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Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Jan 21 10:24am | Replies (135)Comment receiving replies
Tessie63
It has been 2 years since I had chemo and it damaged my hands and feet so bad I use a walker to get around. My feet are also badly dropped from the chemo. I only had 3 treatments because the doctor felt he got all the cancer.
I wish I could go back and change the decision I made to have chemo but it is too late now and I have to make the most of my life now. Every now and then I have my own pity party and a good cry and then I carry on with life.
Replies to "Tessie63 It has been 2 years since I had chemo and it damaged my hands and..."
Tessie63
Thanks for the hugs!
I developed severe neuropathy in my hands and feet after chemotherapy for breast cancer. I talked to doctors and looked online, but found no clear guidelines for relief. After trying for almost two and a half years with no improvement, I went researching again online. NIH had an article about supplement use, and mentioned studies but did not give clear guidance. But hearing about studies, I went digging again. I found a study by the Cleveland Clinic that got good results with 300 mg of CoQ10 and 20 mg of PQQ daily. I have been using this combination for a year now and things have improved dramatically. My finger tips no longer feel burnt, just a little numb. I cannot tell you the joy I felt when I took off my shoes and felt the floor for the first time. I still have discomfort in my feet, but much improved and no longer hurts to walk. The one symptom that doesn’t feel much better is the feeling of sand between my toes. My doctor had been monitoring my progress and is as pleased as I am. This may not work for everyone, and it’s definitely not an overnight cure, I can only say what it’s done for me. Stick with it, again it’s not a quick fix, but you should start getting relief after a couple of weeks. With Hope. Janet Davis
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Hi Tessie, oh gosh, I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time with the lingering neuropathy from chemo. I know you wish you could turn back the clock on your decision to have treatments. Was there an option of you not having chemo for your cancer, with a positive outcome of beating the disease?
I know from experience chemo can be brutal but to be victorious over cancer it has to be stronger than the disease to be able fight it and win. It appears that you’re cancer free? Even though you’re having to use the walker and neuropathy impacts your daily life, I do see your spark of that spirit of endurance that keeps you going every day. And the positive side is that it appears you are in remission. ☺️ May I ask what type of cancer you had? And are you able to take any medications to help with the discomfort of the neuropathy?