Many people experience the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy as a result of chemotherapy treatment. Peripheral neuropathy is sensations of numbness, tingling, burning or ‘pins and needles’ in your feet.
Peripheral neuropathy is caused by impairment to nerves, most commonly the sensory nerves (nerves that sense touch, heat or pain). As chemotherapy moves throughout the body to target and kill cancer cells, it can also cause damage to nerve cells.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can start any time after chemotherapy is started and can worsen as the treatment continues.
The most common symptoms include:
• Pain, burning or tingling in fingers, toes, hands and feet
• Loss of sensation to touch
• Difficulty picking things up or buttoning clothes
• Weakness, cramping or pain in hands and/or feet
• Sensitivity to temperature extremes
• Muscle weakness and balance problems
• Constipation
• Decreased reflexes
If you have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, malnutrition or vitamin B deficiencies you will be at a higher risk of developing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Previous chemotherapy or radiation treatment will also increase the risks of peripheral neuropathy.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may decrease over a 6 month period after treatment is completed, unfortunately is some cases the nerve damage is irreversible.
Suggestions that may help with comfort and to relieve symptoms include:
• Splinting and protecting affected area.
• Massage, physical therapy, and acupuncture.
• Use of vitamins, especially B vitamins (B-1 and B-12).
• Prescribed medication such as steroids, lidocaine patches, capsaicin creams, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, and pain medications.
• Protect your feet where sensation is decreased (wear good footwear and protect from injury).
• Be aware of temperature changes, such as extreme cold or hot (check water temperature of your shower and bath water, use gloves when doing housework).
• Always check for any cuts, abrasions, burns and injury to hands and feet.
• Don’t drink alcohol as this may make symptoms worse over time.
• Use handrails and/or canes if needed for balance.
Many people ask about chemotherapy and peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are an unwanted and challenging side effect of chemotherapy for many people. By boosting the B vitamins (especially B-1 and B-12) the symptoms of numbness, tingling and burning may be reduced. NeuRemedy will help those people who are suffering the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy as a result of nerve damage from chemotherapy where low B vitamins is the cause.
