1. < Breast Cancer

Neuropathy prevention on Taxol

Posted by turbomom @turbomom, Mar 23 11:03am

I am going to start treatment with Taxol and Herceptin on April Fool’s Day. I have Stat1A triple positive breast cancer. My treatment team advised me to take glutamine to help prevent neuropathy, and also suggested cold gloves and socks. These apparently work like cold capping for the scalp. Has anyone used them, and have they been helpful?

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turbomom | @turbomom | Mar 23 11:04am

That’s Stage 1A…

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Mar 24 10:04am

I had a friend who used these during another chemotherapy that was high risk for neuropathy and she did really well. She still got a little in her hands but none in her feet. This was last year, so I would think the protocol was fairly current. I believe anything you can do to prevent nerve damage is better than dealing with it after the fact. Do they have these at the center for you or do you have to purchase them elsewhere?

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raebaby | @raebaby | Mar 24 10:57am

I'd have tried it if I had known about it I had to stop driving after getting Taxol and Herceptin for my breast cancer.

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turbomom | @turbomom | Mar 24 11:32am
In reply to @auntieoakley "I had a friend who used these during another chemotherapy that was high risk for neuropathy..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I had a friend who used these during another chemotherapy that was high risk for neuropathy and she did really well. She still got a little in her hands but none in her feet. This was last year, so I would think the protocol was fairly current. I believe anything you can do to prevent nerve damage is better than dealing with it after the fact. Do they have these at the center for you or do you have to purchase them elsewhere?

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I think I have to purchase them, but I will ask.

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turbomom | @turbomom | Mar 24 11:34am
In reply to @raebaby "I'd have tried it if I had known about it I had to stop driving after..." + (show)
@raebaby

I'd have tried it if I had known about it I had to stop driving after getting Taxol and Herceptin for my breast cancer.

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So sorry to hear about your experience. Is the neuropathy reversible?

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raebaby | @raebaby | Mar 24 1:58pm

No, it isn't. My neurologist said neuropathy isn't reversable. I can still walk so I'm happy to be alive at 82.

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turbomom | @turbomom | Mar 24 2:38pm

I hear you! I just turned 81 last Friday.

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drummergirl | @drummergirl | Mar 25 9:26am

Hi Turbomom- I had triple negative BC at 72. I had rounds of CMF, before learning I was receiving an unapproved treatment that had no adjuvant treatment to be used with it, so after surgery I had to have more rounds of Taxol/Carboplatin. I used ice gloves and ice slippers each time. I used an ice soft cap also. They are uncomfortable, like frost bite, but they did work pretty well. The ice cap did not save my hair, but I did not lose it all. The ice gloves worked. My hands are great. The ice slippers worked about 75%. I have some numbness in my feet and toes, but nothing that affects my day to day activities. The chemo nurses strongly encouraged using these and my oncologist said don’t bother, nothing helps.

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blondietoad | @blondietoad | Mar 25 10:27am

Hi! I just had my 10th of 12 Taxol. I am using ice slippers and gloves. The gloves, I can only tolerate for about 10 min, but the slippers I keep on the whole infusion. I did have to adjust a bit as I was getting frostbite the first time. The way I’ve found it tolerable is to wear 2 pairs of slipper socks with the ice slippers over that. 2 pairs of thin mittens with the ice mittens. These are what I got:
https://a.co/d/906OlrK
I also started getting a massage the day before chemo and he concentrates on my hands and feet. I’m tingly the day of chemo, but then it goes away and I don’t have anything lasting. Good luck!!

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turbomom | @turbomom | Mar 25 10:32am
In reply to @drummergirl "Hi Turbomom- I had triple negative BC at 72. I had rounds of CMF, before learning..." + (show)
@drummergirl

Hi Turbomom- I had triple negative BC at 72. I had rounds of CMF, before learning I was receiving an unapproved treatment that had no adjuvant treatment to be used with it, so after surgery I had to have more rounds of Taxol/Carboplatin. I used ice gloves and ice slippers each time. I used an ice soft cap also. They are uncomfortable, like frost bite, but they did work pretty well. The ice cap did not save my hair, but I did not lose it all. The ice gloves worked. My hands are great. The ice slippers worked about 75%. I have some numbness in my feet and toes, but nothing that affects my day to day activities. The chemo nurses strongly encouraged using these and my oncologist said don’t bother, nothing helps.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for this comment! I will order some gloves and slippers. I have had sciatica for years, so I know, what nerve pain feels like. I don’t really care about my hair, but I play piano and don’t want to lose an activity that is therapeutic for me.

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