Neuropathy

livin
livin Member Posts: 318 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone question. I have been off Folifox treatment with the oxiplatin(sp) for about a month. My hands and feet are worse then being on the chemo now. Some times I have these sharp big toe pains that stop me in my tracks, also my feet are more numb causing me to drag my feet when I walk. At times it feels like my shoes are tighting around my feet. The numbiness and tingling starts from under my knees to my feet. My hands are tingling more. At times when holding something in my hands, things just fall out of them. Feel like a thousand needles are running through my hands and feet. Any suggestions. I was offered Neurontin but was affraid of one of the side effects which was seizures so I refused. Thanks Livin

Comments

  • neeliec
    neeliec Member Posts: 106
    Livin, What a coincidence that you would post this problem!!! The same thing is happening to me!!! I have been off for almost 2 months now and the neuropathy is unbelievably annoying and constant both in my feet and in my hands. My hands tingle just as you said as if I were being pricked with a thousand needles. The pain originates in the shoulder, I think, because it happens when I stretch out my hand to give something to someone or to take something. At times I cannot close my hand- my pinky and thumb meet with pain instead of meeting each other. My feet bother me constantly and make it especially difficult to sleep. I too was offered meds and refused because of concern of the side effects, plus, I am hoping this is temporary. I am so relieved to hear this happens to people on oxaliplatin, I was strating to think I was crazy or something else was the matter. I am sorry it is happening to you-- and me-- though. My left eye became red for weeks-- the ER doctor thought it was conjunctivitis but after a week of not getting better with the meds he gave me, the ophthalmologist declared it related to chemo-- maybe-- He said it is episcleritis and no one knows the cause, but it happens to people with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. He thought maybe since I am immunosuppresed, it would explain it. He said I'd probably deal with it regularly.
    I am starting new chemo regimen because I was upgraded to stage 4. No more oxaliplatin since it caused this neuropathy, the dr. said.

    I hope it disappears soon, for both of us. thanks for sharing your letter. I will keep you in my prayers, blessings, NeelieC
  • Btrcup
    Btrcup Member Posts: 286
    Hi Livin, my hubby was on oxiliaplatin last year and had terrible neuropathy. They stopped giving it to him. His onc said the effects could last up to a year. Thank goodness it went away after a couple of months. Good luck to you.

    Linda
  • HisJoy
    HisJoy Member Posts: 113
    My feet never bothered me with the neuropathy - just waves of tingles once in a while, but when my hands got bad, my oncologist gave me a calcium/magnesium drip before and after the infusion of the oxaliplatin. That seemed to help with the worst of it.

    Bonny Buffington
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    I've had the neuropathy for over a year; the Neurontin does help - I believe it was originally given FOR seizures..anyway, they discovered that it helps with neuropathy. You might want to research it on drugs.com Bud
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    Hi Montiel, I'm sorry to hear that the neuropathy is giving you such problems. My regimen did not include oxali, so I can't be of help there. I did want to pass on the info that my 84 yo mother in law has had terrible neuropathy in her feet, secondary to vascular disease and diabetes. She has found that the neurontin helps and she tolerates it well. May be worth considering a trial, or at least getting more info about the actual likelihood of the side effects? Good luck, Judy
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    Hi Livin,

    I experienced neuropathy, rather minor after reading yours as well as others' posts, for approximately six months after receiving oxaliplatin. However, it just went away one day and I haven't been bothered with it since. I hope that this happens with you and the others as well.

    Kay
  • livin
    livin Member Posts: 318 Member
    Thanks everyone for your help, I will talk to the doctor about the neurontin again and maybe try it for a while because these pains have gotten worse. I also walk like frankenstein-smile. Livin