Neuropathy

[Rebel Spirit]

I am beginning to notice signs of neuropathy in my feet and hands. Just a little numbness and tingling. I know it is a side effect of the chemo. Will this go away after chemo or has the damage been done?

[MickeyVicki]

It is difficult to make a statement on the subject as there is such a variety of responses.  Some people regain the normal sensations and lose the annoying tingling or numbness without assistance once the chemotherapy is over for a few months.  Others require physical therapy to regain the normal sensations.  <By the way, I am a big proponent of physical therapy.  That stuff works wonders!>  For others, unfortunately, they never get back to normal.

[newlifegal]

Rebel,I got conflicting answers on this question from 2 different oncologists; my oncologist told me that it is rare that it ever resolves but a friend of mine who specializes in hematology oncology said that 80% of patients have 80% resolution of their symptoms.  I was over half way through treatment when my neuropathy began to really get bad.  I had no feeling in my feet and my fingers were becoming so clumsy that I could barely turn pages.  So my last 2 chemos were switched from Taxol to Taxotere in hopes that the neuropathy wouldn't progress any further.  I'm 6 months out now and I'm happy to report that my symptoms in my fingers are gone and my right foot is nearly normal.  I still have some problems with my left foot but it's certainly managable.  Something you might try is vitamin B6--I used that both during treatment and afterwards.  Who knows, maybe my body just repaired itself but I just want you to know that there is hope.  And if not, I always said to myself that this was something I could live with.  

Wishing you the best!
Christa

[brthbbs]

I've just started taking a B complex because I've heard from all different sources that B vitamins help with the neuropathy.  I hope so, I'm four weeks of my last chemo and I'm noticing more tingling in my hands and feet and the tip of my tongue.

[suzsen]

My mom had pretty bad neuropathy in her hands and especially her feet.  It's been 17 months since she finished chemo, and I think the neuropathy is pretty much gone.  It did take a while (maybe 6 - 9 months after the last chemo?).  She already had a prescription for Xanax she took occasionally for anxiety, the drs told her to take it more often and it would help with the neuropathy.  She tried it, and the Xanax did help.

[kathy o]

The neuropathy in my fingers did mostly go away, but not my toes, I only was 8 months out of chemo so maybe if I would have had longer without chemo it may have got better. My Oncologist said that maybe it will go away and maybe not, each person is different.