On 6/15/2006 Marylee wrote:
I had chemo for non-hodgkins lymphoma Mar.- Jul of 2005. After treatment my arms were numb and my legs were numb up to my thghs. I was so weak that I could barely stand up to walk to the bathroom. I had a test for nerve damage on my legs and forearms. He said I had nerve damage and it may or may not regenerate. I used a cane and went to physical therapy for about 4 months to learn to rebalance. It was very helpful. Well, a year and 3 months later I can write legibly if I take my time, only my hands are 35% numb. The bottom of my feet are numb and some times at night I can feel it up to my knees at which time I get up and walk around. I still have to watch my balance making sure I do not do 45 degree turns too quickly. I use a cane for long walks. In may I took Zevalin at Cancer Treatment Centers of America as tumors had come back under my one arm pit. I guess they are gone now. I am 74 and also have arthritis and fybromyalgia that causes pain. I am however, fortunate to be able to get around, drive my car and work part time. I guess having neuropathy is little to pay for getting rid of the cancer. Some people I have talked to do not have this side effect. I have to say however, that I have had some of it in my feet for as long as 8 years ago, so I guess, the chemo just made it worse. I hope for the best for you.
Hi there
I came across your message on the Cancer Compass website after googling the main symptoms being suffered by my dad.
He's 61 and was diagnosed with NLH in April 2005 (stage IV). since then he's been having chemotherapy in relatively short, but intensive, spells. steroids have also been part of the treatment mix.
more recently, however, he's been in considerable neuropathic pain in his legs. Classic symptoms like lack of balance, and "pins and needles" sensations were the start of it, but it's got so bad recently that he's now unable to walk. he's also recently been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis stretching from groin to knee (which is being slowly dissolved by injectable drugs which are not going to exacerbate the effects of the cancer).
He's now in hospital for some respite care (and also giving my mum some time to herself because she is his primary carer because they live some 200 miles away from my wife and I), but I don't know what the long-term prognosis is. His specialists are not as forthcoming as we'd like, and as a family we are struggling to know what to do.
Any help, advice, treatment ideas for the neuropathy would be so gladly appreciated. I hope things are looking up for you too - you sound very positive, which is clearly vital.
Best wishes
Ian Shoesmith
London, UK