Forum Discussion

Abbydog's avatar
Abbydog
Member
4 years ago

What does peripheral neuropathy of the feet feel like?

I am 15 months on from my Chemo EC and Paclitaxol. 
My feet have felt odd, ever since. I haven't complained much about it to the Onc.
I'm sure it is not a big problem for me. They feel quite normal when standing/weight bearing.
But when I elevate my feet, the soles feel weird. Just not right.
Almost like they are separate. But normal when standing.
Does this sound like PN? There is no pain. 

peripheral-neuropathy
side-effects
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    4 years ago
    Dear @Abbydog

    Anything that messes around with nerve endings is a bit unpredictable so PN symptoms can vary. Mine started with my fingers - classic tingling, right on the tips. But that was soon overtaken by a feeling of ‘disconnection’ in my feet, mainly the toes and back of the heel. The odd feelings however rapidly became painful. 

    After a very unpleasant period of a few weeks, when walking looked seriously compromised, the pain reduced, then vanished but I was left with an assortment of odd feelings - wearing three pairs of thick socks; walking on sponge rubber; a degree of numbness; occasional ‘burning’ sensations. These sensations have abated a bit over the years but can come back from time to time - the last week of unusual humidity in Melbourne hadn’t helped. Oh, and I still have a tiny amount of tingling in my fingertips! 

    The ‘ just not right’ and disconnected feeling sounds very familiar. Problem is, nearly all advice about PN is how to deal with pain. Understandable but not much use if you don’t have any. My odd-feeling feet don’t stop me doing much but yes, I’d love to have them feel normal again. 

    Vitamin B may have helped at the painful stage - I still take it, just in case. 

    Certainly worth discussing with your oncologist. A side effect not noted is a side effect that won’t get attention.

    Best wishes 
  • noosa_blue150's avatar
    noosa_blue150
    Member
    4 years ago
    My toes feel numb , but are not painful. I’ve also found skin of feet seems to form blisters more readily when walking (eg was out walking on sand for a hour and ended up,with a blister on sole of foot ). I have to be careful,and tend to,avoid slip,on shoes now as I find I can trip easily if I’m not careful .
    i had some tingling in hands but they went away once taxcel chemo regime finished 12 months ago . Feet haven’t recovered.
  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    4 years ago
    @Abbydog. 
    I have pn. My finger tips always feel like i have been digging in the dirt. And at different times tingling. 
    As for the feet the toes and the balls of the feet feel fat and pins and needles. Like I’ve been sitting on them and stood up. 
    Occasionally a bit of pain.
     Its been 5 years since they stopped the p/taxol at 8 weeks. They improved slowly but not completely. I am forever misjudging where my toes are and have scraped the ends numerous times. 
    I can relate to Afraser’s description   We each have our own way of explaining the feeling especially the 3 pairs of socks

    be very careful on uneven surfaces they can lead to tipping over and meeting the ground. My physio told me to wear white cotton socks and proper  fitting shoes. I nearly cracked up laughing what are shoes. Accept for sketchers i struggle to know if they are fitting properly or not. 
    Good luck with the feelings coming back to a tolerable level.