I've now had 4 doses of kadcyla and while it isn't as bad as the pre surgery chemo, it's causing the peripheral neuropathy I had from the doxetaxel to get worse. Does anyone have any tips to help? My feet are worse than my fingers. Thanks.
So sorry to hear this. I have peripheral neuropathy after receiving two variations of Doxorubicin. As with you, my feet are worse than my hands. As a practical matter, I found that use of hands and feet appears to have stimulated circulation and thus impelled or "forced" my peripheral nerves to recover to some degree. I would certainly ring up your consultant and ask about a referral to a neurologist, who might well have some good advice for you.
As well, there may be programmes designed to reduce the collateral damage from chemotherapy. i have heard (but confirm with your consultant) that some oncologists and nurses maintain that reducing circulation in hands and feet after infusion (while the drug is circulating) may reduce the neuropathy. The downside is that one must then soak hands and feet in cold water! Indeed, if you have any circulatory difficulties, you must speak with medical authority!
If you have a hobby which requires the use of hands or feet, even bicycling or exercising, you could certainly try delving into it more frequently. Any recovery will be slow and steady - my hands recovering noticeably better than my feet. But do ring up your consultant and present your concern.
One cancer (PTCL-NOS) 3 times. Two other cancers: Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma 2 times, and 20q deletion MyeloDysplastic Syndrome) were chemo refractory. All three cancers simultaneously in 2015. Stage IV twice + MDS @ 23% of marrow. 12/22 diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Thus far, 14+ years, 20 drugs, 4 clinical trials, Total Body Irradiation, 1,000+ years of background radiation from scans. 7th remission so far. Haploidentical stem cell transplant, acute > chronic Graft-versus-Host-disease. Currently receiving my 7th GvHD regimen.
I have peripheral neuropathy from the reaction to taxotere. I see a neurologist every six months as the nerve damage was permanent. The neurologist ordered blood tests which showed deficiencies in B12, B1, and B6. I now take these regularly and although the problem can never be corrected, I am managing the pain and skin peeling much better. Perhaps you could enquire if taking the B vitamins, especially the 12, would help you?
I hope things start to improve for you soon. Take care.
Update, I have been started on Gabapentin which will hopefully help reduce the neuropathy symptoms. They have paused my treatment until my symptoms settle. Thanks for the advice given.
I don't know where my head was at the time, but it was actually Vincristine that I received which caused the neuropathy. Several others possibly, but Vincristine was the primary culprit.
One cancer (PTCL-NOS) 3 times. Two other cancers: Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma 2 times, and 20q deletion MyeloDysplastic Syndrome) were chemo refractory. All three cancers simultaneously in 2015. Stage IV twice + MDS @ 23% of marrow. 12/22 diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Thus far, 14+ years, 20 drugs, 4 clinical trials, Total Body Irradiation, 1,000+ years of background radiation from scans. 7th remission so far. Haploidentical stem cell transplant, acute > chronic Graft-versus-Host-disease. Currently receiving my 7th GvHD regimen.
