Forum Discussion
foot problems after chemo
Hello all you helpful fellow sufferers
After lots of chemo with bearable side effects, I found the 3rd session of FEC very difficult.Nasea; diarrhoea and exhaustion along with something like bronchitis.Feeling much better now and waiting for surgery but have very painful feet. Plantar/palmar? I read that iceblocks could help but it didn't for me. Any suggestions please?
Thanks
After lots of chemo with bearable side effects, I found the 3rd session of FEC very difficult.Nasea; diarrhoea and exhaustion along with something like bronchitis.Feeling much better now and waiting for surgery but have very painful feet. Plantar/palmar? I read that iceblocks could help but it didn't for me. Any suggestions please?
Thanks
13 Replies
If you have a chronic disease management plan you can get a variety of subsidized visits. If you don't have one, ask your GP (and don't freak about the term chronic) The foot issues need attention, I would have preferred to see an exercise physiologist to put together a program to address all my post chemo debilitation, but there wasn't one available here.
I ended up going to a podiatrist. Predictably, she want to sell me orthotics, but since I couldn't afford them we worked on some specific stretches for my plantar fascia and my Achilles tendon, both of which were giving me significant grief. It helped.
My feet still don't feel 'right' and if I don't concentrate I can trip over them. Which is really embarrassing and has resulted in almost permanent scabby knees.
- Neuropathy usually reduces but not always. Five and a half years later I am not anticipating much more improvement. No pain, but my feet fluctuate from feeling spongy, not so well connected to the ground to slightly burny. Walking helps, standing for any length of time doesn't.
- A physiotherapist specialising in post operative breast cancer treatments may help. Currently I'm having physio due to lymphedema. In conversation she shared that she treats several patients with neuropathy - feet & hands, especially associated numbness, pins & needles or pain in the extremities.
- Thank you for sharing this. I am now taking Lyrica and hoping it will help I will try an excercise ball too. I hope the neuropathy does .not last. How long did you suffer from it ?
- I had to stop chemo 3/4 of the way through due to peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) which feels like walking on pebbles, and numbness in parts of the feet. Also have it in my hands - I keep dropping things - pins and needles and some numbness. Lyrica helps with the "electric-type shocks" pain. All the best to you.
- My oncologist prescribed Lyrica with caution. And an excercise ball for both my feet and hands. I had thought massage was not a good idea. She suggested acupuncture if I can find a local one.
No improve yet but here's hoping. - Hubby had a bit of neuropathy in his feet when having chemo following surgery for his stomach cancer ... he had to be 'really careful' walking around the house in particular - as he would almost trip on the pattern of the carpet! :(
All the best for your ongoing treatment xxx - Your description is very much how my peripheral neuropathy started. I used to feel like I was walking on fine, sharp gravel, which was very painful. I was lucky, in that it didn't ever really extend up my legs. I can't remember how long it took, but 3 years after completing chemo, I don't have the pain when walking at all. Still feel a little clumsy on my feet at times, but that could also just be me
How did your appointment go today? - Dear@judys
How did you go with your appointment? May well be hand foot syndrome, but if there is no redness or blisters, might it be peripheral neuropathy? That can cause really painful feet - usually has some tingling, pins and needles feelings first. Best wishes. - I get that same thing @judys. I will be interested to hear what your onc says.
