Neuropathy in feet after completing Chemotherapy
My husband completed 10 rounds of Folfirinox at the end of September. In late October he developed neuropathy in both feet. It is getting progressively worse. We are meeting our Oncologist next week to go over bloodwork and CT-scan scheduled for this Friday. Has anyone else had this happen afterwards and if so, what supplements, treatments have helped. Thanks for all your help once again.
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Hello, for neuropathic pain, every evening I soak my feet and hands in warm water with baking soda. I sleep better at night.
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The neuropathy is infinitely worse after 12 rounds of folfirinox , including legs, feet and hands
An increase in neuropathic symptoms of the feet for 2-3 months after completing chemotherapy with Folfirinox is a well observed phenomenon. After about the third month it stabilizes and there can be a long lag period before it begins to resolve. I did 24 cycles of full dose Folfirinox as part of my treatment that was double what is standard of care. I had no improvement for 2.5 years despite doing things to stimulate circulation and nerve regeneration and growth.
I did a considerable amount of walking and massaged my feet twice a day. I soaked my feet anout once a day with Epsom salts and continued taking alpha lipoic acid that was recommended by the N.P. Living close to the beach, I found walking on warm beach sand was very therapeutic. At the 2.5 year point from completing chemotherapy was when I began noticing a small improvement in my feet. It improved slowly. I found taking gabapentin helped with sleeping because of the discomfort of the neuropathy. The initial dosage my care team prescribed I found was too much in the side effects. I began lowering the dosage and found that 100mg every 6 hours was what worked for me. Wearing loose socks to sleep in also gave a level of comfort. It took 5 years from the point I noticed improvement started to fully resolve. Clinical surveys have been taken on the use of acupuncture in providing temporary relief, I did not use it. I found using gabapentin (duloxetine and Pregabulin) also work, was more convenient in time and cost of taking them then a co-pay and having to wait at an office weekely for an acupuncture session.
It is unfortunate that in the last few years of cold therapy becoming known, this technique for protecting peripheral nerve damage from chemotherpy using platin and taxane agents is not being communicated to patients or become a standard practice in the NCCN guidelines.
I had 13 rounds of folfirinox. The neuropathy at the end of chemo and continuing is awful.
Much much much worse than during chemo. Its in the hands and feet and nothing helps
Have you tried any of the suggestions that @stageivsurvivor provided above?
It will get better over time. God bless you 🙏🏼🌈💜
And you