Chemo and existing nerve pain

sophy

Hi - I've been here before asking/sharing about my best friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and is now terminal with the cancer spread elsewhere.

Today I'm here to ask about my mom, who was recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

My mom has existing very severe nerve pain that a nerve stimulator was helping to reduce quite a bit. Since starting chemotherapy (taxol and paraplatin), she has noticed the nerve pain has gotten a lot worse again.

I know chemo can cause neuropathy, but can it also trigger worsening symptoms for existing nerve issues? Does anyone have experience with this?

BuckeyeShelby

Platinum based chemo plays merry havoc on nerves. I didn't have pre existing nerve issues. And with neuropathy, it sometimes resolves after chemo. After chemo was 8 years ago for me, and I still can't feel my toes and most of the front of my feet. I'd have mom talk to her oncology team. I can tell when I don't take my Gabapentin (generic for neuronton),

HOBO

Chemo took my quality of life. CIPN is the official diagnosis. I initially was in a wheelchair. Finally used a cane for several years but now don't leave the house much. I quit driving and must use a walker. I have fallen 13 times. The last two I needed the fire dept to lift me up. Tried increasing gabapentin but it caused a major weight gain. I don't sleep much due to pain. Doctors say nothing helps. Be interested to hear more about nerve stimulator.

sophy

Thank you both for the replies.

HOBO - the nerve stimulator was something my mom had put in last year before the cancer diagnosis for her nerve pain. I think it's just for very specific kinds of nerve pain and it goes in the spine and sends different signals down the nerve to try and disrupt the pain messages. Or at least that is my very shaky third-hand lay person understanding of it!