Freezing cold feet and hot sweats at night starting 3 months after end of Chemo for bowel cancer.

Hello Maria,  

I was on Capox (Oxaliplatin infusion followed by Capecitabine tablets) chemo for 6 x 3-week cycles following surgery to remove the caecum colon and short bits before and after including a large number of lymph nodules. Important to note that I had to be on a much reduced dosage of both drugs because I have a 50% DPD deficiency.A recent scan showed all clear but will have another scan in 3 months time. I have not therefore having the 7th and 8th chemo cycles.

My main and very uncomfortable side effect from mid 2nd cycle has been COLD FEET & LOWER LEGS, sometimes feeling icy cold, 24/7. Have had to live with it for last 3 months or so, and hope that that cold feet syndrome will reduce and disappear over the next few weeks, now that I have finished chemo. The chemo dosages had been reduced further because of this cold feet/legs syndrome. 

If this is what you are experiencing, I find it helps psychologically to wear loose thick/warm long socks and loose fitting shoes or warm ankle height slippers. Also walking about frequently and outdoor walks can help distract from this nasty problem. I have also found that it helps a little to wear loose warm socks in bed and to sleep on front with legs straight and toes just overhanging the bottom of the bed. I have tried various creams but that did not help. Self-massaging of the feet and lower legs for short periods may help a little. The cold feet syndrome seems to become gradually more intense from morning into the evening.

Sorry this is a bit lengthy, but I hope it can you and any others experiencing this uncommon syndrome. Important to know if you are DPD deficient or not. 

All the best.

Hi Rita,

Sorry to hear you are still suffering.

I think mine has improved slightly, noticed over the last few weeks I don’t feel so much discomfort in my feet, still really feel the cold but again not as bad. I have recently started getting sharp shooting pains in my feet but it only last a few seconds, but overall I would say things have definitely improved 

I hope things start to improve for you soon x

Thank you Anbou and I am sorry to hear about the really cold feet and lower legs you are experiencing.The management tips you have described are very useful and I have tried most of them.I not only have the  cold feet syndrome but the burning sensations as well.Also the toes feel all buckled up and wooden.This may be my description of numbness I am not sure because we all experience things differently.I haven't had much exercise today and my feet have got worse as the day has progressed..

I feel very wretched and although I try to be positive everyday when I wake up I lose hope as day progresses.I can't even have a drink to cheer myself up as people with PN are supposed to avoid alcohol!!