1. < Breast Cancer

Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Breast Cancer

Posted by karendb @karendb, Feb 10, 2019

Hi. Karen here again. Since my last chemo treatment on dec 19th I've had terrible neuropathy in both hands and feet. Has anyone else had this and do you know how long it lasts?

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | May 19, 2024
In reply to @gramma206 "I'm sending you dozens of hugs! Your story is sad but helps me feel not so..." + (show)
@gramma206

I'm sending you dozens of hugs! Your story is sad but helps me feel not so alone. My oncologist says no one ever gets such severe neuropathy from these drugs - except obviously I did. I use an infared mitten and foot socks every even for circulation boost.

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And that could be the key. I've read other posts here where they used some kind of mitts and socks with cold packs to prevent a lot of the drugs from circulating to the fingers and toes. This appeared to have mitigated or prevented the neuropathy there.

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2 replies
varsha08 | @varsha08 | May 18, 2024
In reply to @gramma206 "I was on the same chemo drugs that have been used for decades 4 dose dense..." + (show)
@gramma206

I was on the same chemo drugs that have been used for decades 4 dose dense treatments with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Second chemo is the one that caused "profoundly severe peripheral neuropathy " 12 weekly infusions of Pacitaxel aka Taxol.

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Sorry to know but that seems to be the case with most of us! My best wishes!

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varsha08 | @varsha08 | May 18, 2024
In reply to @tullynut "I did not have to continue with meds linked to neuropathy. It concerns me that I..." + (show)
@tullynut

I did not have to continue with meds linked to neuropathy. It concerns me that I might be faced with the need for more treatments/ meds thagg to cause neuropathy. I would talk to them about alternative meds if there are any that don’t or are less likely to cause neuropathy.

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Thank you for reply and wish you the best.

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | May 18, 2024
In reply to @launabess "I had the same drugs and same outcome. Been 10 years now and neuropathy has increased..." + (show)
@launabess

I had the same drugs and same outcome. Been 10 years now and neuropathy has increased up my leg a little past the ankles. I can still do everything, but do use a vibrating machine every morning to bring blood into my feet, etc. Doctors should have told us this could be a side effect, but no mention. I too started noticing it from Taxol infusion and my doctor told me it would not stay with me. It has and is progressing.

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I noticed it almost immediately in my fingers. I thought it was just from swiping too much on my tablet. It felt like I was developing calluses. I mentioned it to both the doctor and nurse. I was told several times to let them know if my fingers got too numb to hold a pencil. They never mentioned the pain that felt like I had those metal binder clips affixed to my finger tips.

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gramma206 | @gramma206 | May 18, 2024
In reply to @launabess "I had the same drugs and same outcome. Been 10 years now and neuropathy has increased..." + (show)
@launabess

I had the same drugs and same outcome. Been 10 years now and neuropathy has increased up my leg a little past the ankles. I can still do everything, but do use a vibrating machine every morning to bring blood into my feet, etc. Doctors should have told us this could be a side effect, but no mention. I too started noticing it from Taxol infusion and my doctor told me it would not stay with me. It has and is progressing.

Jump to this post

I'm sending you dozens of hugs! Your story is sad but helps me feel not so alone. My oncologist says no one ever gets such severe neuropathy from these drugs - except obviously I did. I use an infared mitten and foot socks every even for circulation boost.

REPLY
1 reply
tullynut | @tullynut | May 18, 2024
In reply to @varsha08 "Thanks Tullynut. My neuropathy also is not stopping me from doing anything I want to but..." + (show)
@varsha08

Thanks Tullynut.
My neuropathy also is not stopping me from doing anything I want to but I am only concerned that it’s progressing. My targeted therapy is also for life so I just wonder if it started with chemo and progressing with targeted therapy!
Thanks for your reply. Happy for you that you are able to live nearly normal life! Best always!

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I did not have to continue with meds linked to neuropathy. It concerns me that I might be faced with the need for more treatments/ meds thagg to cause neuropathy. I would talk to them about alternative meds if there are any that don’t or are less likely to cause neuropathy.

REPLY
1 reply
gramma206 | @gramma206 | May 18, 2024
In reply to @varsha08 "My neuropathy started immediately after the the first chemo but the oncologist kept saying it will..." + (show)
@varsha08

My neuropathy started immediately after the the first chemo but the oncologist kept saying it will go away after we stop the chemos. After the six chemos they continued with targeted therapy. I tried every possible drug like gabapentin etc but nothing worked. My neuropathy also kept progressing. My oncologist is not able to explain why it’s not gone and in fact progressing.
I am still on 3 weekly infusion of PHESGO.
Can you share what drugs they used for your chemos?

Jump to this post

I was on the same chemo drugs that have been used for decades 4 dose dense treatments with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Second chemo is the one that caused "profoundly severe peripheral neuropathy " 12 weekly infusions of Pacitaxel aka Taxol.

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1 reply
launabess | @launabess | May 18, 2024
In reply to @dlmdinia "I neglected to identify the drugs in my reply. They were Andriamycin and Cytoxin followed by..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

I neglected to identify the drugs in my reply. They were Andriamycin and Cytoxin followed by Taxol.

Jump to this post

I had the same drugs and same outcome. Been 10 years now and neuropathy has increased up my leg a little past the ankles. I can still do everything, but do use a vibrating machine every morning to bring blood into my feet, etc. Doctors should have told us this could be a side effect, but no mention. I too started noticing it from Taxol infusion and my doctor told me it would not stay with me. It has and is progressing.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | May 18, 2024
In reply to @dlmdinia "I neglected to identify the drugs in my reply. They were Andriamycin and Cytoxin followed by..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

I neglected to identify the drugs in my reply. They were Andriamycin and Cytoxin followed by Taxol.

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I took the three together in one giant cocktail. I also started getting the neuropathy mostly in my feet soon after my third treatment. Then I was given more chemo with herceptin a year later and it really started. A host of cancer drugs and a few other issues and boom 20 years down the road I am having a slow progression of worsening neuropathy. I take the gabapentin only at night so I can get to sleep without my feet screaming at me, but if I take it in the daytime all I want to do is sleep.
Has your doctor given you anything that seems to help beyond just sedation?

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varsha08 | @varsha08 | May 18, 2024
In reply to @dlmdinia "I neglected to identify the drugs in my reply. They were Andriamycin and Cytoxin followed by..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

I neglected to identify the drugs in my reply. They were Andriamycin and Cytoxin followed by Taxol.

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing!
Best always!

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