Neuropathy

Marci

I am 7 years post treatment for breast cancer. I am now experiencing peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Has anyone else experienced this as a result of chemo?

Angelaine

Yes.

beachbum5817

Yes, I have, but mine started while I was getting chemo. I am almost 7 years post treatment, and I still have it. I take Amitriptyline daily, and that helps a little. Mostly, I have just learned to live with it. Have you discussed it with your doctor? I know there are other medicines that some of the people here have taken, and they have had success with them. Hopefully, you will get more answers. Take care.

lebel

yes unfortunately its a pretty common side effect..i have neuropathy in my hands and feet..4 yrs out and its not better but you do get used to it..stay strong always

cllinda

It might be from something else. I would see a doctor. Seven years is a long time for it to show up. Usually, it starts when you are going through or just finished treatment.

Carol1286

It started for me during chemo (Taxol). It was quite severe in feet. Not as bad in the hands most of the time. It lasted 6 years, but still occasionally flares up.

Horselady46

I agree with clinda that it could be from something else as it usually shows up during or just after chemo. I have had it for 8 years and I think it is getting better or I am just used to it.

po18guy

Sorry to hear this. How is your blood sugar? I had neuropathy from chemo, and it mostly resolved, but never went away in the feet. Years later (from om-going high-dose steroid use) I developed diabetes and it produces neuropathy through a different causation. You might think about having your blood sugar checked, for one thing.

junie1

yes, i'm experiencing neuropathy also. started shortly after getting chemo,, taxol ,, i have loss of hair also. my fingers tingle and stay numb and get cold. it's difficult to pick up things,, i sew and it's trying at times to work. for my feet, and i wear socks for diabetes,, keeps the feet warm,
it's a situation that has no relief date,, like other things,, will go away after time,, Neuropathy is with us for life,, YEA,, for us!!

KatNT

Are you on Afinitor perchance? I am and one side effect is Hand and Foot neuropathy. I also have it in my scalp.

fiddler

Yes. It started half-way through chemo and it's still there almost 8 years later.

This past summer I learned something interesting. Because of nocturnal foot cramping, my onco doc sent a referral to a neurologist. He said that people with neuropathy in their feet will become disoriented and lose their balance in a dark room or when their eyes are closed. He had me put my feet together and close my eyes in his office and sure 'nuf I started to sway. So be careful in the dark, when you get up in the middle of the night.

fiddler

PS - the disorientation and loss of balance in the dark happens when the signals are not sent from the feet to the brain, so don't worry about early onset dementia.

2943

Tell your doctor! I suffered with it for quite awhile only to find out early treatment might have helped. It is better now but I, too get flare ups. Mine started with aromatase meds, increased with chemo. Everyone on chemo should think about cold mitts and socks during infusion.

petieagnor

Marci, mine has gotten real bad after 14 years. Dr. sent me to a neurologist. He prescribed a compound from a special pharmacy. It helped some, but was expensive. My hand doctor prescribed the generic for Voltaren for my arthritis. Insurance paid for most of it. It worked great & hand is healed. I had 4 tubes left so started using it. Works pretty good. I figured why waste it. Hope this helps. When you're in pain & can't sleep, you'll try just about anything for relief. I did & happier now.