Taxol Treatment - Numbness and Pains in The Legs

Hi, my prayers are with you..I have had two treatments of taxol with two remaining. The 1st taxol my nurse downplayed it she said "I'm a taxol girl now" so I thought the worst was over...She stated I should start feeling like I have the flu in 48 hrs (Mon)...The pain started Tues afternoon in my lower back moving upward over my shoulder blades & shoulders then stopped mid arm... Wed morning I could not turn over. I just laid there & said "Oh my God!"...I attempted to pull myself upward so that I was sitting on the bed. I attempted to stand & walk. It hurt so bad.  I kept reminding myself only 48 hrs, I can do this...I could not pick my feet up off the floor I actually had to drag them... My whole body hurt with excruciating pain. I cried like a baby. Im 39 yrs old & I wanted my MaMa. However the 48 hrs passed & I was still hurting no relief...I called the Dr...I wanted to go to the hospital & he said Taxol just has to run its course & he apologized. I was so angry & abt to go out of my mind w pain...I took 1 (hydrocodone) & end up taking 2 every 4 hrs & that still was nt helping...My pain lasted from that Tues to Sun w no relief. After the pain eased my heels, toes, soles, hands, & fingers were tingling with painful numbing this NEVER STOPPED. I was still having these sensations when it was time for the 2nd treatment ...I complained abt the pain to my Dr. He prscrbd (oxocodone). The second treatment didnt hurt as bad. My legs & feet hurt the worst they also STAY numb. My hands hurt too sometimes...Very sensitive to cold or too hot anything.  My 3rd treatment is this Mon 3/5. I understand you have a lot more taxol to take than I do...but I can feel your pain....I know that God will not bring me this far to leave me & I know he will not bring you 1/2 of the way & just leave you so please keep your faith & know everything will be ok...this is the only thing that keeps me going. (smile)         I'll keep you in my prayers

Hi Lisa,

First my prayers are w you. I have taken 2 treatments of taxol and I really just haven't come up with the right word describing that pain.  The literature, Online info & Dr's/Chemo Nurses downplay the pain if you ask me...My 1st,  felt like someone hit me in both my legs & arms w a sledge hammer & had driven spikes in my hands & feet all @ the same time.  They said the pain wld last for 48 hrs...Mine lasted from Tues-Sun. (I was almost at the point of no return with the pain-I cried, cried, prayed, and cried some more) Even the hydrocodone didnt help.  Then came the tingling & painful numbing in my hands, fingers, legs, heels, soles, & toes.  My 2nd not as painful but my legs & feet really hurt.  Sometimes I cannot stand, walk or anything too long...Anything involving legs & feet...its bad!!!  3rd will be 3/5...I can only pray.  Please keep your faith and know God will never leave you.

Hi.  I'm sorry you're having such harsh side effects from taxol.  I completed 4 dose-dense taxols for breast cancer on august 7, 2006.  I would experience a little discomfort from the hips down 4 days after infusion but it would only last for a day and generally a Tylenol controlled the pain for me. 

I am, however, STILL having problems with tingling toes...nothing seems to help and I have problems wearing socks and closed-toe shoes.  I'm told this could last about a year.   I also learned recently that it's not the drug that is causing this side effect, but the serum that the drug is put in to deliver it to us that causes the problems.  Wish they could figure out a better delivery system that does not have these side effects.

 Hang in there and good luck to you.

Hi,

Been there done that A/C and now Taxol (4)...Currently just had  the 2rd...Im a runner (3 mi).  I'm so frustrated. I have Breast Cancer....I can go to the store & while Im there I almost have to sit down...My feet, legs, & my right knee is my problem.  When I 1st expericienced this pain & numbing...I immediately wanted to know if this was long term....I'm praying & holding my faith that this will pass.  I'll be praying for you.  Hopefully one day you will wake up & the pain will all be gone. (smile)

I have 3C Breast cancer, and have made the Taxol rounds twice already....You name the pain, I have had it. I switched Dr's....the last one was not as receptive to my pain as I would have liked. My new Dr. has been giving me bi-weekly B12 shots and a Decadron drip with steroids before the Taxol, this seems to help....talk to your Dr. Maybe this will work for you too. Good luck.

 

On 5/8/2005 Blackie wrote:

Five months post taxol, noticed joint pain, weakness in left hand unable to write well,leg pain in knee joints, hip joints, recommended therapy is pool therapy.

I have heard this type symtoms from women taking Arimidex (aromatase inhibitors) for breast cancer. Are you taking that medication?

i just started chemo on taxol for breast cancer today, So far so good. just tired,but I understand it may hit in a few days, T he pain in the legs and hands, I was told comes from the bones.  As I am getting Taxol, and chemo doesn`t know the difference between good and bad cells and Taxol goes after the marrow(blood) in the bones.  24 hrs after the chemo I then get Neulasta to block the taxol from damaging the good cells. I have chemo every 2 wks for 4cycs.=8wks. Because There is not enough time to repair the good blood cells for fighting infection, before the next treatment,  that is why I get the Neulasta.

oh with the teary eyes- that is called dry eye. Ask if they can give you something or my Dr. said that you can take a clean wash rag and gently rub the tear duct and it helps to clear it. Try that. No drugs and doest`nt cost anything, I ake an over the couter drops for it,I am 64 so guess mine is just age and too much sewing. I wear glasses also.  I got EYE RELIEF by Bausch and Lomb for "dry eye" hope this helps

Hello,

I am 43 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 07.  I endured a double mastectomy in July 07.  My chemotherapy was 29 weeks long.  My doctor told me the 15 weeks of ADRIAMYACIN would be harsh and the 12 weeks of TAXOL would be a breeze.  It was just the opposite.  I am 2 weeks post treatment and I feel worse everyday.  Where shall I begin?  Let’s start with the disgusting rash I have all over my body.  I was told by my dermatologist it was gutate psoriasis from my immune system being knocked down.  So my oncologist put me on a steroid.  It helped with the rash but I blew up and gained a significant amount of weight.  I was hungry all the time. 

 

My body aches all the time.  My feet and lower legs scream for mercy. My oncologist tells me I will be fine and it will all be better soon.  I think the man is a genius but I think he is incorrect about this.  My joints are so stiff.  Some days I can’t open and close my hands my fingers hurts so bad.  The skin on my toes was looking like onion peels about 3 weeks ago.  My toe nails and fingernails feels like they are about to fall off.  My lower legs are so sore and the muscles are so tight some days I can barely walk.  I lie in bed every morning and convince myself to get out of bed.  I have to stretch my body for about 10 minutes before I can put my feet on the floor.  My first walk to the bathroom is slow and painful.  I have to take one step at a time walking down the stairs because the pain in the back of the legs is so sharp.  The tendons in my arms are swollen to the point I have to wear arm splints to stop the pain. I am very fortunate to have a man who massages my legs and feet almost every night. My feet feel like there are nails jammed into them.  Then there is the tingling and numbness.  You would think if they are numb they would not hurt but it’s agonizing. 

 

My surgeon has a wonderful nurse practitioner who believes my pain.  She suggested we research taking Lyrica when radiation is over to help with the nerve pain.  I currently take vicoprophen about 3-4 times per day and I take 800 mg ibuprophen 1-2 times per day for the inflammation.  Every morning I have a significant amount of liquid pouring out of my eyes and nose.  I should take stock in Kleenex tissues I blow through so many.  Today I tried to go without the pain medication and by 10:30 a.m. I could not take the pain anymore.  I had to have my man drive my car because I could not close my hands around the steering wheel and my legs hurt so bad I could not sit still.  My radiation Dr. told me we can’t start treatment for 4 weeks because my body is such a mess from chemo.  I can’t think straight anymore.  My thoughts are all jumbled in my head and I can’t get the words out correctly.  This is not a good thing for a teacher.

 

I thought I was going crazy feeling all this pain every day.  Thinking there was something wrong with me.  Asking myself why do I hurt so badly?  I am so glad I found this website.  Now I know I am not alone.  People ask me how I can go to work everyday.  I tell them life goes on and the bills keep coming.  I keep praying for and look forward to one pain free day.