Paclitaxel

Living with secondary breast cancer Treatments and medical issues
1

Hi 

I have had 1 of 18 paclitaxel. Day 3 after treatment.  I have been having some tingling in my fingers today. Worried incase it gets worse and they want to change treatment. Has anyone else experienced this on paclitaxel? 

2

Hi , you could also ask about this in the chemotherapy section of the forum .x

forum.breastcancernow.org/t5/Chemotherapy/bd-p/4435

3

Hi jackgard

yes I had this…peripheral neuropathy…it started around week 8 and was quite intense by week 9 ( burning pain with numb sensation) …by the time I attended for week 10 they advised me to take a week off…then I returned for weeks 10 11 and 12 and had a 20% dose reduction…i was told it could go or not…but whatever I was left with at 12 months post chemo would be permanent…unfortunately I still have it in both my fingers and toes …some days it’s worse than others …but I have learned to live with it…Definately mention it to your Onc before your next treatment…hope yours is short lived

4

I had this my first time with cancer.  I had 3 rounds of four before putting me in the hospital.  I agree it sounds like neuropathy.  Let your Dr. know.  You can also try ice therapy during chemo to prevent further damage.  I know here in the US amazon sells ice packs for hand and feet.  I have read of some even doing an ice cap.  If I have to go on it again I am giving it a try.

5

@Jackgard70  

Hi, I had paclitaxol between January and February this year.  Weekly dose.  I had tingling in both hands and both feet.  For other reasons (breathlessness) my oncologist suggested I did not have the final weekly dose and I agreed with that.

My tingling hands and feet are peripheral neuropathy.  Please do mention it to your breast care nurse as they do like to monitor how bad it gets.  I was told that it can take 12-18 months to resolve but that sometimes it is permanent.  Happily, mine is improving albeit it very slowly.  

Take care. X

6

I was on this last summer. I had tingling in fingers and feet but no worse. I also got a nasty rash around the sides of my feet which I was given IV hydrocortisone for before each treatment and some good ointment. I thought at the time these side effects would be worth it if the treatment worked. Stick with it if you can.