Tingling and numbness

[Synth]

I will be recieving oxaliplatin and I have read that it always causes some toe and finger numbness. Does anyone know if this can affect the use of the computer keyboard? I am also an artist and piano player. Will holding a small paintbrush or playing the keys be a problem?  Thanks, Synth

[Synth]

jd: here is a prayer that you remain cancer free forever. I'll keep you posted on my treatment.
Synth

[jdwithhcv]

I'm grateful to be cancer free since 2005.  Yes, that was adjuvant therapy, administered between surgery and ileostomy takedown.  (It was originally combined with Xeloda, but I could not tolerate that drug so the Xeloda was discontinued)  Prior to surgery I treated with 5FU and radiation.  So glad to put that in the past!  Just had a follow-up exam and CEA 125 is normal.  No lasting problems except the neuropathy in both heels, which is annoying but not a real big deal.

Hope your tx goes as well.
jd

[Synth]

Thanks so much for your replies Doctor and jd..... jd: how are you doing now and was your dose of oxaloplatin an adjuvant therapy? godbless, Synth

[jdwithhcv]

I treated with oxaliplatin, it caused my hands and feet to be extremely sensitive to cold.  I had no trouble with fine skills such as you describe, butI had to wear an oven glove to take food out of the refrigerator, otherwise my hand would instantly become painfully numb and I would drop things.  Couldn't walk barefoot on cool floors, always wore slippers.  This problem was most noticible immediately after each infusion and it usually resolved in a few days (til the next infusion).  My throat also was hypersensitive to cold, I could not drink chilled or iced drinks for 2-3 days after each infusion.

Oxaliplatin left me with some permanent neuropathy in both feet, and a bit in my wrists when I flex them.  I think there may now be a drug they can administer with the chemo to lessen this effect, ask your doctor.

Good luck
jd

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Oxaliplatin causes two types of neuropathy (numbness and tingling of hands and feet).  The first is an acute onset numbness/tingling observed within hours of infusion, and which can last for 1-3 days.  The second type of neuropathy is a chronic numbness which can last until 3 - 4 months of discontinuing Oxaliplatin.  This chronic neuropathy is dose dependent, and usually occurs when the patient has accumulated a dose equivalent to around 10 - 14 sessions of chemotherapy (850 -1200 mg/m2).  Both types of neuropathy are usually mild, and patients can still function reasonably well in spite of the numbness.  You'll probably still be able to use the computer or play the piano, although I'm not sure about holding a small paintbrush.  I haven't had a patient on Oxaliplatin who paints, so I really don't know how that activity is going to be affected.