Hi Denise,

I had exactly the same thing. Every chemo after the first had to be
delayed for a week because of low white blood cell counts.  For me, the
hospital said it was nothing to worry about.  

I had problems with my feet too. When I got out of bed in the morning my
feet would hurt like the dickens and I would end up staggering across
the floor when trying to walk because they were all cramped up.  I never
really knew why, but I think perhaps my feet were swollen from the chemo
and my shoes were too small. It stopped after chemo.   My neigher had
breast cancer at the same time as I and she had terrible problems with
leg cramps.

Marilyn

It's pretty normal to have delays for WBC recovery, especially towards
the end of the sequence.  They shouldn't have much effect on the
effectiveness of the chemo.  There are drugs to boost white cell
production, which can help avoid the delay, but at the expense of more
aches and pains, and they are fairly expensive too.

I don't know exactly what causes those pains, but I think they are quite
common.  If they don't pass in a few days, tell the oncologist about it
and see if he has anything to offer.

Tim Jackson

I don't know about palpitations, but when your counts are low, it's common
to have symptoms -- including body aches -- that many people more normally
associate with having the flu.  As I understand this -- and I could be wrong
because I'm not a medical professional -- both have a common cause.   When
your counts are low, your body really works hard to recover.  Part of this
process is the bone marrow doing its thing to manufacture new white cells.
That can cause aches or pains, particularly in the longer/larger bones like
the legs.

She (or you) may be worried that bone pain, particularly night pain, might
be an indication of bone metastases.   If the pain's come on more-or-less in
synch with the low blood counts, i.e., occurs during a particular part of
the chemo cycle & improves at other points, it's way (*WAY*) more likely
that the pain is related to the chemo.

I had some bone pain during chemo, particularly during Taxol.  Mine was not
very severe, and was easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers
(acetominophen or ibuprofen).   (Check with the doctor before taking
anything!)

If your mom's having side effects that are severe -- and I'd call something
that wakes her up at night severe enough -- she should talk to her doctor or
the chemo nurse, and ask quite clearly what can be done to reduce or manage
the side effect.   Too often, women think they are just supposed to live
with whatever side effects occur.   That's not true.   Not every side effect
can be fixed, but I found my medical team eager to do whatever they could to
keep my side effects as manageable as they could be for me.  You should just
be able to call the office & talk to a nurse -- you shouldn't have to wait
for the next visit.

Hope she's able to find some relief, and that her counts come up rapidly!

Ann T.
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My blood work was always okay.  I took 4 CAV and the last 4 of Taxotere.  I
couldn't finish the last 2 Taxotere and I wonder the same if I ruined my
chemo but Taxotere was to rough for me.
As I know it the chemo builds up in you as you get it,  I was told #1 wasn't
out of me when #2 chemo went in and so on so the more chemo I rec'd the
weaker I was getting.
My legs did ache.  I sleep on my side and I couldn't even rest one on top of
the other leg.
Chemo is rough stuff...I guess I had a strong body until the last 2.
Good Luck to your mum.
Pami