Taxol

[Clare711]

I had Taxol therapy for breast cancer. My doctors feel that the pain I am experiencing, now about two years later, should not be happening. I have numbness in feet and hands, transient pain in joints, muscles, and bones with no evidence of metastises. I am now remembering that the nurse who gave me my first dose of taxol gave it to me too quickly, She had just transfered from inpatient oncology to outpatient oncology. I think it was suppose to take four hours and it was completely done in 1 and 1/2 hours. I think she thought she was ok. But I know that she was removed from the floor and someone else removed my IV, etc. I didn't think too much of it at the time. My doctor had explained to me that they give it slowly to prevent side effects. Now I am wondering if I am having such severe and lingering side effects due to the fact that it was administered too fast. If that is the case, what questions or other treatments should I be asking for or may need? Is there anything they can do or treatments to help to ameliorate these side effects or is it pemanent? Any info or direction would be must appreciated.
Thanks,]
Clare711

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Taxol is known to cause side effects of arthralgias, myalgias , peripheral neuropathies etc - but this is not related to the administartion of the drugs and is only seen within 2-3 days of giving the drug and all these side effects are transient in the vast majority of cases.

You could talk to your doctor about the symptoms you are having, get a clinical examination done and also relevant investigations including a bone scan. Also, talk to your doctor if you should see a bone and joint specialist.

Let us know if you have any other doubts and post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.

[gcoats]

Have you gotten any further information on what may be causing your problems?  I am about 1 1/2 years out from receiving chemotherapy.  I received Taxol.  I am still having tingling in my feet, I am having lots of problems with my knees and I injure my back and other muscles very easily.  Each injury takes a long time to heal.  Also, I no longer have the energy I used to have.  If I exert myself, I feel it the next day, or the day after.  I was thinking that these might be side effects of the Arimadex or maybe due to lack of estrogen.  I don't know.