pain in hands after chemo

Mom had her 1st chemo treatment 17 days ago.  Today, she is not hungry and has lots of pain in her hands.  Is this normal?  She has stage III Ovarian Cancer and had to take a shot to increase her red blood cells.  She is 85.

[dian07]

Hey there...so sorry to hear about your 85 year old mom having to do battle with this beast.  In order to keep my blood counts up there my oncologist had me get an injection of Neulasta after each treatment.....that made every bone in my body explode with pain....that is one of the "minor" side effects.  I ended up getting pain meds for the pain.....I don't remember exactly which day the pain began..... it was hard to handle ....it is normal, unfirtunately.  Please tell your mom she is in my heart.
Peace.
dian

[alanpvegas]

It depends on the chemo, taxanes (like Taxol), usually give peripheal neuropathy which sounds like what she has.

They can prescribe meds to help with this (they are actually 'anti seizure' meds) or you can try some adjunct therapies such as Glutamine (L-Glutamine) supplementation (studies show about 10grams per day or more, it depends).  My mom has found some success with Blue Emu which you can get at Walgreens or online.

[freshair]

So sorry to hear that your Mom is getting these complications. I am sure the oncologist is treating her gently at her age. Meaning lower doses. Also instead of every 3 weeks or 4 weeks it can be lower doses once a week with a week off.

What drug is she on? She may be getting neuropathy with the Taxol. If she is on Doxil it is the hand, foot syndrome.

Give your Mom a big hug from all of us on the Forum! I'm praying for her.
Helen

[loralai]

I too had some tingling in hands and feet after chemo and my gyn oncol told me to take Vit B6. I felt it helped tremendously. Maybe ask her doc about it?? Good luck!