Preventing Peripheral Neuropathy

[kathim]

Hello

My husband has recently started Chemotherapy (Taxotere, 1 of 10 -12 treatments)

He has a very long history with PCa ( dx 2011)

I am looking for information regarding, preventing or limiting neuropathy development;

most all the medical information I read is for treatment "after it has developed" Really trying to be proactive and I am looking for information to prevent and/or limit.

Conflicting information on B12 use? ( **Individual B12 or iron supplement use during chemotherapy may be significantly associated with poorer outcomes)

"Ice baths for hands & feet" Information would be greatly appreciated on studies being done, or perhaps what others have found to be helpful.

thank you

[NickJoy]

Would this be any help?

swog.org/patients/trials-op...

[kathim in reply to NickJoy]

Thank you Nick I will check out this link🤞

[kathim in reply to kathim]

Looks interesting, when I called recording says "live calls not available" and the chat is not in service either. I have emailed the address on the site. The radomized choices for the trial are: with or without cooling...and variations in compression -I am going to see if my husband's oncologist will order compression with cooling prior to chemo. We asked for "cooling" at his first infusion and were told it had to be ordered by oncologist. Taxotere aka Doxetaxel is on the list for Chemos with this trial. I did ask prior to the start if anything were available? limited response. Thank you for your time. I would hope he can get this on the front end, certainly much better than just waiting for neuropathy to occur. ( probability seems high)

[Hows-That in reply to kathim]

Dear Kathim,

I used Chemo gloves and boots. Ice packs which go in gloves and boots. I bought them off Amazon ie the gloves and boots with one set of spares.

I put them on as soon as l sat in the chair and replaced the inserts half way through. I used these to prevent neuropathy. They worked..the only thing l had was a slight tingling in my fingers but that went away after l completed chemo.

Here in Australia the nurses were very sceptical but for me they worked and will do it again when l have to have cab axial down the track.

I have heard the scull cap works to prevent hair loss but that was not an issue for me.

I wish you both the very best.

Kind regards John

[kathim in reply to Hows-That]

Thank you for your response, we just received the gloves and boots ( from Amazon) as well... no need for a skull cap either😆

But would like to know we did all we could to prevent neuropathy...thanks and

wish you the very best as well.

kathi

[NickJoy]

Best of luck.

[spencoid2]

i used gel cold packs too and have had very little neuropathy. do not believe that statement that the gloves or boots from Amazon fit large hands or feet. I Had to make my own boots and mitts and use the gel packs with them. If I have to do another round of chemo I will make better mittens with features such as a permanently installed tablet stylus and make them easier to put on and off. Also have a sot for the IV tube. It is amazing how bad the (i bought a few different brands but one is ubiquitous (forget the name) things are considering how many they must sell. My first attempt to make boots and mittens was much better than what i bought.

Others have suggested the low tech solution of ice in bags. I might do that the next time but as is my style I will probably make or find heavy duty bags.

[kathim in reply to spencoid2]

Thank you for responding, did you use the mitts and boots often or just on the chemo days? very ingenious to make your own! did order some which aren't too bad size-wise...they were called "SuzziPad Foot Ice Pack Cooling Socks & Cold Gloves for Chemotherapy Neuropathy, Comfort Items for Chemo Patients" best of luck to you

kathi

[spencoid2 in reply to kathim]

It was the Suzis that did not fit me. Used them hour before during and hour after chemo but was not strict about it.

[MiaAmia]

my husband just finished his second round of docetaxel. Ice mitts and booties are provided at our cancer centre. Volunteers will fetch a fresh, cold batch if they warm up during treatment. We follow up with daily cuticle treatment and high moisture hand cream for feet and hands. Only time will tell.

[kathim in reply to MiaAmia]

good morning - ais your husband being treated in Canada? seems like the CA hospitals a bit more progressive with the use. The hand and foot cream is a good idea as well, was this prescription or just an over the counter version?

thanks for your time, best to health to your husband

[MiaAmia in reply to kathim]

We are in London Ontario Canada. They just automatically provided the mitts and booties. If we’d chosen a cold cap system, we would have had to arrange it and pay (there are Canadian and American companies that can be used but we decided against the bother and expense - for someone still in the workforce keeping one’s hair might be more important. He decided he didn’t want the cold and it didn’t matter enough.

As for hand and cuticle moisturizing, we took advice from a friend. We just use “Working Hands” on both hands and feet with the cuticle treatment every evening. Hopefully it will preserve his nails; if not, he doesn’t mind a daily hand and foot massage 🤣, and it provides some closeness when there’s little else.

[kathim in reply to MiaAmia]

we have no need for the "cap" but certainly will use the boots and mitts, not sure why it's not a standard here...i will add the daily massage to the regimen! thank you for taking the time to respond💗

[Dachshundlove]

Hi Kathim

My husband had quite a lot of chemo a few years back (taxotere and carboplatin) and used ice gloves and booties. He did not get neuropathy. He put the gloves and booties on right as infusions began. We googled and found these items online. I hope the chemo is effective and the co-medications limit the side effects.

[kathim in reply to Dachshundlove]

Good Morning- we communicated several years ago, do hope you are doing ok.

I did order "SuzziPad Foot Ice Pack Cooling Socks & Cold Gloves for Chemotherapy Neuropathy, Comfort Items for Chemo Patients" on line they seem to be ok and fit ok as well

fingers crossed for a good outcome! nice to see your message

kathi

[OldWarrior]

I just finished round 3 of Docetaxel. Using booties/mittens and sucking on ice. So far no neuropathy, mouth sores or taste issues. Fingernails/toenails are holding up. The cancer center at University of Florida doesn’t offer this as a service but the individual oncology nurses have been supportive. It takes commitment - fingers especially get so cold.

[kathim in reply to OldWarrior]

We are going to Moffit, in Fl. we are going to ask for this prior to starting his next therapy. I did get boots an mits on line...the ice chips is a great idea as well, thank you so much

[London441]

How is his overall health, body composition, exercise habits? Icing may have helped me some, but I’ll never know. For my chemo I only iced my hands since I’m a musician and was overly concerned about them.

The other suggestions might help also, but I always suggest plenty of exercise for everything. I had no problems with neuropathy.

Exercise and a healthy weight don’t guarantee the lessening or prevention of neuropathy, and there is likely no data to prove such. But better cardiovascular health alone is so beneficial anyway that I wouldn’t be without it.

[kathim in reply to London441]

Hello, overall health ok, he was quite active, till recent events. Exercise is a bit difficult right now, but hopefully in time. I did order some mitts and boots on line, given all the treatments over the years, "ice seems to be easy and a very inexpensive preventative measure" If any possibility that it will limit or prevent, all in. thank you very much

[davebliz]

I’m in Canada. I had 10 rounds of Docetaxal. The Cancer Centre provided mittens and changed them half way through. I put ice packs under my feet. My hands were fine but I got mild neuropathy on the feet. The neuropathy has lessened on my feet but still get tingling from time to time. If I do chemo again, I’ll get booties.

[kathim in reply to davebliz]

thank you very much, seems to be the consensus ... did receive some mitts and booties- ordered on line

best to you

kathi

[Yank66]

Hubby used ice mittens and ice slippers as well as an ice stocking cap. He kept most of his hair, but did develop neuropathy in fingers and toes. He could on my stand the ice for so long. We’re assuming it helped, but can’t be sure. Chemo did not work for him. But it led him to Pluvicto.

[kathim in reply to Yank66]

Hello

thank you for your message, I did order some booties and mittens on line... we are doing the reverse of your situation. Good luck with the Pluvicto. Best to you both-

[Bethpage]

AlvinSD made a really helpful post 9 months ago that many members have saved:

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[kathim in reply to Bethpage]

i will look at this - thank you for responding

[MateoBeach]

You have good advice here on the icing strategies, boots and gloves etc. Just want to add that if neuropathy does begin to develop, it can worsen severely with continued docetaxel. And docetaxel is never curative anyway, jut slows progression to extend survival. So if PN develops more than just mild tingling, suggest he discontinues docetaxel and switch to cabazitaxel which has less propensity to cause PN. Paul

[Enshope]

Was just reading today about using ice or compression therapy fir hands, while getting chemo. Look it up and talk with the doctor. It can help prevent neuropathy.