I finished chemo 10 weeks ago but my feet continue to burn to the extent that walking is painful and the pain never eases. Fingers tingle but bearable. No pain killers have helped neither has massage. Anyone got any tips what might help? It’s getting worse not better.

I ended up getting some subsided visits to a podiatrist through my GP.. I, too, was at my wit's end though thankfully not reduced to using a walker. I've got tender feet, achilles tendonitis, plantar fascia issues, numb toes, myalgia in my legs...blah, blah blah.The podiatrist, predictably, wanted to sell me orthotics. I succumbed and that was a waste of $180, though I had to try. Then she taped my ankles and half way up my legs. That helped, but then I got a reaction to the tape. Ive paid for massages, bought reflexology balls and tried aaseries of stretches (worthwhile) The thing that has given me some relief putting my feet on one of those circulation boosters. That in itself can be a bit painful but if you tinker with the settings it does seem to help. You can't use them if you have clotting issues but it is something you can try while sitting at your desk working so it doesn't take up extra time. It might be an idea to see if you can borrow one to try. I still hobble like an old crone when I get up in the morning or get out of the car, but it's made sitting at the computer more bearable.

I had the same thing after Paclitaxel @Barks34 .The best thing I can recommend is good quality thongs (?flipflops), with orthotic foot bed, and lots of urea cream, morning and night.

It may well be peripheral neuropathy. Fingers sound definitely pn but burning feet is a symptom too. Unfortunately it may take some time to reduce after chemo is finished. I found vitamin B helped (just an ordinary Mega B. Check with your oncologist but it's unlikely to do any harm. Paraffin wax pedicures felt good, don't know if they actually reduced anything but when your feet hurt like that, anything that feels good for a while is worth a shot. The nerve endings are damaged but can recover. I can't comment on thongs, I have never been able to wear them and my toes were particularly sensitive so I never left them uncovered when I had the problem - the thought of bumping them on something or worse, someone standing on my toes was horrible. Best wishes.

Lots of people swear by magnesium. I found ensuring my feet never got cold as it was so much worse. It slowly improved over 6 months.

hello Barks 34, I've never had Chemo but for seven years have been taking oestrogen blockers - Arimidex then Exemastane. I've also had Herceptin infusions every three weeks. Five years ago my feet became tender when I needed to stand or walk - an apparent weight bearing tenderness - as though severely bruised. In the last 12mths it has impacted on my quality of life and I decided to use a walker which does mean I can move although still very painful.There are no other symptoms. We have tried about 10 different medications including Lyrica (agh!), Plexane, Targin, Endep, Codeine, patches etc. Nothing has made any difference. I have settled on Voltaren and Panadol. Voltaren late at night means that I can stand in the morning. In these five years I have tried everything - heat, cold, Tens machine, acupuncture, epsom salts baths, magnesium supps and a few other things. Nothing has made any difference and neither my GP or oncologist have any idea as to the cause. They made an appointment for a Pain Doctor who was also a bit baffled and couldn't recommend any further drugs. At his suggestion I'm about to attend a couple of pain management seminars and I'm keeping an open mind although I admit to being skeptical, hmmm.... Sorry if my story reads as gloom and doom, at times I get fed up with the pain and there are a few tears - it hurts - my only option has been to adapt my lifestyle and make the most of a 'good' day when it comes. I wear Sketches and in summer Sketches Thongs which they call 'Yoga Foam'. Pursue your pain issues with your GP and I hope you find something that eases your pain. xBeryl

“Burning” feet | Online Network

Patti_J
Member
7 years ago
I had the same thing after Paclitaxel @Barks34 .The best thing I can recommend is good quality thongs (?flipflops), with orthotic foot bed, and lots of urea cream, morning and night.
Afraser
Member
7 years ago
It may well be peripheral neuropathy. Fingers sound definitely pn but burning feet is a symptom too. Unfortunately it may take some time to reduce after chemo is finished. I found vitamin B helped (just an ordinary Mega B. Check with your oncologist but it's unlikely to do any harm. Paraffin wax pedicures felt good, don't know if they actually reduced anything but when your feet hurt like that, anything that feels good for a while is worth a shot. The nerve endings are damaged but can recover. I can't comment on thongs, I have never been able to wear them and my toes were particularly sensitive so I never left them uncovered when I had the problem - the thought of bumping them on something or worse, someone standing on my toes was horrible. Best wishes.
Afraser
Member
7 years ago
I have no idea how the smiley with sunglasses got there! Should read Mega B!
primek
Member
7 years ago
Lots of people swear by magnesium. I found ensuring my feet never got cold as it was so much worse. It slowly improved over 6 months.
Beryl_C_
Member
7 years ago
hello Barks 34, I've never had Chemo but for seven years have been taking oestrogen blockers - Arimidex then Exemastane. I've also had Herceptin infusions every three weeks. Five years ago my feet became tender when I needed to stand or walk - an apparent weight bearing tenderness - as though severely bruised. In the last 12mths it has impacted on my quality of life and I decided to use a walker which does mean I can move although still very painful.There are no other symptoms. We have tried about 10 different medications including Lyrica (agh!), Plexane, Targin, Endep, Codeine, patches etc. Nothing has made any difference. I have settled on Voltaren and Panadol. Voltaren late at night means that I can stand in the morning. In these five years I have tried everything - heat, cold, Tens machine, acupuncture, epsom salts baths, magnesium supps and a few other things. Nothing has made any difference and neither my GP or oncologist have any idea as to the cause. They made an appointment for a Pain Doctor who was also a bit baffled and couldn't recommend any further drugs. At his suggestion I'm about to attend a couple of pain management seminars and I'm keeping an open mind although I admit to being skeptical, hmmm.... Sorry if my story reads as gloom and doom, at times I get fed up with the pain and there are a few tears - it hurts - my only option has been to adapt my lifestyle and make the most of a 'good' day when it comes. I wear Sketches and in summer Sketches Thongs which they call 'Yoga Foam'. Pursue your pain issues with your GP and I hope you find something that eases your pain. xBeryl
primek
Member
7 years ago
@"Beryl C." I'm curious if you have diabetes also?. There is a rare condition that can occur in the bones of the feet that is difficult to detect in the early stages that can present as you describe.
Karenhappyquilt
Member
7 years ago
I also wake up with burning feet from time to time, it’s very unpleasant. Haven’t worked out what causes it or how to get rid of it. So interested in this topic.
Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
Soaking feet in an epsoms salts bucket helps. Avoid having feet in the sunlight and only walk outside of solar intensity on walks. My feet are so tender I can get blisters both on my heels and under my feet after a few kms. I get around it by not wearing shoes and limiting my walks to beach sand only. Just do what your body allows and try not to stress.
Beryl_C_
Member
7 years ago
Hello Primek, I am not diabectic (my GP did the blood tests) and my rheumatologist arranged for an ultra-sound and x-rays which showed nothing. My skin is ok - there are no symptoms other than seriously tender feet when they are required to bear weight.
Barks34
Member
7 years ago
It’s a bit hard to “ do what your body allows” when there are work and family commitments. I am not wealthy so staying home all day with feet up getting fat is not an option. I have already had a lot of time off due to surgery and treatment, having to travel 800 kms round trip to do so doesn’t help. “Stress less” I may if I wasn’t in constant pain and could get some relief.