Hand Foot Syndrome and/or Neuropathy

[CincinnatiExperience]

Hi All,

I have asked about this one before on this list, but with a new year, perhaps it is time to see if anyone has any new ideas. I am on Faslodex, Verzenio, Zometa, and now Retacrit (Procrit), along with pain meds, etc., but it is certainly one of the first three that is causing the problem in my hands and feet.

For those of you who do not have this issue, hand foot syndrome causes redness, pain and swelling in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Neuropathy causes sharp, jolting pains in the hands and feet, along with taking away much of the feeling. My fingertips are basically "gone" with pain as well. The foot part started in my toes, but now sometimes goes all the way back to my heals.

A very nice nurse practitioner recommended Alpha Lipoic Acid which I take three times a day. I use a CBD roll-on for my fingers and feet, and the pain med helps somewhat. I also try to soak my feet in epsom salts when I have time to do it. Warmth of a heating pad helps when they are really sore.

Has anyone with this issue found anything wonderful to recommend?

Thanks, and good luck to all with your own particular issues.

Anne (in Cincinnati)

[Bestbird]

Anne, I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS) and neuropathy, both of which can cause a good deal of pain. Although I don't have either issue, I've been on MBC forums for years and have done extensive research regarding side effects. Below from my book, "The Insider's Guide to Metastatic Breast Cancer" (which is also available as a complimentary .pdf) is a list of items that have helped other patients deal with HFS and neuropathy, respectively. Each item is explained more fully in the Guide, with links to related studies. For additional information, please visit insidersguidembc.com I hope you find relief very soon!

Anne (in Salt Lake City)

Non-Drug Therapies for HFS:

•Activ-Flex Bandages

•Aloe Vera

•Biafine Cream

•Coconut Oil and Water Soak

•Emollients

•Emu Oil

•Gloves or socks on the area

•Henna Paste

•Ice Packs during Chemotherapy

•Liquid Bandages

•MEBO Cream (Moist Exposed Burn Ointment)

•Milkweed Balm

•Urea Cream (10%)

•Vitamin B6

•Vitamin E

•Shoes that are Very Comfortable!

Non-Drug Therapies for Neuropathy-related Pain:

•Acupuncture

•Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)

•Amino Acids

•Calmare Scrambler Therapy

•Capsaicin Cream

•Exercise

•Herbs

•Infrared Heating Pad

•Lidoderm Patches

•Massage

•Milkweed Balm

•Nerve Repair Optimizer

•Neuropathy Support Formula

•Physical Therapy

•Penetrex and other topicals

•Reiki

•Shoes that are Comfortable

•Topricin Pain Cream

•Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit

[theresac1]

Hello Anne! YES! I have problems with my feet. Especially recently! My toes hurt and feel numb. My hands are stiff, and feel tingly. I wear wrist braces at night, which seems to help. I was thinking it is arthritis, but it is probably the medicine. I am on Zometa, Ibrance and Femera. I have been on these 3 since July 2017.

[Topood]

I have some hand issues with Xeloda...numbness and skin cracking....I worry a little bit about not being able to put my contacts in soon. But I haven’t had any swelling or skin peeling yet, and I wonder if it’s because I’ve been able to be pretty active....I walk two or three miles a day and think/hope that that activity helps keep some symptoms at bay...I was inspired by another member of this group who sounds like she works out really hard every day. I’m not up to that, and just two months ago had trouble going up a flight of stairs, so I know that everyone has a different exercise tolerance, but thought I would suggest it just in case it was appropriate.

[Cynzona]

I find soaking my feet in ice water and rosin salts works for me and stay away from hot water or heat

[blms]

Thanks for tip on ALC and dosage. I rake it but inky 1 daily so I’ll up to help protect