How long does neuropathy last ?

Bill.S
Bill.S Member Posts: 177
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Chemo ended 12/3/08 and gave me numb fingers and dead feet. When will this go away?
Bill S.

Comments

  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #2
    Neuropathy
    I am not an expert on this Bill, but I will pass on what I know. I have neuropathy both from diabetes and exaggerated from the chemo. It sounds like a minor side effect, but as you know can be very painful and keep you awake at night.
    I was at the Joslin Diabetes Center this week and the doctor told me that once nerves are damaged, they cannot be healed. There are drugs that will help with the side effects. Atavin is one. A holistic pharmacist here makes a gel of Vit C and sodium nitrite which has had very good responses..needs a prescription. Acupuncture seems to help many too..haven't tried it yet.
    Let me know if you hear of anything else.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #3
    Peripheral neuropathy
    Only time will tell.......I couldn't walk straight, button up clothes, sort out change from my purse, pick things up, put things in cupboards, get dressed, serve food, type,,,.,etc...etc...etc... It DOES FADE after a few months.......Just be patient, don't lose hope, it comes back sudden and quickly........enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #4
    Definitely ask your Doc, but
    Definitely ask your Doc, but I think this is another of those individual things...each body recovers at its own rate, but I know nerves can renew/redirect pathways. I think which ones, how many, and how fast is an individual thing. I had a little tigling in my fingers and toes. It seems like it took a couple of months to go away totally.

    Take care of yourself. seof
  • Bill.S
    Bill.S Member Posts: 177
    #5
    tasha_111 said:

    Peripheral neuropathy
    Only time will tell.......I couldn't walk straight, button up clothes, sort out change from my purse, pick things up, put things in cupboards, get dressed, serve food, type,,,.,etc...etc...etc... It DOES FADE after a few months.......Just be patient, don't lose hope, it comes back sudden and quickly........enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    My fingers aren't as bad as
    My fingers aren't as bad as my feet. As long as I can button my shirt the doctor is happy.
    From my toes to my heals is like having a cast on my feet. I can feel hot,cold and pain but walking is sometimes difficult especially in sandy or rocky soil. I have to keep looking down just to be sure they are still there.
    Bill S.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #6
    Hi Bill...
    I ended chemo in mid December and I still have numb fingers and numbness in my feet, but to a lesser extent. Not to the point where it interferes with my walking.
    The neuropathy in my fingers though became pretty painful and by the fourth round of Abraxane, extended above my elbows in both arms. Now it has receded and just my fingers are affected.
    I have trouble with buttons and trying to pick up small objects. Hoping it will improve some more over time.

    Best wishes,

    CR
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #7
    Hi Bill, I had/have
    Hi Bill, I had/have neuropathy in my feet but I take gabapentin for it (neurontin). I'm surprised your doc didn't recommend you try it. Another gem of info I had come across is Vit D. Have your levels checked. The reason I mention it is I had read a research article about how it helped diabetic neuropathy. I take 2000IU/day (split) and I think it helps. Sausage...........this might help you.
    Nerves can heal, but it takes a very long time. Some have used a product called neurogen. It's a combo of botanical oils and quite expensive. In Canada you can get it at some Shopper's Drug Mart, I'm not sure where you can find it in the states but I believe KathiM has used it so it's there somewhere.

    Hope you find some relief
    love
    jan
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #8
    Neuropathy
    Hi Bill,

    I have it in my hand, arm and feet (just a little in feet, lots in hand and arm). It has been explained to me that nerve damage heals at an incredibly slow if at all pace. I have dealt with this for 11 years. During that time it has eased a bit, but it is still there. I tried neuronton but it did not work for me so they put me on Paxil which did work a bit. Now Paxil is an anti-depressant but it has components that do work with nerved damage. Hope this helps a bit.

    RE
  • Bill.S
    Bill.S Member Posts: 177
    #9
    RE said:

    Neuropathy
    Hi Bill,

    I have it in my hand, arm and feet (just a little in feet, lots in hand and arm). It has been explained to me that nerve damage heals at an incredibly slow if at all pace. I have dealt with this for 11 years. During that time it has eased a bit, but it is still there. I tried neuronton but it did not work for me so they put me on Paxil which did work a bit. Now Paxil is an anti-depressant but it has components that do work with nerved damage. Hope this helps a bit.

    RE

    Thank all of you
    Thanks for all of the replies. My onc doesn't seem to conserned with this 'cause it isn't something that he has a magic cure for.
    Bill S.
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #10
    Bill.S said:

    Thank all of you
    Thanks for all of the replies. My onc doesn't seem to conserned with this 'cause it isn't something that he has a magic cure for.
    Bill S.

    I agree!
    I so agree Bill. I find it very frustrating and it affects every minute of every day. I have told my oncologist,cardiologist and diabetic doctor. They all seem to ignore and pass off to one another...I'm trying everything I can and may resort to acupuncture if nothing else provides relief..so will let you know.
  • Bill.S
    Bill.S Member Posts: 177
    #11
    sausageroll said:

    I agree!
    I so agree Bill. I find it very frustrating and it affects every minute of every day. I have told my oncologist,cardiologist and diabetic doctor. They all seem to ignore and pass off to one another...I'm trying everything I can and may resort to acupuncture if nothing else provides relief..so will let you know.

    Handicapped ?
    Just got a 6 month temp. handicapped parking permit so I don't have to walk 3 miles just to get in the front door of Walmart. Once inside, hanging on to the cart helps to steady me.
    Bill S.
  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    #12
    Bill.S said:

    Handicapped ?
    Just got a 6 month temp. handicapped parking permit so I don't have to walk 3 miles just to get in the front door of Walmart. Once inside, hanging on to the cart helps to steady me.
    Bill S.

    neuropathy treatment
    I finished chemo on March 6 and the neuropathy in my feet seems to be getting worse not better. I had a mastectomy a couple of weeks ago and the pain killers they gave me for that did nothing for the burning feet. I also was on Lyrica for about 3 months but it did little and I had every side effect on the list, it was not worth it.

    does anyone have any good home remedys to reduce the burning? when I walk it is like walking over hot gravel.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #13
    crazylady55 said:

    neuropathy treatment
    I finished chemo on March 6 and the neuropathy in my feet seems to be getting worse not better. I had a mastectomy a couple of weeks ago and the pain killers they gave me for that did nothing for the burning feet. I also was on Lyrica for about 3 months but it did little and I had every side effect on the list, it was not worth it.

    does anyone have any good home remedys to reduce the burning? when I walk it is like walking over hot gravel.

    Neuropathy treatment
    Equal parts...Geranium oil, Eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil and olive oil (as a base).. smells vile but does numb the burning. Also, wriggle toes/feet as much as possible and get hubby/wife/concubine...etc etc to massage feet/toes area. Hope this helps u. It did me. Jxxxxxx
  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    #14
    tasha_111 said:

    Neuropathy treatment
    Equal parts...Geranium oil, Eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil and olive oil (as a base).. smells vile but does numb the burning. Also, wriggle toes/feet as much as possible and get hubby/wife/concubine...etc etc to massage feet/toes area. Hope this helps u. It did me. Jxxxxxx

    thanks
    Thanks Tasha for the recommendation. My hubby does massage them but seems to last only during the massage. I will try the oils.

    Strange thing for me is that the Dr. says most people complain about it bothering them the most at night, but mine hurt the most when walking. It is constant. They want me to try Neurontin but I am sick of side effects.

    Thanks again
  • tjhay
    tjhay Member Posts: 655
    #15
    Neuropothy
    Sorry for the late post, my dr put me on gabapentin for it and it seems to help with the pain.
  • marmentaconde
    marmentaconde Member Posts: 1
    #16
    crazylady55 said:

    neuropathy treatment
    I finished chemo on March 6 and the neuropathy in my feet seems to be getting worse not better. I had a mastectomy a couple of weeks ago and the pain killers they gave me for that did nothing for the burning feet. I also was on Lyrica for about 3 months but it did little and I had every side effect on the list, it was not worth it.

    does anyone have any good home remedys to reduce the burning? when I walk it is like walking over hot gravel.

    Hello everyone,

    I've never had cancer, but I have peripheral neuropathy caised by diabetes. I have sufferred with burning legs from the knees to toes and from my shoulders to fingertips for over 10yrs. What i found relief with is sleeping with sleevless shirts and shorts only and I jump in the shower once to 3 times a nite but just run the cold water only on my arms and legs till the burning goes away and if its so severe, i stay wet and place a fan hitting my legs, which then makes me cold and i finally go to sleep.

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