Numbness from chemo....
Neuropathy is nerve damage that can cause tingling, numbness, and other sensations, often in the feet and hands. Neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Doctors believe it happens because chemotherapy damages healthy cells, including nerves.
Chemotherapy can damage nerves that affect feeling and movement in the hands and feet. Doctors call this condition chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Symptoms can be severe and may affect a person's quality of life.
A 2014 study of 90 people receiving chemotherapy found that about half had neuropathy, and 6.7 percent said it was a major symptom that doctors overlooked.
Doctors are unsure why some people have neuropathy, and others do not. The risk depends on the chemotherapy drug a person takes, which could be causing damage to the nerves.
In this article, we look at ways to prevent and treat CIPN, including natural and alternative remedies. We also list some of the chemotherapy drugs that cause CIPN and discuss symptoms and diagnosis.
Which chemo drugs cause neuropathy?
The drugs most likely to cause CIPN include:
paclitaxel
cisplatin
oxaliplatin
epothilones
thalidomide
docetaxel
bortezomib
lenalidomide
pomalidomide
suramin
vincristine
Symptoms
Ringing in the ears is a common symptom of neuropathy.
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet are the main symptoms of neuropathy.
Some people have weakness and find it difficult to hold small objects. Symptoms can be severe and significantly impact a person's quality of life.
Common symptoms include:
pain in the hands and feet
tingling or burning in the hands and feet
shooting or electrical sensations in the hands, feet, or legs
ringing in the ears
difficulty picking up objects
difficulty with tasks that require close control, such as buttoning a shirt
very cold or hot hands or feet
loss of balance
painful or difficult urination
CIPN is particularly problematic to treat because it is not possible to predict when symptoms may occur — sometimes, they develop after treatment has ended — or how long they will last.
How is it diagnosed?
A doctor can usually diagnose neuropathy by looking at a person's symptoms, especially when they are taking one of the chemotherapy drugs that are known to cause neuropathy.
However, nerve pain may be due to something other than chemotherapy.
Other medical conditions that can cause neuropathy include:
kidney failure
autoimmune diseases
infections
carpal tunnel disorder
alcohol abuse
nutritional deficiencies
A doctor may conduct testing to rule out these other causes.
Outlook and takeaway
Neuropathy can be extremely painful, but it is not usually permanent. For most people, symptoms go away after they stop chemotherapy.
Sometimes it takes a few months for symptoms to fade. A 2014 study found that 30 percent of people still had symptoms of CIPN 6 months or longer after stopping chemotherapy.
In rare instances, neuropathy can be permanent, but there is no way to predict whether this will be the case. Although CIPN can be debilitating, it is important to keep in mind that symptoms almost always improve.
