Hand and Foot Syndrome - any suggestions?

Posted by adanab @adanab, Dec 28, 2022

Xeloda (chemo pill) is causing hand/foot syndrome where feet, especially, have lost the first layer of skin and they are extremely painful with a lot of “nerve heat”. I can still walk but just barely and only short distances. Finger tips are also affected, but not so badly. Have been prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1% and it seems to help but not enough. Am also trying cold water foot baths. Anyone have the same issues and suggestions for how to mitigate? Went from 2000 mgs Xeloda to 1500 mgs/day and would rather not reduce my dosage as I have bone and liver mets. There’s a possibility of doing 1 week on Xeloda and 1 week off - am currently on 2 weeks on and one week off. Any feedback will be much appreciated.

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adanab | @adanab | Jan 2, 2023

Hi. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I’d not heard of the LUNIX machine and will look into it. The wrist bands are something I’d also never heard of. Thanks so much for the tips! And best of luck to you.

terradean | @terradean | Jan 2, 2023

In reply to @jbickler "Does anyone dealing with fingers and feet numbness since chemo? Maybe this where I’m not supposed..." + (show)

Yes, 3 chemo and fingertips still numb after 3 weeks, have used over different over counter creams with lidocaine cream that I apply and base of thumb and around wrist that helps. My son bought me a machine for Xmas called LUNIX that you insert your hands and about half my
arm in and it massages your fingers and arm, it does help am hoping maybe will help with time. I get a rest for 5 weeks for external radiation treatments wish it goes away before last 3 chemo treatments. My left foot is the most affected and long bones are still bugging me just hope will go away soon, was told month or 2 should be better. Wish I really believed that hate taking tylenol. Oh and also the wrist bands with the round dot seem to help some some your hands.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @adanab "SallyG: I am so happy for you! 8 yrs of stage 4, fabulous. I’ve got bag..." + (show)

@adanab, please note that I have removed your personal phone number from your post as this is a public forum. You can use the secure private message function to exchange contact info.

It’s nice that @sallyg has generously offered to contact you privately. However, I would like to point out that by sharing here on the forum, your messages benefit many and we can all learn from each other.

jbickler | @jbickler | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "@adanab, I’m bringing in fellow members @sallyg @mjjc @christy26 @seathink @lisag03 who have mentioned dealing with..." + (show)

Does anyone dealing with fingers and feet numbness since chemo? Maybe this where I’m not supposed to ask this question but just needed some advice. I’ve tried foot and finger message with a mint cream it helps a bit but doesn’t last long…

adanab | @adanab | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @sallyg "Yes of course Perhaps after New Years How would you like to communicate" + (show)

Thanks Sally. Whatever works for you is fine. After New Years then and Happy Néw Years!

sallyg | @sallyg | Dec 29, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome back, Sally and thanks for answering the tag. I wasn’t sure if you were still..." + (show)

Thank you Colleen
Yes it has been quite a journey
Happy new year!
Aloha
Sally

mjjc | @mjjc | Dec 29, 2022

Hi! I am currently on xeloda also and have been for several years off and on. I have used Triamcinolone also and it did help some. I am currently using La Rosche Possy mositerizung body lotion (Amazon or drugstores) and it seems to have helped the most. I apply in the morning and evening snd try to let it dry followed by putting on very soft and cushioned socks. Wearing shoes without socks is very hard! I also take xeloda one week on and then one week off. My doctor suggested we try it and it has worked better for me. I do not put my hands in water to wash dishes or clean unless I have cotton lined gloves (Amazon) on. I understand how you feel for sure! sometimes I cannot walk outside for very long distances due to redness and pain. It limits activities for me. Thinking of you!

sallyg | @sallyg | Dec 29, 2022

In reply to @adanab "SallyG: I am so happy for you! 8 yrs of stage 4, fabulous. I’ve got bag..." + (show)

Yes of course
Perhaps after New Years
How would you like to communicate

seathink | @seathink | Dec 29, 2022

That's awesome, Sally!

I dropped to the one week on one week off and it helped a lot. Currently I do spa socks and gloves every night with calendula as the first layer and aquiphor advanced therapy as the second layer.

My hands are worse than my feet sometimes I can't bend at the joints but when that happens I put on the gloves during the day with the lotions.

One of my infusion nurses suggested Egyptian magic skin cream I haven't tried it yet but she said it's amazing.

adanab | @adanab | Dec 29, 2022

In reply to @sallyg "Hi all I did 3.5 years of xeloda and avastin. I found that bag balm worked..." + (show)

SallyG: I am so happy for you! 8 yrs of stage 4, fabulous. I’ve got bag balm on order. Somehow soaking my feet in cold water ( which I despise:) before putting the cortisteroid cream on helps too. Would you be available for a private email chat about your experience? I’m wondering what followed Xeloda/Avastin. . . Adana