Neuropathy After Chemo

judycm

charlin said:

I had joined this site when
I had joined this site when I was going through chemo and forgotten all about it..what a joy it was to find your post tonight..I have the same issue with the neuropathy in my feet and toes..my oncologist suggested at my last 6 mo. checkup that I see a vascular doctor to make sure I had no blood clots or blocked veins in my legs or feet..I did that, just yesterday, and the veins and arteries in my legs are totally clear..he said it was probably periphiphal neuropathy, just as I had thought...but it has been so LONG since I had chemo..that was in 2003-2004! He said the effects can last a lifetime in some people..I'm so glad to finally find out what has caused the numbness and very sensitive toes! Your post has helped me to understand why my BALANCE seems to be all off too! Oh, by the way I am an 8 yr. survivor of colon cancer stage 3...had surgery and 6 mo. of chemo, IV Fluorouracil, 5-FU (Adrucil) and Leucovorin (Wellcovorin) tablets. I didn't see these mentioned anywhere as cause for neuropathy but they sure did it. Thanks for the post and God Bless you and keep you cancer-free!!

neuropathy / blood clots

colo/rectal cancer in 2005.  Neuropathy started after radiation and chemo.  broke right femur in 2010 and Dr said could be related to cancer treatment.  Pain in left femur after walking short distance turned out to be Caldication.  Blood clots in Illiac Artery.  Had the surgery and now the neuropathy in left foot is terrible.  Dr told me circulation is fine now.  Bottom of foot feels like I have a thick shoe on.  Big toe painful.  Cannot move other toes.  Been on Gabapentin but need to increase dosage but makes me sleepy.  Started on Neuropathy Support Formula don't know if working yet.  Think I might ask Dr. about B 12 shots.  I'm an active 72 year old but this is making me miserable.  Taking Percoset in order to sleep some nights.

 

laurs

Yorkie2 said:

I had one round of vincristine treatment back in 2010.
Within a week i had nunbness in my hands almost 3 years later still living with the pain i drive very little and live in pain daily. I never even heard of neuropathy before now i pray for all that suffer each day as i do with this. Its such a hidden nitemare we fight cancer and this monster rears its ugly head and takes our feeling in our feet hands toes and fingers its now after my face. Remeber people it can not take our spirit keep it high walk when you can post when you can and fight always God bless.

Vincristine?

I had chemo when I was 21-22, including vincrisitne.  I even had a sternotomy.  I told the surgeon to perform the tissue biopsy through the rib cage.  There was an option rib cage or sternum, I woke up with the sternum sutured and steritaped.  I go to doctors and am told that this could do nothing.  I sit here asking myself have they had their sternum split open?  Have they put themselves through chemo and radiation.  I look around again and again for different doctors for good reason.  I've had some real doozies.....Yes, I think you could be affected by vincristine along with the other chemo drugs along with the radiation treatments.  I was told in writing a long time ago by a doctor that I could be suffering from something called Lhmeritte syndrome due to the chemo and radiation.  I was told that didn't matter, that wasn't possible...  I merely have tingling sensations, along with my arms falling asleep if held in different positions.  I have had this so called electrical sensation, had it checked out by one of the Universities and been told that everything is normal.  My reply was normal for what?  I fidn excercise helps although I get muscle tiredness in my calves, I was told that's called something else.  I noted yesterday I have a vein that will stick out on my left leg if I put it down to the floor, if I hold it across my right knee this goes away.  I don't know about these so called medical fields, are they after monies....like that one who cut open my sternum?  and then to boot I reread the notes, and they indicated they put a suture near my heart for some reason.  I already contacted the so called medical authorities, it's too long, you have two years to file anything.......His name was Penfield Faber, he became head of cardiothoracic surgery....I've gotten nothing but BS from my so called family.  My one sister was an RN at the time, I don't ever suggest having an RN in a consult with yourself.  She doesn't remember me telling him the rib cage....  Try and be active it may help with the blood flow....I had a physical therapist this year due to a fall on the ice.  She noted one leg was slightly shorter than the other.  She also gave me stretching excercises that helped with the pain immensely.  It was so painful I couldn't get up in the morning on that side.  You may think of trying that in your local....I also bicycle ride, I noted that my arms fall asleep very quickly, the tingling sensation, when I bicycle ride.  I also have access to another excercise bike that I deal with a little bit better, the arms move.  You may want to have your spinal column checked out, from what I was told this year.  The nerves can affect the entire body from the spine.  There are ways to reduce the pain without medications.  

Thoracic Surgery Team | Rush University Medical Center

 

Lhermitte's sign, sometimes called the Barber Chair phenomenon, is an electrical sensation that runs down the back and into the limbs. In many patients, it is elicited by bending the head forward.  It can also be evoked when a practitioner pounds on the posterior cervical spine while the neck is flexed; this is caused by involvement of the posterior columns.

ron50

Life goes on
I had another shot at taking methotrexate for my kidneys and arthritis but after a few months the neuropathy in my legs and hands flared dramatically...My rheumatologist sent me to a neurologist to get help. I asked what was causing it and how I could lessen the effects. He did nerve conductivity tests . He got a minimal signal in my right leg and none in my left. Severe neuropathy, don't know why ,can't help you, don't take any more methotrexate. Now my heart is playing up. A stress test showed premature ventricular ectopic beats. Gp and kidney specialist said it was benign . Asked my gp to check it further. He put me on a 24 hr monitor. He expected a few hundred ectopic beats . I recorded over ten thousand. It seems my auto immune problems may becoming life threatening. I see a heart specialist in a couple of weeks. I think my problems are from the kidneys . Because they are not being treated for the protein loss I am suffering severe peripheral and pulmonary oedema. I think that either that or spreading neuropathy is effecting my heart.. Ron.

Viking51

charlin said:

I had joined this site when
I had joined this site when I was going through chemo and forgotten all about it..what a joy it was to find your post tonight..I have the same issue with the neuropathy in my feet and toes..my oncologist suggested at my last 6 mo. checkup that I see a vascular doctor to make sure I had no blood clots or blocked veins in my legs or feet..I did that, just yesterday, and the veins and arteries in my legs are totally clear..he said it was probably periphiphal neuropathy, just as I had thought...but it has been so LONG since I had chemo..that was in 2003-2004! He said the effects can last a lifetime in some people..I'm so glad to finally find out what has caused the numbness and very sensitive toes! Your post has helped me to understand why my BALANCE seems to be all off too! Oh, by the way I am an 8 yr. survivor of colon cancer stage 3...had surgery and 6 mo. of chemo, IV Fluorouracil, 5-FU (Adrucil) and Leucovorin (Wellcovorin) tablets. I didn't see these mentioned anywhere as cause for neuropathy but they sure did it. Thanks for the post and God Bless you and keep you cancer-free!!

Try Oxygen Therapy. You can

Try Oxygen Therapy. You can buy your own now for personal use. I just had a small stroke lots of numbness and other issues. Mine  is in the mail as we speak. I know it can be used for all sorts of ailments. Got info if you would like to research it

Jmdamon

gdpawel said:

Neuropathy is a problem that sometimes occurs with chemotherapy treatment. It's not all that rare, especially frequent in patients older than 65 years of age. It is damage to the nerves. It can occur from some chemotherapy drugs used in conventional cancer treatment.

There are three major groups of nerves in the human body, the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the limbs, the nerves that supply the bowels and other internal organs, and the nerves of the head which connect to the ears, eyes, taste buds, etc. Nerves in any or all of these major groups can be affected by certain chemotherapy drugs.

Nerves are vulnerable to many kinds of damage. They can be damaged by certain cancers. This may be caused by the cancer cells producing a particular kind of biological agent that interferes with the function of the nerves. Sometimes, they can be damaged by drugs used in chemotherapy treatment. The chemotherapy drugs that most likely cause nerve damage are the vinca alkaloids(vincristine, vindesine and vinblastine), platinum drugs(cisplatinum, carboplatinum) and the taxanes(taxol, taxotere). These drugs have the potential of interfering with nerve function.

You may notice symptoms in different areas of your body depending on which groups of nerves are affected. Symptoms in the hands and feet happen when peripheral nerve damage happens and are not rare with vinca alkaloids. The first sign of nerve damage is usually a feeling of tingling and numbness like what you experience when your foot goes to sleep after you've been sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position. If the problem progresses further, it often produces weakness of the muscles, resulting in loss of strength at the wrist or the ankle. You will notice difficulty in doing up buttons and picking up coins. You may notice that you will tend to trip while walking up stairs or dragging your feet and tend to have a wide-based gait. In severe cases, the weakness may be so severe that you will need a wheelchair.

When the nerves in the bowel are affected, constipation is the earliest sign. In a few people, the abdomen becomes bloated with a distended bowel that is basically paralyzed. Some of the nerves in the head can also be affected. Platinum drugs can affect the auditory nerve and cause loss of hearing and tinnitus(ringing in the ears). Vision can very occasionally be affected.

A lot depends on how quickly your cancer treatment can be stopped. Sometimes the need for treatment is more urgent then the residual nerve damage. Sometimes, the balance between benefit from the drug and the side effect of nerve damage is more finely balanced.

Once treatment has been stopped, recovery is usually slow. It may take months to get even partial improvement and often there will be some residual impairment, either a motor weakness or a sensory numbness or both. Recovery is slower in the feet and legs than in the hands and arms.

There is no specific treatment that enhances nerve recovery. There are no drugs that will directly stimulate nerve regeneration or recovery. If you have severe and prolonged pain, then the pain may require narcotics often combined with antidepressants. In some cases, certain types of anticonvulsants would be helpful. Treatment options are subjects that you should discuss with your doctor, so you have accurate expectations of potential benefits and side effects.

Chemotherapy drugs that can cause neuropathy. NCI lists these as most likely to do so:
Cisplatinum (Platinol)
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
Vincristine (Oncovin)
Vinblastine (Velban)
Etoposide/VP-16 (VePesid)
Cytarabine (Cytosar, Ara-C)
Hexamethylmelamine (Hexalen)
Suramin
Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Other medications reported to contribute to neuropathy include oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), gemcitibine (Gemzar) and thalidomide (Thalomid).

Neuropathy

Hi there.... As was previously said, I wish the oncologist had explained things as well as you!!! My husband is almost five years out, and I have to rub his feet nightly because of the severe neuropathy. Gabapentin did nothing and cymbalta seems to help a little.... But no one had mentioned any vitamins that would help. His treatments vePsid and cisplatnium combined for 8 weeks. His feet were numb durning the treatments, but now the numbness is gone and he suffers severe stabbing pain in the balls of the foot, he says is like there are golf balls he is walking on. Also pain in the bones of the toes. Can anyone offer suggestions on sneakers or shoes that they like? I am gonna talk to him about the B vitamins.... No one ever told us about this until well after it was our reality. This site is going to make him feel soooo much better! I hope everyone gets some relief from the pain they have to endure....

 

doza

Jmdamon said:

Neuropathy

Hi there.... As was previously said, I wish the oncologist had explained things as well as you!!! My husband is almost five years out, and I have to rub his feet nightly because of the severe neuropathy. Gabapentin did nothing and cymbalta seems to help a little.... But no one had mentioned any vitamins that would help. His treatments vePsid and cisplatnium combined for 8 weeks. His feet were numb durning the treatments, but now the numbness is gone and he suffers severe stabbing pain in the balls of the foot, he says is like there are golf balls he is walking on. Also pain in the bones of the toes. Can anyone offer suggestions on sneakers or shoes that they like? I am gonna talk to him about the B vitamins.... No one ever told us about this until well after it was our reality. This site is going to make him feel soooo much better! I hope everyone gets some relief from the pain they have to endure....

 

Neuropathy

I can sugest crocks with the back that flips up to hold the shoe on (I walk out of mine all the time). They seem to conform to your foot, have plenty of room for swelling, and the little tabs on the bottom (hurt like hell when you first stand up but so doesnt the bare floor) seem to stimulate after you walk for a bit.. Also I bought some socks from Lamey Wellehan I think there called Aetrex copper sole. They are super stretchy and the copper in the soles seem to help. You should definitly check into the vitamin B as it helps. Nothing else works, I,ve tried them all and found they make you swell, depressed, and fat. Narcotics work but thats because you are in another world. It has been 4 years since my chemo and I am still in pain. I dont drop things as much, can open caps and lids, and can tie my shoes now, but the pain in my hands and feet is an everyday thing. I deal best if I am occupied with something to get my mind off it for a bit. Word finds, books, games, tv...whatever you can find to hold your interest just for a bit. Hope this helps as I know all to well even the smallest things make a difference.

 

hunter46

Numbness after some types of cancer treatment

I am 5 1/2 years out and I have it despite trying everything.  I got the maybe it will be gone in  4 to 6 months, well its still there.  It gives you false hope.  The drugs Venitristine and Valcade are two major contributors. I either died of cancer or accepted the drugs.  The only fix I know of is to cut dosage during treatment.  Dont go for the false claims of some pill manufacturos or laser treatment because they dont help either.  Neither do tens units, massage etc.  There is no cure.  If there is I wish someone would tell me.

pilarica

I have neuropathy due to

I have neuropathy due to chemo, I take alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) it does not cure the neuropathy but it certainly helps!

 

 

Jeffro

Neuropathy

I finished chemo 4 years ago and still deal with neuropathy. It started one month after starting treatments. The loss of feeling in my feet has progreessed to deep muscle pain in my legs and joint pain in my hips and knees. I roll over several times at night because my hips ache after laying on one side or on my back too long. I get muscle cramps in my hamstrings easily (painful!!), sometimes from just sitting in a chair too long. I haven't really taken anything for the pain other than ibuprofen, but am going to try alpha lipoic acid as soon as my order arrives in the mail. I walk a lot with lot's of up and down stairs on my job and I think it has built up my stamina and endurance, but I feel the wear and tear at the end of the day. I don't want to just b#tch and moan, but this forum is a good outlet, because as others have noted here, most people don't care to hear it and don't realize how much the pain and loss of flexibility and balance affects your daily life. But, praise be to God, I am getting to watch my kids grow up and my quality of life could be a lot worse. I hope this wasn't too depressing to read through. lol

Jeffro

pilarica said:

I have neuropathy due to

I have neuropathy due to chemo, I take alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) it does not cure the neuropathy but it certainly helps!

 

 

Hi! I am going to try alpha

Hi! I am going to try alpha lipoic acid to see if it helps. I just wanted to ask you what daily dose you take? Also do you have any side effects from taking it? I hope all is well.

pattyanny

donald54 said:

Pain in feet, mainly in toes
Have you had your arch in both feet checked, I suddenly lost both arches and have a burning in my toes, my doctor said it was peripheral neuropathy with can effect both hands and feet please email me back at donald.54@live.com

Neuropathy

I am 5 years out and have the same thing in my feet. I am taking a medicine for nerve pain, and it is helping. Similiar to Lyrica, but just started. I am starting on a vitamin regimen this week. We will see. I am also getting a good supportive sneaker. Hope this helps. You may email me Donald, if you want. Prayers, Patty

 

bluerose

bluerose said:

Hey Ron
Hugs back. I am so sorry to hear about your pain and breathing issues. I can empathize as I have a lot of pain too and my breathing issues are better than they used to be but we are into hot humid weather and it's not helping. I am just so sorry to hear of the complications too that you have that prevents certain med use that could help the pain. I have that now too, ocmplex medical history and lots of procedures and meds now off the table for me. It's scarey when options start becoming less and less. I have my faith, thank goodness.

I will let you guys know what the neurologist says but there is only so much they can do and I am dreading that conductivity test cause I have a pacemaker (damage to my heart from a chemo drug, grrr). It's complicated so I know what you are going through Ron.

Take care.

Big hugs
Bluerose

Had conductivity test years ago

Woah I am really bad at getting back to people on here apparently, forgot all about this entry.  Sorry about that.

Well the conductivity tests weren't the most pleasant, for me in my case, but they did prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I do have extensive peripheral neuropathy, hands and feet.  It started in my toes then over time the numbness crept through my foot and up my leg.  Now the numbness is just below the knees.  My hand numbness comes and goes but now it just stays as is with heat and then cold issues off and on.  I have been diagnosed as well with fibromyalgia so since we are talking about nerve damage with fibro and neuropathy hard to tell sometimes which is acting up.  

I had Vincristine as part of my treatments many years ago, in the early 90ties actually, and that can be a big reason for many as to why they develope the neuropathy but like I always say, everyone is different, doses are different etc so best to speak with your doctors first and get tested if the symptoms warrant.  If you really feel that you have symptoms and your doctor is not listening to your concerns then find another doctor who will help and work with you.  You have to be on the same page.  It's crutial to your care.

All the very best in 2015.

Blessings,

Bluerose

 

 

MAliceR

Acupunture!

I had horrible neuropathy after chemo for colon cancer. My hands were numb to my wrists and I had numbness all the way to my knees. My feet were the worse, but there were numb areas all up my legs. My oncologist referred me to acupuncture and it did the trick. I had 38 sessions over a year, but I have all the feeling back in my hands and with the exception of a bit in my toes and the balls of my feet all the feeling in my legs and feet back. I can no longer wear heels, because of the pressure on the balls of my feet and a little balance issue, but at 59 I am OK with that. I like sneakers at this point and am happy to be alive and able to walk and remain active. I recently climbed Diamond Head in Hawaii. My feet did really well! I also took vitamin B complex through my chemo and continue to do so. If you can get acupuncture, research and find someone who understands neuropathy from chemo. The added plus from acupunture is it can also relieve stress. So you get multiple relief. It really does work!

Acullam

pattyanny said:

Neuropathy

I am 5 years out and have the same thing in my feet. I am taking a medicine for nerve pain, and it is helping. Similiar to Lyrica, but just started. I am starting on a vitamin regimen this week. We will see. I am also getting a good supportive sneaker. Hope this helps. You may email me Donald, if you want. Prayers, Patty

 

Neuropathy - feet

Hi Patty,

I've just read your post and feel a little relieved others have/or are having the same experience with nerve pain. I have had nerve pain in my feet for 3.5 years. It hasnt gotten any better. Im 34 yrs old. I had bowel cancer when i was 30 and had 6 months of chemotherapy. I have just started taking B6 & B12 liquid and have been having B12 injections fornightly. I havent had any results yet. How are you finding your medication? Would you recommend it?

Thank you so much for your time.

Kind regards Alice

GrammaMary

Neuropathy after chemo and radiation

My entire left leg is subject to severe leg cramps and varying degrees of numbness and pain. My right leg is normal. This is what is baffling to my doctors. Sonogram shows no DVT or blood clots. EMG confirms neuropathy. CT scan shows sciatic nerve is normal. What's a gal to do?

cif

GrammaMary said:

Neuropathy after chemo and radiation

My entire left leg is subject to severe leg cramps and varying degrees of numbness and pain. My right leg is normal. This is what is baffling to my doctors. Sonogram shows no DVT or blood clots. EMG confirms neuropathy. CT scan shows sciatic nerve is normal. What's a gal to do?

GrammaMary Neuropathy on one side ...

Curious which side your port/infusions were on?  My port was on right side to treat cancer on left side, and my right side neuropathy, loss of control of limbs, muscle/tendon attrophy is on side port was on. 

 

Hyph-n8

Neuropathy after Taxol

I'm a male breast cancer survivor. This past summer I did chemo, AC then Taxol. During the last week of Taxol, my feet started tingling and were often numb. The oncologist says it's pretty common. He recommended Vitamin B6 and Alpha Liboic Acid, which seem to help a bit. Because it began so late in treatment, he expects it will lessen or disappear with time.  Apparently it might last for months or years. It's not painful, just a nuisance.

It's helpful to find this diuscussion. I've stumbled a few times, including walking up stairs, and hadn't even related it to neuropathy. Knowing I'm at risk, I'll pay more attention to my steps.
It's reassuring  to hear from other people who are experiencing the same thing.

There's not much info about male breast cancer, so all my reatments are based on data from women. It's gone pretty well, so the differences must not be too great.

akshayv

foot pain

I have had plantar fasciitis for a year+ and found that these slippers make walking less painful. I also believe that by ordering a new pair as soon as I see "wear" that they are helping me to get to my goal of a pain free walk. I have ordered an orthofeet slipper(same one) three different times now.