What are some ways to try to minimize neuropathy during chemo?

https://a.co/d/itcoUT7
These are the ones I used during my 12 weeks of Taxol

I bad 18 rounds of chemo. I used the ice mittens, booties/slippers and knit cap. Each one contained a gel insert that you keep in the freezer. You take it to your treatment in a small cooler and put them on a few minutes before your chemo treatment. The chemo nurses insisted that this was an important thing to do. My hands are good, I have a small amount of numbness in my toes. The ice cap might have spared some of my hair, but I lost a lot of it. Your fingers and toes will feel very cold. When it was too much I had to pull them out for a minute, but just a minute. I ordered from Amazon and do not recall the brand, but read the reviews and find some that are highly rated. A step well worth taking, in my opinion.

Can you tell me which mittens and socks did you order from Amazon?

Thanks.

Hi @meags, there are several helpful discussions about neuropathy both in the Breast Cancer support group and the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group.

You might find these helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=Neuropathy+and+chemo

Good morning
No I actually haven’t. But worth looking into. I have had to stop taking my Letrozole to see if the pain stops. Fingers crossed it does and it’s not permanent.
Unfortunately I do have to continue with some form of hormone tablet.
One day at a time I guess

My husband has a different type of cancer but also suffers from neuropathy, so I thought I would see if I could think of anything that was recommended for him. I believe that his doctors told him that taking vitamin B6 may slow down the damage. Have you been told that or tried that? I will ask him if he recalls them recommending anything else.

Thanks for your reply. It’s great to get advice from those going through the same thing.
Take care and thanks again.

Hello @meags ,
I'm on 1mg of anastrozole for the past 20 months (among other things). I've had trigger fingers on my right hand and was referred to an orthopedist. I did 2 months of occupational therapy first (wrapped my hand in heated blankets, hand massage, massage with an ultrasonic vibration tool), wore a splint. It felt good during the therapy but only worked briefly so she injected cortisone to my finger and I've been -mostly- fine. When I make a fist with my hands, I can feel the difference between the left and the right. My right hand is a bit numb and stiff. Mine is bad especially in the mornings.

Try an orthopedist who works on hands. Mine was aware of the aromatase inhibitor side effects.

I had hormonal resistant cancer and am now on letrozol 2.5 mg daily. My hands and wrists are suffering especially at night.
I am unable to make a fist as my fingers get to a point before the stretching/ locking pain is too much.
I have debilitating constant sharp pain through the tendon in my wrist aswell. Help please

I also had taxol/carboplatin. My oncologist never mentioned using the cold packs and suggested the cold caps did not help much for hair loss, but the chemo nurses highly recommended. I used cold gloves, slippers and hat. All ordered online. I have normal feeling in my hands and just some slight numbness in my toes. The hat did not prevent hair loss, but I did not lose it all. I know others who had the better cold cap, which is not always offered at chemo centers and was not at mine, and it was effective in keeping hair. I am a year and a half from completing chemo and my hair is still a long way from being presentable. I am managing well with wigs until then.