Neuropathy from Taxol

Thank you so much that makes perfect sense. I am quite anxious about seeing my Oncologist tomorrow. I'll post an update once I've spoken to her. 

Hi @Belleindy I got through the regime you are doing but my oncologist was very clear about wanting to know if I got any tingling. He said right from the start that I was not to worry if I didn’t make it through the full 12 taxol rounds as 12 is just the number they have settled on and they know 9 doses are effective too. He said the trick is finding the balance between giving the drug whilst trying very hard not to leave us with permanent damage. I have friends who didn’t get through all 12 because of neuropathy, it is not uncommon. You may find they lower the dose for a couple. As has been mentioned, you have done the big part of the treatment. My oncologist gave me the stats which I changed to my own language as it’s more simple 😀 - here goes - he said AC represents 50% of the treatment and taxol is 50%, that means each taxol is about 4% which means you have had a good amount now. Not sure I make sense, but I just want to reassure you that it is ok to stop sooner or have a reduced dose. Hang in there. X

I was similar to Afraser. Had taxcel,and around 8th chemo,the tingling in hands and feet’s were really worrying me -I would also,stumble over my own feet from time to time . Made sure I wore court shoes and gym shoes, rarely wear slip on shoes . my oncologist said I had grade 2 PN, and we dropped taxcel to,75% for,chemo,9-10-11 and then to,50% for last one. I then found the tingling of,hands and away and I don’t really think I had much PN in my hands. However a few months later I realised I had numb toes . So I continue to,have odd,stumble when out walking . This has now been compounded by my needing kadcycla/T-DMI chemo,( being triple positive cancer, and not achieving full regression of,tumour at pathology after surgery post chemo 1 and 2.

, this new chemo,targets the HER2 cells better than Herceptin alone . I’ve just had 6 treatments with another 8 to,go,every 3 weeks . Unfortunately it’s stirred up my PN again , tingling in the hands and some pain in feet . This week I wasn’t happy at chemo,session and ONC nurse got the onc to,pop in . Next time we’ll,look at perhaps dropping to,75% and see if PN symptoms recede . Stopping chemo a option too.

at the end of the day I’m thinking  I’m more,scared of,having a recurrence of breast cancer from the HER2 ( at present I’m considered to be clear of cancer / no evidence of disease ) than dying from PN so I don’t want to stop chemo altogether BUT the oncologist did say this week oh are you still,driving   Which shocked me as I hadn’t considered that side effect of PN- was just worried about balance issues and being to,use hands as I live on my own. I have a automatic car and use ball,of,foot on brake to be honest so believe I’m safe .
I’ll be seeing oncologist in 2 weeks prior to,chemo,session for full,discussion .
But its a dilemma - the gain from chemo,vs the side effects 

Hi @Belleindy

Yes, peripheral neuropathy is not uncommon with Taxol. I started to get worried about my feet particularly after dose 9 out of 12. I discussed this with my oncologist who was sympathetic but keen I continue. We agreed to re-assess after each treatment and I decided no more after 11. But I also discovered a lump in my non affected armpit! Long story short, completely unrelated and completely benign, but I had my last Taxol anyway. PN often improves considerably after treatment ends, but it can take some time and not always. I don’t regret taking Taxol but my feet are still a bit weird, it doesn’t interfere with much unless I want to take up running (I don’t!). You’ve already had the lion’s share of your Taxol treatment, cutting the final doses out is not unusual and even my oncologist was happy to cut out the final one of 12 - the purpose is always to give as much chemo as possible so a bit less may be just as therapeutic. Best wishes either way.