Peripheral neuropathy from Cytoxan/Taxotere - permanent?

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  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #22
    Lorianna said:

    Peripheral Neuropathy and Infected Nails
    I am six months out from my last chemo treatment and still have fairly pronounced PN in my fingers and toes. I also got horribly infected fingernails and toenails--I kept complaining about this to my oncologist, who just said nothing. Then it got really oozy and downright stinky, and FINALLY my oncologist referred me to a dermatologist--who had the goo analyzed and it was a MAJOR STAPH INFECTION. It took nearly six weeks of antibiotics to tame it down, and my nails got really deformed--separated from the nail bed, and several came off completely. This was just about the worst part of my entire treatment nightmare. Six months after last chemo, I still have the PN, which does not get better--but I am told that may take a year or more to start going away, everyone reacts differently, supposedly. My nails have at least improved from utterly disgusting to merely ugly, and are slowly growing out. The moral of my story is that if you start getting gunky-looking nails, get to a dermotologist IMMEDIATELY. My oncologist's foot-dragging made this condition much, much worse than it had to be, if I had just gotten antibiotic treatment sooner. If anyone else has had a similar experience, I would like to hear from you!

    Ask..
    Ladies ask your oncologist about Gabapentin.....this is used for nerve pain....Neuropathy....I have severe neuropathy in my breasts...due to radiation twice...one area of my breast was overlapped for the first 10 treatments that was radiated the first go round with the beast....I knew going into this that nerve damage was possible...I was prescribed this and it has truly changed my like...

    Please ask your oncologist if this would help you...it's a game changer!

    Hugs, Nancy
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #23
    MAJW said:

    Ask..
    Ladies ask your oncologist about Gabapentin.....this is used for nerve pain....Neuropathy....I have severe neuropathy in my breasts...due to radiation twice...one area of my breast was overlapped for the first 10 treatments that was radiated the first go round with the beast....I knew going into this that nerve damage was possible...I was prescribed this and it has truly changed my like...

    Please ask your oncologist if this would help you...it's a game changer!

    Hugs, Nancy

    I did not tolerate
    I did not tolerate nuerontin, so if that doesnt work you can try lyrica. I chose to forego meds. I had very tender feet, but it is getting better. feet still numb but certain pathways are coming back. excrutiatingly slow. I had it pretty bad, with it in my eyes! i have never heard of it in your breasts, but it makes sense. i am glad it helped you!
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #24
    MAJW said:

    Ask..
    Ladies ask your oncologist about Gabapentin.....this is used for nerve pain....Neuropathy....I have severe neuropathy in my breasts...due to radiation twice...one area of my breast was overlapped for the first 10 treatments that was radiated the first go round with the beast....I knew going into this that nerve damage was possible...I was prescribed this and it has truly changed my like...

    Please ask your oncologist if this would help you...it's a game changer!

    Hugs, Nancy

    In addition to Gabapentin
    In addition to Gabapentin (generic form of neurontin), my pain doctors have me on an anti depressent, Amitriptilyne, for pain and to help me sleep at night. One also tried a muscle relaxer called Metaxalone (Skelaxin®). A drug called Tramadol is also very good for pain. Tramadol was invented as an non-addicting aternative to Vicodin. The nurses at the pain clinic say they hear a lot of patients talk about the better relief they get from Tramadol. When my pain isn't as severe, I don't have to take the Tramadol. But lately my IV lidocaine in fusions aren't as effective and I am taking Tramadol.
    I think going to a pain clinic would be a good idea for anyone with chronic pain. There are many treatments they can try. And if one doesn't work, they move to plan B.
  • one_happy_island
    one_happy_island Member Posts: 5 Member
    #25

    Hi, I am 10 years out and still have terrible bilateral lower leg and foot neuropathy. I have tried a huge list of medications, adaptations, OTC and Compounded treatments. I finally got to a point where I wanted to try the new Spinal Cord Stimulator that is supposed to be specifically for peripheral neuropathic pain. I decided that was just too invasive for me and I did not try it....but you can see how desperate I am...I wish I could say one of the drugs or other means was "a game changer" but nothing has worked, except Hydrocodone. I take very little of it for fear of dependency, tolerance build up, and addiction. All the horror stories scare me to death. I am finally seeking disability because my work requires me to stand still on my feet for hours at a time with barely any breaks. I can't take (no would I want to) hydrocodone at work so I have dealt with terrible pain while working by standing on different squishy mats, changing shoes, taking off my shoes and many other adaptations.

    Anyone else in my situation?? I sure could use some advice. TYIA

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