oxaliplatin caused neuropathy

I was diagnosed with staqe 3 colon cancer in april 08.  It was a lesion in the hepatic region of the transverse colon.  Only one lymph node was involved. I couldn't believe it...it was only 3 1/2 years from my previous "clean" colonoscopy.

I began chemo in june 08.  participated in an nih study that added erbitux to the standard treatment of 5fu, oxaliplatin and leucovorin.

 I had a difficult time with chemo and my dosage had to be reduced twice (the max nih would allow).  Several times chemo was stopped for a week or more. But this is not about that....

So many of the side effects from chemo can be attributble to several of the meds so it's hard to say, oh oxaliplatin caused  this or that. However, one time after leaving treatment and walking to my car with a friend I asked her to drive since my hands literally froze and wouldn't move.  Then my throat felt like it was closing up.  very scary. Onc nurses were leaving the building at the rthe same time, they called 911 and administered something immediately that alleviated the sensation.  They said my throat wasn't really closing up, just felt that way and that the oxaliplatin caused it.

When I finished chemo in mid dec (finished the entire course completely), I felt overjoyed. Some mild neuropathy occurred during my last week or wo of treatment but I assumed it would disappear. Instead less than 2 wks after finishing treatment neuropathy began in my hands AND FEET. it's bad.  I can't button, zip, insert contacts, etc. feels like permanent frostbite. cold is intolerable. walking...well, feels like im walking on my bones.  Can't wear shoes, only boots. Diminished sensation extends up to my elbows and knees plus i get electrical buzzes in my hands occasionally 

Here's what i'm doing about it..don't know honestly if this is helping...going to acupuncture weekly and taking herbs my acupuncturist makes.  taking neurontin 300mg 3 times a day, also vitamins: b-6  100mg  3 times a day, alpha lipoic acid 900 mg daily, magnesium 500 mg a day, a general all purpose vitamin once a day, calcium citrate 1000mg daily, calcium gluconate 1200 mg daily. Maybe this info will help someone else. Also i use a button hook for buttoning and jobst brand gloves for driving. I drink  coffee but avoid alcohol.

 Good luck to all who have neuropathy....stay positive....it can get better...and there are ways of coping.....  

 

 

I have also been through what you are experiencing. I was diagnosed with stage IIIa colon cancer in April'07. Went through 2 rounds of chemo and finished in April'08. I had neuropathy after each treatment but it went away after 4-5 days so I assumed it would go away after the last treatment, boy was I wrong. I have had neuropathy since April'08. It was really bad in the beginning, I couldn't do much and I dropped everything. I take pretty much the same supplements and I did try acupuncture but that did not work for me, I hope you are getting some relief. I am on 50mg of Lyrica down from 250mgs. I am 10 months out from my last treatment and either I am really used to it now or it has gotten better. I believe the supplements are really important, particularly the B vitamins and I also use the "ReBuilder" 3 times a week. Thank you for sharing your story, we are not alone. Best of luck, Pearl

I have almost completely reversed my neuropathy. I took 500 mg of the vitamin L-Glutamine daily for about 2 months. I am back to typing 80 words a minute and I can wear slip on shoes and flip flops again.

My hands were so bad that I had no grip strength and I was dropping things. I could only wear tie on shoes. The "pins and needles" feeling was uncomfortable. It felt like my feet were asleep.

I asked my doctor before beginning and he said it was okay. He said there aren't any studies on L-Glutamine, just ancedotal reports like mine.

Give it a try and let us know how you are doing. Good luck. Karen