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

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

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.

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.

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 said:

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

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 

Susan59dance said:

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?