Neurapathy after chemo

Coloncancerblows
Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I had my last chemo session over a month ago and the neurapathy in my hands and feet are the worst they have ever been.  Is this normal?  If so, how long will it last? 

 

Cynthia

Comments

  • serenity101
    serenity101 Member Posts: 82
    #2
    neuropathy

    My mom's neuropathy got worse for several months after chemo. They gave her Gabapentin, which didn't seem to help, then tried Lyrica and it started getting better, but she still has numbness in her feet. It has been just over a year since she finished chemo.

  • Maxiecat
    Maxiecat Member Posts: 544 Member
    #3
    Mine got much worse in the 2

    Mine got much worse in the 2 months after I finished chemo.  Now I am 7 months out and I just have numbness...no pain From the neuropathy!  We did try Neurontin...but I had elevated liver panels and had to stop it.  Some people do get good results with it.  at it's worst, I used to slather on Ben Gay of all things on my feet, then put on socks to go to bed.  The burn from the Ben Gay dulled the neuropathy pain enough that with a sleeping pill I could fall asleep.  Hot showers also helped...but I always tested the temperature of the water on my arm...where I did not have neuropathy.

    alex

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #4
    Thank you.  I guess time will

    Thank you.  I guess time will tell whether or not it gets better.  At least I can type okay.  It's mostly the numbness of my feet that's aggravating.

  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    #5
    Cynthia
    I didn't have neuropathy much until I finished chemo in December. Now 8 months later I mostly have a little tingling in my feet. It has gotten better, I never took anything for it.
    Sandy
  • lilacbrroller
    lilacbrroller Member Posts: 412 Member
    #6
    Coloncancerblows said:

    Thank you.  I guess time will

    Thank you.  I guess time will tell whether or not it gets better.  At least I can type okay.  It's mostly the numbness of my feet that's aggravating.

    definitely time heals all wounds (most of them)

    Initially after FOLFOX I couldn't put on earrings (this was devastating), hold a pencil, or button my pants with grace and dignity. Now, seven months out, I have full functionality but my fingertips feel waterlogged, like I've been swimming or hot tubbing for too long.  My Dr says that whatever you feel after a year will likely be permanent. My feet are okay but the balls (pads?) sometimes feel prickly.  Everyone's reaction is different.  Some lucky folks have no lingering neuropathy.

    good luck - hope you are one of the lucky ones

     

    Karin

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #7
    Late starter

    My neuropathy cranked up big time about a month after I'd finished the Oxaliplatin. My Oncologist said he'd only had one other patient who had tneuropathy come on so late. 

    It has now been two months and no improvement.

    Lilacbrroller, I had to grin when I read your post. Just yesterday my husband and I tried for about half and hour to get my earrings in. Now my hair is about 1/4 inch long, earrings would look great. No luck getting the back on those little blighters though.  I've got a celebration dinner to attend tomorrow, so I am going to enlist the help of my sister-in laws, as I want to look my best. 

  • Deena11
    Deena11 Member Posts: 199 Member
    #8
    me too

    Hi Cynthia-

    Like others, my neuropathy got worse after I completed treatment.  The sensitivity to cold went away after about a month but the numbness got worse.  It felt like I had little sandbags in the soles of my feet and in my fingertips.  I had the hardest time buttoning clothes, putting on pierced earring backs, picking up coins, opening bottles, carrying plates (I broke at least six plates), etc...   One time, I was at a gas station trying to open my gas cap and couldn't.  I tried for 10 minutes and was on the verge of tears until I just asked someone to help me (I could have done that sooner but I was determined to succeed on my own).  I was afraid to use knives because I couldn't feel the pressure on cutting and I was afraid of cutting myself.  I had a hard time writing using pen.

    It has been a year since I finished treatment.  I still have numbness in both my feet and fingers.  It has gotten better but I do have the numbness.  I had an appointment with the Onc doc last week and he said he thinks mine will improve with time.  It may even take a couple of years but feels that the improvement will be so subtle, I may not notice it happening. 

    Good luck!!

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #9
    lilacbrroller said:

    definitely time heals all wounds (most of them)

    Initially after FOLFOX I couldn't put on earrings (this was devastating), hold a pencil, or button my pants with grace and dignity. Now, seven months out, I have full functionality but my fingertips feel waterlogged, like I've been swimming or hot tubbing for too long.  My Dr says that whatever you feel after a year will likely be permanent. My feet are okay but the balls (pads?) sometimes feel prickly.  Everyone's reaction is different.  Some lucky folks have no lingering neuropathy.

    good luck - hope you are one of the lucky ones

     

    Karin

    Karin,
    I can't put my

    Karin,

    I can't put my earrings on either!  I get so frustrated.  Guess I'll have to go to clip ons.

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #10
    Momof2plusteentwins said:

    Cynthia
    I didn't have neuropathy much until I finished chemo in December. Now 8 months later I mostly have a little tingling in my feet. It has gotten better, I never took anything for it.
    Sandy

    Sandy,
    I'm hoping my goes

    Sandy,

    I'm hoping my goes away with time too.  Just so frustrating to think it wasn't like this when I was actually doing chemo.

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #11
    Trubrit said:

    Late starter

    My neuropathy cranked up big time about a month after I'd finished the Oxaliplatin. My Oncologist said he'd only had one other patient who had tneuropathy come on so late. 

    It has now been two months and no improvement.

    Lilacbrroller, I had to grin when I read your post. Just yesterday my husband and I tried for about half and hour to get my earrings in. Now my hair is about 1/4 inch long, earrings would look great. No luck getting the back on those little blighters though.  I've got a celebration dinner to attend tomorrow, so I am going to enlist the help of my sister-in laws, as I want to look my best. 

    Sue,
    How have you been?  I'm

    Sue,

    How have you been?  I'm going to email you.

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #12
    Deena11 said:

    me too

    Hi Cynthia-

    Like others, my neuropathy got worse after I completed treatment.  The sensitivity to cold went away after about a month but the numbness got worse.  It felt like I had little sandbags in the soles of my feet and in my fingertips.  I had the hardest time buttoning clothes, putting on pierced earring backs, picking up coins, opening bottles, carrying plates (I broke at least six plates), etc...   One time, I was at a gas station trying to open my gas cap and couldn't.  I tried for 10 minutes and was on the verge of tears until I just asked someone to help me (I could have done that sooner but I was determined to succeed on my own).  I was afraid to use knives because I couldn't feel the pressure on cutting and I was afraid of cutting myself.  I had a hard time writing using pen.

    It has been a year since I finished treatment.  I still have numbness in both my feet and fingers.  It has gotten better but I do have the numbness.  I had an appointment with the Onc doc last week and he said he thinks mine will improve with time.  It may even take a couple of years but feels that the improvement will be so subtle, I may not notice it happening. 

    Good luck!!

    Deena,
    I heard it could take

    Deena,

    I heard it could take years to go away too.  I love working out on the treadmill and it's made it hard for me to do that.  I know what you mean about the earrings.  I can't even hold those little plastic backs.  I hate it!

  • Maxiecat
    Maxiecat Member Posts: 544 Member
    #13
    Coloncancerblows said:

    Deena,
    I heard it could take

    Deena,

    I heard it could take years to go away too.  I love working out on the treadmill and it's made it hard for me to do that.  I know what you mean about the earrings.  I can't even hold those little plastic backs.  I hate it!

    My hobby is needlework...try

    My hobby is needlework...try holding a needle when you can't feel it.  It is extremely frustrating and since stitching is what relaxes me ...very disappointing to realize that for now I can't enjoy what I like to do.  I might take up quilting or some other creative outlet... But my fine embroidery and needlework are what I really enjoy doing. :(

    Oh, and I gave up on changing earrings...I just keep my gold hoops in all of the time now.

    Alex

  • Deena11
    Deena11 Member Posts: 199 Member
    #14
    Coloncancerblows said:

    Deena,
    I heard it could take

    Deena,

    I heard it could take years to go away too.  I love working out on the treadmill and it's made it hard for me to do that.  I know what you mean about the earrings.  I can't even hold those little plastic backs.  I hate it!

    Good for You!

    Hey...keep working out on the treadmill if you are able.  You will get stronger faster and it may be hard but I bet your neuropathy may clear up faster if you get your muscles moving and your blood circulating.  I'm so glad you are on the mend after your fight!  Keep it up.

  • Happyhar
    Happyhar Member Posts: 49 Member
    #15
    Three years post Folfox

    I am three years post Folfox. The hand and foot numbness started during chemo and sorry to say, continue to this day. Altho, not as bad. Tingling, sensitive to cold and periodic shooting pains. Agravating-yes, but also tolerable.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #16
    Oxaliplatin and other chemos with platinum

    One of my infusion nurses recommended vitamin B Complex and vitamin B50 for the neuropathies. I've noticed about a 50% decrease in the numbness on the soles of my feet since I added those to my daily formulary. It's worth a try since the B vitamins don't interfere with other meds and clear from your system easily.

  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145
    #17
    My mom's last treatment was

    My mom's last treatment was in December 2010 and to my knowledge sometimes it never goes away it's like arthritis; comes abad goes. She does reflexology or takes meds when it gets bags.

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