Cancer, chemotherepy question

[thumper]

I am have a terrible time with chemotherepy induced neuropothy (nerve damage) in my hands and feet.

I was taking Taxol which did all of the damage.  I am now taking Alimta. 

I would't come here to discuss this but I'm desperate...

Does anyone have any history with this and what did you do?

[hubcapsc]

Thumper, I read these to get an idea of what you are describing...

http://whocancerpain.wisc.edu/?q=node/319

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20384535

I guess you have a lot of pain in your feet and hands...?

I hope you get some helpful discussion here... I will pray...

-Mike

[KW]

Thumper, I have the EXACT same issues with my feet and hands from the chemotherapy I had in 2006.  I normally would never discus it here in this format, but since you asked and are in need, I’ll share my experience.

First, the bad news, as I’m sure you already know the damage is permanent and irreversible. I have pain 24/7 in my feet. My hands are only affected in cold weather. Both hands and feet discomfort increased immensely during the winter months (and here we are still stuck in Michigan this winter! Ugh!) 

Now the ‘better’ news; you didn’t say how long you’ve been out of Chemo, but it WILL get better. Your body will adjust and you’ll be able to tolerate the pain better to the point that you won’t even think about it . . . I don’t even think about it any more unless for some reason I take off my socks and the only time I don’t have socks on is in the shower or swimming! Learning to wear socks to bed was. .  weird and difficult, but now I can’t even imagine trying to sleep without them! (LOL) And, sometimes I have to wear a little heavier glove while riding.

So, try keeping your hands and feet WARM, even HOT at all times and see if that helps. . . And ask your doctor about the medication I’m on, which is Neurontin (generic name is Gabapentin.) It’s a great drug because it has NO “certain” side effects (there are some listed for the sake of legalities, but they’re extremely rare!) and the dosage can be increased to suit your needs. I take a BIG dosage. The medication has helped me. Ask your doctor about it.

If you want to or need to talk some more, PLEASE send me a message here at the VRCC and I’ll send you my phone number. Or, I can call you if you have to pay for phone minutes.

Take care brother!
KW
(Jerry)

[thumper]

Thanks Mike and Jerry.  Pretty much the conclusion that I have already come to....

It is what it is!

I've resisted going into pain management because I didn't want to become a chemistry set.  Doctor wants me to take Gavapentin...stuff worries me but I'm quickly running out of options.

Oh well.  I can still drag pegs.

[eric in md]

thumper i wish you the best of luck brother. hang in there i enjoy you around .. cant wait to share some more wind with ya   i will pray for ya also.

[KW]

Give the Gabapentin a try. . . .   and the heat therapy. I understand about becoming dependant on them, or even just being a “user”. .  I struggled with the same thing, but I’m glad I “swallowed the pill” (bad pun intended) and tried the medication. I didn’t experience any side effects with the drug, but of course, you still have to pay for it. I tried grabbing it and running for the door once, but the Pharmacist ran me down and beat the tar out of me. . . She’s young, but one tough girl!

Please let me know how it turns out for you brother.
Jerry

(Mike; Good articles! Thanks for posting the links.)