Oxiplatin-induced neuropathy: Nerve conduction studies

Kenny sorry for all your medical trevails.
Your age matters, ametriptoline should not be prescribed for older folks. I hate Ametriptoline and you will never get off it without going on another psychotropic drug like what you are on now Cymbalta.
I’m over my head now because Cymbalta is preferred over ametriptoline a much older and completely addictive drug .
You are likely already on the medical flypaper. Like me at 78 I will die taking a bunch of drugs I hate. 10 now.
You have real quality of life issues now and I’m guessing many physical limitations. If that is the case maybe the ametriptoline is worth it for neural pain in that your symptoms are quite severe.
It is a one way street but all and all your appear to be pretty far down that medical road also a one way street for us older folk.
I’m not the only guy to listen to. These are mostly love hate drugs.
Tony
good luck I will pray for you.

Thank you Tony my age is 71.my wife is also disabled the local hospital support group is marvelous have helped us so much. I will wait a couple of weeks for my GP to receive letter from neurologist.
Kenneth

I’m glad the operation went well, but I am sorry about the apparent neuropathy caused by the chemo and/or the operation.

There are not many great medications for neuropathy, at least in my experience—the medications you’ve mentioned are commonly prescribed. They help some, but not others and they pretty much all have side effects, though I’m glad you’ve tolerated most well. Just be cautious with the duloxetine because I’ve heard that’s a beast to wean off if you’ve been on it for a while.

I have extreme sensitivities to medication so had to forgo pregablin, gabapentin, amitryptaline, etc.

Have you tried physical therapy with a regular PT and/or a pelvic PT (it’s a subspecialty)? With your history of anal cancer, a pelvic PT would be experienced with that condition and side effects from that type of surgery and chemo. And a regular PT may be able to help determine if you’re having nerve pain from disc compression or from the previous surgeries and suggest exercises, stretches, or posture changes that might help with the nerve pain, or at least help with your balance. For example, some of my burning in my legs came from disc compression in my lumbar spine. They taught me simple stretches to help and it relieved that burning. I still have small fiber neuropathy, so it didn’t help with that, but it reduced the pain somewhat. And that’s not something that would normally come up in imaging, so it might be worth looking into.

I can’t take amitriptyline nor gabentin. I have CAN cardiac autonomic neuropathy my bloop pressure drops to low or it gets too high. The cardiologist is afraid the amitriptyline will drop the pressure too low and I will pass out and injure myself. I have other types of neuropathy also.

@kennycockerel, welcome. I also added your discussion to the Colorectal Cancer support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/colorectal-cancer/ as well as the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group where you will find these related discussions:

- Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: What helps get rid of it?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemotherapy-induced-neuropathy/

- Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/needshope/

See all: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer-managing-symptoms/?search=neuropathy&index=discussions

Kenny, did you have a nerve conduction study done or a question about nerve conduction studies? Have you considered PT rehab to help with balance and learning strategies to reduce falls?

I had nerve conduction study at Kings colledge hospital london.
I was referred to physiotherapy at darent hospital after 3 visits she said this doesn't suit your condition l just keep doing feet and hands exercises for blood circulation.
Kenneth

Thanks for your reply.
Regards Kenneth

My neuropathy isn't as bad as yours and mainly in my feet (also chemo induced, colon cancer)- here is what helped me improve a bit.... (I tried gapapentin but it was not helpful).
- accupunture helped with the pain (but not numbness)
- barefoot shoes helped my feet wake up a bit and strengthen (they are not for everyone as they provide no structural support but helped me with being aware of balance)
- aquafit (regular classes) and water walking (with PT that included balance exercises in water and out)
- yoga (which includes balance exercises you can also do at home) ... I usually do yoga for ages 55+ and have tried some chair yoga as well

Try different things, stick with it for a reasonable time and then pick what works best for you

Hi Kenneth @kennycockerel, I think it's good to do the feet and hand exercises to help blood circulation. If you are looking for more information on peripheral neuropathy and things that can help, you might find the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy site helpful - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/

Thanks Kathy
The new skechers trainers slip ins ultra flex 3.0 smooth step are the best for me second time I've worn them today improved my walking,and my balance 🏃‍♂️ Kenneth