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Bon_Bon
Member
6 years ago

Tripping on my own feet

help! I keep tripping, I finished chemo at the end of 2017 with some hand and feet neuropathy. Does this happen to anyone else? And does anyone have any tips to help with this problem?
  • It’s not unusual. I didn’t trip too often but lived in mortal terror of doing so. Particularly for the relatively short period when my feet hurt badly. Most people find neuropathy improves once chemo stops but not always. Mine is still improving at a glacial speed (6 years) so there’s hope! 
  • I guess seeing a podiatrist might help in case you have developed a gait issue that can be corrected.
    The other thing is to be mindful of shoe choices...sandals not thonfs for instance....soles that don't flap. Heels not too high...etc etc. 
  • Mine was worst in the hands. I couldn't believe I kept dropping things. It was annoying but in time I adapted and its ok now. The human body is very adaptable.

  • Yep. I fell over all the time. I looked like a 5 year old with scabby knees and gravel rash on my hands for quite a while. Most of these things improve with time, but I took a hiking pole with me on most walks in the early days and still take one if I'm going anywhere that I know there will be rough ground. 
    The other thing I have found really helps is the simple exercise of standing on one foot. For as long as you can, as often as you can. I mean every time you think of it--it's OK to hang onto something to balance if you need to. One you feel a bit stable, try raising you heels--you don't have to go right up onto your toes, just enough to get all those little muscles in your feet and ankles working. I don't think it helps with the nerve damage, apart form the obvious benefit of improving circulation, but it does give you extra strength that can help you recover if you have a bit of a stumble..
  • Very common. A year after the end of chemo, my balance is still shot. I have ongoing physio to try to improve it with exercises. All the best.