Forum Discussion

Siewli's avatar
Siewli
Member
3 years ago

What if Taxol incomplete

Hi, currently I have completed 4xAC n 7 out of 12 Taxol. Due to neuropathy on my feet, my oncologist order a week break. I'm abit concern that I may not be able to complete the 12 cycles of Taxol due to neuropathy. I just wonder is there a minimum rounds of Taxol in order for the treatment to be effective? Appreciate your input. Thanks.

7 Replies

  • Siewli's avatar
    Siewli
    Member
    3 years ago
    @cranky_granny Thanks. I will be seeing my oncologist this coming Monday to see whether what's his advise and whether my feet has improve or not. Thanks for your respond :)

  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi @Siewli  i had Chemo surgery and rads in that order and the AI’s probably for a very long time
    I stopped at round 8 of taxol. because of the neuropathy and  a check on my tumour showed itwasn’t responding well enough
    i was sent into surgery fairly quickly. We can only be guided by our care team. And what decision you are comfortable with. 
    5 years after finishing initial treatment there has been improvement with my neuropathy but not completely gone I still have the funny feelings in my feet and always feel like i have dirt under my fingernails so i reckon they made the right call at the time. I admit I rarely  wonder if i had persisted would my overall out come be different, Probably not. 
    Keep us posted with how you go sending strength and caring vibes your way 
  • Tomobun's avatar
    Tomobun
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi @Siewli, managing pain from peripheral neuropathy must be really hard. I'm still having AC and going to start Taxol in 2 weeks. My cancer care nurse gave me some info about neuropathy today. When I looked it up, I found a YouTube video about chemotherapy-induced Peripheral neuropathy. the video is called "Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment - Finding Relief from Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy"  By Cancer Rehab PT. I hope you can find something useful in this video. I also liked her lymphodema exercise video. Take care. 
  • Siewli's avatar
    Siewli
    Member
    3 years ago
    @Cath62. Thanks for the info. My oncologist has reduced twice so current the dosage is 75%, hence this time he give me a week break to see if my feet will improve, I will be seeing him before my next chemo so definitely will ask about the chemo treatment percentage of my treatment.

  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi @Siewli, my oncologist offered a week break because of neuropathy. It's ok. I was meant to have 10 rounds of taxol but after the 7th round I got neuropathy and still have loss of feeling in my toes especially at night but very mild. After the 7th round my oncologist reduced the taxol to 90%. Maybe discuss a slightly less dose to get you through. Also check what percentage your treatment plan is in terms of chemo. If you are going on hormone suppression or AI's you might find that those pills for 5 to 10 yrs play a bigger part of your treatment plan. For me surgery, chemo and radium made up 40% of my treatment plan and the AI's I am on make up 60%. Take care 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    3 years ago
    It happens. Neuropathy often resolves itself after treatment, but not always . I am almost at the ten year mark and still have funny feet. Your oncologist is trying to balance benefit with potential harm. Oncology nurses once told me that 80% of the recommended dose may still constitute a therapeutic dose. My own oncologist agreed that the recommended dose includes a bit of ‘just in case’. But of course the effectiveness of any treatment is variable. Do what you can, some is almost certainly better than none. You are over the halfway mark but be guided by your oncologist. Best wishes.