Docetaxel - Neuropathy

[Hillwalker87]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone who has received Docetaxel had the side effect of peripheral neuropathy and if so, how long did this last? Many thanks in advance.

[Hillwalker87]

Thank you. Is there any particular reason why you have chosen not to take the chemo route? He is resistant to xtandi and zoladex now so the pressure is being put on him to take the chemo now but he's not really happy with the thought of it. Is taxotere the more favourable option do you know?

[tango65]

It may not resolved after treatment. It is usually a sensory peripheral neuropathy but it could have a motor fiber involvement (muscle weakness).

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

Cabazitaxel may have a lower incidence of peripheral neuropathy than docetaxel.

ascopost.com/News/57923

[Hillwalker87 in reply to tango65]

Thank you 🙏

[tango65 in reply to Hillwalker87]

Best of luck!!

[Cooolone]

Just completed my course of Docetaxel, and yes, there's some, limited amount of neuropathy introduced from the 5th and 6th cycle. My feet already had some slight neuropathy prior to chemo, but the finger tips was a new experience. I used the cryo prophylactic attempt by icing my hands and feet with each cycle and I also ate ice chips to prevent the burnt mouth feel that I experienced with the first infusion absent the ice chips. It worked in preventing that from being present the remaining infusions. And although I did the ice on the hands and feet, I have the neuropathy in any event.

The finger tips are already recovering but slowly. It's only been a few weeks but I feel improvement. And it feels more like calloused tips (fingers) than loss of feel or anything like that. It hasn't impacted my ability to use my hands or sensitivity of touch for the most part. The feet... Well it feels like there's a big ball if numb right on the ball of the foot. Is weird, but again, doesn't impact my ability or function. May be psycho somatic, but it feels to be getting slightly better already as well.

Funny thing is I looked up some remedies for neuropathy and many seem to conflict with having the PCa, like B12 or Vitamin E, which of course I didn't want to mess with while receiving the Docetaxel. Only time will tell if it abates... If under Docetaxel treatment and the neuropathy occurs, the dosage can be adjusted (down) the next cycle, and if it continues or gets worse, the Docetaxel can be stopped because it can be permanent for some patients. And as noted too is the Cabazitaxel has shown not to impact patients in this regard. I'm just not sure if the treatment timeline in regard to it's use.

Regards

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Cooolone]

Thank you for your thorough response, very much appreciated 🙏

[Hidden]

That description by Coooloneof fingertips feeling like they are calloused is very accurate--in just and only my own experience, of course. Pretty much the only lasting side-effect that I am conscious of; did my 6 cycles during the first half of 2020.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Hidden]

🙏

[monte1111]

I got neuropathy of the feet right after chemo and when I started Xtandi. I do think it was the chemo and not the Xtandi or the Lupron. Just my guess. That was 4 years ago. There seems to be very mild improvement. Taking Gabapentin, but have no idea if that has any effect. Has not affected my hands. (Did pen and paper puzzles while doing infusions. Did the movement protect my hands? Would moving my feet during infusion have helped? I wonder. I would not let the fear of neuropathy keep me from having chemo. I believe it saved my life. I will do chemo again when the Xtandi fails and it comes to decision time. Best of wishes to you.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to monte1111]

Thank you very much for sharing 🙏

[andy909]

I was on Docetaxl for over a year and it worked really well until it didn’t. I had no problem with neuropathy until just before going off it.

I have neuropathy in both feet and my leg muscles feel weaker.

My walking has totally changed-I used to take long strides and now I’m taking much shorter slower steps.

It has gotten somewhat better over the last month, but my oncologist cannot predict whether or not it will disappear completely.

So I’m resigned to moving slower and with less surefootedness for now.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to andy909]

Thank you for sharing, I very much hope things start to improve for you 🙏

[andy909 in reply to Hillwalker87]

Thanks for kind words. The neuropathy varies from day to day. Hot weather aggravates it. But I had 1 good year on docetaxl so it is what it is.

[Shooter1]

Docetaxel and Xtandi together left me a complete invalid. I couldn't feel or move my toes or pick up a glass with one hand. Stopped docetaxel and cut Xtandi in half. Better now after 4 1/2 years.. Still need high dose gabapentin to type. Hands not so good, Feet numb, but I can move toes and balance again. Nerve tests show slow response to both feeling and reaction. Back of my hands permanently dead (NR on tests). Flaming pain in both if I cut gabapentin. Use a set of gauntlet gloves to place wood in woodstove or fireplace as I can't feel myself getting burned. I had 9 cycles and should have stopped after 7 or 8. So YES it can be permanent. Best of luck to you, just don't over do it.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Shooter1]

I'm really sorry to hear about that. Thank you very much for sharing your experience 🙏

[Chugach]

I got neuropathy from docetaxel- I explored acupuncture and it seemed to work for me. I have a post on that experience under my profile

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Chugach]

That's brill, thank you very much for sharing 🙏