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Stage 3 OC. round 4 of chemo Lots of... - SHARE Ovarian Can...
Stage 3 OC. round 4 of chemo Lots of numbness that is not dissipating. Should I ask doc to adjust treatment of hope it goes away?
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Moirac
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It sounds like you may have neuropathy. Definitely discuss it with your doctor. For many of us neuropathy dissipates with time after we finished chemo.
When you speak with your doctor think ahead of time whether it has progressed with each cycle or has it remained the same. For me my first cycle is where I developed neuropathy but it didn’t get any worse with subsequent treatments. I think it was because I got severely dehydrated after the first cycle but made sure to drink lots of water and stimulated my feet during and after chemo for the rest of them.
The second thing to think about is how much is it affecting your day to day life. Some of us it is more of an annoyance. For others it can be very debilitating.
Best wishes - Gwen
I also had the neuropathy in my fingers and toes. My oncologist put me on Zofran, which is an antidepressant with a side benefit of helping with the neuropathy. She also said we could add Gabapentin, but it was bearable for me so we never did.
I was told the nerve problems can disappear after you are done with treatments. Sometimes they don’t. Mine is much better although my toes still tend to go numb, especially when I’m on my feet for long periods of time.
If you aren’t on any meds for the pain and numbness ask your oncologist what they suggest.
~ hope you get relief!
Thank you so much. That is helpful.
Moirac, if you're having carbo taxol or carbo doxil they should be icing your hands and feet beginning 10-15 minutes before and then during the infusions. I drink Nuun with glutamine powder in cold water. I have only the tiniest trace of neuropathy and I am in my 3rd year of treatment, first reoccurrence. You can search the HealthUnlocked/Ovacome website and find dozens of entries about neuropathy with tips from other posters.
Thank you. So your cancer returned after 3 years? Is that typical?
Moira, The recurrence rate for my diagnosis is quite high at about 85%. I am extremely fortunate to have had a 20 month remission after front line. Some women have longer, many women have less. The only thing typical about this disease is every single woman's experience is unique. What works for one may not work for another.
This forum is the most powerful and generous support group I've found. I stopped going to my real-time, in person group because I found this group of women and their carer's to be far more accessible and sharing. I can logon in the middle of the night when I can't sleep and there is nearly always someone to chat with. People here have been to hell and found ways to cope with this potentially soul crushing disease. When we get low we know someone who understands is here to listen and respond. We share triumphs and small everyday joys that make a life. I have never met any of them in person, but I LOVE THEM ALL. Gotta run, getting chemo in an hour!
If you are having numbness in your hands or feet during your chemo treatments, your team should be told, they will adjust appropriately. At least mine did. They also ask me if I were feeling any numbness prior to every treatment.
🙏 that the issue resolves soon and you can just focus on getting through this course and back to feeling better. 🦋
Jules
Neuropathy is common and lasted me to date 4 yrs
Ask your doctor, yes. I got mild neuropathy and it hasn't gone away yet. I had lots of acupuncture, also took L Glutamine and Alpha Lipoic Acid as my doc told me.
I guess, no matter what, one should try the supplements.
My doc says still it might go away. It’s been about 2 years. After remission, then recurrence, I had another round (just finished) but this combo didn’t seem to increase it. Carbo-Gemzar. The numbing is actually mild and doesn’t bother me, but I am confused because some tell me it can get worse, but others don’t seem to suggest that.
I think they reduce the dosage in response to numbing. Good luck.
I was in a wheelchair 8 months with carbo-taxol first then carbo-taxotere. Twenty one total... then last jan rediagnosed with spleen cancer so they did six carbo and gemsar. Carbo gemsar was def better tolerated. Still residual neuropathy in my feet. I take lions mane and it helps. Def talk to them please🙏🏼❤️
