I had 4 x AC and 3 x Docetaxel (Taxatere) which I believe is similar to Taxol. I actually faired worse on the Docetaxel than AC as I had terrible bone pain for a week each time I had an infusion. It was pretty hellish really. I'd rather have had the nausea with the AC which seemed like a breeze in comparison. My husband dubbed Docetaxel "Docashit" LOL. I just checked my journal and my hands began to tingle around the second week (day 7) after the first dose. They also were red raw and peeling like bad sunburn. By the end of the second week my fingers and toe were quite sore but also going numb at the tips. By the time I had my next Oncology appointment, she confirmed I had neuropathy and this continued to worsen for the next two rounds to the point where I was having trouble with buttons and shoe laces and very clumsy with dropping things all the time. My finger and toe nails were also badly affected and two toe nails began to lift from the nail beds. Eventually they fell off. Surprisingly they weren't sore at all just unsightly. All my finger nails had very pronounced ridges, one for each chemo treatment, but fortunately they didn't come off. By the time I was due for my final round of Docetaxel I couldn't hold a pen or things like a knife and fork and my Oncologist decided to cancel that round because she thought it wasn't worth the risk of the neuropathy becoming permanent. I was very glad and agreed to forego the final treatment. That was back at the end of June this year and I'm pleased to say my fingers and toe are returning to normal. They are still stiff and a little tingling remains but much improved. Bare in mind the neuropathy doesn't happen to everyone and the Taxine drugs effect everyone differently.
As for fatigue, I honestly believe that it's not cumulative but rather that our bodies get worn down further and further with each treatment and that's why you get tireder and tireder. I could be wrong but this is what I think. The mental stress of BC certainly doesn't help either.
Sophie, I really hope you don't developed neuropathy but if you do, I found that a good vitamin E cream massaged in frequently helped a little with the peeling skin and didn't hurt my sore fingers either :)
Sorry I've rambled on so much, I tend to do that LOL
I wish you all the best with your remaining treatments and have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Love Janey xxx
