Neuropathy. No taste.

[WildflowerTheWarrior]

Hi all

I just finished six rounds of carbo/taxol and I’m done. I’m experiencing neuropathy in my feet. Hard to get to sleep at night. It hurts.

Also I have no taste and actually anything I put in my mouth has a disgusting taste.

Have you experienced this? Thank God chemo is done because I imagine it would just get worse.

Thoughts? What do you take to help with the neuropathy?

Wildflower The Warrior

[Jenjill47]

I had mild neuropathy and loss of taste too. I'm not sure if I just got used to the neuropathy, but I don't notice now. I made sure to do lots of stretches with my feet and toes. As far as the taste problem - I know it is awful. Everything tasted like chalk. Give it time Wildflower!

[Ruebacelle]

Go to pharmacist ask for homeopathic remedies also you can research glutamine. Taste i dont know about but flushing chemo out wifh lots of water may help. Goood luck

[hellore1]

You might want to give acupuncture a try. Also, I used a cannabis lotion for neuropathy in my hand. Feel better

[mizpurple]

I was prescribed gabapentin for the neuropathy (most helpful). Also taking vitamin B6 and B12. Acupuncture helped also. On particularly tough evenings, I'll do an Epsom salts foot bath and give my feet a good massage. I try to keep my feet warm when sleeping with loose fitting socks (loose so they can be easily kicked off). Neuropathy is a misery - many women find it abates after chemo ends, but I wasn't lucky that way. Hope you are! The unpleasant taste thing will pass. I found that eating black licorice or sucking a mint helped with being able to drink lots of water and distracted me from the offer safe. Best wishes from Deb in Colorado

[WildflowerTheWarrior in reply to mizpurple]

Thanks for your response! I had heard a little about B6 and B12. I’ll ask about it. Water is usually my “go to” beverage of choice but even that tastes awful. I’ll wait it out I suppose It’s got to be right around the corner.

[Supermary]

I have a question wildflowerWhile doing the chemo did you keep your hands and feet in ice bags?

[WildflowerTheWarrior in reply to Supermary]

Good question. No I didn’t. Would it have helped?

[lovemy3dogs in reply to WildflowerTheWarrior]

I used the ice bags. Not sure if it helped or not since it's hard to prove a negative. I also had physical therapy and acupuncture. I also used a foot massager. I take B6 and B12. Also glucosamine and condroitin. As for taste, I found I liked spicy foods during chemo, especially Mexican. Also pastries rather than ice cream or just chocolate. I think I needed stronger flavors.

[Archeveritas]

Hi Wildflower. These idle effects are different for everyone. I didn’t have the taste issue but the neuropathy has been bad. It has been 4 years and it has only gotten worse for me. My fingers recovered but my feet did not. I tried the vitamins and prescribed drugs and nothing worked for me. I have learned to live with it. I buy my shoes a half size bigger. Can’t handle any pressure squeezing my feet. I pray that your’s will ease with time.

[WildflowerTheWarrior in reply to Archeveritas]

Oh no I’m so sorry to hear it’s gotten worse. Stupid chemo!

[Supermary]

I used the ice bags both on my hands and On my feet For every chemo treatment

I can’t say it is why I didn’t get neuropathy but maybe it did help

[Maddog1234]

I got ovarian cancer in 2017. That is a hard treatment. i experienced the same effects. I am on my 7th different chemo treatments after 4.5 years. Currently on alimta. Not fun either but everytime i do a different treatment the cancer reacts well initially until it doesnt. I take pain meds daily for stomach pain and gabapentin for neuropathy. I do have mild cases of ascites which cause severe pain but im always told its not enough to tap! It frustrating as hell because if they remove a small amount i feel great. So i suffer needlessly with that! Main concern now is future blockage of my bowels. scary as hell. One day at a time and one fight a time!