Johnny, it's almost 5 MONTHS and my fingertips and feet are still numb. I was just thinking how the feeling of 'wet sand' in my socks has become my new normal. I actually got worse at about a month out and have seen some improvement in my hands. Instead of the whole hand, just fingertips, now.

I've read it can take a year but was reading about Oxi type drugs for a friend with lung cancer just yesterday and Wikipedia says many have permanent damage to that part of the brain.

Sorry I don't have better news.

I'm only 6 weeks out from my last Oxi treatment, (my last round was 5FU only), and the Onc. Nurse Practioner told me to try adding vit. B6 to what I was taking. I don't know if it is helping or not. The cold up here in the Northeast isn't helping the situation either.:-)

J T I am about 3 months done with chemo, I had bad neuropathy, but now am much better, just in the tips of fingers and toes. I hope it goes away completely, but if not I can live with it. Hope yours goes away.

It generally gets worse before it's get better and can last up to 18 months ( I think or it could have been 3 years). What you essentially have is heavy metal poisoning from the platinum in the Oxy. From memory I think increasing your B vitamin intake helps.

Wikipedia shows a diagram of 'brain damage' caused by the family of drugs that includes Oxi.

I read 6 months to 1 year for neuropathy but chemo brain can last several years.

Also, I took Vit. B's in my daily vits all during chemo and continue. Maybe it would have been worse... who knows

I am glad you asked this question. I didn't have any issues until my 11th cycle of treatment, but now the numbness is really annoying. At least now I know what to expect. I hope that it goes away for you soon and you do not have any perm. damage.

Johnny -

I am 16 months out from my last chemo and I still have neuropathy, mostly in my feet. It doesn't appear to be getting better, but I look at the alternative and I'm okay with it.

Thanks to you all for your help. I keep dropping stuff because I can't feel how much pressure I'm placing on whatever I'm carrying. I can't seem to button the cuffs of long sleeve shirts especially my right sleeve. Oh well, I've been through worse.

4 months out now... fingers almost normal : ) Feet are still a mess.
My feet may have gotten worse with the addition of Xeloda, hard to tell.
But, they gave me Cal/Mag drips before the Oxy injections, that was recommended by both the Onc at Stanford and mine up in SF.
I don t know if that might help after the fact?
Has anyone heard of using salt baths to pull the toxins?
Hope you feel better Johnny and good luck on your scans : )
MPNC

Hey Johnny T,
Have your Doc get you on Nerontin. Its helps with the nerve pain
Good luck with the CT

I'm almost 5 years out and while my finger tips finally vastly improved after 2 years, I still have neuropathy in my feet. My feet are better than they were, but it's still there and I have learned to live with it. So, it does get much better.

I have had neuropathy for over 3 years. However, it varies with individuals. Some have it for a short time, others longer...Why? I really don't know. Neurotin is a medication with helps with the pain, but it has side effects, such as loss of balance and fatigue.

I'm taking 1600 mgs. of Neurotin (4 pills). It helps to take some of the pills in late evening and at night to combat the fatigue factor. The Neurotin acts as a sleeping pill during the night.

Always wear good shoes and warm socks. Change socks and shoes during the day if necessary. Use softeners on the socks during washing and drying. Keep legs warm in winter...wear long socks or "long johns" under clothing.

Massage legs and feet. I cannot walk more than 45 minutes without serious pain, especially if the walking is on tile floors that are over cement (supermarkets). When pain is severe after walking soak feet in Epson salts. It helps.

I wish I had more answers...but if all else fails "live with it" by engaging in activities that distract the mind from the pain.

Donna

Good to see you back JT. I'm now over two years post chemo and move still exists. More so in the tootsies. The neuropathy got worse in the 6 months post chemo. My fingers have improved and that could be the typing and boxing I do but the feet still feel like I'm walking through snow which had nails in it. The weathers warmer now so the thongs are on (feet variety not the bum type lol). They do feel better after a Thai foot massage so I'll have to keep them up I guess
:)

I qm on treatment #7 of Oxi, Folfox and 5FU. The neuropathy is getting worse with every treatment. Which Vitamin B do yall suggest? Onc cut back to 75% on the Oxi but that hasn't helped. Any suggestions?

any one got advice on colon cancer with someone who had a surgury for it and has a coloscophy bad and now is getting worse and worse my friend has this and i could use some advice for her please she has been haveing very bad stomach pain with this and also has been getting sick real bad throwing up everyday after she takes her medicine and also after she eats all the time is there something that could help her out please let me know so i could help her out she has kids thats very young and she dont want to die shes been coughing really bad and she wets her self all the time she coughs i feel real bad for her she scream and crys in pain anyone can you halp about this