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10/29/2007: "Neuropathy"
The doctors and nurses throw the word neuropathy around as a common side effect for chemotherapy and due to cancerous tumors around the nerves. Diabetes maybe the most common cause, but it can also occur with herpes, HIV-AIDS, alchoholism, and exposure to nuerotoxins like chemotherapy. Essentially, it’s a loss of feeling in your legs, hands and/or feet. I have been dealing with it for some time, but I am not sure I will ever get comfortable with it.
It first appeared in my case back in the summer of 2005. I was on a chemo regimen called FOLFOX, which included the drug Oxiloplatin. This is a platinum-based drug that causes loss of feeling in your extremities. Once I got off the drug and asked the doctor when the numbness might go away, he said six months to a year. That was over two years ago and I still have very little feeling in my fingers and toes.
This recent run with Xeloda, also had a side effect of messing with my hands and feet. Not only did it bring pain but a red blistering as well. I have been off it over a month now and still have pain, numbness and skin trouble. This week when the nurse asked about any pain that I might be experiencing, I mentioned my hands and feet. She understood and said that nerve damage takes awhile to heal.
Nerve damage?! I hadn’t thought of it that way. Makes it sound worse for some reason.
The doctors and nurses are quick to offer a prescription to help you deal with the pain and discomfort. I just have a hard time accepting a prescription drug to counter the side effects of another drug. Sounds a little too cyclical and unhealthy to me. My comment is always the same. “Thanks but no thanks, I am on enough drugs.” In the meantime, I wait and anticipate the return of feelings in my hands and feet and a decrease in pain.
Replies: 5 Comments
on Wednesday, November 14th, qozo said
You are right.
on Wednesday, October 31st, Margie Powell said
It is Halloween night. I just returned from Julie's. Halloween was always a special time for the Proutys and the Powells. I really miss our times together. Julie was saying how much she missed seeing you and wished she had been able to go to the mountain luncheon. Just want you to know that you are never out of our thoughts and prayers.
All of our love, Jim and Margie
on Wednesday, October 31st, Marcia Russell said
Agent Orange exposure is also believed to cause neuropathy, often in the feet. My father was diagnosed two years ago. I'm glad to hear a possible treatment is on the horizon. It's scary to think that chemo can have same side effects though.
on Tuesday, October 30th, Shannon Greene said
Hi Doug,
Yes, I'm one of the 90% that mostly lurk, but I'm always here. We'll be sending out some goblins tomorrow night to scare the tumors away!
Anyhow, just a quick thought, its not shingles right? I'm sure your nurse would know, but just checking.
Take care, our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Shannon Greene
on Monday, October 29th, Laura Huerta said
Doug,
I suffer with neuropathy, too, which worsened after the chemo I underwent for breast cancer. I didn't realize that you were also suffering from it, or I would have mentioned previously to you that I'm currently seeing a doctor (Dr. Saputo) who is testing a new machine for UCSF for the treatment of neuropathy. It's called a photon stimulator machine, and it's the only one in usage in the world. Dr. Saputo just moved his office to 1620 Riviera Avenue in Walnut Creek. His phone number is 935-7500, and his website is www.healthmedicine.org. I've been receiving weekly treatments on my feet for the past month, and the difference is like a miracle. I've suffered from neuropathy since I was 15, and now my feet feel almost normal. Since you're not interested in further drugs, perhaps this would be an option for you.
