Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo

Posted by needshope78 @needshope78, Apr 24, 2020

Is there anyone going through neuropathy from chemo. If so how long until my mother will be able to walk again afterwards. It’s been 8 weeks every week gets worse

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

@colleenyoung

Hi Valentina, neuropathy is a common side effect with some types of chemotherapy, including some chemo regimens used for endometrial cancer. I think fellow gyne cancer members like @bendeb @chowmama2 @katethegreat @dianainstaug @needshope78 @sarcomasurvivor and @miriam57 may have experiences to share with you as well as tips on how to deal with stiff fingers and toes.

To help you connect with others talking about chemo-induced neuropathy, I moved your message to this existing discussion in the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer-managing-symptoms/

Valentina, you mention that the stiffness is especially uncomfortable the week after treatment. Does the stiffness ease in week 2 and later? How many weeks do you have between treatments and how many treatments will you have?

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Thanks for your response. My discomfort/stiffness/etc. begins in week two, and lasts into the third week. I receive chemo every three weeks and will have a total of six treatments; I'm scheduled for my fifth treatment this Friday, 11/19. Thanks for moving my message to the managing symptoms group; maybe someone will have some insight.

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@jldavis823

There is no medication for neuropathy but there are numerous studies using supplements. I read one from the Cleveland Clinic that showed good results and have been following their recommendation with good results. They recommend taking 400 mg of CoQ10 and 20 mg of PQQ daily. The neuropathy in my hands is completely gone and my feet are much improved. The majority of the pain in my feet is gone, but I still have numbness in some places. I started this a year after chemo. The hands showed improvement quickly, the feet were slower. But the worst of the pain was gone in 3-4 months. Not an overnight cure, but my pain is gone.

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Wow! That is amazing! Thank you for sharing that will me! I'm so glad to know that the pain is gone, even after a year after your chemo (though it takes time). Thanks again!

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@jldavis823

There is no medication for neuropathy but there are numerous studies using supplements. I read one from the Cleveland Clinic that showed good results and have been following their recommendation with good results. They recommend taking 400 mg of CoQ10 and 20 mg of PQQ daily. The neuropathy in my hands is completely gone and my feet are much improved. The majority of the pain in my feet is gone, but I still have numbness in some places. I started this a year after chemo. The hands showed improvement quickly, the feet were slower. But the worst of the pain was gone in 3-4 months. Not an overnight cure, but my pain is gone.

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Is the Cleveland Clinic study regarding CoQ10 and PQQ for chemo induced neuropathy only? Could these two supplements help for idiopathic neuropathies of the feet and hands?

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@bryanbay

Is the Cleveland Clinic study regarding CoQ10 and PQQ for chemo induced neuropathy only? Could these two supplements help for idiopathic neuropathies of the feet and hands?

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Study participants were a mix of neuropathy patients. I don’t know the exact breakdown by diagnosis.

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@jldavis823

Study participants were a mix of neuropathy patients. I don’t know the exact breakdown by diagnosis.

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If you have a link to that study, I'd like to take a look. Google searching has not turn it up.

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@bryanbay

If you have a link to that study, I'd like to take a look. Google searching has not turn it up.

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My computer crashed after I read that study, so I no longer have the link. I started at the NIH site, so you may find what you need there. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.

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@jldavis823

My computer crashed after I read that study, so I no longer have the link. I started at the NIH site, so you may find what you need there. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.

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I tried to find the study to which you refer, but couldn’t find it. If you can find the link, I’d live to review it. Thanks.

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@bryanbay

If you have a link to that study, I'd like to take a look. Google searching has not turn it up.

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Ditto...............Thank You

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Yes, had 6 months chemo causing neuropathy in both feet! Several years ago! Still have it

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I had two chemotherapy treatments, with the last one being in early June. I ended up with neuropathy in my feet and some in my hands. No pain, just alot of numbness in my feet. I've also had three tests done; first one with gastroenterologist. Results found that I had achalasia. Two more tests with a thoracic surgeon; no achalasia and nothing showing that I might have anything to do with acid reflux. My symptoms have been warming sensations in my abdomen area and my head. Also some tightness around my rib cage, some nausea and sudden weight loss. Can't seem to take deep breaths easily. Several trips to the ER because of dizziness and breathing issues. They couldn't figure out. My oncologist said that the neuropathy in my feet would go away. From what I know now, that could take up to a year. I'm asking if anyone else has been going through these symptoms after having chemotherapy treatments. I have an appointment with my oncologist in January. I'm going to try to get an earlier one. The thoracic surgeon told me to have a discussion with my oncologist because he thinks my symptoms may be a result from the chemotherapy treatments. Can anyone out there relate?

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