1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: What helps get rid of it?

Posted by taxlady @taxlady, Jan 31, 2023

I finished chemo April of 2022
I have neuropathy in my fingers and feet. It doesn’t seem to be going away. What are treatments I can do to help get rid of it.

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marcia | @marciak9 | Sep 19, 2023
In reply to @dablues "I was diagnosed in 2019 with peripheral neuropathy and in 2023 it is now polyneuropathy demyelinating..." + (show)
@dablues

I was diagnosed in 2019 with peripheral neuropathy and in 2023 it is now polyneuropathy demyelinating and so far no one has referred me to a doctor for treatment and the pain is just been getting worse since 2019 and I tried all kinds of things to fix myself since the neurologist only prescribed cream which did nothing. I'm very upset that I can't get help and have to live with this pain especially at night.

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I’m so sorry to hear about your condition. It sounds unbearable. My PN is just my feet and finger tips. It’s not painful but makes me crazy with the pins and needles. Every Dr I have asked has told me they don’t know how to fix it. Until they do, I’ll focus on the good things in my life.

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1 reply
raebaby | @raebaby | Sep 19, 2023

An 83 year ld friend of mine with peripheralneuropathy and shoulder pain started using CBD drops recently and his pain is much improved.

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dablues | @dablues | Sep 19, 2023
In reply to @marciak9 "I’m so sorry to hear about your condition. It sounds unbearable. My PN is just my..." + (show)
@marciak9

I’m so sorry to hear about your condition. It sounds unbearable. My PN is just my feet and finger tips. It’s not painful but makes me crazy with the pins and needles. Every Dr I have asked has told me they don’t know how to fix it. Until they do, I’ll focus on the good things in my life.

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It is unbearable and a Vaccine did it to me. I didn't any of that until I took that Vaccine and I'll never take another one again. I always took vaccines until 2019 when that happened to me. No more, no flu shots, no nothing. I don't trust them.

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jm | @jodimj | Oct 8, 2023

I’m only two treatments out of 6 scheduled in, and the pain is off the charts. It’s interrupting my sleep, no its stopping sleep!! Walking has always been a vice, my drug of choice, so now there’s some depression sneaking in without the walks as well! Not sure what all I’m investing in here for a future today. Great full for input here, not always taking the best notes though.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 8, 2023
In reply to @jodimj "I’m only two treatments out of 6 scheduled in, and the pain is off the charts...." + (show)
@jodimj

I’m only two treatments out of 6 scheduled in, and the pain is off the charts. It’s interrupting my sleep, no its stopping sleep!! Walking has always been a vice, my drug of choice, so now there’s some depression sneaking in without the walks as well! Not sure what all I’m investing in here for a future today. Great full for input here, not always taking the best notes though.

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Please talk to your doctor about this and if that doctor doesn’t take you seriously talk to your primary care doctor or ask for a referral to a neurologist. This is a serious thing and as you are losing your “drug of choice” it is maybe more serious for you.
If you aren’t getting the rest you need during chemo, that is not really helpful either.
May I ask what you are taking chemo for and what drugs you are receiving?

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lauraboo | @lauraboo | Oct 8, 2023
In reply to @erichendrix "Prescribed Pregabalin, Duloxetine, Nortriptyline, Naloxone, Gabapentin, and Buprenorphine for neuropathy, none of which helped at all...." + (show)
@erichendrix

Prescribed Pregabalin, Duloxetine, Nortriptyline, Naloxone, Gabapentin, and Buprenorphine for neuropathy, none of which helped at all. Very bad adverse reaction to Naloxone, the horrible “side” (think “direct”) effects of which I struggle to describe. I was on my knees praying to God that it would wear off. A few days ago was prescribed Buprenorphine which, to my great shock and dismay, was, conservatively, three times as bad as Naloxone and forced me to go to the ER, where they did nothing helpful, however they did succeed in performing a useless chest x-ray, CT scan, and blood test, all clear as I knew they would be. An overnight hospital stay, then back home with the recommendation from my GP that I contact the Mayo Clinic where I might benefit from a team of experts looking at my case. Not sure why my medical team here is not a "team"? Communication breakdowns everywhere.

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I too tried duloxetine. Couldn’t sleep, very tired, and nauseous all the time and then I was supposed to take 2 pills. I never made it and just quit. I have more pain now in my fingertips that hinders a lot of opening and closing things. Very heat and cold sensitive. Help?

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jm | @jodimj | Oct 8, 2023
In reply to @auntieoakley "Please talk to your doctor about this and if that doctor doesn’t take you seriously talk..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

Please talk to your doctor about this and if that doctor doesn’t take you seriously talk to your primary care doctor or ask for a referral to a neurologist. This is a serious thing and as you are losing your “drug of choice” it is maybe more serious for you.
If you aren’t getting the rest you need during chemo, that is not really helpful either.
May I ask what you are taking chemo for and what drugs you are receiving?

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Ovarian 3b, no lymph nodes, tiny spot on peridium? …. I forgot, and sigmoid. Taxol, and carboplatin, blood count dropped first time, so Neulasta after treatment.
Thanx for your input, think I was resting too much, just not quality sleeping. Went for a walk this a.m. ready to rest. Does anyone feel like doing this was a mistake? Lol

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aardvark2118 | @aardvark2118 | Oct 9, 2023
In reply to @jodimj "Ovarian 3b, no lymph nodes, tiny spot on peridium? …. I forgot, and sigmoid. Taxol, and..." + (show)
@jodimj

Ovarian 3b, no lymph nodes, tiny spot on peridium? …. I forgot, and sigmoid. Taxol, and carboplatin, blood count dropped first time, so Neulasta after treatment.
Thanx for your input, think I was resting too much, just not quality sleeping. Went for a walk this a.m. ready to rest. Does anyone feel like doing this was a mistake? Lol

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I had 6 cycles of carbo and taxol and developed neuropathy in both feet around fifth cycle. Still dealing with it 5 months later. Am trying acupuncture which seems to be helping

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1 reply
lauraboo | @lauraboo | Oct 9, 2023
In reply to @aardvark2118 "I had 6 cycles of carbo and taxol and developed neuropathy in both feet around fifth..." + (show)
@aardvark2118

I had 6 cycles of carbo and taxol and developed neuropathy in both feet around fifth cycle. Still dealing with it 5 months later. Am trying acupuncture which seems to be helping

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I tried acupuncture for the first time for my hand and feet neuropathy. My head was so itchy after and my pain got worse. Should I try again?

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jm | @jodimj | Oct 9, 2023
In reply to @lauraboo "I tried acupuncture for the first time for my hand and feet neuropathy. My head was..." + (show)
@lauraboo

I tried acupuncture for the first time for my hand and feet neuropathy. My head was so itchy after and my pain got worse. Should I try again?

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I’ve been using acupuncture for 40 years, it’s an art form, so each provider can vary drastically. And some specialize in neuropathy. You have to listen to your body first. Ask if there’s someone who is good at this, and be sure to let them know your experience. I go to a college clinic. Some are good for pain and there’s one that specializes with cancer patients which is good. Ask about that and be sure to let them know if you’re getting treatment. Hope this helps.

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