Symptoms usually peak about 3 to 5 months after taking the last dose of treatment. Abnormal sensations may disappear completely or decrease only partially; they may also affect less part of the body. If neuropathy decreases, it is a gradual process that usually takes several months. 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. 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. In some situations, the symptoms of neuropathy may decrease but not go away completely.
After completing cancer treatment, you were probably able to say goodbye to many of the unpleasant aspects of having cancer: frequent visits with your doctor, anxiety about whether you would conquer the disease, and many short-term side effects of cancer treatment. However, some side effects of treatment take much longer to go away and can affect your mental health as a cancer survivor. Two common examples of the longer-lasting effects of cancer treatment with chemotherapy are cancer-associated cognitive dysfunction and neuropathy. 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. Peripheral neuropathy may affect only one nerve, two or more nerves in different areas of the body. Neuropathy can be extremely painful, but it's usually not permanent. For most people, symptoms go away after chemotherapy is stopped.
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