and ask about cold therapy at your oncology site , as specil gear may not be available and you’ll have to make own arrangements as suggested by Afraser. 

    I had taxcel x 12 doses about 12 months ago and about treatment 8 started  getting numb toes from PN - hands had tingling but not as affected as feet. oncologist then amended dose to 75% x 3 , then last dose 50%. Whilst I have still,ended up with numb toes , PN isn’t as bad as what it could have been because of amended dosage.Discuss that approach with your oncologist and see if it suits .
    ‘Not everyone gets the PN .
    whilst the goal is always to finish ones chemo treatments , quality of,life and side effects may mean variation required . I still managed to get almost total tumour regression at surgery although dosage amended down .

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    @ilovewhenitrains

    Best to start cold therapy right from the beginning. PN is one of those side effects best not started if you can avoid it. You can surely ring and ask, it’s a perfectly reasonable request. It wasn’t a thing when I was being treated and I have some probably permanent damage. It doesn’t affect too much but I’d still prefer not to have it. The therapy is certainly worth a shot. Others have put together their own ice socks and gloves (there’s a thread on this site) and so am sure can assist you more. Best wishes.