Long-term side effects of chemo with Taxol

Hello Judith,

Good news that you can once again walk, do yoga -- and dance! -- for exercise. That's great! Keep us posted on how you're doing from time to time, and above all -- enjoy the pain being gone and being active and healthier!

Best regards,

Maria

I'm so glad the Neurontin worked for you.  I have neuropathy in my hands and feet, and despite the best efforts of a very good neurologist, nothing has helped me much.  I think part of the reason was that I had neuropathy for about two years before I so the neurologist.  Although sometimes neuropathy goes away by itself, I'd recommend that anyone who has Taxol-induced neuropathy see a doctor right away.  There are a variety of drugs for it now, and some people have good results from vitamin therapy.

I developed severe peripheral neuropathy while being treated with Taxol for Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  I was receiving the Taxol and radiation treatments at the same time to treat metastatic disease.  I started with symptoms of tingling and burning and itching within several days after my first treatment.  My oncologist prescribed Elavil and it helped but I was very lethargic.  The symptoms got much worse after the second treatment.  The itching was so severe I was using a hairbrush on my arms and hands and legs and feet.  I felt like my arms and legs were crawling or jumpy.  I found an article in an internet search that suggested that the side effects of the Taxol could be reduced by getting it in a 24 hour infusion rather than a 3 hour infusion.  My oncologist agreed to try this and it helped.  I received the same premeds and just checked into the hospital for 24 hour r&r.  The progression of the neuropathy was not as rapid as before but I did not regain any of the function that I lost earlier.  We used the longer infusion method for the remaining treatments.  I was eventually switched to Neurontin.  It has been 12 years since I completed the chemotherapy and I still have severe neuropathy.  I take 1800-2400 mg of Neurontin daily.  Even with this medication, I have bad burning pain when I am on my feet a lot or do a lot of walking.  The only solution for that has been to get off my feet and take pain medication.  Although the neuropathy is painful and limiting, I am still very thankful that I am alive.