Neuropathy with FOLFOX chemotherapy - Stage Three colon cancer

I have to note that while your chemotherapy may be completed, it may not be done with you - it can take a long time to work out of your system and sometimes adverse effects hang on permanently. That said:

This is somewhat mysterious and may not be due to the chemotherapy - the "lower back" and stabbing pain parts may indicate it may be a back injury of some kind for which an orthopedist and spinal imaging may be of help to diagnose.

It may also be helpful to post this on the Spine Health group and see what others with more experience think.

One week after my final Folfox session I came down with stabbing, burning pain along my waistline and lower back. I am on week 6 now with no relief. I tried gabapentin, acupuncture, and essential oils with no help. My doctor put up the white flag. Now was told to try lyrica but the side effects scare me. Has anyone tried cbd for pain? I do not know of anyone having the nerve pain in this location. Neither heat nor ice work either. Right now I take an oxicoden at night to sleep

I am so sorry you had to go through this too. Being diagnosed 10 years ago, I thought my battle was just beating cancer. With God's grace, I did beat it. I had no idea that I would now have to battle the effects of the Chemo and radiation.
I am not sure my nervous system has returned to normal or if it ever will. I have noticed that my hips are uneven and wonder if it is from the radiation in my spine. But like you said, we're still in the game. God is so good.
Good luck to you!
Angie

I had a similar experience but probably 5 years later...

It took a long time (like 2 years) post-chemo for most of the nervous system damage to heal and I still have some residual symptoms like neuropathy in the feet and numbness in the hands. In my case, it also affected my vision, hearing, balance and speaking besides the swallowing. Also am experiencing some potential dementia-like symptoms - don't know if the chemo-related or something else. Yes, there is something called "chemo brain"!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060
I agree entirely with you about this: "It has been a wild ride, but I'm still in the game and God is so good." Amen!

Yes...

This js not esp helpful . I know, as most pts with colorectal ca know, that neuropathy is challenging. Most docs tell you this. They also counsel that there is no tx for CINP.
I have no co-morbidities or chronic illness of any kind.

I know from first hand experience that cold water, ice in cold drinks, cold hands from reaching into the frig. cold weather , or anything at all that is cold, simply AVOID IT.

Yes, I have poor communication with treating doctors in Ecuador where I live, medical culture is different and toughing out js pretty standard.
How are things now for you?

Mine lasted for about 2 months. I was very fortunate and wasn’t really badly affected by chemo. I am 65 years old and my operation to remove my sigmoid colon was 2/12 years ago. I live in London UK but I am considering looking elsewhere for treatment as other countries have new drugs still awaiting clearance for use in UK. Good luck.

I had to wear gloves to pull anything from our freezer.

It's not just cold - sensitivity to hot things too.