On 10/26/2007 JJSS1 wrote:
My husband has had 6 rounds of chemo (FOLFOX); his neuropathy began almost immediately. It no longer goes away for any period of time and he's feeling discouraged by his inability to play football with the kids or golf or type or handle food from the fridge......He's only 37 and he is fearful that this may never subside. I plan to ask the doctor about Lyrica or Neurontin. Have you heard of these?
I had 10 of 12 treatments and my neuropathy started after about 5 treatments and became progressively worse. I found that the sensitivity to cold was a short term effect, even though I was taking treatments through the winter months, most of the time it was handling cold objects and swallowing cold drinks. I would get a sensation like a electrical shock in my hands and feet and my throat felt very constricted if I tried to drink something to cold.
After the treatments were completed, I started a course of Lyrica, 75 mg capsules. These helped reduce the nerve pain, but I found myself feeling like I was walking in a fog during the day....not good. My doctor prescribed a lower dosage for the day and I used the higher dosage at night.
I also used massage therapy, accupuncture...to no avail and cold laser light stimulation...to no avail. The massage helped me in the short term as it relieved the knots in my neck and shoulders, legs and feet.
Overall, as it has been just over a year since I stopped treatment and am back to fulltime work, I tell people that it is like having pins and needles all the time, some days are worse than others. I still take meds, Tylenol 3 a prescribed narcotic and also Lyrica as I need it. I find that I am able to do most things, I have learned that i need to do some things differently.
Don't lose hope and keep laughing at the world....it helps