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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group

Neuropathy | Last Active: 17 hours ago | Replies (6026)

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@mtborz

Hi, my name is Merce. I signed up over a year ago but haven’t been very active. Many times I find it overwhelming to deal with many of the issues that are posted/discussed.

My husband has been undergoing chemo treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer for almost two years. He has developed neuropathy of hands and feet - numbness but no pain. The three remaining chemo treatments will consist of taxol which will aggravate his condition.

Does anyone can suggest OTC topical preparations that may provide him some relief.

Thank you.

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Replies to "Hi, my name is Merce. I signed up over a year ago but haven’t been very..."

A 6percent lidocaine prep does wonders for me. Since it is higher than 5 percent you need a compounding pharmacist to prepare it.

@mtborz Hi Merce, thank you for posting. I understand that some topics can be overwhelming. The good news about Connect is that you can choose what notifications you receive and choose to participate in. Taking breaks when you need is good also.

I'm inviting @johnbishop to the conversation in hopes he can offer assistance. John has neuropathy with numbness and no pain.

I came across a small study that suggests cryotherapy (ice treatments) on hands and feet before and after Taxol chemo treatments may help symptoms. What does your husband's doctor recommend?

Hi Merce @mtborz, I know it must be difficult for you and your husband having to deal with side effects of the treatment. I have some numbness in my fingers and feet due to neuropathy and so for haven't found any real help from OTC topicals. I do think it's important to keep your hands and feet moisturized with a good skin lotion which makes sense because the peripheral nerves being affected are close to the skin.

I think what @rwinney suggested may be something to reach out to your husband's care team and see if it could be an option for him to try for his three remaining chemo treatments. Here's an article from 2017 on the topic -- Cold therapy may be effective at controlling cancer treatment side effects: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171012111440.htm

I also found some information on supplements which may be helpful and you might want to discuss them with your husband's care team --- "Another study found that vitamin E was effectively and safely protected against neuropathy in cancer patients treated with taxol [10]. Most side..." --- Comparison of the Effects of Omega 3 and Vitamin E on Palcitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6236056/

Hoping you find something that provides him some relief.