Neuropathy can be extremely painful, but it's usually not permanent. For most people, symptoms go away after chemotherapy is stopped. Sometimes it takes a few months for the symptoms to go away. Peripheral nerves have a great healing capacity.
Although it may take months, a recovery can occur. However, in some situations, the symptoms of neuropathy may decrease but not go away completely. For example, nerve injury caused by radiation often does not recover well. Neuropathy caused by chemotherapy is also difficult to cure, and recovery can take from 18 months to 5 years or more.
During recovery from platinum-induced neuropathy, patients may suffer from increased symptoms. Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Dana-Farber patients% 26 families More information Please note that some translations using Google Translate may not be accurately represented and downloaded documents may not be translatable. Dana-Farber assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may result from the use of this third-party tool, which is for the translation of the website and not for clinical interactions. You can request a live medical interpreter to discuss your care.
The risk of neuropathy does not depend on the diagnosis, but on the type of treatment used to treat cancer. Before treatment, it is important that all patients talk to their oncologists about any diseases or conditions they may have. In addition to these therapies, low-impact exercises such as swimming and cycling, as well as acupuncture, relaxation techniques, meditation, and guided imaging exercises can help with the side effects of neuropathy. Remember, there are many more options than just taking a pain reliever.
For neuropathy in the hands, patients may try finger tapping (tapping each finger with the thumb, one at a time) or turning fingers (bending fingers, one at a time, into a fist). Learn more about exercises to help neuropathy Learn more about healthy eating during cancer treatment B-complex vitamins, folic acid, vitamin E, D and some fish oils are the most common, but you shouldn't start any supplements without first consulting your cancer team, because many contraindicated during treatment. Magnesium potassium and tonic water (with quinine) may also specifically help with cramps. Symptoms of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy are usually the worst 3 to 5 months after the last dose of chemotherapy.
After that, symptoms may disappear completely, decrease or affect the body less; if symptoms disappear or decrease, that happens gradually, usually over several months. However, in some cases, the symptoms of NPIQ may be permanent. Symptoms usually improve within a few days of treatment, but sometimes symptoms persist. For some, peripheral neuropathy can be aggravated.
May cause constant numbness in the hands or feet, especially in those who have received multiple doses of chemotherapy known to cause neuropathy. May make it difficult to perform fine motor tasks with your hands, such as buttoning a shirt, lifting small objects, and may cause problems with balance or walking. For people whose symptoms continue after treatment is complete, they usually get better or go away within 6 to 12 months. Some people experience these symptoms for a longer period of time, and in some cases, they become permanent.
The antidepressant duloxetine has been found to help relieve neuropathic pain, a tingling sensation felt by many cancer survivors. If neuropathy affects your ability to feel a car's pedals, you shouldn't drive unless your car is adapted for manual controls. Peripheral neuropathy can affect nerves that tell you the position of your hands or feet that allow you to feel hot or cold, or that feel pain. .
