Side effects of Caelyx - neuralgia & tooth ache

[Veronique]

For some time before starting this cycle of chemo I had a sensitive tooth but 3 wks after 2nd dose of Caelyx I developed neuralgia spreading from this tooth up to my ear and down my neck. The pain was unbearable and altho' dentist took x rays, she could find nothing wrong with tooth or gum. She prescribed Amoxicillin in case of infection and after 2 days it eased but 2 days later pain was again unbearable.Oncologist thinks it might be reaction to Caelyx but I've had no painful hands or feet and no mouth ulcers.

Has anyone else had tooth ache/neuralgia from chemo?

[ketchup]

Yes I had trouble with my teeth whilst on caelyx. I had little grumbling aches and was convinced I had a rotten tooth but my dentist couldn't find anything wrong. After a couple of cycles I noticed a pattern. The tooth would grumble and then go away at the same time each cycle. K xxx

[rjhs]

Hello Veronique, I have had four out of six Caelyx and last week one of my molars cracked open for no apparent reason and had to have emergency patching at the dentist until it can be fixed properly post chemo. Followed the next day by a visit to the GP for UTI. The joys of chemo eh?

Rita

[rjhs]

Hello Veronique, I have had four out of six Caelyx and last week one of my molars cracked open for no apparent reason and had to have emergency patching at the dentist until it can be fixed properly post chemo. Followed the next day by a visit to the GP for UTI. The joys of chemo eh?

Rita

[Jo-Bo]

Interesting. The first time I had Avastin I developed pain similar to your description. It eased after a week and hasn't reoccured. Hope yours clears up soon.

[Veronique]

Many thanks for your replies. The dentist wonders if the nerve has died and wants to drill thro' filling (route canal job?) but I'm reluctant in case it is just a side effect of chemo. It varies so much in level of pain from day to day.

[Hidden]

HI Veronique as a dental nurse in a former life, I really dont know how to advise you. If the amoxcillin calmed it down, you might have a deep infection in the root canal but the dentist should be able to check this by doing an xray. I have two heavily filled back teeth which give trouble on an off since I have been on Avastin. My dentist says no infection but heavily filled and may have to be taken out eventually. They are not work saving, one is a wisdom tooth and you dont do root canal on those If I want them out, I have to come off the Avastin for a month prior to extraction. But I do admit to grinding my teeth at night and also the sinuses are bad and they can also cause toothache in the upper jaw. Hope that helps you

[Veronique in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Suzuki. I did have an x ray but it didn't show anything. I am now on Gabapentin which takes the pain away but now the dentist wonders if the nerve has died (as I no longer have sensitivity when brushing) and wants to drill thro' the filling BUT as you know, we are not supposed to have treatment during chemo. No-one knows if its dental or side effect.

I am v interested to see you are on Avastin. My Onc wont give it to me (cost) and says as this is my 3rd line of chemo it's too late. What stage are you at and did your Onc recommend it or did you have to ask for it. How long for?

[Hidden in reply to Veronique]

I am in Ireland and was on third line chemo Gem and started Avastin also, I completed chemo last Feb and the idea is to stay with Avastin to keep me off chemo and so far so good, I know there are restrictions in the Uk and Wales and Scotland or part of. I am a public patient and I am very lucky to be offered this chemo, I realise that. I am not sure what stage, I have never asked. But first test was borderline and then second a year later was positive and I had a positive biopsy for OC, I was told that my chances of recurrence were one per cent and of course I was in that one per cent. It did spread to the tummy but they got it under control again. It appears my liver etc is clear but this one spot keeps turning up like a bad penny because it is impossible to remove in case of bleed out, So I am doing okay. In between treatments I have been able to get away for little breaks and live a fairly okay life. My next check up is January and my gp is also referring me to an ent consultant because of sinus issues which I had before Avastin anyway. I am not looking forward to that, I could well do without it,

[Veronique in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Suzuki and good luck.

[moominkat]

Ugh, I'm about to start on Caelyx on Weds 24/12. I shall make sure I wear my mouthguard at night (can be careless about this), I clench my teeth apparently which makes my mandible click when I chew.

[kinyo55]

I am going through chemo, my toothache are unbearable to the point that I am tempted to overdose myself with painkillers.

[Veronique]

I also felt like that. Get your Consult. or Dr to prescribe you 300mg of Gabapentin. I've been taking it since Friday and it really works. I don't want to risk invasive dental treatment til I've finished this course of chemo. Good luck.