numbness

I experienced neuropathy in my hands and feet after Oxaliplatin. Hand and foot syndrome. It was cumulative over the course of treatment and got worse and worse until I was a complete spaz. My skin was red and dry and peeled like a sunburn. It took six months for the numbness to subside. It can be permanent but not in my case.
I still have dry, cracked skin and the oncologist claims that it is not from chemo. He told me to use 1%hydrocortisone and if it did not improve by the next visit in four months he would refer me to a dermatologist. It might be psoriasis and needs treatment special treatment. Just what I need, another doctor to add to my roster.
Aspaysia, hoping your problem disappears.

Yes Carolyn, I experience numbness as a result of oxaliplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. I guess that one thing is to be sure that your signs are a result of oxaliplatin, rather than some sort of circulatory problem, since I can't recall anyone I have heard from in which symptoms change with the time of the day. Perhaps others can chime in here.

My signs are an annoying tingling sensation, with some patches of numbness. I think others have described aching, however.

There are two types of periperal neuropathy. One is the acute, ususally cold contact induced neuropathy that lots of people get and that goes away within a week or so after treatment. Apparently about 85% of people experience this.

The development of a second form of peripheral neuropathy, which comes on more gradually and increases with the duration of treatment, is a major reason for having to stop oxaliplatin treatment.

I have been on oxaliplatin for 9 mths, and was talking with my oncologist yesterday. Although I do have some numbness in my feel and tips of my fingers, it is not causing any significant problems right now. My oncologist is suggesting I try Avistan to take a break from the oxaliplatin. He said it takes on average 3-4 mths for the neuropathy to resolve. According to reports of side effects I have read, only 1% of people are left with neuropathy after 12 mths, even those who have developed more serious neuropathy. My oncologist he said some people are left with some more residual neuropathy and seemed to insinuate that may be a bit more common than 1%.

I am receiving an infusion of Ca and Mg before and after my oxaliplatin. This has been reported to reduce the incidence of or severity of neuropathy in a preliminary study in Europe. Since I have Stage 4 disease, and was in big trouble last June, ineligble for any Avistan or Erbitux trials, I was anxious to do anything to prolong my ability to keep on oxaliplatin as long as possible at least until these additional drugs were available.

I believe it has helped. I had also been on oxaliplatin for a 3 mth period in fall of '02, and had more marked symptoms of cold induced neuropathy. I did lose some of my sense of taste approximately 1 mth after starting oxaliplatin the first time and within 2 mths this last time. it took 3.5 mths for my taste to return to normal after my first treatment. (For a week I complained about how salty and sweet things tasted before I realized what was happening!)

Hope this helps.

Kris

mommalala said:

My remedies for numbness
I finished chemo 08/20/08 and have had neuropathy ever since. I am taking 1800 mg of neurontin a day, and have been for the last year and a half, and even then still have pain, numbness, and burning in my feet. The good thing is that in my hands it went away after 8 months. Although the meds don't make the pain go away, they do take the edge of a bit. I have found that a warm bath with epson salt helps, when they burn take out socks from the freezer and put those on, when they ache a good foot massage with pepermint, and also I run a tennis ball under my feet every night to take that tightness that I feel sometimes in my feet. Hang in there....I am with you in praying it gets better!

Jennifer

Same here
Hey there,
I fininshed treatment on 4/22/09. I still have terrible pain and numbness in my feet. It also goes up my legs into my hips. The only thing I found that helps just alittle was to wear two pairs of socks.I am on my feet for 8 hours a day so I know exactly how you feel..I also got a pair of New Balance sneakers and that feels better than the Nikes I was wearing...Good luck let me know if you find out anything that works good...JULIE