I was Stage II, and did the Folfox Chemo routine, I had to stop the Oxaliplatin after 9 treatments, because I was getting itchy all over and started to have trouble breathing, anyways, I finished the last three with the 5 FU and Leucovorin and completed Chemo in April. I had the transient numbness and tingling during chemo with Oxy, but it would go away after a few days, about a month after I stopped the Oxaliplatin, I started to get the neuropathy in my hands and feet, and now about 2 months later, I still have it, anyone else experience this and how long did it take to go away? Also I have started to have swelling in my hands and feet, and increased water retention, anyone else with this problem post chemo?? I just wonder if I will ever get back to some sense of "normal"

Sammy,

I can't respond to your questions, because I have just started chemo, however, I have heard many people say that they experienced the neuropathy after they stopped chemo, one thing regarding neuropathy-B6 helps, I was on topamax for migraine prevention and tingling in the hands and feet are side affects, I took b6 everyday as recommended by my neurologist and it subsided. I could tell a big difference if I didn't take it, I have been trying to take it while on chemo, but I am bad with pills.

Also, I've heard that sometimes the nerve damage can be long-term and thus you never return to "normal". Perhaps hiswife will comment, hopefully, because her hubby Larry was experiencing the same deal with water retention and swelling, if my memory serves me correctly.

Good luck,
Christy

Hey Sammy:
You may want to try Lyrica while symptoms of neropathy persist. I did oxali first (2.5 yrs ago now and still have some tingling in the fingers now and again. Lyrica is used for diabetic neuropathy and chronic pain where nerve pain is involved. It's DEFINTITELY worth a try.

Good Luck,
CancerDad

Hi Sammy, It sounds as if you finished Chemo a couple of weeks earlier than my hubby did. He managed to get in 10 cycles of the Folfox before dropping the oxaliplatin for the remaining 2 cycles. His last treatment was May 19th. His numbness,and tingling are if anything worse and his feet retain fluid to the point where it is painful for him to walk for more than a short distance. He had blood drawn last week for some tests ordered by his primary physican.. We are waiting for results to see if he can change some of his meds to relieve some of his symptoms. He is a bit down in the dumps as our youngest is getting married this coming Saturday and he was hoping to be able to kick up his heels at the wedding dance. :bouncing: On the plus side he doesn't seem to be sleeping his life away any longer. His energy levals are improving even though his aches and pains prohibit him from trying to do too much. His oncologist told us that the neuropathy can take 6 months to a year to go away and that in a small percentage of paitients it never does. :eek: hopefully as time goes by your and his side effects from chemo will fade away. :angel: Kathy

Thanks for the Replies, I've tried the B6 in conjunction with Gingko Biloba per my oncologist's recommendation, with little to no improvement, But I will try your reccommendation CD, thanks. I can definitely relate to your Husband Larbo's Wife, I too have been down in the dumps and feeling really depressed, I am dealing with the neuropathy, and the edema in my feet, and as vain as it sounds, I am soooooo frustrated with the hair thinning thing. I had a lot of thinning from my thick head of hair and have resorted to fake pony tails to hide the thinning, I'm trying to get set up with some type of counselor, but with my job, I'm never in one place long enought to establish any kind of therapeutic relationship. Thanks though for all your continued suggestions and support