joepodolsky Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 I have two numb feet. Technically, they are a peripheral neuropathy. No pain, just numb. They make walking difficult and tiring, but I'm in far better shape than others with more serious forms of peripheral neuropathies. I first got the numbness when I was on Alimta/Avastin. The oncologist said that it was probably a side effect of the Alimta. Now I'm on Tarceva; it's working, but the numbness has not gone away. Does anyone have experience/advice on this side effect? Thanks, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Joe, You may laugh when you see this and the site,but there is good info in this and some suggestions you may want to discuss with Onc about possibilities of treatments here. Deb never really had that problem, so on a personal note I can not help but this is based on The info in this site. Click to be redirected to Site; http://www.ovarian-news.org/neuropathy.html there is good info on this site about Neuropathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepodolsky Posted October 10, 2006 Author Share Posted October 10, 2006 I'm happy to take advice from wherever. Thank you much for the reference. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Ry Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I do have neuropathy in my feet but I have had it before my diagnosis. Various chemo's have increased it, but it usually goes back to what I had before. The Avastin has increased it slightly it seems. I have a very slight rash in my hair, slight fatigue right after treatment. The Avastin has been one of the easiest chemos I have had. Good luck with it all. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Joe, Try vitamin B-6. If you are getting chemo now, ask your doctor first to make sure it doesn't intefere with treatment. Cetaphil lotion and cleanser is great. Make sure whatever you get, it DOESN'T contain MINERAL oil. It is very drying to your skin. Hope this helps... Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom K Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Joe, I was told chemo induced neuropathy almost always goes away 6 to 8 week after the chemo is stopped. Mine however did not. I was also told that if you have ever had your feet and toes frostbit, the chemo could exasperate the nerve damage and result in permanent neuropathy. I have not validated this info with a specialist, but I have learned to live with the neuropathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I took Cisplatin , which by the way is also used for Ovarian cancer, and got neuropathy. It was 8 years ago , (Yippee, 8 years!) and I still have weird feet. They are very sensitive to anything. They demand such things as- perfect fit shoes and No changes! No sand in the shoe! No bare feet! They must wiggle if no shoes on so they can gather info about their surroundings! etc. They are not as bad as when first diagnosed, I don't fall down anymore! I can live with them, and again the good news is - I am living! Donna G PS, sure do hope they figure out a way to prevent people in the future from getting neuropathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Joe, I echo what Karen said -- B-6 up to 600 mg per day. Check with your Doc!! Tony started on this before he even started chemo and never had hand or feet problems. But then again, he could have just been lucky... Good luck and sorry you are going through this garbage! Regards, Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Joe, I had some numbness with my chemo. I was told that it might take up to a year before it goes away. I am at about 11 months and it is reduced to a little tingling in my fingers at times. I may have that before I was diagnosed. Mine was from Taxol. Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Oh I just hate when this happens! I had pretty mild neuropathy from cisplatin two years ago that started to get a little better after about a year. I started having problems with increased neuropathy around my 6-7th dose of Avastin (I just had #10). I don't have continuous numbness, it seems to worsen with my Avstin treatments, then slowly improves just in time for my next dose. My feet and hands are really sensitive to the cold/heat. A couple of things I have found helpful are: + be careful with temperatures in water. I have alot of problems gauging if the water is too hot. I try to use my elbow of write now if I can.....after a few ouches. Put bath mats/suction cups in shower to avoid slipping. + Use had railings no matter how confident you are + Keep your feet and hands active + Keep your doc informed of changes + Read Randy's link, it has some other additional info that could be helpful to you I am hoping that the numbness is only temporary, and that the drug cocktail you are on will work its magic! Best wishes, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbf815 Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 My mom has neurapathy in her hands and feet. The oncologists say she got it from cisplatin. She was on cisplatin/alimta. She has been off of cisplatin for a while and now is on just alimta. The doctor's say that the alimta does not cause neurapathy, even though it is getting worse. I have done research and it does show that alimta does cause neurapathy. My mom has pleural mesothelioma and was diagnosed last November with stage IIIb. They gave her 6-12. My mom responded so well to the cisplatin/alimta that her cancer is inactive. Her cells are not dividing. The meso. traveled outside the pleura and wrapped itself around her esophagus. She had to have a feeding tube in. My mom is just such a strong person. The alimta is making the neurapathy worse but she doesn't have much of a choice. I guess it is something she has to deal with but I don't know if it will be repairable because she has to keep having the treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Ferguson Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Joe, Many chemos result in neuropathy as a side effect especially platinum drugs. It usually goes away. However, I was taken off my last trial because of the numbness. My doctor was worried about the neuropathy not subsiding, and the trial drugs side effects becoming permanant. I think the chemo was paclitaxol and taxotere. It lasted over a year. I did foot baths, and a messager with dry heat and vibration. Hope that helps. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marym Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Hi Joe, I have some neuropathy - but only in the right foot. I'm on Taxotere. So far the neurpathey is very intermitten and hasn't presented much of a problem. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepodolsky Posted October 16, 2006 Author Share Posted October 16, 2006 Thanks to everyone for their comments. I've had many of the chemos mentioned, although the numbness showed up when I was on an Alimta/Avastin combination. I'll talk to my oncologist about the vitamin B6. Take care, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted October 16, 2006 Share Posted October 16, 2006 Joe, Have the same problem especially at night trying to sleep. I take Gabapentin at night and it does help. Just a thought. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepodolsky Posted October 16, 2006 Author Share Posted October 16, 2006 Thanks Rich. I'll ask the oncologist about that one, too. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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