Taxol and Carboplatin Side Effects

Good morning Debra,

It’s been said, “Misery loves company!”  But when you’re a cancer patient, your heart drops every time you hear of another case of cancer, no matter what kind it is.  You know it’s one thing to “hear” about someone having cancer, but when your own name is on the top of the page with a cancer diagnosis underneath, the word cancer takes on a real “close up and personal” meaning.  However, it’s good to hear that your cancer in the Fallopian tubes was detected and that you’ve had a hysterectomy.   It is now almost July of 2016.  Are you currently in chemo sessions, or have you just completed them.  I read in one place on the Chemocare site, that chronic pain is something that last past 6 months in duration.

 Being 77, I’m “qualified” to talk about “in olden days”.  So when I was 36, I only had my uterus removed, but my fallopian tubes and ovaries were left intact.  Little would doctors know “back then” that actually “fallopian tubes” are the suspected villains that serve as a precursor to Ovarian cancer.  So I’m glad that you’ve had EVERYTHING removed.  But as for me, it was not until July 1, 2013, that I had the “left overs” removed, along with my spleen, gallbladder, omentum, and parts of my intestines removed, to try to stop the spread of “Peritoneal Cancer” that also included spread to my ovaries.  Believe me, it was quite a shock to start out as a Stage IV cancer patient.  So on my SECOND opinion at UPMC, exploratory surgery and PET scans revealed that the cancer was in my ovaries as well.  So I was first treated with Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Carboplatin.

I say all that to say this, I’m assuming that your cancer was limited to your fallopian tubes and had not progressed further into the Peritoneal fluid of your abdomen.   My cancer was so far advanced that neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was necessary prior to my CRS.  Those two chemo agents reduced my tumors to a size more conducive to surgical removal.  Of course, having been diagnosed as having cancer in more than one major organ, put me in the Stage IV category.  Thus the surgery was never intended to be “curative”, but would slow down the growth of the cancer, and curtail the number of new organs to which it could attach itself.  This is just by the way of information as to how I came to have Carboplatin and Taxol.  They are the most-widely prescribed agents to treat Peritoneal and Ovarian Cancer. 

Now to make a long story short (which is not my style), after my very first series of chemotherapy in the beginning of 2013, I was left with some neuropathy in my left leg, seemingly from the knee down.  When I lie down it seems like my left foot simply goes numb from the ankle down.  If I turn over on my side, the numbness is not quite as intense.  Moreover, I do have groin pain from time to time, on the left side, even to this day.  This numbness has not gone away, nor has it lessened in intensity.  Now I also have groin pain and leg cramps, but not every day.  I do feel “unsteady” on my feet.  Sometimes when I am walking, I feel like my “left knee” wants to “buckle” for just a few seconds.  Therefore, I always use a cane when I go anywhere.  When I go to one of the large stores like Costco, I get in one of those mobile carts.  I cannot walk that whole store because of problems with my leg. 

 So as for me, it is a constant condition, and it has not lessened in any degree.  Now I will tell you that it is listed as a possible side effect, but you have to weigh the advantages alongside the disadvantages of having chemo.  And of course, we’ll choose muscular and groin pain over cancer any day of the week! 

On another note, are you still in active treatments of chemo?  My regimen consisted of 6 treatments of Carbo/Taxol scheduled 3 weeks apart.  This is because chemo has a residual effectiveness of about 3 weeks each time it is given.  If you’re through with treatments, a repeat PET/CT scan should show that you are now cancer-free.  And in that case, it would confirm for you that the pain you’re having is not evidence of “new cancer.” 

Quite naturally, you don’t want to be “hooked” on pain killers for a condition that may be a permanent side effect.  In some cases, it can be more evident during treatment, and then subsides or disappears completely when treatments are completed.  In my case, I just “live with it, and consider neuropathy, groin pain, muscle cramps, as my “new sidekick” that’s been with me since early 2013 and has not lessened or increased in intensity. 

 Incidentally, it will also be “natural” to wonder if cancer is rearing its ugly head again in some new place each time you have a new pain in a different place.  So on my calendar, I jot down a note as to what
strange “new” feeling occurs, and if it persists I contact my doctor.  Of course, sometimes “minor inconsistent” things can be indicative of something serious, so be sure to tell your doctor of any new things you are experiencing.  They will be able to tell you if it is something to be concerned about.  For instance, in the past 2 months or so, I would have an occasional dry cough, but thought nothing of it, except that I don’t usually have a cough.  So I didn’t mention it to my doctor right away, but when I did he ordered a CT scan, and it came back showing “Pleural effusion.”  So do keep a check on any new and different symptoms that you experience and jot down on your calendar when you first began to exhibit these symptoms.  My oncologist always ask me, “How long have you been having this?” 

Okay Debra, I’ve just said that by way of introduction to you on this site.  I’m listing some sites from Chemocare.com.  They are filled with useful information as to the drugs you’re taking, (or were taking),  and helpful hints as to how one might combat these side effects.  But as for my neuropathy, I just live with it.  I don’t take any kinds of medications for it.  No doubt, others here will write and tell you of their side effects from taking these drugs because a great number of us will have had the same chemo combo.

My solution was to buy several canes in different colors that match or coordinate with my clothes, and it doesn’t make me feel so “unsteady” when I walk.  As for me, on a scale of one to ten, cancer being a “10”, I place my neuropathy as a “1”.  Besides at 77, with what little white hair that has returned from my last chemo treatment in September of 2015, I just “look the part.”  Hey, at least I have two legs, and am still able to walk, or drive, and I’m still in my right mind!  What’s not to like?

Here’s hoping that your cancer is gone forever, and the groin and muscle pains will subside in due time.

Loretta - Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

 Helpful web sites:

1. 
   
   http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/carboplatin.aspx
   
   

 “…Carboplatin Side Effects:

 Important things to remember about the side effects of Carboplatin:

 Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.

• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of Carboplatin.
• The side effects of Carboplatin and their severity depend on how much of Carboplatin is given.  In other words, high doses may produce more severe side effects)…

 These are less common (occurring in 10-29%) side effects for patients receiving Carboplatin:…

 Peripheral neuropathy: Although uncommon, a serious side effect of decreased sensation and paresthesia (numbness and tingling of the extremities) may be noted. Sensory loss, numbness and tingling, and difficulty in walking may last for at least as long as therapy is continued. These side effects may become progressively more severe with continued treatment, and your doctor may decide to decrease your dose….”

2.   http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/taxol.aspx

 “…The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

 Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.

• Hair loss
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction). 

 3.  http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/numbness-tingling.aspx

 4.  http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/muscle-pain-myalgias.aspx

 “…Keep a diary of your pain. If you are having pain for any reason, your healthcare provider will ask certain questions to determine the cause of your pain. Things to include are:

 Onset - when did the pain start? What was I doing when I had pain? 

• Quality - What does the pain feel like? Is it knifelike and stabbing, or dull and constant? 
• Location - Where is the pain? Can I point to it with my finger, or is it spread all over? 
• Intensity - How bad is your pain all the time? How bad is it with certain activities that cause you to feel pain, on a 1-10 scale, with the number "10" being the worst pain imaginable? 
• Duration - How long did the pain last for? Is it while I was walking to the door, or did it continue for a while?
• Character - Does the pain come and go whenever I perform a certain activity, or is it unpredictable? 
• Relieving factors - What can I do to make the pain go away? Does anything help? What have I used in the past that have worked, and does this work now? 
• Your mood - Are you depressed or anxious? Does this make the pain worse? 

 If the cause of your pain has been undiagnosed, your healthcare provider may order certain tests or examinations based on your pain. This may include x-rays, CAT Scans, bone survey or scan, or an MRI. Your healthcare provider will order the exams that are right for you…”

5.   http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/joint-pain-arthralgias.aspx

 ___________End of references____________

vonstolz, I had pain in my joints, hips & knees, when I was finished with all my treatments and I asked my sister to see if she could find anything else than the usual chondroitin stuff out there.  (Doctors seem happy to push the opioids which cause more problems - including constipation) She heard it on the Steve & Chris show, it was a lifestyle show out of Canada that used to be shown here in the states, that EGGSHELL MEMBRANE was the new fix.  You can get it at health stores, I did the Viatimin Shoppe, and I had relieve in DAYS.  I couldn't believe it.  I have recommended it before but no one ever reports back.  It is about $25 for a 30 days supply.  Just somethign you might want to try.  

Yes ,I also have neuropathy on both feet and both hands due to my Chemotherapy.I have stage 3C ovarian cancer and now I'm at a one year remission stage.I walk with a cane sometimes and feel that my numbness is getting better.So keep up a high spirit and maybe ask your Dr if some rehab may help.

I don't know whether it's a good idea or not--but you could talk about a pain port. I was on narcotics from Feb to July and going off them was hell and put me in major depression that has not gone away. Well the depression is also menopause, chemo effects, and multiple surgery effects. These drugs are strong and cause reactions. One option might be homeopathic treatment for pain but you have to find the right person. Sometimes affordability is also a problem. Pain is horrible; I experienced a lot of it. Then the narcotics cause constipation and then burn out the neurotransmitters of the brain. It is hard. So, so hard.

Soup52 said:

I have neuropathy in my feet

I have neuropathy in my feet and it really isn't getting any better. I am using gaboplati, but I really doubt that it is doing any good.

It really hurts I can relate. I am on day 4 after chemo and that seems to be what my side effects. I had a neulasta patch and that says that neuropathy is a side effect. I am glad I don't have it in my arms. I do a lot with my arms writing and such. I am with you there and will pray for our recovery.  This is all so new to me. God Bless