Neuropathy Relief

ChrisHB
ChrisHB Member Posts: 22
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello, My brother has completed his second round of aggressive chemo after colon cancer recurred in his liver. He had surgery to remove two lessions on the liver three weeks ago and the surgeon feels that the outlook is good. Right now he is dealing with neuropathy in his hands and feet. He feels like it has increased after the surgery and wonders if that may be due to reduced activity during recovery. His doctor told him that the neuropathy may go away in up to six months or possibly not at all. I am wondering if anyone has come across anything to help relieve the numbness and pain? His doctor told him to continue calcium and a vitamin. I have read a couple messages about glutamine(sp.?) Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Comments

  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #2
    Hi there -Well, I am happy to tell you what worked for me. I took Vit B6 - I think about 400 mg /day during chemo. It really helps with nerve function and had a significant impact on my neuropathy. But - that was during chemo; after chemo ended, my neuropathy became worse (makes sense as everything builds up in our livers)...no, it was not fun at al; l I looked around and also noticed that a few posts listed Alpha Lipoic Acid as a help. I take about 600mg/day of ALA still...after nine months post chemo. It is good stuff - worked to also clean the heavy metals out of my liver as well. The kicker is that some docs don't want high antioxidant supplements taken during chemo - which ALA is. So, the B6 works well during - and then the ALA after. Maybe others will have more info for you. Hope this helps, and take care - Maura
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    CAMaura said:

    Hi there -Well, I am happy to tell you what worked for me. I took Vit B6 - I think about 400 mg /day during chemo. It really helps with nerve function and had a significant impact on my neuropathy. But - that was during chemo; after chemo ended, my neuropathy became worse (makes sense as everything builds up in our livers)...no, it was not fun at al; l I looked around and also noticed that a few posts listed Alpha Lipoic Acid as a help. I take about 600mg/day of ALA still...after nine months post chemo. It is good stuff - worked to also clean the heavy metals out of my liver as well. The kicker is that some docs don't want high antioxidant supplements taken during chemo - which ALA is. So, the B6 works well during - and then the ALA after. Maybe others will have more info for you. Hope this helps, and take care - Maura

    Maura, I heard that B6 worked after chemo, too. I'm on 2nd to last Taxol (breast ca, colon I had 5FU with same, luckily went away)...I find keeping REAL hydrated works a bit, too. But thanks for the info on ALA...I hope I won't need it, but great to know!
    Kathi
  • markwalled
    markwalled Member Posts: 5
    #4
    my neuropathy did not have a lot of numbness, just the cold effected me. I could not hold anything in my hand cold, I drank warm water all the time, nothing cold at all. It got old but it helped. It did pass after about one month after I completed my chemo.
    I want to encourage you, it will pass. I wish I could offer more. God bless.

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