Severe itching on hands and feet during Taxol chemo Treatments

I'm sorry you are experiencing this. Itchiness is misery. I suddenly developed a big itchy rash on both shins after my 7th Taxol infusion. I thought at first it was some kind of bug bites, then maybe poison ivy? It looks like poison ivy, but I haven't been anywhere near that. So I think it's Taxol caused. What helps me is simply Hydrocortisone OTC cream (1%) --oh, and trying so hard not to scratch. And I tried a Benedryl last night before bed. Good luck!!

Thank you so much for your response. Yes, the Benadryl and OTC Hydrocortisone do help. I am wondering if this will continue foe the remaining treatments.

I used vanacream to help with the dryness. I talked to my oncologist and he said take Benadryl, but I really couldn’t take it and function during the day.
I did use cortisone, and even lidocaine roll on, I used the one put out by aspercreme, but mostly I slathered on vanacream and tried not to scratch.
Have you talked to your doctor yet?

I had a reaction to Taxol that caused pain in my hands & feet (I eventually lost my nails) but that is an extreme reaction. I used ice packs to help the pain, it might help the itch too.

I had the severe itch on my hands and feet and found relief while holding onto ice and also by elevating my feet and sitting still to let my hands rest. I have a body cleanser that I apply before I shower so that I am in and out really quickly as water seems to be a trigger. That was about the only relief I could find. I was going out of my mind the itch sensation was so severe. My oncologist put me on Gabapentin, the beginning dose was 100mg for 5 days, increased to 200mg for 5 days, and then 300 mg for 5 days. The Gaba slowly reduced the intensity of the itch, it took a few days to kick in, and reduced the number and intensity of flares.
I started at 100mg of Gabapentin at bedtime, then added 100mg at 5am when I get up in the morning. My last increase was another 100mg at lunchtime. After 4 weeks of taking Gabapentin I hardly have any itch at all, sometimes my hand/feet get a little tingly but not bad. Unfortunately, the Gaba is only masking the itch, I am hoping this all goes away when I get my last Taxol infusion and that I am not stuck on it forever. The oncologist told me this is a rare side effect which he had never seen, 0.1%. Wonderful right!!!
Hope this helps you. I split up the Gaba doses as it has a half life and wears off so did not want to take it all in one setting.
Good luck!!

I am hoping you are wearing ice gloves and slippers to prevent neuropathy.
I never had itching, but I did use the ice gloves and slippers. Have a little numbness in my toes, but hands are fine.

Thank you so much. I am on Gabapentin 300mg and Claritin at bedtime and that takes me to the morning. Wake up and feel ok, but start itching about an hour later. So, Zyrtec and pepcid in the morning was added. Also I am appling Benadryl during the day. I am doing fairly well today after 5 awful days!!

Yes, I have been wearing the ice gloves and booties during the infusion. I find that ice also alleviates the itching. Thanks for responding.

Thank you, no pain so far just the itching. I seem to be getting some relief for now. 4 more Taxol treatments to go.

I am passing this information on in case you have day time itch. Gabapentin reaches its peak effectiveness after you have taken it for 4 weeks. The effect of one dose will only last 6-8 hours, that is why I take 100mg three times a day.
The reported half-life (the time it takes for 50% of the drug to be metabolized) is 5 to 7 hours, which necessitates a dosing frequency of 3 to 4 times daily for it to be effective.
It is great that antihistamines during the day appear to be helping you, I was not so fortunate:)