muscle weakness

About halfway through my taxol treatment, peripheral neuropathy kicked in in fingers and toes, then spread to upper calf level. Then, another couple of doses later, my knees would give way. particularly when going down a slope or stairs. Remember in school, when you were standing in line, and some clown would come behind you and use their knees behind your knees and you would collapse? That same thing. Finished the taxol in December, and still don't know where my feet are unless I can see them and the knees still give way, so now I have one of those flash walker thingies with the padded seat. Tut Tuttt...I already have osteoporosis (one rib broken twice, six months apart) without any fall or bang, so I know if I take a tumble, I'll bee in deep doo doo, so walker it is. I have plans to purchase an air horn to affix to the frame to blast twits about to crash into me, whilst hypnotized by their phones. A small toy doggy with nodding head on the seat is also a possibility. Christmas time may or may not mean tinsel too...

I had the same experience which started 3 weeks after my last chemo. Just when I thought everything was over. I couldn't manage stairs, get up if I knelt down. Everything ached and I was absolutely miserable. It seems this can be a side effect of Taxotere--apparently it attacks miofascial tissue and ligaments as well as cancer cells. Fantastic.

4 months later I am far from back to normal but I'm improving. Time and exercise. Some ladies have had access to exercise physiologist but there isn't anyone like that up here so I've  had to hand knit my own program. It's frustrating and painful, see someone about it if you can. Marg.

I had to work really hard to regain my leg strength (I had 2 episodes getting stuck on the floor and literally couldn't get up). You will start to feel stronger soon. I started with simple walking.  Going up and down a single step ...20 steps at a time, alternating legs and also seated squats...using a kitchen chair stand and sit with arms on chest...start with 10 and slowly increase. Some of the issues is nerve related and some is muscle weakness but it will improve. You'll get there. A few more weeks and you'll suddenly have more energy. Kath x