Numbness from Taxol

mom62
mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Does anyone know how long the numbness in your feet and hands lasts after finishing chemotherapy with Taxol for breast cancer. I'ts only been 3 weeks but it hasn't deminished at all. Thanks to all who reply.

Comments

  • judiek
    judiek Member Posts: 71
    Hello mom62,

    I am still on taxol...I have only had 6 treatments or two rounds. I have not had any of the numbness. Did yours start right away or did it take some time? I hope I don't get it. Best of luck to you

    Judie
  • jhope
    jhope Member Posts: 58
    I took chemo for 6 months every 2 weeks (4 tx taxol) my toes on one foot went numb and stayed that way for at least 4 months, my docs told me that it may or may not be permanent. I'm sorry, I really debted whether to pass that on, but feel you deserve honesty. God bless and you will get through, Julia
  • Malloy
    Malloy Member Posts: 4
    Hello: I finished Taxol exactly 1 year ago, and although the numbness in my feet, toes and fingers has subsided somewhat, it has remained fairly constant for this entire year. Doc. says it will probably be permanent. I'm not happy about it, but when looking at the big picture, there are so many other things that could have occurred with the chemo, that if all I get out of it is numb fingers and feet, I count myself very blessed indeed (still like to complain though). Best of luck to you.
    Anne
  • krisrey
    krisrey Member Posts: 194
    Hi Mom,
    I finised chemo in September I had 4 rounds of A/C and 4 rounds of Taxol every two weeks. I experienced numbing and tingling in my figers and toes. I see by the other responses that theirs has lasted, fortunately mine did not last. I was pretty much back to normal within a couple of months with no after effects from the taxol.
    Hope this helps some.
    Kris
  • ladybug626
    ladybug626 Member Posts: 25
    Hi,

    Its been about 6 weeks since I finished 5 treatments with Taxol. I still have numbness in my feet, but it is gradually improving. Only 3 weeks ago, I couldn't stand in one place more than a couple of minutes. It is much better now. Massaging the feet everyday helps. I go for short walks to help with my circulation also. When I researched what to do for neuropathy those are the simplest suggestions I came across. For severe cases doctors can prescribe Neurontin. I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there.

    God Bless,
    Janet
  • Glow
    Glow Member Posts: 41
    Hello MOM62. I had high dose chemotherapy with Taxol followed by a bone marrow transplant in February 1998. I had severe neuropathy which lasted over 2 years. My ands and feet are still numb. It is tough in the beginning (I was unable to walk properly and could not drive). I don't know if it actually got better or if I am used to it..whatever the reason it is better and no longer debilitating. Hang in there. It just takes time.
  • siegel49
    siegel49 Member Posts: 6
    Hi Mom62, I have had 4rds of Taxol and have experienced no numbness in either my feet or fingers. Howvever, I have had cramping in the arches of my feet and toes. Take care of yourself.
  • vjean
    vjean Member Posts: 14
    I was on Taxol (preceded by Taxotere) from June 2003-September 2003. Fingertips and feet were numb. Fingers are fine now, however, toes are still quite numb. Very annoying, but you somehow sort of get used to it--I've resigned myself to the fact that it might not get better. At least the EXTREME swelling of the feet got better. I'd gone to the next shoe size, but am now back to my regular size. Considering that the Taxotere actually made my fingernails come off (yes, OFF!), numbness isn't all bad. Time takes care of things, so as uncomfortable as you might be, just give it a few months--it will get better.
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    Thank you all for your imput. Sorry it took me so long to write back, as I was on vacation. I'm 4 weeks out from chemo and they are still numb but not as bad as before, hopefully they will continue to improve. I appreciate all your replies! Terry
  • gdpawel
    gdpawel Member Posts: 523 Member
    Neuropathy, a problem that sometimes occurs with chemotherapy treatment. It's not all that rare, especially frequent in patients older than 65 years of age. It is damage to the nerves. It can occur from some chemotherapy drugs used in conventional cancer treatment.

    There are three major goups of nerves in the human body, the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the limbs, the nerves that supply the bowels and other internal organs, and the nerves of the head which connect to the ears, eyes, taste buds, etc. Nerves in any or all of these major groups can be affected by certain chemotherapy drugs.

    Nerves are vulnerable to many kinds of damage. They can be damaged by certain cancers. This may be caused by the cancer cells producing a particular kind of biological agent that interferes with the function of the nerves. Sometimes, they can be damged by drugs used in chemotherapy treatment. The chemotherapy drugs that most likely cause nerve damage are the vinca alkaloids(vincristine, vindesine and vinblastine), platinum drugs(cisplatinum, carboplatinum) and the taxanes(taxol, taxotere). These drugs have the potential of interfering with nerve function.

    You may notice symptoms in different areas of your body depending on which groups of nerves are affected. Symptoms in the hands and feet happen when peripheral nerve damage happens and are not rare with vinca alkaloids. The first sign of nerve damage is usually a feeling of tingling and numbness like what you experience when your foot goes to sleep after you've been sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position. If the problem progresses further, it often produces weakness of the muscles, resulting in loss of strength at the wrist or the ankle. You will notice difficulty in doing up buttons and picking up coins. You may notice that you will tend to trip while walking up stairs or dragging your feet and tend to have a wide-based gait. In severe cases, the weakness may be so severe that you will need a wheelchair.

    When the nerves in the bowel are affected, constipation is the earliest sign. In a few people, the abdomen becomes bloated with a distended bowel that is basically paralyzed. Some of the nerves in the head can also be affected. Platinum drugs can affect the auditory nerve and cause loss of hearing and tinnitus(ringing in the ears). Vision can very occasionally be affected.

    A lot depends on how quickly your cancer treatment can be stopped. Sometimes the need for treatment is more urgent then the residual nerve damage. Sometimes, the balance between benefit from the drug and the side effect of nerve damage is more finely balanced.

    Once treatment has been stopped, recovery is usually slow. It may take months to get even partial improvement and often there will be some residual impairment, either a motor weakness or a sensory numbness or both. Recovery is slower in the feet and legs than in the hands and arms.

    There is no specific treatment that enhances nerve recovery. There are no drugs that will directly stimulate nerve regeneration or recovery. If you have severe and prolonged pain, then the pain may require narcotics often combined with antidepressants. In some cases, certain types of anticonvulsants would be helpful. Treatment options are subjects that you should discuss with your doctor, so you have accurate expectations of potential benefits and side effects.

    Chemotherapy drugs that can cause neuropathy. NCI lists these as most likely to do so:
    Cisplatinum (Platinol)
    Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
    Vincristine (Oncovin)
    Vinblastine (Velban)
    Etoposide/VP-16 (VePesid)
    Cytarabine (Cytosar, Ara-C)
    Hexamethylmelamine (Hexalen)
    Suramin
    Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Docetaxel (Taxotere)
    Other medications reported to contribute to neuropathy include oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), gemcitibine (Gemzar) and thalidomide (Thalomid).
  • lettyboo1961
    lettyboo1961 Member Posts: 4
    Thank you for the information

    Thank you for the information.I also have numbness in my face around my mouth. I didn't see this as a side effect.Have you heard of this happening before? 

  • Susan59dance
    Susan59dance Member Posts: 5

    Thank you for the information

    Thank you for the information.I also have numbness in my face around my mouth. I didn't see this as a side effect.Have you heard of this happening before? 

    Numbness

    Hi, I came here looking to see if anyone is experiencing numbness around the mouth.  Did you ever find out if this is a side effect?? I have had 4 treatments of A/C and am 2 treatments in of Taxol and just recently am experiencing numbness in my fingertips and around my mouth.  Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you. Susan

  • bessalem
    bessalem Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2018 #14
    taxol and neuropathy

    hello, i have triple negative breast cancer and i went through the surgery, 4 sessions of chemo and 8 sessions of taxol, i still have 4 taxol cycles to go but am developping neuropathy, 

    its getting quite painful, and am really scared of the long term damage it may cause, i still need my arms ans feet to work just fine for i have delivered a baby right ater my second taxol session and i need to take care of my baby.

    should i carry on the 4 remaining cycles, or stop it and stick to supplements and a healthy diet ? 

    please help, 

    ps: my appointment with my anc is still far, so please feed me back once u can 

    wish you all the best guys

     

  • Momofboys3399
    Momofboys3399 Member Posts: 1
    Numbness and tingling

    Congrats on your baby 1st and foremost . I’m sorry u r going through this . I did 12 rounds of taxol I and currently on treatment and will be for the duration of my life Unfortunately. I have chronic neuropathy and take a Med for it in addition to acupuncture. i would say that yes the taxol causes it but I dont think anyone can tell u if u should continue or stop . U have to weigh your options . Have you asked Your doc the chances of your cancer spreading of u don’t finish the cycle? Best of luck girl 

  • Lcmartin
    Lcmartin Member Posts: 8
    Frozen Gloves and Socks May

    Frozen Gloves and Socks May Ease Side Effects of Chemo

    Cryotherapy reduced symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in women with breast cancer. Women who wore chilled gloves and socks during chemotherapy were less likely to have reduced sensations and dexterity related to nerve damage in their hands and feet, according to a recent report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.The researchers concluded that cyrotherapy using gloves and socks containing a frozen gel is a simple, safe and effective strategy for preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy during cancer treatment. Read the entire article at https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/frozen-gloves-socks-may-ease-side-effects-chemo

  • gutterbob
    gutterbob Member Posts: 1

    Numbness

    Hi, I came here looking to see if anyone is experiencing numbness around the mouth.  Did you ever find out if this is a side effect?? I have had 4 treatments of A/C and am 2 treatments in of Taxol and just recently am experiencing numbness in my fingertips and around my mouth.  Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you. Susan

    Facial numbness

    I finished 6 Docetaxel treatments abount 4 weeks ago and this week am experiencing numbness on my chin up to my lower lip. Does anyone have any information about this particular manifestation?