Cryotherapy

[Iber]

I’m wondering if wearing ice mitts or socks really does prevent neuropathy during docetaxel treatment? Our oncologist tells us that there’s no real evidence that the use of either of these can prevent CIPN from developing.

[Mascouche]

I haven't heard that those help in preventing neuropathy. I thought their purpose was to protect the nails during chemo which attacks fast dividing cells such as cancer. Since hair and nails also divide rapidly, the idea is to protect them by using cold to slow down the cell division in those areas.

[dhccpa in reply to Mascouche]

I don't know whether they work, but most whom I've seen post seem to always mention prevention of neuropathy as a major reason for doing.

[Peeffervescence]

in my experience, they didn’t prevent neuropathy in my feet. They may have reduced it, but I did end up with neuropathy. It’s not terrible, and I did have foot pain prior to chemo, but I don’t know that I could give a ringing endorsement for ice gloves/socks.

[HikerWife]

Hi, Iber - all I can offer is personal anecdotal information, but my husband (with very similar dx to yours) had chemo starting in April 2023. We did purchase mitts and booties with gel-packs that you freeze (buy several sets of those so they can be swapped out during chemo). Our understanding is that icing hands and feet causes blood vessels to contract greatly, lessening the amount of chemo that gets to them, thereby protecting the feet and hands and lessening chances of neuropathy and such things as nail loss. Also keep ice chips in mouth to help prevent sores and loss of taste. Although my husband's chemo was cut short because of an extravasation (leakage) incident, he had NO trace of damage to hands, feet or mouth after three rounds (I have read of people having damage after only 2nd round or so). We did not bother trying to ice his head for hair loss, as we had read it was difficult to do properly (and rental units cost ~$400 per session). He did lose some of his hair, but it eventually grew back lush and curlier! pm me if you want me to give you links to products we used.

[tarhoosier]

I support Hikerwife. My wife used the gel gloves for her six taxol sessions for ovarian treatment. No neuropathy. She used the same protocol hiker describes. Our infusion center had a refrig/freezer for food and we used the freezer for her mittens. No neuropathy and some small neuropathy in feet. She said if she had to do it again she would use on her feet in addition to hands.

[dhccpa]

Don't know if they work, but doctors only say there's proof for the treatment they are recommending, even if others docs in their area do things differently, even regarding choices in SOC treatment.

[RoseDoc]

From my own experience, they do seem to work. Uncomfortable while wearing them though. I had slight neuropathy in my right hand in the distribution of the radial nerve which resolved in a year. No issues with feet or other hand.

Incidentally, the cool cap does work for preserving your hair.

The only issue I’ve had from chemo was partial loss of eyebrows

[JohnInTheMiddle]

I did ice packs - ice cubes in plastic bags on hands and feet. Six sessions of Docetaxel. No neuropathy. I had fancy gel gloves but did not use them. I found it actually difficult to keep my hands cold - because either with the gloves are with the plastic bags I was realizing that the cold was not very evenly and completely applied to every part of the hand. Why bother then?

So realizing that they are in the plastic bags was an insulator I put the bag to let the air out. I was constantly adjusting the bag of ice and trying not to get frostbite. There's water everywhere. I agree there isn't much research to support this.

As for chewing ice - great way to create micro cracks and your enamel on the teeth that later provide a way for dental caries to enter. Not recommended by dentists.

Don't forget about considering fasting around the infusions. Not likely to be harmful to you and there's lots to read about why it's a good idea. But again no clinical studies.