Hello folks, I've been away a long time, trying to get on with life and deal with other health issues. I thought others may be interested in this issue that has arisen for me lately.Three years yesterday since the end of chemo, it seems that my peripheral neuropathy is back. I've had a residual numbness in the front of my feet - particularly my left foot - for some time, but put that down to worsening arthritis. The toes have gradually become more misshapen. Also increasing arthritic pain in my hands. But about six months ago, I started having burning sensations on the skin of my feet - toes, instep, ankles, and some parts of my hands. My GP ordered a range of blood tests and - other than a wobble in my thyroid levels and B12 deficiency - she said there was nothing to indicate anything other than to infer that it was a return and increase of the PN. My podiatrist said the same. I'd seen my medical oncologist for my annual a couple of months ago and hadn't mentioned it to her at that time because I hadn't thought it was related to the cancer. I was blaming arthritis. Interesting. Nothing to do except keep walking. A masseuse last week did intense foot massage and did toothpick pricking around my nails. I now do that myself most nights. She also suggested epsom salts (magnesium) foot baths. On my next shopping list. Greetings to anyone still on here that I used to "know".Cheers,Fran

Thanks for that, @arpie. All the best to your husband and to you.I used Vicks yesterday twice and I do think it gave some relief.xx

@Locksley will be pleased to know that Vicks is helping. It was her podiatrist that alerted us to it

@iserbrown and @Locksley Thanks so much for the Vicks tip. I'm going to buy a big tub next time I shop.

@Afraser @Keeping_positive1 @iserbrown Thanks for your comments. I'll see how I go on the new B12 tablets. If there's improvement, OK. If not, I'll ask the GP about injections. Am certainly going to continue with massage. And try the magnesium foot baths.All the best to you all.

There was a discussion on this very topic recently and this was offered:"Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems. Warm/Cool Baths and Showers - Excellent de-stressors and can help with reducing pain"

My peripheral neuropathy is back with a vengeance

iserbrown
Member
4 years ago
@Flaneuse

Hi Fran

A topic that is discussed in the current issue of the Beacon

Ask the expert: Peripheral neuropathy | Beacon (bcna.org.au)
Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
I understand that a symptom of low B12 can be peripheral neuropathy. And because you have low B12 is it suggested you have a B12 injection? I hope it improves for you soon, best wishes and stay safe.
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
Dear @Flaneuse

Good to hear from you, but sorry to hear about your PN flare up. I started taking MegaB on the advice of an oncology nurse years ago . On the basis that it’s unlikely to do any harm, I still take it. My PN was quite severe in my feet, making walking difficult at one time. I stopped having pain quite quickly but still have odd sensations in my feet - sometimes not much, sometimes quite a bit, can’t make out any pattern. Feeling as if you are walking on foam rubber sounds quite pleasant, but it doesn’t do much for your balance! I walk a lot though and feel that it helps, just push through the jangled and confused nerve endings! You may like to investigate vitamin B further with your GP. I have also found foot massage provides short term improvement - sadly not long term but if/when we get out of lockdown, I’ll be having one of those! Best wishes.
Flaneuse
Member
4 years ago
@Afraser @Keeping_positive1 @iserbrown Thanks for your comments. I'll see how I go on the new B12 tablets. If there's improvement, OK. If not, I'll ask the GP about injections. Am certainly going to continue with massage. And try the magnesium foot baths.
All the best to you all.
iserbrown
Member
4 years ago
There was a discussion on this very topic recently and this was offered:

"Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems. Warm/Cool Baths and Showers - Excellent de-stressors and can help with reducing pain"
iserbrown
Member
4 years ago
PN in toes — BCNA Online Network
Flaneuse
Member
4 years ago
@iserbrown - wow - that's interesting. I'll dig out the Vicks. Thanks.
Zoffiel
Member
4 years ago
Hi @Flaneuse I'm still lurking around in the background. Don't post much anymore--not much to say and I loath the bloody hug thing. Don't start me on patriarchal systems that dictate women would rather be hugged than told they are awesome...

Anyway, I digress.

WTF with the return of the PN? It's bad enough the first time, and all the treatments I tried seemed to make only a marginal difference. I figured that everything I tried just allowed more time to pass which, in the end, I credit with getting rid of the worst of mine. Time and possibly the weirdo circulation booster thingo my mother bought me. That genuinely seemed to help, but they are not cheap. See if you can borrow one for a trial--there must be thousands of them lurking under beds across the country, hanging out with dusty foot spas.

All this must be so frustrating, I don't think we ever consider our feet until they stop bloody working. I've still got a degree of PN, 4 years after my last treatment. And I've developed two hammer toes which have totally cruelled the chances of ever wearing a stylish shoe again...

Good to hear from you, even if it's for a shitty reason.

I'm off to try to dig the rabbits out from under my house. I'm not kidding.

Marg XX
Zoffiel
Member
4 years ago
Oh, by the way, if you are going to buy epsom salts, try to find a gardening supply or stock feed place (don't know how many there are in the city) You can get a 25 kg bag for about $30, which beats the hell out of paying $8 for 500gm. It's exactly the same stuff and will last for years. M
Flaneuse
Member
4 years ago
@Zoffiel - Great to hear from you. You've always been my greatest good vibes voice !
Thanks for the tip on epsom salts. There's a stock feed place not terribly far away. I used to go there for chook pellets for our community garden.
I agree re the hug thing. It always bugged me when I lived in France that people thought it was ok to do the double-cheeked kiss thing, even though I was a total stranger.
I've got one of the foot vibrator things. My daughter gave me a hand-down one. I actually thought they were NOT good for PN - don't know where I got that idea from. So I'll dig it out of the cupboard again.
Interesting that the residual PN is there for you too. It's shitty that so many elements of our treatment and side-effects are here forever. I used to love painting my toenails and having them nice. Mine are still raised, ridged and horrible. And my hair is becoming increasingly straight. Fortunately I've discovered a new hairdresser with magic hands, who makes it look decent.
Hammer toes are a horror; poor you. A friend who's a paramedic had hers operated on last year. She'd got to the stage she couldn't walk in her work boots.
Rabbits among your pesky wildlife now! I didn't realise they would burrow under a house. Little buggers.
They're illegal in Qld. I love eating rabbit and we can only buy them frozen here, from specialist butchers.
Take care.
Fran