Neuropathy (say "nurr-AW-puh-thee") from damaged nerves is a side effect of some chemotherapy medicines. It also may be called peripheral neuropathy.
People who are having chemotherapy may notice pain and loss of feeling in their fingers and toes. As the neuropathy gets worse, it moves into their hands and feet and up into their arms and legs.
Neuropathy may cause tingling, burning, numbness, or weakness in the hands or feet. Or it may feel like a sharp stabbing pain. It can cause problems with balance and difficulty walking. It may make the person more or less sensitive to heat and cold.
While getting chemotherapy, a person who has symptoms of neuropathy should tell his or her doctor right away. Sometimes the dosage of medicines used in chemotherapy can be lowered, or different medicines can be used. This may avoid further nerve damage.
After chemotherapy, symptoms of neuropathy often go away with time. It may take as much as a year or more. But some of the nerve damage may be permanent.
Some common symptoms of neuropathy are:
Neuropathy from chemo usually builds slowly over a few months. You may have your worst symptoms right after a chemo treatment. Then they may improve a bit until the next treatment.
After you finish chemo, your symptoms may improve or go away. This may take as much as a year or more. In some cases, some of the nerve damage may be permanent.
For treating pain, there is no single treatment that works for everyone. You and your doctor may want to try different things.
Tell your doctor right away about any new or changing symptoms during chemo. Your doctor may be able to change your chemo treatment to help prevent nerve damage.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They will test your strength and reflexes and check how well you can feel light touch and temperature. You may also have tests, such as nerve conduction studies.
Try to prevent falls and other injuries. Remove throw rugs and clutter. Install handrails on stairways and grab bars in bathrooms. Avoid alcohol. If you smoke, try to quit. To prevent burns when cooking, use potholders and avoid hot water. Ask your doctor about safe exercises. And take medicines as instructed.
Chemotherapy, or chemo, can cause damage to the nerves. This damage is called peripheral neuropathy (say "puh-RIFF-uh-rul noo-RAW-puh-thee"). It can affect the nerves that control your sense of touch, how you feel pain and temperature, and your muscle strength.
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