Icing hands/feet to prevent neuropathy?

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Hi everyone

I started chemo last week (Paclitaxel) and on another forum mostly of people in the US they talk a lot about icing hands and feet to prevent neuropathy.

It doesn’t seem to be common here - none of my reputable UK information sources mention it, and my oncologist didn’t mention it even though she talked about neuropathy as a side effect. When looking around online I see products advertised by Amazon UK and other cheap tat websites but I don’t want to just buy stuff without knowing more.

I’ve read a few studies that are encouraging but they are all US based so I’m looking for practical info about how to actually do it given that chemo units are probably set up differently here. 

Has anyone here done this? Has it helped? Did you use special socks/gloves or just ice packs? How did you keep them cold enough between home and hospital? How long did you ice for during sessions?

thanks so much

  • Interesting. I have been prescribed vitamin D and I figured that was because it’s winter and my immune system will be compromised due to treatment. Interesting to know this might have an impact on reducing neuropathy too. 

  • I have been asking about physio but the hospital didn't seem concerned. I've been using a walking stick, hoping for better weather up north! Just been lifting legs and rotating ankles. I've not felt great after chemotherapy so it's difficult. 

  • Yes definitely take it easy on yourself and hopefully it will get better with time Heart

  • 2 months later and no change... Very weak legs. 

  • Yes - did it and it helped a lot. You need a spare set of ice packs per hour of treatment. Start icing about 15 mins before infusion starts. I used the hilph and natracare ice mitts and socks. Wearing a pair of medical latex gloves a size too small is a cheaper option for your hands. Tuck your thumbs into your palms if you are using ice mitts otherwise thumbs don’t get cold

  • Oh that’s super interesting! I’m about to start my TC Chemo treatment and they have mentioned neuropathy as one of the main side effects…so i’ll take a look at these mitts…thanks! 

    Hope your treatment is going ok! Xx

  • My son got some neuropathy in his feet during the first session of chemo. He tried cold packs which they sell on first aid supply sites to put on injuries (in much the same way as people use bags of frozen peas). They don't go cold until you squeeze them, so you can carry them to hospital. Unfortunately they only last about 20 minutes so you need a few. He kept them on his feet by using plastic over shoes we got on Temu. You have to get a size or more larger than your feet to fit the bags in under your feet. He didn't get any more neuropathy in his feet, but did get some in his hands because he was unable to hold them in his hands due to the hospital equipmment

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