Forum Discussion
My peripheral neuropathy is back with a vengeance
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
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
15 Replies
- @Flaneuse I was ready to try anything and I'm happy with how it's working most times. I smell like a koala but that's better than a skunk.
- @iserbrown and @Locksley Thanks so much for the Vicks tip. I'm going to buy a big tub next time I shop.
- @Locksley will be pleased to know that Vicks is helping. It was her podiatrist that alerted us to it
- 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 - Sorry to hear of the return of the PN, @Flaneuse .... I hope the epsom salts, vicks & B12 helps it!
Hubby is on indefinite Capox chemo for Mets now & one of the side effects is neuropathy - but he also has been having B12 injections for 10 years now (due to losing his stomach to stomach cancer in 2010) and currently, he doesn't have any 'real neuropathy - tho his diabetes causes a little bit of numbness .... not that he complains about it!! So it is definitely worth asking about the injections. It is a 3 monthly thing & it is free on PBS for him (and I. My B12 levels were low too, so I am on it now as well.)
Take care & all the best xx - @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 - 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
- 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 - @iserbrown - wow - that's interesting. I'll dig out the Vicks. Thanks.
