![]() Remember, there are lots more options than just taking a pain pill. In addition to these therapies, low-impact exercise like swimming and biking, as well as acupuncture, relaxation techniques, meditation, and guided imagery exercises can all help with the side effects of neuropathy. In both cases, it is very important for patients to advocate for themselves by asking their doctor or care team for a referral to a physical and/or occupational therapist. Occupational therapy can also be beneficial and can help patients improve fine motor skills like buttoning shirts. Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for neuropathy - it can help with balance, strength and safety. Aside from medications, what are some tips for managing the numbness, tingling or pain patients experience with neuropathy? Your cancer team will be able to create a treatment plan that will protect you from injury and possibly prevent your symptoms from worsening. The most important prevention tip is to be attentive to your symptoms and to report any concerns to your doctor right away. Is there anything patients can do to prevent neuropathy? The type of neuropathy we are discussing today is related to specific chemotherapy medicines. There is a genetic type of neuropathy that is called I-A Type and is linked to auto-immune diseases. While it is rare, it is possible for symptoms to develop several years after treatment. Neuropathy can happen at any time during or after your chemotherapy treatment (it is drug specific). Does neuropathy happen right away, or soon after chemotherapy treatment? Or, is it possible for patients to get neuropathy years after treatment is finished? There is no clear treatment for neuropathy that will improve nerve damage, but a combination of pain medications, vitamins, lotions and exercise can help you manage symptoms. The chemotherapy drugs linked to CIPN include:Īre there medications to treat neuropathy? Are there certain chemotherapy drugs that are more likely to cause neuropathy? Prior to treatment, it is important that all patients talk with their oncologists about any diseases or conditions they may have. If you already have neuropathy and are starting cancer treatment, speak to your team about your specific symptoms. Specific types of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can cause damage to nerves that can lead to neuropathy Patients with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, may already have neuropathy as a result of these diseases. What are other risk factors for developing CIPN? The risk for neuropathy depends not on the diagnosis, but the type of treatment used to treat the cancer. Neuropathy does not affect every patient and symptoms can differ depending on the chemotherapy type, dosage, frequency, or other pre-existing health issues. Does CIPN affect every cancer patient? Do certain cancer diagnoses increase risk for neuropathy? Transcript of the Chat What are the most common symptoms of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)? Are the symptoms the same for every patient?ĬIPN symptoms vary from patient to patient, but in general, side effects include: feeling of numbness or "pins and needles" in your hands and feet difficulty picking up an object or buttoning clothing ringing in your ears or loss of hearing changes in vision sudden, stabbing pains in your hands or feet constipation/difficulty urinating muscle weakness or cramps loss of balance or having difficulty walking and feeling heat and cold, more or less than usual. ![]() Sullivan, who is the clinical program manager for Patient Education at Dana-Farber, answered questions about prevention, safety, and managing side effects. How can cancer patients cope with the symptoms of neuropathy? Clare Sullivan, MPH, BSN, CRRN, hosted a live chat on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
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