On 4/9/2007
Kenkd wrote:
On 3/15/2007
Dabblerz wrote:
I had rectal cancer and had radiation, rectum removal, and folfox for 6 months. I had probably a average neuropathy from the Ox during chemo: numb tingling hands and toes, my tongue felt I was drinking crushed ice when drinking cold liquids (which had no ice). I don't know if that symptom has been mentioned before. I didn't have the feeling of not being able to breathe when drinking cold liquids though. Well, I never tried cold liquids for any length of time. I had some problems of feeling something similar to an electrical shock down my legs occasionally.
Well it has been 2.5 months since I finished the chemo and the neuropathy has become progressively worse. It has reached a point where I can touch a certain part of my forearm and get the tingle sensation. My toes feel like there is a rope around them when I move them. I also get the tingle when I touch parts of my leg near my shin. I still get the electrical shock feelings down my legs and only yesterday did I associate them with bending my neck down. (Someone else in these posts had the same thing.) My balance is affected and my feet feel like wooden feet when I walk.
I plan to see a neurologist soon. Thanks so much for these blogs. I feel some relieve knowing other people have had those problems, but disheartened to know that some have lasted up to a year. I saw a article that this might permanent, though that is rare. Has anyone found an average time that post chemo neuopathy lasts?
I am lucky to have found this forum. I was searching for info on neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin and found this site. In reply to your post, I am almost nine months post chemo treatments ( I had colorectal cancer, stage 3) and my neuropathy seems to be getting a little worse. The 'tingly feet syndrome' hasn't let up since it began, and my nerve endings feel like tiny needle pricking on occasion. I have been taking extra strength over the counter pain relievers. I may either ask to see my oncologist early or wait for my scheduled appointment (May 15). Not sure if he can help, as he usually downplays my neuropathy complaints. I am happy to be alive, but what a painful life. I now get pain and numbness shooting through my arm from my shoulder to my fingertips. May just be arthritis but someone please if you had same do tell. I hope that everything improves for you. it used to be that I could forget about the pain and tingling if I stayed busy, but now that the arthritis-like pain has come I am having a pretty bad time. Good health to all of you here.
kenkd.
I went through chemo for colon cancer until mid - July 2006. I was warned of the acute neuropathy that occured during treatment - and indeed experienced the sensitivity to cold (drinks, weather, etc....). What I wasn't aware of was that neuropathy could continue past treatment.
As you have so well described, the neuropathy progressively worsend after treatment. It moved from cold sensitivity to a general numbness in extremeties. It started in my fingers and toes and when at it's worst extended above my elbows and knees. My oncologist was surprised at these results - although my research indicated that this ramp up effect was quite common. At it's worst, I could not button, zip, and was having some balance/walking issues. The good news is that it peaked at about 4 months past the final oxaplatin treatment and has reached a manageable level. At about the 7-8 month mark past chemo it seems to level out.
Generally, I find that it is worse when I don't get enough rest or exercise, when it is cold, and when I drink alcohol. to excess At the onset of the post-chemo neuropathy, I stopped alcohol alogether at the request of the oncologist and found that it had little effect (except to depress me!). I visited a neurologist several times and he said that I was lucky - a very mild (his words, not mine) case. All I do now is try to keep active, rested, eat well, and stay positive.
I have a friend who's dad is receiving some new treatment for severe neuropathy that seems to be working well. I'll find out more and post it later.
Best to all.
Dave