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Chemo side effects to feet and hands: cold and tight
Role of capillaries?
Not sure which group to post this. That said, I am curious if anyone has yet traveled this trail of bread crumbs looking for potentially useful tips.
Yesterday was the first time I wore some "cold socks" during my Chemo Infusion which must be about the 3rd full infusion. I lose track since my oncologist keeps changing the schedule and amount of drugs she prescribes (I have uncooperative veins, now a port; and an elderly bone marrow that doesn't re-bound very reassuringly after Chemo).
Anyway I'm happy to report that earlier today before I got out of bed, I noticed that my feet didn't feel "tight" as they usually due, especially after Chemo.
I don't know if the "tight" sensation will return later after I've been up moving around and weight bearing, although I am wearing the best footwear I've found to date to protect against the dreaded "percussive" effect.
I've also noticed for the first time some questionable swelling around the wrist bracelet I failed to remember to cut off last night before lying down.
As additional information, I made no attempt to keep my feet chilled overnight, and slept with them positioned only slightly above heart height, and have not had any noticeable effects on my hands, which, interestingly, are typically cold to the touch.
In any case, my interest has been renewed in the subject that is the title of this post, since we have capillaries everywhere in our bodies & I haven't (yet?) found that their role is being investigated
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Topricin topical cream may be helpful
I also just learned that CBD helps with neuropathy. Heard this on a UCLA symposium recently. Don’t know about what dosage one needs to take. I think the dose would be trial & error for each person. Everyone is different!
Gabapentin is not going to cure the neuropathy. Only for treating the pain & tingling symptoms due to the neuropathy. Wearing cold gloves & cold socks during chemo infusions can possibly ward off the neuropathy. Also Kali Phos, a homeopathic remedy and hypericum perforatum are known to help neuropathy. Homeopathic pellets do not have adverse effects with chemo either. I have always personally been a user & fan of homeopathic remedies. Much easier on your body & organs to use homeopathic pellets than taking more prescription medications.
My husband always has his legs elevated during chemo and he has very bad neuropathy in his feet.
I'll ask my oncologist about the vitamin B. I have neuropathy in my feet and hands. It is worse in my feet but not too terrible. I have been taking Gabapentin.
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1 ReactionJust found this article regarding neuropathy caused by chemo. Lots of preventive tips in here!
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326779
I have heard from a medical doctor that taking Vit B-Complex helps to prevent neuropathy from chemo. I began taking it a week ago & start my 12 rounds of 5-FU on 3/27. I also gave read that wearing the cold socks & gloves during infusions does help prevent it also. I am terrified mostly of the neuropathy. A friend cannot feel his toes yet, 5 yrs after 5-FU. I feel more afraid of this than dying!
Shelley
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3 ReactionsHi! I finished chemo and radiation for pancreatic cancer in July, 2018, and the neuropathy with my feet began by the third round. As time progressed the neuropathy spread thru my feet and actually up my legs to just below my knees. I also have neuropathy in my hands. Keep
trying different approaches. I found having weekly injections of Vit B6 helpful and my goal has been to try not and have the neuropathy grow stronger! Over time the gabapentin dosage was reduced and I no longer take it because I experienced no benefits. Please keep sharing your ideas!! I am going to try the ’cold’ approach!! Linda
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4 ReactionsInterestingly, after another chemo infusion with my feet slightly elevated above heart level and no covering with the lovely heated blankets, I've been lying down (even sleeping overnight) with my feet uncovered. My feet do feel a bit better than I've come to expect, and when elevated even my foot which is usually redder looked normal this morning.
Maybe there is some merit in continuing to cool one's feet for some time beyond the actual chemo infusion.
A possible confounding factor, however, is that this old steel-sided farmhouse doesn't seem to be having quite such a chilling effect as it has over the winter since the temp has warmed up a bit. However, there's still plenty of damp new snow present from a storm that moved through yesterday, and our skies continue to be stubbornly overcast.
I did have the chance to talk with my former colleague, the experienced oncology nurse, about some of my questions; her answers as to what she was hearing about solutions from her patients are much the same as have been offered here. Specifically --
(1) Many oncology patients complain about not being able to get warm enough; they use dryer-warmed towels and blankets to wrap up
(2) For tension headaches, some have had good results with acupuncture; others use caffeine and tylenol
(3) Regarding the side effect of Chemo Hands &/or Feet
(A) she hasn't heard anyone refer to continuing chilling hands and feet once the infusions are finished (B) some do sleep with their feet elevated (C) some are taking vitamin B6; she hasn't heard anyone mention taking powdered L-glutamine
(4) she and my actual nurse agreed that care in my (university) hospital could be better integrated
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