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Fionap2017's avatar
Fionap2017
Member
8 years ago

Dr wants to finish my chemo early

I am currently on dose 8/12 paclitaxol and so far I’ve had hardly any side effects. The past few weeks my toes have gone numb and I am just now getting a little pain in my hands. My oncologist is talking about finishing my chemo early to prevent me getting neuropathy. I am concerned about finishing early- I’d rather have numb toes than miss some treatments and risk the cancer coming back. I guess I have to trust my medical team- they are the experts. I’m just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and how it turned out for you? 
chemotherapy
side-effects

5 Replies

  • Koukla's avatar
    Koukla
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Fionap2017 My treatment schedule was to have 4 x 3 weekly AC + 12 x weekly Paclitaxel but I stopped after finish of the 8th Taxol three weeks ago due to neuropathy.  I have numbness on my finger tips, feet as well as on my tongue.

    This numbness started after the 5th Taxol, my Oncologist skipped one week of treatment after the 7th and then reduced 25% of the dosage on the 8th but it did not reduce the level of my numbness so we decided to stop the treatment because we did not want to cause a permanent damage.  However, the reason both myself and my oncologist felt comfortable to stop the treatment is that my lymph nodes were not involved.   My suggestion is trust your medical team‘s advice and make sure you let your Oncologist know if the neuropathy does get worse.
  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago
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  • Fionap2017's avatar
    Fionap2017
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thanks ladies! Great to hear you are BC free SoldierCrab. I hadn’t heard that before about 10 doses being just as effective Afraser, I’ll keep that in mind if the neuropathy gets worse. Think I’ll try to keep going as long as I can since my side effects aren’t too bad yet. I have two little kids so I really want to beat this. 
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    8 years ago
    I had to finish at 6/12 as I had severe neuropathy that seemed to develop basically overnight after my 6th dose... they gave me another chemo 
    I still have neuropathy in my hands and feet 
    Trust your team. 

    I am over 5 yrs since diagnosis and I am No evidence of disease....

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    By that stage, I was getting worried about walking. My feet, not just toes, were numb in patches and very painful in other places. My oncologist wanted me to continue, so we monitored it week by week. Your oncologist's views will depend to a great deal on your diagnosis and pathology. My oncologist wanted me to get the full benefit of the maximum treatment. I had a developed tumour of a fairly aggressive type. You've had 2/3 of the maximum - there's reasonable evidence that 10 doses may have as much therapeutic effect as 12, the last two are "just in case"!! Your oncologist's concern is reasonable, just as my oncologist's wish for me to get every benefit was reasonable so talk more with him/her about the pros and cons. Most people find that neuropathy reverses after treatment is finished. Mine certainly improved, but I still have numb patches and odd (but not painful) sensations, after nearly five years. Best wishes whatever you decide.