Been on Xeloda 1 1/2 years' now - major side effect is hand and foot syndrome. I use Bag Balm esp at night and try to lubricate during day but difficult. Wear gloves in the house to fold laundry and other chores that make my hands feel even more dry. For about a month now my right leg feels like it is asleep (from right foot to the knee only). Thigh is fine. It makes me wonder if the blood is circulating and will it eventually go dead and need amputation? That is my main concern. I hope someone can answer this.
Has anyone had neuropathy in feet but travels also up the leg?
- Posted:
- 7 Apr 2011 by nam124
- Topics:
- bag balm, xeloda, peripheral neuropathy, dry skin, side effect, breast cancer, metastatic
Details:
Answers (4)
7 Apr 2011
I have been on Taxol for four months and have the numbness in my right leg almost to the knee. My finger tips are also going numb. I'm sure it is the nerves and not circulation but you should ask your doctor to be sure. I am switching to another drug (Navelbine) because of this side effect. This new drug does not have that side effect. The quality of life is as important as the length. I can always switch back if the cancer gets a lot worse. I wish you the best in dealing with your problems.
DzooBaby7 Apr 2011
Is your right leg a healthy color and is it warm to the touch? If you palpate the top of the arch of the foot -about an inch or two down from where your leg/ankle meets the arch, between the bone that goes to the great toe and the second toe-can you feel a pulse in or around there? If yes, then your circulation is fine and it is just the nerves causing the dead feeling. As long as the circulation is fine your foot/leg should not need to be amputated. You must be careful, however, that with the feeling diminished, that you do not get an injury that goes unnoticed and gets infected. You need to look your foot and leg over every day using a mirror to look at the bottom of the foot and underside of the leg or letting someone else inspect it for you. If you get a cut or blister, whatever, you need to take care of it right away to avoid any complications to the wound. That is always a danger when feeling is limited in an extremity.
joy okay8 Apr 2011
Most of the cancer meds effect the nerves in the feet and bottom part of your legs. I was on Arimidex and now on Faslodex for er positive mets. The Arimidex was worse, but it quit working after 18 months. Have been on Faslodex 4 1/2 months feet a little bit affected as well as wrist and shoulder joints. The only drug I had way back from 1984-1993 was tamoxifin and that did not effect my nerves. I am a 26 year breast cancer survivor.
nam124
9 Apr 2011
Thank you so much for taking the time to email me. I try not to worry about such things but it's hard to ignore when your leg is numb. I feel so much better knowing that other people have experienced this. Sometimes you think you are "going crazy."
Thanks again, Nancy
nam124
13 Apr 2011
I Joy, I also was on both drugs and Arimidex was definitely worse. The tamoxifen was great with me as far as no side effects but unfortunately it didn't change the size of the tumors. They continued to grow. I first started with IV chemo every Thursday which lasted for 3 hours. I did that for one year until I had no veins left for they to give me IV and I refused the shunt. So I began on Xeloda - first lost some hair but gradually it has come back - not full and thick like it used to be... I got numbness in feet and hands almost immediately. I fell a couple of times and was hospitalized. I can only wear shoes that buckle me in or sneaks that tie up. Otherwise, I have no balance with all the cute sandals... and I adore them but what can you do??'
bipolar4l...12 Apr 2011
Hi i am jan new here I have neuropathy it spreads right through me like a sharp knife I cant take it half the time recently i got multiple multiple cortisone shots and they have relieved the pain some so it is like i can do alot more. anmyways i have the pain from my back lower back across down to my thigh and my calf and into my heel of my foot my big toe goes numb and so do my thumbs i hate it but i try to thinnk that it can be worse i am praying it doesnt come to the point where i cant walk it would be so hard on my son i dont worry about me but i worry about hiim
if u ever want to chat i dont know hwo to do it maybe i will send u a message or u can send me one. I cant find where it is to do that your help would be appreciated if u dont mind. LOL janymak ((((((((((huggies))))))))))))
joy okay
13 Apr 2011
Not certain as to how much mets you have, and haven't been on regular chemo or radiation ever. Would think there would be a better drug as this seems to cause nerve damage. You quality of life is not good with the nerve problem.
Wish you hugs
nam124
13 Apr 2011
Are you on chemotherapy for cancer? My neuropathy is secondary to the chemotherapy I am on. Please let me know what you are taking?
Take deep breaths... When things get too hard to bear, God always helps, so keep talking to him.
Take care. Nam124
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Wow, thank you so much for your expertise. Are you a nurse/doctor? You made me feel so much better. I did feel a pulse which confirms that this is the nerves. I will continue to check my feet and leg area well. I also will STOP lubricating between the toes. It makes sense to keep those areas dry.
Thank you again. Nam124