Peripheral neuropathy after Taxol/Kadcyla
Hi, I was diagnosed late January/early February 2022 with early triple positive left breast cancer. I haven’t posted here before because I generally bottle everything up and keep everything to myself...
Forum Discussion
It is very strange that at first you didn't have much ill effects and recovered well from the initial peripheral neuropathy. I understand that peripheral neuropathy can worsen a bit after finishing chemo treatment, but not to the extent that you are in so much pain now. I was monitored closely when I had taxol and I did get some peripheral neuropathy but it was manageable and I continued on to finish the recommended 12 sessions of paclitaxel, it worsened slightly after treatment finished but not to the extent of needing pain killers.
My understanding is that taxol can shrink the sheath around the muscles in the legs, but that is temporary, and I did have a couple of days here and there where I couldn't walk, but that came good. Also like @Afraser I am left with some numbness in my toes and feel as if I am walking on sand if I dare to try to go barefoot even from the shower to getting dressed for the day.
My hunch is your pain is perhaps something else. Can you ask for a test for polymyalgia rheumatica, as what you describe sounds like what those with polymyalgia rheumatica present with. I may be completely wrong, but worth you asking for this test. Wishing you the best and to find out the cause of this pain.
P.S. I also had AC chemo and herceptin. Herceptin didn't cause any muscle pain, and was a breeze in comparison to chemo infusions.
My understanding is that taxol can shrink the sheath around the muscles in the legs, but that is temporary, and I did have a couple of days here and there where I couldn't walk, but that came good. Also like @Afraser I am left with some numbness in my toes and feel as if I am walking on sand if I dare to try to go barefoot even from the shower to getting dressed for the day.
My hunch is your pain is perhaps something else. Can you ask for a test for polymyalgia rheumatica, as what you describe sounds like what those with polymyalgia rheumatica present with. I may be completely wrong, but worth you asking for this test. Wishing you the best and to find out the cause of this pain.
P.S. I also had AC chemo and herceptin. Herceptin didn't cause any muscle pain, and was a breeze in comparison to chemo infusions.