Can anyone recommend best topical cream/gel they may have been.recommmended to help the dreaded side affect of this chemo treatment. A nurse recommended something called Menthol 3 cream but cant find it anywhere?
Hi Perfavore. I’ve not heard of this either. I was told to use Aveeno with Shea butter although this is more moisturising than cooling which I presume is the advantage of the menthol. The pins and needles is a well known side effect of the chemo but also Palmar plantar which gives redness to the feet and hands and a feeling like you’re walking on sand. Please make sure your nurses keep a check for this - I’m 4 years post chemo and still have to sleep with my feet out of the covers as they feel like they are sunburnt. Might try some of the menthol gel!
Many thanks Karen yes heard/warned of the other side effect too ie red hands/feet but three chemos in (hope to stop at 4 ) am okay there. Someone told me about the excellent Udderly cream for hands and feet?
I had Palmar Plantar on hands mainly, with skin cracking & peeling at the finger joints. I also developed it slightly on my feet. This is caused by Capecitabine chemo. Tabs. I was prescibed Aveeno moisuriser by my Oncologist, but I didn;t find it very effective, so I bought some udderly cream from Amazon...which was slightly better....though both are short lasting - & you need to use it several times a day. When I finally got into seeing my Oncologist, she took me off the Tabs. straightaway. (I had had 6 cycles, though was due 8.) The condition became much less...& six months later, I have no effects.
It's the Oxyplatin that can cause the pins & needles & numbness in hands & feet....& I refused to have this, as I am an artist...& just didn't want to take the chance. Accordinging to my Oncologist...this can effect a lot of people (though not all.) & can carry on being a nuisance months or even years later. She also said that there was nothing on the market that would alleviate the problems this caused.
But....it sounds like as you are at then end of your tratment, you might have luckily escaped both conditions.
Thank you Marianne I am infact not wanting to progress to a 4th oxyplatine amd have a call i with my.oncologist who wanted.me to do at least 4 before scanning me but am very concerned about these side effects building up and I think he also knows that is the risk /general recurring numbness also in jaw and foot. Hideous. I am interested to know if you dont mind me asking were you diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer ie advanced initially? I had that but after 6 hr surgery and 47 clear lymph nodes i was declared cancer free and this I am meant to be now on mop up. I can tolerate the pills (cycle of 6 months have done 3) but not the iv any longer
Hi...My initial diagnosis was Bowel Cancer in May '19. I had a left Hemicolectomy. 22 Lymph Nodes removed, all cancer free. However, Had EMVI...But my Oncologist at that time insisted that I did not need any Chemo. follow up.March '20 CT & MRI...Showed two small nodules in one Lung..So, Capecitabine Tabs. from April to Oct. (I declined Oxyplatin.) Both Nodules reduced in size through the Tabs.Then Lung Ablation in Oct. '20. Last CT Scan was In March '21....Which showed me all clear. Next follow up CT scan is next Sunday....& obviously, a bit worried...as anyone is - when they have a scan.But no, I didn't want the Oxyplatin. I told my Oncologist that I preferred the quality of life. So far (after two years of treatment,) that has worked for me....But who knows what the next scan brings.I am always aware that cancer can return....but I never dwell on it.
We haven’t tried this but an internet search showed a brand called Dermacool which looks like 2% and one in the US by Bluebird Botanicals which is 3%. For now, my husband is just putting up with the loss of feeling/pins and needles. It’s distressing but his chemo has been very effective so he’s felt it’s worth it. Warm water and soaks have helped provide relief, although temporary. He’s off chemo now after the first 4 cycles and is starting to get feeling back.
