Ladies,
I am having so much pain in both of my feet, I got the tingling and pain on the top. The left one is worse than the right one. I have been taking some pills for it for about a month, is there anything more that I can do for this besides the pills?
Some people find that B vitamins help. You'll want to talk to your doctor about the appropriate dosages that won't interfere with anything else you are taking. I found that a neurologist was the doctor who was most knowledgeable about different therapies for nerve issues. The two main kinds of medicines they use are anti-seizure drugs like Neurontin and Lyrica or certain types of anti-depressants that affect the way the brain interprets messages from the nerves. It may take a while to find the right combination for you. Exercise also helps some people. For some people the problem just goes away on its own. Good luck with this. i have this problem too, so I know how frustrating it is.
I am a big skeptic of vitamins. If I hadn't tried it, I wouldn't have believed it.
I got the B-12 tablet that you put under your tongue and dissolves about a week ago and have been taking it twice a day. I also got the L-Glutamine in a capsule powder (both by Solgar, but many brands make them). And I only take it once a day at lunch time.
I also started exercising--so I think all these things together REALLY helped my tingling in the feel and hands! It is not completely gone, but it is much better!
Try it, I hope you get some relief soon!
Peg.
I was surprised at the results from vitamins as well. I noticed the difference in two weeks. Unfortunately, my hands and feet actually hurt worse at first. The neurologist said, "Oh good, your nerves are waking up!" At that point, I just wanted them to go back to sleep. It is very important to let all your doctors know the dosage of any supplements you take. Some can work against each other or other medicines you take.
Peg,
My oncol. had me start on B-6 and L Gutamine before I start a 12 week regime of Herceptin/Taxol. You mentioned exercise. What kind of exercise do you do that helps the pain?
I've been told to expect neuropathy with this chemo regime and I'd like to have a plan available if it starts. I'm still recovering from a bi-lateral mastectomy last month and don't need any more pain in my life !!! Thanks.
Hello Elena,
I have always really been an exercise junky. But since this happened, I have had to slow down to "still", and rev back up again. Right now the only thing I can do is some light yoga, walking around the block with the dog, and pilates stretches on a yoga mat. I do some elliptical running at the gym and I just started playing raquetball.
I think any exercise that you are interested in doing that makes your blood pumping. Be sure you don't over do it or re-injure yourself at the surgery sites. I also asked my onco/doc for a referral to physical therapy and found a place that does mat Pilates and Yoga, so you may go that route. I also have little 5 lb, 8 lb. weights at home and resistance bands I tie to doorknobs and things to work out at home (found at target stores).
Just do anything you can, and be careful not to push too hard, too fast!
peglove.
Thanks Peg,
I appreciate the information.
I've been an "exercisephobe" (my new word) my entire life except a gentle yoga class held weekly, which may have lead to my cancer in the beginning, who knows! I know that recovery is helped by exercise, but it's been my biggest challenge. I exercised to my Leslie Sansone 1 mile walk DVD the other day, overused the weights with the arm work and have pulled something in my surgery site. Just my luck, I'm trying to get healthy and pull something! I guess I have to laugh to keep from crying sometimes.
Stay healthy! Blessings!
Helen
I finshed my chemo and radiation 1 year ago today. The pain appears to be the same as you describe, I take a drug called
Gaperpentin I think I spelled it wrong, I don't know if the drug has worked or not, I am now in the process of reducing my dose, to see if the pain and discomforts worsens,my goal is to cut back on medication, and see if I can actually put on shoes with discomfort. Good luck Get well and keep well.
Mary,
I have had those symptoms taking Femara for a year then Arimidex. I took a drug vacation a month before seeing my oncologist just two years out from diagnosis this summer. He decided to order a bone scan because my symptoms did not get better over that month. Well....scan found bone degeneration in small bones in feet, ankles, wrists, hands, shoulders and spine. So now I know where the pain is coming from. Probably switching to Tamoxifin. I went from a clear DEXA scan two years ago to full blown osteoperosis with degeneration everywhere. I suffered fybromyalgia symptoms and joint/bone pain early on so have been on Lyrica and Cymbalata for about 18 months.
Anyway, guess my advice is to stay on top of tests for bone and joint problems to make sure what is going on. Lyrica does help, I am more careful not to overuse the damaged areas which makes exercise and knitting more challenging.
Best to you, Jan
I have the same problem since my chemo last year, but with both my hands and feet. The Dr. gave me Gabapentin & pain pills to take and therapy on my feet. Can't really suggest anything for you than to do what your Dr. suggest. Myself, I walk every morning (feet hurting afterwards), and try to ride my stationary bike a few times a week. For my hands I have a squeez ball (my own remedy). Just don't over exert yourself. I love to type but with my hands hurting so much afterwards I can't do but one note. LOL
Hope you feel better soon. And to all the ladies out there with this problem- good luck on your health. WE ARE SURVIVERS
Hello, I seem to have the same issues as both of you. I had chemo and radiation six years ago and the pain started one year ago which has caused me to stop walking. This has been very devastating for me. The "night" pain is the worst. I haven't got any sleep or pain free nights in a year. I take dilaudid 12mg, gabapentin 600mg and tried Lyrica 2 pills and nothings works. I have gone to John Hopkins with no help. I feel like I am losing me mind. This type of pain is unnatural to endure everyday. The 'numbing' feeling is overwhelming too. I cry and pray but nothing helps. I am trying to stay alive. Any suggestions at all?
I'm sorry to hear of all the pain your going through. Just last night I was up most of the night with the pain in my legs and feet. My hands feel about the same this morning; tight and sore. I really can't offer any advise because I am still looking for a answer myself. But my prayers are with all the people that go through this.
I had that nerve test. They hook something up to your feet and hands (my case), then give you electric shocks. Also poke your fingers with some needle to see if you feel it. Hello, sometime I feel it sometime I don't but the pain is always there. I didn't see the use of that nerve test, but good luck.
I had something similar for 1.5 years now. It came on quite suddenly. I had been drinking a lot of soda at the time. I stopped drinking soda, I have increased my calcium a little, I added some Potassium gluconate, and occasionally the glucosamine w/ chondroiten. Be careful when making these changes in basic elements if you take meds. Get your electrolytes checked.
I have the numbness for more than two years already, now I got the pain as well. In the feet and in the hands. I had all the needle tests , got Gabapentin, Lyrica, Vicoden, nothing helps. Plus I'm diabetic.
Nobody can really help.
Doctor doens't even send me for an MRI. I'm wondering what doctor you have. I can't afford privat. Don't know what to do.
The only thing I have found for the pain is to stay busy and keep my mind off it. Over the years I've had various types of chronic pain, and I've learned that if the pain is fairly constant and if I know that it's not dangerous, I can learn to ignore it as my body gets used to it. Tricks like visualizing myself at a beautiful place (I usually "go" to the beach) help me relax. The pain bothers me most at night when I don't have anything to distract my mind. It also bothers me more right now because I'm thinking about it as I write! Physical activity like walking or knitting that keeps the blood flowing helps some people, but I haven't noticed a difference for me. Keeping my hands and feet warm helps a little; so does massaging them. Keep trying different things since neuropathy pain and its remedies do vary from person to person.
I been to the feet and hand theapist; they both exercise my limbs. I try to stay busy and exercise my limbs but some days are better than others.
My Dr. gave me Gabapentin 300mg; then reduce my intake on that. He gave me Loratabs 7.5 for pain but has since changed my med to Morphine 15mg. He said he trying to get the pain out of me but I will have the tingles (pins and needles) the rest of my life. I don't think this is a good idea to take all these pain meds. What do you think???
Mercedes the best thing for you to do is to go on the internet and look up all the meds for yourself and see the side affects. I am not a big fan of mordfine and was under the impression that it is or should be use as the last result. I have the same problems and my doc gives me pills and I also take pain pills to help with the pain but not everyday. I think that we all have learned to deal with so much pain in our life that sometimes for me, it is easier to live with than to go to the doctor for one thing and then have them tell you something different. Good luck.
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At night I use a rice bag you heat in Microwave it helps with pain i have in arms,feet and back from chemo plus pills. 
Hi Ms. Mary - I had a lot of pain in my feet post-chemo, and what finally worked for me was ibuprofen twice a day for 4 months; the pain very gradually subsided. We're all different, and there's no telling what'll work for you; but I do believe time is the best healer.
I know other women with neuropathy have reported that it can take many, many months for it to subside; sometimes even years, unfortunately. Be sure to tell your onco that the pills aren't working, because no doubt they have another drug they can try; you don't want to be in severe pain while this issue resolves itself over time. Best of luck - PJH
Just be careful with the Ibuprofen, it causes stomach bleeding.
The pain got a little better but now I have to take Nexium for the stomach.
The new thing is the spasm in the fingers and toes. Have you ever had this?
Spasms in the fingers and toes are not part of typical neuropathy from chemo drugs as far as I know. You definitely need to talk to the doctor about this new symptom. I hope you find out what is causing the spasms and feel better soon.