Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Breast Cancer

I also have chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy. I had Ovarian Cancer in 200, 2011, and 2015. I only had some small issues until 2016 when my last chemo was over - I developed neuropathy in my face. I thought, yep. In January of 2021 after taking my first COVID vaccine the neuropathy literally "blew up" in my whole body. I couldn't sleep and lost 15 pounds. I spent a year and over 50 doctor visits until I was given a referral to a neurologist in Dec 2021. I had an EMG (for large nerve fibers) and a small nerve fiber biopsy and was diagnosed with Small Nerve Fiber Neuropathy. I began taking Cymbalta which has helped with the waist up neuropathy but does not address the knee down neuropathy. Increasing Cymbalta had no effect so I stay on 20mg. Consider getting a referral to a neurologist to be sure if it is Large or Small Nerve Fiber neuropathy. There is no cure, but there are medications as well as Alpha Lipoic Acid, B12 and Vitamin D that may help. It is important to know the neuropathy type. Two excellent sites are https://www.foundationforpn.org/ and https://pnhelp.org/ have a lot of info and support groups that meet on ZOOM.

The cold laser therapy is to stimulate nerve growth. The shock wave is a way to increase blood flow to the muscles. Happy less inflamed muscles lead to happier nerves.

Sounds like a really painful journey but I might look into shock wave therapy.

Hi @auntieoakley ,
The cold laser was painless, the laser is on your skin for I think 15 seconds, it has been two years. I did it twice a week for 4 weeks. I had a huge allergic reaction (I had a very bad day after eating the wrong food), and my system did not recover easily, and redid the laser treatment, I also started the IVig which was its own level of he'll.
Two years later...having more bad days and finally out of my 2cnd boot (I had broke the first, and was in the boot for 6 months), my calves needed love. The shock wave was used to help the residual knots. It was great! My neuropathy went down at least 3 levels. Not the intention but, happiness!

Mine has been a steady mild worsening for the last 19 years after taking TAC for breast cancer. About 7 years ago my doctor put me on low dose gabapentin at night. That dose has slowly been increased to 900 mg now. He says I can take 900 mg three times a day but I would sleep 24/7 . It does help a lot, I didn’t realize how much until I didn’t take it for a few weeks while caring for a relative last December.
I also put my feet on an ice pack a few times per day for 15 minutes. This just feels so good. 😂
@jfn can you tell us about cold laser therapy and shock wave therapy?

I still have neuropathy in my feet that has moved up into my legs. My chemo treatments were finished in May of 2019. So far, I have not been treated by a neurologist and my GP more or less said there is nothing much out there to help it. I am trying a CBD/THC cream at the moment which does seem to calm my feet down.

I'm not sure if this is what you have, but some of this information may be helpful
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24105-hand-foot-syndrome

Hi Pat,
I moved your question about treatment for chemo-induce neuropathy to this existing discussion related to breast cancer.
- Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Breast Cancer: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-11/

You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: What helps get rid of it?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemotherapy-induced-neuropathy/
- Baclofen for Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/baclofen-users/
- Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/needshope/

I'm sorry to hear that the neuropathy has not yet subsided. Does it feel like it is getting worse or staying the same?

My neuropathy was caused by chemotherapy. It does not go away, but hopefully you can work to make it more tolerable and take medication for it. I exercise, stretch, yoga, and try to eat healthy. I have used cold laser therapy and shock wave therapy which lessened the degree of pain. There are several supplements, and or supplement regimens, that many people take and these regimens work for them. There are so many things to read, @johnbishop provides so many helpful links.
One of my chemo nurses told me that my neuropathy was not caused by chemotherapy. So. I never considered her a good source of health or any other information after that answer.

Anyone had treatment for chemo-induced chemotherapy and by who?
Had chemo, surgery and radiation for breast cancer. Neuropathy started before chemo was finished. Doctors kept
telling me it would go away and that there was no treatment for it. I finished all treatment November, 2022 and still have neuropathy. Walking helped some but now my left foot is numb again with tingling in fingers and toes. Anyone had treatment for chemo-induced neuropathy that helped?