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

I know of only two prescription drugs, from personal experience, that help relieve my neuropathy symptoms: Hydromorphone HCL (Dilaudid), a synthetic opioid, and Zolpidem Tartrate (Ambien). That’s right – the sleeping pill Ambien, a sedative-hypnotic. An analogy might be to consider neuropathy as a type of “fire”, with Dilaudid being a “fire extinguisher”. Been trying to get a prescription for Dilaudid but no luck. As a last resort, I am now using medical marijauna, suggested to me by a palliative care nurse, which I think is analogous to fighting fire with fire. It helps some. I am also taking all the known supplements that may support the body’s efforts to repair or even regenerate dead, damaged and dying nerve tissue. Doing Epsom Salt warm foot baths, Lidocaine cream on my feet, both of which, along with light exercise and whatever else I can discover, provide some temporary relief. It does not seem likely I can reverse this neuropathy, stop the progression of it, or even slow it down. However I am giving it the college try.

@erichendrix

Thanks for your post very informative. what dose of Ambien do you take and does it not make you sleepy? do you take it during the day? Would love to hear a response

jeff

@jnemeth1214

Sorry for the late reply; I have been struggling. The cancer came back. When I first started taking Ambien, I noticed right away it was giving me relief from my neuropathy symptoms. So, the question is "can I take it during the daytime hours?" I can't imagine any doctor would prescribe a sleeping pill like Ambien for daytime use. I'm not a doctor and I can't advise you about how you should take this or any other medication. About all I can say is do what you think will help. That's what I do.

Twelve year ago I got cancer, given its' aggressive nature, the chemotherapy was a strong mix of drugs. My neurologist said, "the only thing I could do is pray" (my understanding nothing could be done). The good new is the chemo saved my life! So, the discomfort living with neuropathy in my ties and the ball of my feet has been a small price to pay. The way I live with neuropathy in both feet is as follows. First, the most important thing is to wear heavy altheltic stocks (reduces the numb feeling walking to a degree. Next, I lotion the ball of my feet and my toes daily keeping them soft (I also use Asper cream multiple times per week) To have a good wardrobe of sneakers, that is very important. I buy "On" cloud, Cloud 6 ( no bow at the top just slip on. I also have shoes from Kizik, very comfortable (again, slip on, no tie).
Now that I am retired, I have conditioned myself to get up early every day as if I was going to work. I belong to a gym, only 3 miles away. Spend 50 minutes on the tread mill at 3.8, 3 miles, 6 days a week ( I do try a few balaning exercises, however, not with much luck) I did buy a foot vibrator a few years ago from Costco I use multiple times a week while reading. Also, from time to time I soak my feet in an epson salt bath. Nothing will ever repair the nerve damage, I know it's something I have to live with...yet, in a crazy way, the discomfort is a reminder that the chemo poison saved my life. I hope you find my methods of some help...and yes I'm still praying.

Twelve year ago I got cancer, given its' aggressive nature, the chemotherapy was a strong mix of drugs. My neurologist said, "the only thing I could do is pray" (my understanding nothing could be done). The good new is the chemo saved my life! So, the discomfort living with neuropathy in my ties and the ball of my feet has been a small price to pay. The way I live with neuropathy in both feet is as follows. First, the most important thing is to wear heavy altheltic stocks (reduces the numb feeling walking to a degree. Next, I lotion the ball of my feet and my toes daily keeping them soft (I also use Asper cream multiple times per week) To have a good wardrobe of sneakers, that is very important. I buy "On" cloud, Cloud 6 ( no bow at the top just slip on. I also have shoes from Kizik, very comfortable (again, slip on, no tie).
Now that I am retired, I have conditioned myself to get up early every day as if I was going to work. I belong to a gym, only 3 miles away. Spend 50 minutes on the tread mill at 3.8, 3 miles, 6 days a week ( I do try a few balaning exercises, however, not with much luck) I did buy a foot vibrator a few years ago from Costco I use multiple times a week while reading. Also, from time to time I soak my feet in an epson salt bath. Nothing will ever repair the nerve damage, I know it's something I have to live with...yet, in a crazy way, the discomfort is a reminder that the chemo poison saved my life. I hope you find my methods of some help...and yes I'm still praying.

Twelve year ago I got cancer, given its' aggressive nature, the chemotherapy was a strong mix of drugs. My neurologist said, "the only thing I could do is pray" (my understanding nothing could be done). The good new is the chemo saved my life! So, the discomfort living with neuropathy in my ties and the ball of my feet has been a small price to pay. The way I live with neuropathy in both feet is as follows. First, the most important thing is to wear heavy altheltic stocks (reduces the numb feeling walking to a degree. Next, I lotion the ball of my feet and my toes daily keeping them soft (I also use Asper cream multiple times per week) To have a good wardrobe of sneakers, that is very important. I buy "On" cloud, Cloud 6 ( no bow at the top just slip on. I also have shoes from Kizik, very comfortable (again, slip on, no tie).
Now that I am retired, I have conditioned myself to get up early every day as if I was going to work. I belong to a gym, only 3 miles away. Spend 50 minutes on the tread mill at 3.8, 3 miles, 6 days a week ( I do try a few balaning exercises, however, not with much luck) I did buy a foot vibrator a few years ago from Costco I use multiple times a week while reading. Also, from time to time I soak my feet in an epson salt bath. Nothing will ever repair the nerve damage, I know it's something I have to live with...yet, in a crazy way, the discomfort is a reminder that the chemo poison saved my life. I hope you find my methods of some help...and yes I'm still praying.