← Return to Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: What helps get rid of it?

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@autonomic

New to the sight. I had 8 rnds. in 2016. I don't like taking prescriptions. I do take a low dose of gabapentin 3 times a day. 2 of which I take around bedtime. If I don't the neuropathy in my feet keeps me up at night. It starts in my calf and goes to my feet about every 10 seconds. I also find I can't sit with pressure on the back of my knees too long. Wondering if anyone else has the same problems.

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Replies to "New to the sight. I had 8 rnds. in 2016. I don't like taking prescriptions. I..."

Welcome @autonomic, You are not alone. There are a couple of discussions on the topic although not necessarily for chemo induced neuropathy, the symptoms are similar and it might help to read what others have shared.

-- Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-pain-2/
-- Peripheral Neuropathy - Shooting Foot Pains at Night
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-shooting-foot-pains-at-night/
Have you tried any complementary or alternative treatments like those mentioned on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website - https://www.foundationforpn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Complementary-and-Alternative-Treatments-Revised-2020-final.-1.pdf?

I have some chemo related neuropathy, and it really bugs me once I am sitting quietly. Maybe that it why everyone thinks I am the energizer bunny all day 😂. I do take 900 mg of gabapentin at night. I also put my feet on a giant ice pack every night when I lay down in bed. When my feet are really cold I set the ice pack aside to be frozen again in the morning and go to sleep.
I can’t stand anything on my feet that is synthetic, I can’t say why, but I wear wool socks in the day, and at night, I stick my feet out below the sheet and blanket.
I sometimes use a roll on lidocaine from aspercreme in the evening if my feet feel like they are on fire.
All of this isn’t foolproof, but for me it is better than gabapentin during the day. I couldn’t stay awake to accomplish anything when I took it in the daytime.
Do you have any tips or tricks you use to make it better?