Just found this today, February 2023. This is what I needed to hear. I'm getting, "nothing can be done" from the oncologist without any options. That doesn't help me. At least you say "nothing can be done, but you can do this." Thank you.
I’m glad I happened to view this and learned something regarding my chemo-induced neuropathy in the year 2020 when I was 68 years old, till the present time. Today, is June 06, 2023. Thank you Dr. Leslie. Now, I have the real information that wasn’t discussed with me properly. During my chemotherapy, when I told them I’m having numbness, tingling sensation and pins and needles on my hands and feet, I was told it was because of my Diabetic Type 2 medical status. It was only after I insisted that I never had it before my chemotherapy, and that I am in real pain and it bothered me, that they prescribed Initially Gabapentin then change to pregabalin. Just simply told me to exercise, never had any Physical Therapy after my surgery from breast cancer. I appreciate the way you explain the necessary things to do with my chemo-induced neuropathy and I thank you. Now I know better what to do and I am relieved and hopeful to be able to deal with my neuropathy in a positive way. I believe that it is not too late for me now that I am 70 years and six months old. Again thank you Dr. Leslie. May God Bless you.❤
I appreciate your encouragement and advice about coping with neuropathy which I still have twelve months after completing my course of chemotherapy. I suppose I am lucky to have fairly mild symptoms of tingling in my feet which does not bother me. However, I do have problems with balance, usually now just when I get tired. I just ignore the funny looks I get from people who seem to be thinking that I have had too much to drink and just carry on walking because I am confident that I will not fall over. Luckily, my balance does not effect my ability to ride my horse so I get to exercise my leg muscles that way. Also, I use an exercise bike at home. I am 72 years old.
I asked my oncologist for a referral to a physical therapist who had experience with cancer patients because I heard that they could be helpful with CIPN. I was virtually ignored. Mentioned my struggle with neuropathy to my GP and he wanted to prescribe some drug. I inquired about the drug and it turned out to be pain medication which would aggravate my problem with fatigue. To add insult to injury, I no longer feel pain; I could hold a block of ice with my bare hands, now. The problem, rather, is with numbness and tingling. The point being that the drug would worsen my quality of life while adding zero benefit. I flatly declined. I have a degree of aversion to the medical profession and view their treatments with a measure of skepticism. Maybe I ask too many questions. Maybe I'm just stupid.
Asking a ton of questions is never stupid!!! (And should be respected). Keep pushing for PT, you can get a script from any MD, DO, NP or PA. And keep looking for health care providers that will work with you to create a best plan for you. They’re out there! Hugs!
One of the guys I was getting chemo with, we both were getting Oxialplatin,used cold gloves for as long as he could stand it as it was being administered.He didn't get the pins and needle thing like I have.
@@Michael-nx2he Hey Michael! The use of cold is being studied for chemo related hair loss and neuropathy. The idea behind it is the cold closes the blood vessels in the area so the chemo medications don’t reach the nerves or hair follicles as well. Has some promising anecdotal evidence, but much more study needs to be done. Best wishes to you in your post chemo recovery!
@@therecoveryroom2198 Thanks for getting back to me so soon.I haven't had a chance to talk to the gentleman after I finished chemo but he was experiencing very few side effects compared to me,no cold sensitivity for the first few days after treatment except in his mouth.I asked one of the nurses about it and she said we were getting different treatments but other than a shot he got it was the same drugs.I wondered if she wasn't allowed to give me the green light to try it.
The problem with neuropathy and exercising is it makes me super clumsy and I'm afraid of falling (I have osteoporosis). So what I do is swim, take aqua aerobics classes (hey, if I fall in the pool, no big deal) or I take some Zumba chair classes which are surprisingly quite a workout. I'd love to start walking my dogs again but my balance is still way off so I'm afraid to try it.
Hey @yorkieuniverse1 ! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Yes, protecting yourself from falling is incredibly important. I would highly recommend you reach out to a physical therapist to help you get stronger work on your balance, and find it safe and effective ways for you to get stronger. Best wishes to you!
I was going to a public heated pool at least three times a week to exercise to help my fibromyalgia and Lipoedema. But since I have been diagnosed with breast cancer I have been told I can’t risk infection and not to go. I’ve had two surgeries and starting chemo tomorrow. I’ve started the last two days going to a local shopping mall at 7 in the morning when there are few people there to infect me and I can get support from a shopping trolley. Any other suggestions? Looks like I won’t be allowed back in the pool for ages. My fibro and Lipoedema are flaring because of the lack of exercise and now I will be adding in the chemo side effects. Any other suggestions welcome.
Hi ITSMZPOO, I’m sorry you are hurting. CIPN can be horrible. Falling is incredibly dangerous, so if you are falling, it is really important to find ways to work on your balance whether it’s in the water, standing with support or doing sitting exercise. It may be a good idea for you to see a PT to help you. Best wishes!
I've been there too, banged and skinned my knees and shins, and the balance is still off months after the last chemotherapy. Numb feet and tingling hands like they're asleep moments after you use them. Sucks to beat heck.
You forgot one word after pins, FIRE. Feels like someone is holding a lighter under my toes. Exactly 10 years since my last chemo session, some days it’s so bad that i think why did i survive cancer just to live a miserable life in pain.
I also am hearing this in August 2023. I have neuropathy in my hands and feet and I had to research on my own to get information about it. My oncologist never even mentioned that this is possible for me to get. Every part of chemotherapy seems to have made my body so much worse than I expected.
Hey @patwo4259, I am sorry you are hurting. Chemo is tough, but you will recover. Walk, stretch and strengthen, be active as possible. Have one of your docs get you to a physical therapist (physio)
Different for every patient I would say I started chemo over a year ago and my numbness just got worse still real bad at the moment feel like my feet are always cold and numb
What happens when you don't have numbness and tingling and instead have the sensation of your tendons being torn from your joints or lumps in your upper arms and the feeling of twisting tendon and clicking and the pain is unbearable? Tendons rupturing in hand and required surgery to repair the best they could. To the point your entire upper body wants to clench into a ball? Now what does the patient do after trying 12 different meds for pain and neuropathy, Lyrica and gabapentin and cymbalta and many many more that do not work or the side effects outweigh the drug? Any direction you can steer me to? I'm in Pallitive Care now after surviving stage 4 lung cancer and wasn't supposed go into remission and live this long.
@@janicemcmahan2864 Hello Janice! I am so sorry you are going through such unfair hell. I hope the palliative team can help you find a path to less pain and better quality of living. I would also suggest getting to a PT (physical therapist) to help your tendons, joints and overall strength and walking. Massage therapy may also feel really good. Hugs and best wishes to you! ❤️💪🏽❤️
My oncologist is useless when it comes to side effects from chemo. He disregards everything I say. So I'm pretty much on my own to figure things out. Very discouraging.
Hey @Agnessymon8869! I am sorry you’ve been left to grapple things on your own. The symptoms are real. Talk with one of your nurses about finding a physical therapist (physio) and/or primary physician to help answer your questions and manage your symptoms. Best wishes to you!
I may suggest to invest in an exercise bike or treadmill so anyone going thru chemo can workout at home. Take a multiple vitamin pack, I did say pack and keep mvoving.
Sorry to hear you are hurting! Please talk with your medical oncologist or PCP about trying some medications like gabapentin that can decrease the intensity of the pain.
I am starting chemo in a week. I already have peripheral neuropathy because I have amyloidosis! I do not have cancer…chemo is supposed to help me get rid of neuropathy! Not give me more…Ugg!
@@dsherlockbones1 Hi! Not all chemos are created equal and not all chemo drugs cause neuropathy. Talk with your prescribing physician for clarity. Best wishes to you!
No offense but this was not at all helpful. You simply told us to exercise and said it would not help nephropathy. If anything it was depressing. Sorry I know you tried
Hey John! I’m assuming you a re living with CIPN and all the crap that goes along with it. The purpose of this video is twofold… 1) to provide accurate information so people don’t waste money, time and effort on “cures” for neuropathy that don’t exist, and 2) to encourage people with CIPN to move and exercise as much as possible. I have seen people stop moving, close down and lose even more function and quality of life. That we can prevent and help people recover. Best wishes to you.
@@therecoveryroom2198 There are exercises that one can do regarding neuropathy for the hands and feet. This is what i expected you to talk about. Yes, exercise is great and I do it almost everyday. But what abut the exercises to directly help neuropathy? Thanks for the reply
@@ActiveVeggieTours Hi!! Nice work staying active, it’s not always easy! Check in with your primary and cancer docs to check on your leg symptoms. Legs feeling cold isn’t a typical symptom of AI medications. Best wishes to you!
Just found this today, February 2023. This is what I needed to hear. I'm getting, "nothing can be done" from the oncologist without any options. That doesn't help me. At least you say "nothing can be done, but you can do this." Thank you.
Best wishes to you, Donner!
I’m glad I happened to view this and learned something regarding my chemo-induced neuropathy in the year 2020 when I was 68 years old, till the present time. Today, is June 06, 2023. Thank you Dr. Leslie. Now, I have the real information that wasn’t discussed with me properly.
During my chemotherapy, when I told them I’m having numbness, tingling sensation and pins and needles on my hands and feet, I was told it was because of my Diabetic Type 2 medical status. It was only after I insisted that I never had it before my chemotherapy, and that I am in real pain and it bothered me, that they prescribed Initially Gabapentin then change to pregabalin. Just simply told me to exercise, never had any Physical Therapy after my surgery from breast cancer. I appreciate the way you explain the necessary things to do with my chemo-induced neuropathy and I thank you. Now I know better what to do and I am relieved and hopeful to be able to deal with my neuropathy in a positive way. I believe that it is not too late for me now that I am 70 years and six months old. Again thank you Dr. Leslie. May God Bless you.❤
Hey Espie! Thank you for your kind words and best wishes to you as you heal and regain strength!
I appreciate your encouragement and advice about coping with neuropathy which I still have twelve months after completing my course of chemotherapy. I suppose I am lucky to have fairly mild symptoms of tingling in my feet which does not bother me. However, I do have problems with balance, usually now just when I get tired. I just ignore the funny looks I get from people who seem to be thinking that I have had too much to drink and just carry on walking because I am confident that I will not fall over. Luckily, my balance does not effect my ability to ride my horse so I get to exercise my leg muscles that way. Also, I use an exercise bike at home. I am 72 years old.
I love how active you (and your horse) are staying Melanie! Keep working on your balance and stay strong!!
Me too, just what I needed to hear. Thanks.
I asked my oncologist for a referral to a physical therapist who had experience with cancer patients because I heard that they could be helpful with CIPN.
I was virtually ignored.
Mentioned my struggle with neuropathy to my GP and he wanted to prescribe some drug. I inquired about the drug and it turned out to be pain medication which would aggravate my problem with fatigue. To add insult to injury, I no longer feel pain; I could hold a block of ice with my bare hands, now. The problem, rather, is with numbness and tingling. The point being that the drug would worsen my quality of life while adding zero benefit.
I flatly declined.
I have a degree of aversion to the medical profession and view their treatments with a measure of skepticism. Maybe I ask too many questions.
Maybe I'm just stupid.
Asking a ton of questions is never stupid!!! (And should be respected).
Keep pushing for PT, you can get a script from any MD, DO, NP or PA.
And keep looking for health care providers that will work with you to create a best plan for you. They’re out there! Hugs!
@@therecoveryroom2198 Thanks. You're kind and very helpful.
One of the guys I was getting chemo with, we both were getting Oxialplatin,used cold gloves for as long as he could stand it as it was being administered.He didn't get the pins and needle thing like I have.
@@Michael-nx2he Hey Michael! The use of cold is being studied for chemo related hair loss and neuropathy. The idea behind it is the cold closes the blood vessels in the area so the chemo medications don’t reach the nerves or hair follicles as well. Has some promising anecdotal evidence, but much more study needs to be done. Best wishes to you in your post chemo recovery!
@@therecoveryroom2198 Thanks for getting back to me so soon.I haven't had a chance to talk to the gentleman after I finished chemo but he was experiencing very few side effects compared to me,no cold sensitivity for the first few days after treatment except in his mouth.I asked one of the nurses about it and she said we were getting different treatments but other than a shot he got it was the same drugs.I wondered if she wasn't allowed to give me the green light to try it.
Thank you so much
The problem with neuropathy and exercising is it makes me super clumsy and I'm afraid of falling (I have osteoporosis). So what I do is swim, take aqua aerobics classes (hey, if I fall in the pool, no big deal) or I take some Zumba chair classes which are surprisingly quite a workout. I'd love to start walking my dogs again but my balance is still way off so I'm afraid to try it.
Hey @yorkieuniverse1 ! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Yes, protecting yourself from falling is incredibly important. I would highly recommend you reach out to a physical therapist to help you get stronger work on your balance, and find it safe and effective ways for you to get stronger. Best wishes to you!
I was going to a public heated pool at least three times a week to exercise to help my fibromyalgia and Lipoedema. But since I have been diagnosed with breast cancer I have been told I can’t risk infection and not to go. I’ve had two surgeries and starting chemo tomorrow. I’ve started the last two days going to a local shopping mall at 7 in the morning when there are few people there to infect me and I can get support from a shopping trolley. Any other suggestions? Looks like I won’t be allowed back in the pool for ages. My fibro and Lipoedema are flaring because of the lack of exercise and now I will be adding in the chemo side effects. Any other suggestions welcome.
@@karenstandley597🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 for you ❤❤❤❤
YOU'RE WELL INTENTIONED BUT HOW DO YOU GO FOR WALKS WHEN YOUR FEET ARE SO NUMB YOU KEEP FALLING BECAUSE IT AFFECTS YOUR BALANCE?
Hi ITSMZPOO, I’m sorry you are hurting. CIPN can be horrible. Falling is incredibly dangerous, so if you are falling, it is really important to find ways to work on your balance whether it’s in the water, standing with support or doing sitting exercise. It may be a good idea for you to see a PT to help you. Best wishes!
I find it’s easier to bike ride then walk.
I've been there too, banged and skinned my knees and shins, and the balance is still off months after the last chemotherapy. Numb feet and tingling hands like they're asleep moments after you use them. Sucks to beat heck.
You forgot one word after pins, FIRE. Feels like someone is holding a lighter under my toes. Exactly 10 years since my last chemo session, some days it’s so bad that i think why did i survive cancer just to live a miserable life in pain.
That is right on, @TrondOleJensen! “Fire” is a great descriptor of what many people with CIPN live with. Best wishes to you!
I also am hearing this in August 2023. I have neuropathy in my hands and feet and I had to research on my own to get information about it. My oncologist never even mentioned that this is possible for me to get. Every part of chemotherapy seems to have made my body so much worse than I expected.
Hey @patwo4259, I am sorry you are hurting. Chemo is tough, but you will recover. Walk, stretch and strengthen, be active as possible. Have one of your docs get you to a physical therapist (physio)
Thank you doctor. But how long does the pain stay with the patient? Is this a permanent kind of pain?
Different for every patient I would say I started chemo over a year ago and my numbness just got worse still real bad at the moment feel like my feet are always cold and numb
Thank you.
What happens when you don't have numbness and tingling and instead have the sensation of your tendons being torn from your joints or lumps in your upper arms and the feeling of twisting tendon and clicking and the pain is unbearable? Tendons rupturing in hand and required surgery to repair the best they could. To the point your entire upper body wants to clench into a ball? Now what does the patient do after trying 12 different meds for pain and neuropathy, Lyrica and gabapentin and cymbalta and many many more that do not work or the side effects outweigh the drug? Any direction you can steer me to? I'm in Pallitive Care now after surviving stage 4 lung cancer and wasn't supposed go into remission and live this long.
@@janicemcmahan2864
Hello Janice! I am so sorry you are going through such unfair hell. I hope the palliative team can help you find a path to less pain and better quality of living. I would also suggest getting to a PT (physical therapist) to help your tendons, joints and overall strength and walking. Massage therapy may also feel really good. Hugs and best wishes to you! ❤️💪🏽❤️
My oncologist is useless when it comes to side effects from chemo. He disregards everything I say. So I'm pretty much on my own to figure things out. Very discouraging.
Hey @Agnessymon8869! I am sorry you’ve been left to grapple things on your own. The symptoms are real. Talk with one of your nurses about finding a physical therapist (physio) and/or primary physician to help answer your questions and manage your symptoms. Best wishes to you!
I may suggest to invest in an exercise bike or treadmill so anyone going thru chemo can workout at home. Take a multiple vitamin pack, I did say pack and keep mvoving.
Possible to talk
I am from India
👍
I need to wear Birkenstock sandals all the time i need to walk; even at home.
I have CIPN, really wish I would just die in my sleep some nights.
Sorry to hear you are hurting! Please talk with your medical oncologist or PCP about trying some medications like gabapentin that can decrease the intensity of the pain.
@@therecoveryroom2198 I've been taking 2400 mg of gabapentin for about 6 months now, it seems to be pretty worthless. Thanks for your reply.
Yeah gabapertin just makes you tired
100% reversal of your condition. High dose thiamine hcl . Check out Dr Chandler Marrs and Dr Derek Lonsdale
God heal you all in JESUS CHRIST NAME
I am starting chemo in a week. I already have peripheral neuropathy because I have amyloidosis! I do not have cancer…chemo is supposed to help me get rid of neuropathy! Not give me more…Ugg!
@@dsherlockbones1
Hi! Not all chemos are created equal and not all chemo drugs cause neuropathy. Talk with your prescribing physician for clarity. Best wishes to you!
No offense but this was not at all helpful. You simply told us to exercise and said it would not help nephropathy. If anything it was depressing. Sorry I know you tried
Hey John! I’m assuming you a re living with CIPN and all the crap that goes along with it. The purpose of this video is twofold… 1) to provide accurate information so people don’t waste money, time and effort on “cures” for neuropathy that don’t exist, and 2) to encourage people with CIPN to move and exercise as much as possible. I have seen people stop moving, close down and lose even more function and quality of life. That we can prevent and help people recover. Best wishes to you.
@@therecoveryroom2198 There are exercises that one can do regarding neuropathy for the hands and feet. This is what i expected you to talk about.
Yes, exercise is great and I do it almost everyday. But what abut the exercises to directly help neuropathy?
Thanks for the reply
Ask your oncologist about cold laser treatment.
I am about to try this as well, fingers crossed!
Sorry to say, I did 9 straight sessions & it did not help at all :(
What kind of neuropathy does this help for
Don't forget taking vitamin Bs
My lower legs are cold as ice and stiff as a board. I still walk often as I have done my whole life.
@@ActiveVeggieTours
Hi!! Nice work staying active, it’s not always easy! Check in with your primary and cancer docs to check on your leg symptoms. Legs feeling cold isn’t a typical symptom of AI medications. Best wishes to you!