Peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy

Dear Oldwoodsie

Thank you for writing in with your question to us at ask a nurse. My name is Gemma, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists here at the Macmillan support line.

I see you are already a member of some of our forums, I hope you find them supportive places to visit.

I do not underestimate just how debilitating peripheral neuropathy can be and am sorry to read that you are feeling at the end of your tether. It’s good you are keeping a positive mind set as much as possible, this is a great thing, but can be difficult to maintain ALL the time.  Especially when your treatment has left you with this sort of daily reminder! 

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for it at present, just various ways to manage and minimise the symptoms. We have a section with general tips for living with peripheral neuropathy available on our website here.

I see from another one of your posts that your GP has prescribed gabapentin and codeine with some effect for your symptoms. It can be a good idea to start with your GP when looking into what else they can offer to improve the control you have so far.

You might like to consider some other approaches to dealing with these symptoms. If you have not already been assessed by a pain team, this is something you could ask to be referred for. They would do a fresh assessment of your symptoms and be able to consider medication and non-medication approaches to help. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists may also be able to offer helpful solutions.

Some people find TENS therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) good; this is where electrical impulses are directed to the nerves from a small box, through sticky pads on the skin,  causing the problem. It works by overriding and blocking the nerve signals to the brain.

Another technique that is thought to work in the same way is acupuncture.  Many studies suggest an overall reduction in peripheral neuropathy symptoms from having this form of complementary therapy.

There’s no right or wrong way to feel when you are living with the long-term effects of cancer treatment. Another way of helping to managing is to access psychological support. We have a partnership with BUPA where we can offer free access to up to 4 sessions of counselling, and the psychological impact of cancer when treatment is over is very much relevant. While this does not change the physical symptoms, it can help to build on coping mechanisms and reinforce that positive mindset you keep.

Peripheral neuropathy is an area of ongoing research. Trials are a way of accessing up and coming treatments, they tend to have strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. If trials appeal to you, you can look at current trials on the British peripheral nerve society website here.

I hope this information is helpful, please reach out again whenever we can support you.

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

With Best Wishes,

Gemma J. Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Our Ref/HeP