Peripheral neuropathy?

[Amy]

My son, David, has been complaining for the last week or so about tingling and numbness in his feet. I'd assumed this was peripheral neuropathy from the cisplatin or other chemo drugs. Is there anything he can do about this and is it something that will gradually go away?
Amy

[Margaret]

Amy,

I have heard that can be a common side effect during chemo and linger afterwards. I have limited experience with this but I have read that it should go away with time. Of course, with anything, if it is really bothersome, ask your dr just to be sure he can not offer him something to make him more comfortable.

Good luck to you both!

Margaret

[dt22207]

My doctor suggested taking a multivitamin for this, though he didn't have much faith in it. I'm doing that now. There was a posting in the research library forum here about a study that showed that taking vitamin E before and during chemo would help prevent peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately I didn't see that until after chemo.

I'm a little over two months post chemo and still have numbness in my fingertips and toes. It does seem to have gotten somewhat better. The doctor told me that I should not expect it to go away for a couple of years.

[Vinny]

If he's done with chemo, his onc can prescribe an anticonvulsant like Lyrica or Neurontin. But, those just treat the symptoms and not the cause (nerve damage). The drugs can also make you feel dizzy or drowsy. However, it worked well for me when I had problems sleeping due to neuropathy in my legs and feet.

It might go away sooner, it might go away later, it might not go away at all, it might come and go occasionally.

Good luck!