1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

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.

Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Cara, welcome. I have included your question about neuropathy related to cisplatin to this existing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi Cara, welcome. I have included your question about neuropathy related to cisplatin to this existing discussion in the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group. See here:
- Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/needshope/

You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Chemo-related Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/1st-time-at-mayo-for-neuropathy/
- Does anyone have a treatment for Neuropathy due to chemo: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-have-a-treatment-for-nueropathy-due-to-chemo/

Fellow members @needshope78 @dlmdinia @valentinaz @loribmt @elizm @tessie63 @2onlow8 can also share their experience with you.

Cara, are you currently in treatment or have you rung the chemo bell? May I ask what type of cancer you were diagnosed with?

Jump to this post

@colleen, I wish I had something to add to this discussion for @cara8895 but I was very fortunate and didn’t experience any neuropathy from Chemo.

REPLY
ajh5285 | @ajh5285 | Feb 6, 2023
In reply to @d13 "I had two chemotherapy treatments, with the last one being in early June. I ended up..." + (show)
@d13

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?

Jump to this post

Link to the NIH study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748123/
Pyridoxine for Prevention of Hand-Foot Syndrome Caused by Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review

The conclusion of this study published in 2013:
There is inadequate evidence to make any recommendation about using pyridoxine for prevention of HFS caused by chemotherapy. However, pyridoxine 400 mg may have some efficacy. Further studies of large sample sizes are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pyridoxine, especially at high dose, in comparison with placebo.

Perhaps there is newer information? Check out the cited by list in the column to the right of the article.

REPLY
1 reply
cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Feb 6, 2023
In reply to @ajh5285 "Link to the NIH study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748123/ Pyridoxine for Prevention of Hand-Foot Syndrome Caused by Chemotherapy: A..." + (show)
@ajh5285

Link to the NIH study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748123/
Pyridoxine for Prevention of Hand-Foot Syndrome Caused by Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review

The conclusion of this study published in 2013:
There is inadequate evidence to make any recommendation about using pyridoxine for prevention of HFS caused by chemotherapy. However, pyridoxine 400 mg may have some efficacy. Further studies of large sample sizes are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pyridoxine, especially at high dose, in comparison with placebo.

Perhaps there is newer information? Check out the cited by list in the column to the right of the article.

Jump to this post

I have neuropathy in my feet as a result of chemotherapy for triple negative breast cancer. My treatment ended three years ago.

My integrative medicine doctor recommends acupuncture and/or therapeutic massage. I have not tried either of these possible remedies yet as my neuropathy is annoying more than debilitating.

Best wishes.

REPLY
ajh5285 | @ajh5285 | Feb 6, 2023

Thank you for the best wishes - same to you.

I have tried acupuncture and Chinese herbs for continuing gut issues (perhaps my pancreatic exocrine insufficiency first revealing itself) and did not find them helpful.

I have also tried massage therapy since I have been seeing the same body worker for overall muscular tightness since 2001. As much as I wanted her recent treatment to work, I cannot say that I have seen any improvement (yet?). She has also urged me to take more magnesium for years to help with the tight muscles. I have tried, but all it does is interfere with my gut function.

Long way around of saying I'm still looking for some relief. Sorry.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 6, 2023

@cmdw2600, @ajh5285 and others - I'm not sure if you have seen this webinar from 2020 but thought it might be helpful.

-- Webinar: Chemo-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/webinar-chemo-induced-peripheral-neuropathy/

REPLY
susan159 | @susan159 | Feb 6, 2023

I am also have neuropathy that seems to be getting worse instead of better. I did 6 months of 5fu and oxaliplatin. Now I'm on the 5fu and Irinetocan. While I was on the Oxaliplatin I didn't have much neuropathy, just a little tingling. The Dr. actually stopped it a little sooner than 6 months because my cold senstitivty was lasting the full 2 weeks between chemo treatments. A few weeks AFTER the drug was stopped, I started to get fairly severe neuropathy in my feet and eventually it extended to my hands. I also started to get a pulsing sensation in my lower legs and feet. It doesn't hurt. It's like a very low level pulse of electricity that hits both my left and right legs simultaneously...very weird! That has thankfully lessened in the last few weeks. I don't believe the fu or the Irinetocan are supposed to be causing this. If anybody knows of anything that can/should be done to reverse what's going on, I sure would appreciate the info. I try to walk a lot and am constantly massaging my feet and hands, but so far there's no improvement.

REPLY
jeff1957 | @jeff1957 | Feb 7, 2023
In reply to @nbkod7b "I now have neuropathy in my feet as a result of chemo. My last treatment was..." + (show)
@nbkod7b

I now have neuropathy in my feet as a result of chemo. My last treatment was six months ago and nothing has changed. My feet are basically numb with enough feeling in them to be able to walk slowly. I can't close my eyes while standing like in the shower or I lose my balance. I do toe stretching exercises. I also use something called PowerLegs by PowerFit. It has various settings to stimulate the bottoms of your feet. My Dr suggested it. I don't know how much good it dose but I feel better doing something.

Jump to this post

My last chemo treatment was in November 2021 is now February 2023 I still have tingling and numbness in my feet I have read that it sometimes never goes away completely

REPLY
tony24 | @tony24 | Feb 7, 2023

Hi I noticed you posted this comment a while ago I guess someone posted a reply today because it showed up for today. Well anyways how are you and your mother doing? I hope well.

REPLY
varg4258 | @varg4258 | May 6, 2023

I have Peripheral Neuropathy on hand and feet from taking Chemo. Chemo treatment ended in 12/2022. What are the symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy healing or getting worse? I read Neuropathy gets worse before the healing phase. Feet feels more stiff after the second session of Acupuncture. Squeezing feet and toe's feel like twisting sandbags. Please comment if you experienced Peripheral Neuropathy and no longer have it.

REPLY
2 replies
mustang08 | @mustang08 | May 7, 2023
In reply to @varg4258 "I have Peripheral Neuropathy on hand and feet from taking Chemo. Chemo treatment ended in 12/2022...." + (show)
@varg4258

I have Peripheral Neuropathy on hand and feet from taking Chemo. Chemo treatment ended in 12/2022. What are the symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy healing or getting worse? I read Neuropathy gets worse before the healing phase. Feet feels more stiff after the second session of Acupuncture. Squeezing feet and toe's feel like twisting sandbags. Please comment if you experienced Peripheral Neuropathy and no longer have it.

Jump to this post

My hubby discontinued Oxiliplatin Nov 2022 and no relief yet. We’re afraid it’s irreversible

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.