Fingers and toes numbness

[Daniellafriman]

Hurt so bad and can't feel like nothing with my top of the fingers..

Feels like I have tried everything 😖

Last chemo , 3 months ago.

Any tricks?❤

[ChuyB]

Oh, I hear that. IMO, there should be exit interviews after chemo so you know what could possibly flare up. I'm in the US - my oncologist sent me to the rheumatologist. Some chemos are known to cause more neuropathy. I was scheduled for 6x carbo and taxol. Switched to taxotere after 2x because the neuropathy was getting unmanageable.

Do chat with someone - there's no need to suffer post-treatment. And hang in there. It takes a long time to recover from all the effects of treatment.

[Sherrym]

Self heating gloves. My right hand is fine 1 year post chemo, my left middle fiddle still numb but better.

I think extremities mostly get better in time, though some folk are left with moderate neuropathy even after a few years

[Naimish]

No tricks or treats here Daniella. Neuropathy in the extremeties is a by product and occupational hazard of chemo. Do google "chemo induced neuropathy" and you will find a few soothers there, choose whats best for you. However, be prepared for a six month to one year ordeal of an unwanted house guest. First your hands will feel better and then the feet will start getting better. Nails may also get discolored and as and when the neuropathy starts reducing the original colors will get back to the nails..... All the best and try to get as much rest as possible but 'Keep Walking" as this does help a ton.

Naimish

[Daniellafriman]

Thank you women very helpful!

[Cropcrop]

No tricks I'm afraid. With most chemo patients the neuropathy goes away, it can take up to 12 months. Unfortunately for some it never goes, I have permanent numbness, tingling, occasional shooting pains and pins and needles in hands and feet 2 years after completing chemo. It doesn't stop me doing anything although, it's a bloomin nuisance and I can't wear my fab heels 👠 anymore but small price to pay I think. Keep your hands and feet warm, the cold isn't good for a neuropathy and excercise really helps. I knit which really helps my hands just wish I could knit with my feet. I really hope yours goes, it's early days yet so tingly fingers crossed for you. ❤xx Jane

[January-2016-UK]

I had my last chemo 7 months ago and the tingling and shooting pains have gone; I'm left with just numbness. Not allowing my hands and feet to get too cold certainly helps. At least my handwriting is back to normal and I find I can hold a trowel now for as long as I want to (wretched weeds). Some things are still fiddly, such as removing contact lenses and the sensitivity of the tips is poor. As for my feet, there are certain shoes I can no longer wear but during this cold weather I find boots really good as they seem to support my feet better than shoes. This has surprised me as during the summer I would wear only sandals.

The only medicine I've taken for it was a self-prescribed high dose Vitamin B for 2 months but then stopped as I read it could also cause tingling.

[deedee2016]

Hi ,I had last chemo yesterday and suffer with this to.At my cancer center we are lucky enough to have a complimentary therapist who comes round and gives you a foot massage whilst you have your chemo 😀 and I mentioned this to her.She said soak your hands and feet in epsom salts then massage with a blend of almond oil ,orange oil and peppermint.She went and made me this blend for me as she said patients have told her it helps and relives the neuropathy.Well I tried it last night and it has helped a lot and also added benefit of relaxing you .I hope it improves for you .

[Heatherslade]

Yes I was advised to soak in epsom salts and I get my husband to massage feet and ankles, and knees with massage oil. I use Weleda massage oil, arnica based. It does ease the aches etc. I also use a few drops of orange oil in the bath.

[caf132]

I also know of no tricks to banish neuropathy. I am 3 months post chemo and lots of numbness and tingling in feet and fingers. My nail beds are still a mess as the nail keep s coming away from the bed. Keeping nails really short helps. My neuropathy did not appear until my last two cycles. I was told to take glutamine 100 grams twice a day and vitamin B. Neither have helped. Might be more individual response. I cannot tell temperature of water if I take a bath and have slightly burned myself. My ONC says it can take up to a year to go away if it is going to.

If I wear hard soled shoes I am ok, I walk everyday. It I go barefoot I have a lot of trouble with fear of falling. Occasional sharp nerve pain and weakness but that has gotten better. Hopefully spring will bring us great relief!

[Cropcrop in reply to caf132]

You have just described my symptoms totally ❤xx Jane

[LindaB]

Reflexology was a big help for me. My feet were really painful and numb. I also bought a foot spa which helped a lot and wore cotton socks in bed at night. Mention this to your oncologist as in some cases it can cause permanent damage. I've had chemo so many times my feet still feel a little numb but does not hinder my walking etc. Just rubbing oil on your feet morning and night helps. My fingers back to normal after not being able to pick out change in my purse! Best wishes xx

[Barlow1951]

My neuropathy started after chemo 3 and made my fingertips a bit numb but affected my feet much more. The fingertips soon recovered but 9 months after ending chemo my feet are still quite badly affected. My physio suggested massaging my feet with a tennis ball and I have found that helps, also wearing really comfy supportive shoes. I am recently getting shooting pains, which my oncologist says is a sign that the nerves are recovering. I was originally told they would take about 12 months from ending chemo to recover so seem to be on track!

Hope you can find some relief soon.

Barbara

[Tesla_7US]

Have you tried magnesium tablets? I am 6 months post chemo, NED, and take 500 mg daily magnesium and it has profoundly decreased my neuropathic pain.

[Daniellafriman in reply to Tesla_7US]

Yes but no help

[MH500]

I've heard that acupuncture can help with numbness in the fingers and toes. Worth a try?

X

[Daniellafriman]

Thank you peeps ,I love you ❤