Swollen Legs After Chemo

[carguy]

Hi all,

I recently completed 10 rounds of Docetaxel for my stage 4 PC. I noticed that after cycle 8 my ankles and legs were starting to get swollen . After completing the chemo, the legs/ankles are still swollen and feel heavy and tight. My theighs also ballooned in size and are very hard. I had an ultrasound of both legs which ruled out blood clots. Has anyone experienced this and how long did it take to subside? My MO recommended compression socks which I am trying.

Thanks

[Skoda1]

Hi,

I had this problem after my 6 sessions of chemo. They finished in February. The lymphoedema specialist provided elastic support stockings but I found that they dug in and were painful.. I also found normal socks painful. I gave up the stockings, used cream on the lower legs and wore sports socks or thick winter socks with no tight ankle. Little by little the swelling has gone down over the 6 months. I'm still careful with the socks but happy. I hope that you too find that the problem resolves itself.

[carguy in reply to Skoda1]

Thank you. I’m also finding the compression socks aren’t comfortable.

[JD-guy]

Hello, my right leg filled up with fluid/swelled up after my 5th chemo infusion. I wore compression socks, took some fluid meds,(meds did minimal) I kept my legs up as much as possible. The tightness went down fairly soon, but, It took some time to go completely down, I still have a little issue once in awhile. Some of it could be lymphedema. (You can do massages for lymphedema). My last chemo infusion was Dec 2021. It was not something that got straightened out overnight. This is my experience, not saying everyone is like mine. Keep on

Keith.

[carguy in reply to JD-guy]

Thanks for your input.

[Bodysculpture]

YES I DID

IT WAS AWFULL

BUT IT GOES AFTER A WHILE

YOU MUST GET MOVING CARGUY

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO WALK RIDE ROW SWIM YOU CHOOSE

YOU WILL BE STIFF AND SORE FOR A WHILE

BUT I GUAREBTEE YOU IT WILL SUBCIDE WITH EXERCISE

GET OFF THE COUCH

ONCOLOGY DUD THIER PART NOW DO YOURS

[carguy in reply to Bodysculpture]

Thanks Bodysculpture. I’m trying to get out and ride my bike as much as I can

[London441 in reply to carguy]

Bike is always good. For leg swelling walking may be even better. If you have the time and the weather isn’t too hot, daily long walks of 5-8 miles or so will slay that.

Of course the weather is too hot almost everywhere. So earliest morning is best unless you’re unfazed by heat like me, lucky more than intrepid.

[Bodysculpture in reply to carguy]

You must

Like I said it's gonna be grueling for a while

The effects of the poison to kill a poison will wear off

Don't limit your training as a result of your illness

Train hard and smart

[pilot52 in reply to Bodysculpture]

You just answered my question, if I do not get in a clinical trial we are looking at I will move to Docetaxel , I Peloton Bike, Row, I swim with Scuba Fins, and Lift. I frequently jog backwards with Gracie......So I will continue. It is good that active people throw in from time to time.....Blue Skies and Always a Tailwind, Sky King and Penny ( woof)

[spencoid2]

edema is a common side effect of taxane based chemo such as taxotere or Docetaxel. you should have been given dexamethasone one day before and one day after with a dose also given at the infusion center. if this was not prescribed there is something very wrong with your doctors. dex is essential to prevent edema when taking

[carguy in reply to spencoid2]

Yes, I was given a high dose of Dexamethazone at each chemo session, and was told to take 10mg of Prednisone every day. I couldn’t sleep from the Prednisone so cut it down to 5mg per day. The lower dose could have contributed to the swelling.

[spencoid2]

i am also taking just 5 mg pred but took dex one day before and one day after as well a getting it at the time of infusion. only had minor edema. but i get a lot of exercise biking and walking.

[MJCA]

I know that edema is a known side effect of docetaxel. I am currently on docetaxel, but have not experienced edema. Compression socks are a great idea. Did your doctor suggested elevating your legs while sitting and sleeping? That may help.

Best of luck to you.

[carguy in reply to MJCA]

Yes, I do elevate my legs while sitting, but not during sleep. I should try that. Thanks.

[TMcgee]

Went through 6 cycles without your side-effects; but, I’m wondering about the 10 cycles. I was told by MO that more than 8 cycles was counterproductive. I’m just wondering if the number of cycles is the cause; and if it is, clinical trials must have dealt with your specific issue. Wonder if researching the trials dealing with number of cycles might offer a treatment?

Best to you..

[carguy in reply to TMcgee]

It could be the 10 causing it. I was responding so well to the chemo (no side effects and dropping PSA), MO wanted me to continue after 6. That may have been a mistake.

[TMcgee in reply to carguy]

I just think it may be a good point of research. There must have been endless trials to determine the proper number of cycles, coupled with different treatments to offset the side effects.

A quick search produced: Singer EA, Srinivasan R. Intravenous therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer: toxicities and adverse events. Urol Oncol. 2012;30(Suppl 4):S15–S19.

“Fluid retention is another notable side effect of docetaxel and is often seen with higher cumulative doses of the agent. Fluid retention can manifest as peripheral edema, pleural effusions, or ascites. The exact mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unclear, but it is hypothesized that capillary leak may be a contributing factor. Glucocorticoid premedication minimizes the incidence and severity of fluid retention. In patients with clinically significant or symptomatic fluid retention, diuretics and/or drug holidays are usually helpful.”

Best to you

[pilot52 in reply to TMcgee]

You need to read the new literature. It seems 10 cycles is primo! Check it out. My MO is Harvard, and research primarily. Two days in clinic. She is currently at UT Southwestern , did not hesitate to say 10 if I bomb at getting into a clinical trial. Manage your case do not let one person determine your guidelines. Great that you brought this up. In the end your choice. Good luck, Blue Skies,,,

[TMcgee in reply to pilot52]

Thanks for info. Do you have a link to new literature? In both the TAX327 and SWOG9916 trials, the authors indicated that they didn’t know the optimal cycles. The Morree study indicated 10 cycles (based on Mainsail trial) were optimal for mCRPC, but that is from 2016.

In both the peace1 and ARASENS trials they used 6 cycles, which suggest that mCSPC vs mCRPC may have something to do with the optimal number of cycles. I didn’t consider the carguy’s stage when responding.

In any case, based on further review, it doesn’t change the cause of carguy’s swelling. Thanks again, great info!

[85745]

Sad to hear, A friend had same, went for lymphatic message therapy was working but got to pricey. Did any of your health providers suggest measures you could do to mitigate or lessen chemo side effects before and after each treatment ? I hear this side effect a lot

[carguy in reply to 85745]

My MO only recommended compression socks which I am using. I did make an appointment with a Lymphoma therapist, maybe exercises will help.