Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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?

What have you found helpful for neuropathy [hands and feet] from chemotherapy with cisplantin?

Hi @1973 and welcome. You'll notice I moved your post to a long standing conversation about Neuropathy from chemo.
Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/needshope/?pg=7#comment-742213
Can you give us a little more information about your problem? When did it start? What treatments have you sought so far?

I've had chemo induced neuropathy for two years. It's in my fingers and feet (feet are the worse) along with some balance issues. My understanding is the majority of improvement comes in the first year. Walk as much as you can. I had severe balance issues also while in the shower, but it eventually went away. I'm left with some numbness, and for some reason I can't really stand still in one spot without swaying a bit to keep my balance. But amazingly enough when twice last winter I slipped on the ice, I was able to recover my balance without falling or grabbing onto something. (I'm 67 by the way). I think that (safely) testing your balance often also helps. If offered Gabepentin, be aware It's only for pain and doesn't treat the numbness. I use it very rarely. Good luck.

There is no medicine that will cure neuropathy. There are medications that manage the pain. Though I don’t know if any cure neuropathy, there is a thread regarding supplements that show promise. The link is:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplement-recommendations-can-help/

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.