Thanks Ragamuffin, I feel like Mandy B did in July. Somehow it does help so much to know others feel the same although we wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I’m sitting here looking through the posts because my feet hurt. Had to wear shoes to go out today.Toenails still coming off and neuropathy in hands and feet. Am feeling very fed up, but glad to know things should improve.
No-one mentions whether they are on Herceptin as well. I had AC and Paclitaxol chemo and have just finished 12 months of Herceptin.
Whilst on Taxol I had horrendeous neuropthy in both fingers and toes. At the worst I too couldn’t stand the bed clothes on my toes and if my husband’s feet touched them I went through the roof in pain. Could only weat flat Ugg boots (luckily it was this time last year). Was worried about fingers as being a secretary, if you can’t type what use is that.
My nails were a horrible yellow colour, thick and ridged on the Taxol but gradually improved over the past year. BUT because of the Herceptin they are still incredibly weak and ridged, so I still have to keep them painted and very short.
My fingers came back to normal feeling by the time I went back to work full time in August last year and I was able to wear normal work shoes by then. They are more or less back to normal now, but it has taken a good 12 months.
I am hoping that my nails improve over the next 6 months now that Herceptin has finished.
What people don’t realise is that chemo especially Taxol can take up to 2 years to leave your system, they assume that within weeks of finishing chemo that you are fine. And its a proven fact now that “chemo brain” exists, so don’t beat yourself up about it. I am doing the same job as I have done for years but it takes a lot more concentration that it did before. I am getting there and things are getting easier now than they were but I am still not back to the same as I was.
S