Finding an Effective Dose of GM1 to Reduce or Prevent Neuropathy (Numbness or Weakness) Due to Treatment With Paclitaxel (Phase II)

Inclusion Criteria: * Documentation of disease: Histologic diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in women or men * Prior treatment- No previous exposure to GM1 * Planned administration of paclitaxel, either given weekly, or weekly 3 weeks on/1 week off, to patients with metastatic cancer at a dose of 80 mg/m\^2 * No planned treatment with concurrent immunotherapy * Score of 1 (none) and/or 2 (a little) on the six individual European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life questionnaire (QLQ)- chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)20 questions that quantify numbness (N), tingling (T), and pain in the fingers/hands and toes/feet (Items #31-36) * No diagnosis of fibromyalgia * No history of significant respiratory tract infection and/or infectious diarrhea within 14 days before registration * No history of stroke or cerebrovascular accident in the past 6 months prior to registration * No history of diagnosed neurologic or psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy or dementia * For women of childbearing potential, not pregnant and not nursing, because this study involves an investigational agent whose genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown. Therefore, for women of childbearing potential, a negative pregnancy test done =\< 7 days prior to registration is required. Of note, a female of childbearing potential is a sexually mature female who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bil…