Help for long-term pain from Taxol

[blinggirl]

I had dose dense treatments of Taxol for breast cancer in 2005 and had the severe pain mentioned in your forums.  Most oncologists and doctors believe the long term pain is not from chemo and I believe it is.  I went to one doctor that was right on with regards to reducing but not eliminating the pain and neuropathy from the chemo.  He gave me RX of both Lyrica and Cymbalta (which work better together) and this combination reduced the pain conciderably.  I hope this helps others.  Blinggirl*****

[blinggirl]

My dose dense was every two weeks instead of every three weeks.  The pain was definitely neuropathy type pain.  I now just have pain occasionally in my legs but still have the problem of going to sleep at night as soon as my toes touch the sheets the burning starts in my toes and works into my feet.  I would again suggest talking to your internist about Lyrica and Cymbalta.  

Hope this works for you.

Blinggirl

[Kelleen]

What are you considering to be dose dense tx?  Can you describe your pain?  Is it neuropathy type pain?  I have had 2 tx of 4 and find the neuropathy to be quite bothersome.  I was told it was temporary.  I'd like to know what you and others have experienced.

Thankyou,
Kelleen

[PaulMD]

Hi there!

It's good to hear that a solution to your pain was found!  Taxane treatments, especially given in the dose dense setting can really cause major forms of neuropathy that can last months or even years.  The neuropathic pain can generally be addressed by the type of medications that you are taking.  For the readers with the same problem, I would still suggest that you discuss these drugs first with your doctors before taking them.  I hope the pain will stay as minimal as possible or be completely eradicated.  Regards and God bless!