Today's post from runningonchemo.com (see link below) is a short but recognisable personal story from a cancer-treatment related neuropathy patient. It's strange how all neuropathy sufferers can identify with other people's stories irrespective of the cause of their nerve damage and in that sense, neuropathy should have a much higher public profile than it does (considering the millions of sufferers). However, reading this account, you'll undoubtedly sympathise with the author and probably be able to say that you know exactly what the writer's feeling! Neuropathy's a mean disease because it frequently comes on top of, or is caused by, other mean diseases.
Chemo, One Year On Musings
Peripheral Neuropathy Flashbacks
Posted on 1 Day Ago by runningonchemo Peripheral Neuropathy is a common side effect of the taxane based chemotherapy regimes – numbness and tingling of fingers and toes that usually extends further with each cycle, but in most cases the issue remains mild and transient. In my case it was mainly toes that got affected, it started from the baby toes and luckily didn’t go much further past the middle section, four courses of paclitaxel went and the symptoms started to improve.
Numb fingers meant that my handwriting got worse but it had been bad enough already – the scribbles just got a bit more artistic, let’s say, and just a bit less legible but hey, that silly quill to paper business is so over now with the keyboards and touchscreens. Typing might have been a bit of an issue too, I think, but autocorrect saved the day on few occasions
Swollen Appendage – yikes!
It’s funny how realisations get delayed in the surreal world of chemo. I did not quite realise that my feet were affected until I went to a yoga class, all defiant with my picc line covered by a cut off sock, and nearly wobbled face to floor attempting a warrior pose, it was likely warrior two, but it could have been anything else that needed some basic balance, like a … low lunge LOL. Same with the handwriting, I just got used to guessing what I had written here and there, when suddenly last week I realised that my control over pen somehow got back to normal. 10 month after the last paclitaxel there is a chance that people will now be able to read their birthday cards. Shame about my post it notes that would now lose their awesome Picasso style appeal.
Swollen Appendage – yikes!
It’s totally different with the foot treated to the full on black cab weight. The realisation of not being able to use the foot, transformed into a foreign looking and feeling appendage in seconds, is so instant and the numbness so pronounced that it all puts the super mild chemo peripheral neuropathy in a totally new perspective. The coincidence of my hands getting totally back to normal just as my foot went the other way is just following the basic karma rules, I guess. #silverlinings
https://runningonchemo.com/2016/08/01/peripheral-neuropathy-flashbacks/
Today's post from jamaicaobserver.com (see link below) is a view of neuropathy from another corner of the world, in this case Jamaica and once again it's directed primarily at diabetics. Experienced neuropathy patients will know by now that, apart from blood sugar levels, the information in all such articles applies to almost everyone living with nerve damage - diabetes is just one of the causes - after you've got it...join the club of people with neuropathy from more than 100 causes! However, this is still a useful article with several useful tips for everyone trying to cope with the disease.
Angela Davis Sunday, December 06, 2015
Control your blood glucose level to relieve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
PEOPLE with diabetes can develop nerve damage over time. It is well documented that about 70 per cent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy.
Neuropathy is damage to the nerves and can occur in any organ of the body. The risk of developing nerve damage increases with age and the duration with which you have had diabetes. If you struggle to control your blood glucose level, are hypertensive and overweight, you are more likely to suffer with nerve damage.
The actual cause of neuropathy is due to a combination of factors, including:
* Lifestyle, for example smoking and drinking alcohol;
* Metabolic factors, for example high blood glucose levels, high blood fat levels, low insulin levels;
* Neurovascular factors that cause damage to the blood vessels that feed the nerves;
* Mechanical injuries to the nerves; and
* Autoimmune factors.
The main types of neuropathy that affect the lower limbs are peripheral, focal and proximal. Peripheral is by far the most common and can cause pain, burning, stinging, numbness, and pins and needles in the feet and hands.
Focal results in weakness in one nerve or a group of nerves, leading to muscle weakness or pain, and any nerve in the body can be affected.
Proximal neuropathy causes pain in the thigh, hip or buttocks, and weakness in the legs.
For the purpose of this article we will focus on peripheral neuropathy, as this is by far the most common I see in my surgery. As mentioned before, you will know that you have peripheral neuropathy if you experience any of these sensations.
* Burning, tingling or pricking;
* Pins and needles;
* Hypersensitivity to touch;
* Poor coordination and loss of balance;
* Numbness; and
* Weakened sensitivity to temperature and pain.
There may also be muscle weakness and a loss of reflexes at the ankle and knee. Due to poor sensation, people often end up injuring their feet. These injuries may go unnoticed and lead to infection. Charcot joints may occur -- this is where a foot deteriorates because of nerve damage. There is swelling, instability and joint deformity. Early treatment can promote healing and prevent further damage.
Any infection left untreated for too long can spread to the bone and lead to amputation. However, it is important to note that if caught early, most amputations are preventable.
To diagnose peripheral neuropathy, a clinical examination is done. The skin, muscles, bones, circulation, and sensation of the feet are all assessed. Patients will describe the sensations they have in their feet and this will give a clear picture as to whether peripheral neuropathy is present or not.
TREATMENT
There is no cure for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Treatment focuses on slowing the progress of the disease, pain relief, and managing the complications.
Blood glucose levels need to be controlled. Once achieved, this may improve symptoms. Follow a healthy eating plan and get a lot of exercise. Do not smoke or drink alcohol, and keep your blood pressure under control. If you are overweight, lose it.
Your doctor may choose to prescribe medication to relieve your pain and discomfort. He or she will consider carefully what to give you as the medication available doesn't work for everyone and often has side effects.
Some people find acupuncture very helpful, and it can be used alongside conventional medicine.
Here are a few natural remedies that patients might find useful:
* Massage the feet daily with castor oil.
* The dietary supplement Alpha Lipsic Acid is a powerful antioxidant. Studies show 600mg daily may reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
* The dietary supplement CoQ10 may also reduce symptoms.
* Omega 3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish and flaxseed are "food" for the nervous system.
* Oat seed is a mineral-rich herb that is thought to reduce numbness.
* Vitamin B6 deficiency can aggravate peripheral neuropathy, so consider introducing B6-rich foods into your diet; for example, sunflower seeds, salmon, bananas, lean chicken, and avocado.
* Capsicum pepper, as the active ingredient in a cream, has been found to reduce neuropathic pain.
The most important thing you can do to relieve your symptoms is to keep active and get good control of your blood glucose. But, before embarking on any treatment, it is essential that you consult your doctor.
Angela Davis BSc (Hons) DPodM MChS is a podiatrist with offices in Montego Bay (293-7119), Mandeville (962-2100), Ocho Rios (974-6339), and Savanna-la-Mar (955-3154). She is a member of the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Neuropathy_19242048
