Dear Martha,
I am currently undergoing my secondary drug chemo with Taxol (my first series of chemo treatments, 6 in all, were first generation chemo drugs). I have Ovarian Cancer/Granulosa Cell tumors - Stage III. The side effects of my treatments with Taxol, are joint pain/spasms and stiffness in my legs and hands/arms, within 2-3 days of a treatment, lasting two to three days. The one side effect that lasts throughout my treatments and afterwards is neuropathy in my fingers and feet. Sometimes the numbness is so severe in my legs that it hurts all the way up my legs to my hips. My feet and ankles swell and tingle, even go to sleep, especially if I sit for a period of time. I have been told by a Breast Cancer survivor that took the same chemo drugs that you and I took, that her neuropathy never went away. She has been out of any kind of treatment for over two years. She says she still has a milder case with mild numbness in her hands and feet. I, just like you have the nerve ending pains in my fingers and in my legs and feet. I have more severe numbness and tinging when my chemo drip has not been given in the length of time that the doctor specifies.
Do talk to your Doctor about these side effects to see if they are something to be expected with your particular treatment, and what can be done for it. There are some medications and or physical therapies or exercises that can help. In my case I am taking Yoga classes that have some wonderful restorative and stretching exercises that have helped me through this alot.
Love And Support,
KJ