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Rachel01's avatar
Rachel01
Member
9 years ago

clumsiness or side effect of chemo?

Hi all, has anyone else had problems with things just falling out of their hands?  I'm 3 weeks post chemo now (4 cycles AC, 2 Docitaxel, 4 paclitaxel).  The other night I just filled my plate with my dinner and the plate just fell out of my hands and there was food everywhere!!  I didn't put 2 and 2 together until then.  Its happened a few times where I've gone to pick things up and they fall out of my hands.  Is it the neuropathy?  I have had the sensitive finger nails first then toe nails and slight numbness in fingers and feet but nothing too bad.  Physio who I see for lymphedema thinks that it is connected to chemo.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?  Rachel
side-effects

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  • Rachel01's avatar
    Rachel01
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thank you Melclarity and Primek. I'm glad to hear its not only me. I didn't used to be like this either.  There are so many things that we are not told.and the fact that some of these things even get worse once you've finished chemo!  The amount of damage that it does to our bodies.  From being what I thought was fit and healthy, I now feel like I should be in an aged care home!!!!
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Im 9 months on and I do have problems with my hands, same with opening things I dont have the strength or grip. Balance has been a major problem, and I tend to still lose balance. My rehab was great with exercises concentrating on balance. I think the body is just so damn tired all the time, and yes I feel its chemo related I wasnt like this. 
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I found I just couldn't open stuff..
    Even long life milk ...as my grip was effected. I also had some very subtle balance changes as well as my toenails being effected and toes numb on both feet. 7 weeks on I feel my balance is good and sensation returned to hands and vastly improved with feet. Make sure you tell your oncologist. I began to always use 2 hands to move stuff and stopped attempting heavier stuff in case I drop it.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    9 years ago
    Possibly is, so see what can be done to stop it getting any worse. It's not uncommon with the taxol type therapies. I'm three and a half years in and well, but still have damaged feeling (no
    pain) in my feet. Sometimes reducing the dose can help. I was also told that some people find Vitamin B helpful - absolutely no promises but my neuropathy didn't get any worse from the time I started. A mega B a day is unlikely to do any harm but check with your oncologist. It will probably get better (mine is still improving, which is good) but it can take time and can be a thorough nuisance when you could do with a break!
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi @Rachel01 it sure sounds like it ... I dropped things lots when I first had my neuropathy.... I am 3years on from chemo and I am better but still have numbness and pain....