Numb finger tips

[Madz]

Is it normal to have numb finger tips 3 days post chemo, seems to be worse on one hand. My onc mentioned tingling may occur do I need to do anything about it? Thanks Madz

[ChrisH]

Yes! You can also get this in your feet. I keep note of how bad it is and for how long, as my oncologist always wants to know. Although it seems like a pretty mild side effect, some people get it bad enough to give them problems doing buttons up etc, and it can be perminent, so tell your onc when you see him/her. If they consider it bad enough, they may reduce the dose of chemo you are given. With me this is the taxol they reduce, as taxol is the "booster" drug, and cistplatin the main one.

Hope this helps

Chris

[TinaWright]

Hi Madz,

Yes this does sometimes happen, it happened to me and it was worse on my right finger ends than my left.

Its called neuropothy (I think thats how we spell it). It may subside before the next chemo is due but do mention it to your oncologist before your next treatment, even if it goes away.

Mine only lasted a few days after the 1st chemo, but with each treatment it lasted longer and became more severe. Its more likely to be the paclitaxol that is causing the neuropothy, more than the carboplatin. I continued to have 5 sessions of the paclitaxol then cut it out of the last treatment.

They may try lowerring the dose to begin with, they did for me.

The numbness subsided about 3 months after the last treatment but sometimes for some people it can become a permanent thing. Basically its when the chemo has damaged the nerves, in some cases it can leave you with a permanent disability, so it is important that you tell them. Especially if you sew or do other things that you enjoy such as knitting or painting, anything with your fingers like that.

Please try not to worry about it, but you should just mention it to them because they can think through an alternative solution for you. Remember to ask them anything that may concern you and you can always ask us or share any fears, its all perfectly nbormal to have them, we all do.

Stay safe - gentle hugs sent from Tina xxx

[Hidden]

Yes when I had it on my first line chemo I mentioned it so they reduced the Taxol by 20% but on my second line chemo I got neuropathy again but didn't mention it because I didn't want to reduce my chances so I still get it in my fingers and toes even though I have finished chemo nearly 12months ago best wishes love x G x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If you tell your GP she can give you tablets to help. I had it so bad it was like walking on hot marbles. I am now permanently on gabentin, which makes it easier most of the time. My feet don't like having shoes on though!!!

Love n hugs

Viv

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Viv if it gets any worse I will remember this, at the moment it is not too bad,I have managed to write over fifty Christmas cards ( a couple of weeks ago I couldn't have done), so feel I am getting there, at times my feet feel as if I am on blocks of wood, recently I bought a new pair of boots the shop assistant insisted that the size five fitted even though I usually take a three and a half- to a four, (they didn't have my size) when I got home and tried them on Tony could put two fingers (one behind the other) down the back, needless to say it is difficult when you can't feel the end of your toes.

Lots of love x G x

[TinaWright]

I had it in the ends of my toes and my lips a little bit too, some days were worse for me than others xxx

[Madz]

Thank you both for your swift replies, it's mainly on my right hand and started with a tingle on the first night and now feels like my hand needs to warm up on a cold day - as you say I will tell my onc pre next chemo. Thank you for the reassurance x

[Madz]

Thank Gwyn and Tina X

[TinaWright]

You described it just the way it was for me too Madz.

I was worried about stopping the taxol for the 6th line but was reasurred I`d given it the best and stopping the last one wouldn`t make any difference. Taxol only offers an extra 3% better prognosis anyway, the carboplatin is the main one, taxol is the nasty drug though and that`s the one that makes us lose our hair, it is also only a booster drug like Chris said

To be honest if I was given the choice again I`d still go for it along with all its nasty side effects, only 3% is still worth taking. And if I had permanent neuorpothy as a result then so be it.

Infact after saying all that, my fingers and toes are a little numb tonight but nothing too mager, I thinbk its more down to poor circulation with me now.

xx

[Hidden]

I had pins and needles in my left hand and foot. It came a couple of days after chemo carbo/taxol but had gone by the time the next one was due. After my 4th taxol it was omited as it had not gone by the next chemo (I didn't have taxol on 1st cycle as my daughter was getting married 2 weeks after my 1st chemo and I was worried about loosing my hair). I finished chemo in Oct and still have slight tingling now in left foot and hand.

[Madz]

Thank you - now I know it makes it easier to understand what may happen next, and won't be worried if they want to reduce or omit taxol x

[Hidden]

As if you needed yet another: absolutely usual -- but they definitely need to monitor as it can be damaging long term if gets too bad. I have more or less totally numb fingertips and toes at the moment just as i did on my pre-op chemo cycles -- but it receded fast during the operation 'break' and came surging back as soon as chemo restarted. You can also get in addition to the peripheral neuropathy numbness what they call parasthesia which can be feelings of tickles, tingles, prickles and jerks - it's all connected! Report it and keep reporting how it is, just in case.

sue

[Cadbury]

I was advised by a physiotherapist that peripheral neuropathy, as a result of chemotherapy, can be helped by doing extensor and flexor exercises to the wrists. The exercises encourage the nerves to recover and I found that it worked.

Isabelle

[Gina555]

I have numb bits on the ends of my thumbs (had dose reduced on 4th cycle because of it). It's interesting to hear that physiotherapy can help - I will look on line to see how to do the exercises.

I didn't wear shoes or long sleeves during the chemo, as I thought, if my hands and feet were cold maybe the chemo wouldn't circulate into them so much. Is that mad?

G

[Jan76]

Hi there Madz ..

I took Glutamine ..a protein powder during my chemo to help protect against neuropathy .

I did some research before I started the chemo and it had good reports in protecting against the neuropathy . I ran it passed my consultant and he was fine with me taking it , he said he didnt want me taking Sharks teeth or any Chinese herbal medicine ..well would not take that full stop ...

Fingers and toes are fine after Carbo and Taxol ..

Love Jan xxx