Vent about Permanent Neuropathy
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Thank you very much for your support and your ideas. Its difficult to find others who understand that accommodation need to be made to live our lives with the new reality we are facing. I read and re-read your posts over this week and reflected on the process of making my home life more positive. I am working with the local cancer support center to try and find a counselor that will meet with us. I think if my husband can vent a bit and also look at things from a different perceptive then perhaps he can move forward. He also has a serious medical condition at a very young age (42) and I think he is just generally frustrated with the direction our lives have taken the last 3 years. I really appreciate the place to vent and cry because it allows me to pull it together and remain constructive in the non internet world.
sweetp. I too like low ankle socks that are loose and do not bind. I know this might sound silly but consider trying the mens hanes no show socks. If they fit your feet you may really like them. You are actually wearing some of the pairs of shoes I also like. New balance is my favorite. There are some really good pairs of AHNU brand but they are expensive and narrow. They only fit a certain foot but are light weight and wear all day without too much fatigue. the swelling at the end of the day or just from walking and standing on cement can be a real trouble. I don't have good ideas for it but if you find a way to elevate your feet for even 15 minutes at lunch it helps me.
Does anyone here like Beets, Beet Greens, or leafy green vegetables? I have read several articles that these foods significantly help peripheral circulation. I am working to try to get more blood flow to my hands and feet.
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SweetPea - I wear New Balance but not sketchers. I look for a very deep toe box. I like the Travel Time Mules. My podiatrist recommended HOKA because my toe nails keep detaching still after 5 years. (thank you chemo) They are expensive but light weight & good support and she gave me a 20% off coupon.
As for socks, I've found a couple of diabetic socks that work but i agree, they don't last long so I don't even remember the names. I just bought some Adidas Men's Superlite socks. They are low cut & supposedly have 360 degrees of ventilation. So far they're comfortable.
Guru - so glad that you feel comfortable posting here. I agree - if we can vent here we can go on with our regular life. The women are amazing and you know we'll be up to listen any time. Interesting about the Beets. I hadn't read about their benefit for circulation. I do like them & will increase my consumption. I try to eat spinach once a week but may increase that too.
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SweatPea- I have size 11 feet and have always struggled to find comfy socks! I second the notion of trying men’s socks - but if you’re a size 10 or above, don’t buy the “size 8-12” packs as they’ll be tight. Go for the “size 10-12” styles. I like the Nike padded low sport socks. I wear my socks inside out - the smooth outside is more comfortable on my feet.
As for shoes, I like Vionics for the orthotic fit as I’ve found good arch support make my whole foot more comfortable. Also have a pair of Adidas sneakers with a very thick memory foam insole that is v v comfy.
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I'm size 9 to 9 1/2 depending. Mediums are too narrow and I'm disheartened that so many styles are just that... M or Narrow.
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I wear 11 now. Difficult to find shoes that fit. My Mephistos have lasted over 20 years and we a bit big before, but fit nicely now. SAS shoes are deep enough for orthodics but then so are some $15 shoes I found at Walmart.
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Hi Sweetpea,
Have you tried Hush Puppy “bounce” walking shoes? They keep changing the name but come in wide widths. I have a suede pair that I really like. The regular ones that look like tennis shoes—I wear these as nice shoes, and then retire them to garden work.
Like Lanne, I’m a fan of Vionic Orthaheel shoes—they’re supportive and I even have a pair of Vionic ankle boots. Haven’t had cute boots in years!
I change my shoes probably three times each day and wear comforting Dearfoam boot slippers. I’m still trying to find comfy socks, and the best so far were Hanes cuff socks that came in a multi pack.
I’m sorry your feet hurt all the time, and maybe like me, you’ve had to explain why you couldn’t wear sandals or pump at a job. I always wanted to show off the latest style, but mostly I’m just glad if I’m not crying at the end of the day.
I still have a pair of Ecco walking sandals that I bought 15 years ago. They are a treasure and fit better than any of more recent years. Hope you will unearth a treasure soon in your search for comfort.
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Well, I guess I should have looked for this thread earlier. I've been reading and seeing many bits of myself in some of your posts. I was diagnosed originally in 2012 with Stage IIIB IDC, ER+/PR+, HER2-. Went through surgery, chemo and radiation and was "good to go." Then in 2016 got the flu that wouldn't go away, and a chest x-ray caught spots on my lung and humerus, so I was sent for CT. Ended up in a whirlwind of being diagnosed Stage IV with MANY mets to lungs, liver and bones. Did some radiation for some of the bone areas and went on Xeloda for the rest. Miraculously, all of those mets resolved and I was stable for about a year. Then I started to get weird tingly sensations on the front of my tummy, then my butt, then down one leg, and then up the other. The tingling got worse and "deeper" and became numbness, pain and tingles all at the same time. It kept getting worse and I eventually lost most of the feeling in my feet, my balance, and so the ability to drive, walk for more than about 150 feet at a time, or stand for any length of time. I now use a walker or wheelchair. I went on disability just before the neuropathy set in, but am glad I did.
After much guessing at what was the cause, seeing a neurologist nearby, and then a trip to MAYO to see a neurologist there for a second opinion, it was finally determined it was delayed radiation neuropathy, which I had never heard of. Apparently, you can get this up to a year or two after having radiation. Basically, the nerves along my spine were damaged at the time of radiation, but it sets in later. I had had the usual peripheral neuropathy with chemo back in 2013, and am having some in my fingers again now with new chemo, but this is something more. As many of you have described the sensations, it is an awful bundle of pain, tightness, tingling, hypersensitivity, burning, itching, numbness and cold feelings all at once. Who knew you could be numb and hurt at the same time?
The bad news is there isn't much you can do about it except try to relieve the pain. I am on gabapentin (and have been for years) along with MS Contin and Oxycodone for breakthrough pain. It doesn't cut it, but it helps. I've tried acupuncture to no avail, although it DID help with lymph circulation in my legs/feet, which has been affected due to not moving much. I have gone through OT, PT (still continuing that), and have made MANY changes to my home and in my life. I can still make it down the two steps to the garage to get in the car (with walker and help, of course), but I can no longer go upstairs where my bedroom and a newly remodeled bathroom are. I have my ex here with me, kind enough to take care of me, cook for me, take care of our pets, drive me everywhere, and get me out of the house for small excursions. I can't go to any of my friends' homes any more because they all have steps or rough ground. I got a passport just before this set in, but cannot travel where I'd like to...or at least it would be a VERY different type of trip with many limitations if I did go. I'm really having trouble getting used to the idea that this is my life. And I'm always trying to find ways to make things easier, but every little thing is difficult and takes me forever to do. My cancer seems secondary to me now, even though I have had recent progression to the mesentery and am on IV chemo (second one so far.)
I'm not writing all of this for any pity or anything. I know you guys get it. But I thought it might help some of you...perhaps some of your neuropathy is caused by the same thing?? For me it's all about comfort and stamina. I save up my energy for necessary or wanted excursions, but can only do one thing in a day usually. I wear loose, soft clothing due to the hypersensitivity of my abdominal area. The moo moo is my friend!
I wear comfortable but stable shoes and loose socks. I have found things I like to do with my hands, sitting down. I embroider, color, paint rocks, read, watch TV/Movies/Series, listen to music, etc. Any advice on things you've tried would be most appreciated! All the best to all of you!!0 -
bbecksoon - so sorry to hear of your current condition, thank you for sharing your story. While not at the same level as yours, I experienced a return of neuropathy in my fingers and palms and a worsening in my feet after reconstructive surgery, a year and a half after chemo. The first thing I felt when I came out of anesthesia was that my fingers tips were numb - told each person that checked on me and everyone just said “huh." My MO was surprised to hear it. I can't be the only one in the practice that's had the problem. I am starting to realize that neuropathy issues aren't taken as seriously as they should be as a predictable and serious side effects of cancer treatments.
What I advocate for evetyone to do is be vocal about how painful and incomfortable it is, along with giving examples of how it affects your mental outlook and day to day activities, and not “not" make a big deal about it. Give it a 7 or 8 on the pain scale. If we are not vocal, it won't get the attention it needs. Ppl that don't have it (Drs included) just don't understand what it's like.
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bbeck, I was on neurontin too for a long time. It didn't help much but Lyrica does. At least for me.
They never figured out what caused my neuropathy either, but I didn't have radiation. They think I might have had paraneoplastic syndrome.
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Hello everyone. I have not been as active on these boards as I am over 5 years out and yes, I too still have neuropathy in both legs and my left hand. My main complaint is the crippling weakness in my legs. While I still have the pins and needles, it has improved over the last couple years and terrible burning started around that time but has since gone away. I still believe healing is possible but clearly very, very slow. I have often read that the pins and needles and burning is a positive in that it shows that while the nerves are damaged they are still alive and thus may be able to regenerate to some extent. I have often read that when the symptoms of burning and pins and needles gets worse it can be signs of regeneration and that has been my experience. As to the weakness the prognosis is somewhat grimmer but I have not given up hope and I no longer fear my legs giving out beneath me and so even there I have had significant progress.
It is difficult to assess my progress and instead of weeks or even months it is better assessed over a given year. With the upcoming holidays they serve to remind me where I was just last year and brings memories of past holidays post chemo. Christmas shopping just three years ago was impossible but every year I was able to accomplish more and just last Thanksgiving I was worried about making my first Thanksgiving feast which was a challenge but this year I am far more able and believe I won't need to do much of the prep while sitting. Yes, my life has certainly changed and I accept my limitations but in my experience things are very slowly improving even after 5 years. I remain hopeful and I hope you all do too. In truth every time I took a turn for the worst it was followed by improvement and while I well remember the fear the neuropathy was spreading and advancing, in time I came to find myself welcoming the times of the dreadful burning and pins and needles because it was followed by some measure of progress thereafter. So that is my pep talk but now for the bad....
Six months ago I began have a choking sensation and at times it felt like hands were around my throat. When it did not subside I went to my PCP and she believed it was anxiety. I wasn't buying that and so she ordered a Barium Swallow test. The results showed atonia or loss of muscle control in the esophagus so when I swallow food, liquids and even saliva is retained in the throat. Thereafter I had a scope and that showed no cancer or obstruction but of concern as thought to be neuropathy. I have been on reflux medicine and hoping that is causing the irritation but it has not helped and so the dx currently is attributed to neuropathy either chemo related or of unknown origin.
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I will also add that recently it was found that I received no benefit from the chemo and that is upsetting thinking all of this could have been avoided but I console myself saying that my doctors and I made the best decision based on the info we had at the time. I am grateful for the advancement of science and that others will be spared these horrific life changing SEs when chemo serves no purpose. I often remind myself of the women before us who underwent these radical MXs and no option for reconstruction. In some regards I should feel blessed?
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NotBroken - oh my dear I am soooo sorry to hear about the throat/swallowing issues. Thank heavens no cancer, but another trial for you to go through. Hopefully the docs will find something that helps.
Thanks for posting your experience of improvement in the legs & feet, even if it's very gradual. It gives the rest of us some hope. I am trying to force myself to walk every day, but since I have no feeling in my feet it is probably safer on a treadmill than the street. I believe I'll be meeting some friends at a restaurant this Thanksgiving, but I'll think of you mixing & chopping & baking.
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Sorry I haven't posted for about a month. Been pretty busy at work and my brain just wasn't in it to look at all of your posts.
Oxoner, Thank you. I checked out the Hush Puppies website and there are several examples using the bounce technology. I think that I'll check that out. Prices seem O.K.
bbecksoon, WOW! You've been through so much...sending hugs your way. My health care pros aren't too much help, though they are trying. It's as if I have to wait until I can't walk before something else may happen. In answer to neuropathy, I was prescribed PT which was nice while it lasted but did me absolutely no good as far as the neuropathy went. The main focus was actually on my back (small hole near the L5).
NotBroken: Sorry that it's all hitting you like that. I recall my doctors all telling me that the chemo, surgery and radiation would all be worth it. My MO was particularly glass half full and always listened but usually dismissed side effects saying that the majority doesn't experience them. Took me months to get them to let me get a DEXA scan. Luckily I got that right before the radiation began.
My feet are still numb in places, cold, a bit painful, but I push through while I walk and stand at work. I'm noticing more "accidents" lately; twice in one day I lost my balance and scraped my leg on a stupid anchor container's handle that was sticking out/open and also ended running into an edge of a metal shelf that did a number on my surgery arm. That was all temporary, but at the time, hurt like the dickens. I had radiation after chemo which focused on the place of origin (left breast), left underarm nodes and left side nodes in the neck region. My follow up was last week and I felt weight shamed by the RO, wish I hadn't gone for that visit. I weigh no more than I did before my cancer treatment began, but that isn't good enough. She wants me to cut out sugar and carbs. During Chemo, I lost about 20 pounds but put back almost all of it since then.
As for pain, I'm afraid to take prescriptions due to side effects that may keep me from working. There may come a time when I may need it, not there yet. I wish you all good luck and hope that improvements happen for you all.
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Hi everyone
The numb coldness at night is so difficult. I have tried having a hot pad under the feet but it causes me to hot flash.
I continue in my no oil or fat whole foods plant based eating (forks and knives) my hope is it will increase the circulation to the peripheral hands and feet. It seems to be helping with the pain and numbness but I still drop quite a few things and trip if I miss the corner of the rug etc.
Still doing the methylated B vitamins. They seem to help. Not sure about the neuropathy improvement but it has helped my insomnia significantly.
To the person trying glutamine. Pm me your address and I can mail you my leftover juven. It's expensive and I have about 5 to 10 packets. I took it for wound healing. I am renovating my kitchen so no room for it.
This week I started acupuncture at the integrative health part of the cancer center. My insurance finally decided to cover it so I am going twice a week for 9 weeks. I am hoping it will increase the circulation and make those joints more limber, less clicky and less tingly. I will report back.
I also decided to just walk in the treadmill 1.7 mph for 45 minutes. I hope it will get that circulation up because my right foot still has that lump feeling and the bottom of my feet are agravated.
Arimidex took out my knees so I need to get them moving or I am going to be in serious trouble down the road.
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It's been forever since I have posted here... but do read occasionally. I am intrigued by the beets/beet greens helping with circulation. I love both, but somehow never knew that. I had chemo six years ago, and my oncologist quit after 6 rounds (I was supposed to get 8) because neuropathy so bad. Affected my hands, feet, muscles. Hands and feet numb.... all the way up to my knees, originally. It has gotten much, much better but not 100%. Hands and fingers okay - I have most mobility but never got my true penmanship back. (not a big deal, I know) My left foot is still numb. No tingles, no pain, just numb. Right foot is totally okay most of the time. Every once in a while I get out of the blue, tingly nervy pain that shoots through them (my feet) and I am SO excited, just to have some feeling. The numbness is the worst. I do take Lyrica every day - just one in the morning, and if I forget I am in huge trouble. I am very active - - hike, run quite a bit, bike, etc... and I find the more active I am the better my foot is. I do get monthly infusion of Herceptin, and the week after the infusion is always the worst. I know oncologists say that Herceptin doesn't make neuropathy worse, but it does.
On the sock subject - I rarely wear them. I literally wear all of my boots, booties, any kinds of shoes, etc.. with no socks. When I run or hike I wear VERY thin socks. Lulu Lemon has some amazing thin socks. Very expensive, but worth it. I find anything else makes my feet swell.
Has anyone tried a TENS machine? They used to be very expensive, but you can now get them in the pharmacy at a reasonable price. Even though I don't have pain, I found the electric currents seemed to restore the feeling in my feet..... I love using them. Maybe it's just in my head... but I feel like they are pulsing my nerves back to life, and again - I have come a long way in 6 years!
I wish all of you luck...I will check back more often. I'd love any additional advice, and you all seem to have some good ideas. There are some days when I can forget that I have it (completely numb left foot) and some days when I just want to scream. Mornings are the worst - before I have had my one Lyrica kick in. I would take more of it, but it made me totally gain weight (another little tidbit that my oncologist neglected to mention.... I had to watch the Lyrica commericals on TV before I made the connection and realized why I had gained back the 30 pounds I lost in chemo, plus a lot more!)
Thanks for letting me vent! Hang in there, and take care.
XO - Andi
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Hello to all
MinusTwo, I haven't been here in a while, I took a break, there are lots of folks here with lots of problems still. , glad to see you here but sorry you are still having problems.
NotBrokenJustBent. I am so sorry about the throat issue, I have read that neuropathy can possibly affect swallowing, digestion, elimination and all matter of things. I do hope that will resolve as well as possible in your case. What I have learned about neuropathy is that we are pretty much on our own, doctors can test us and announce diagnoses, but there doesn't seem much to be done about it. We just learn to live with our various symptoms. I too have the tingling, burning, aching, crampy legs and feet. And if I've had a busy day then my whole body feels like it's been through the wringer. Like you, my main complaint is the leg weakness. Before this started I could walk for miles and feel loose and comfortable. Now I walk a while and then my legs do feel as if they will just stop, as if they cannot take another step. It was explained to me by the doc that did my testing, that the nerves are not properly signaling the muscles, so they don't know they are supposed to keep moving once past a certain point.
bbecksoon, I will say that I have been traveling every so often, for one reason that I love it, and for another reason that I don't know how long I will be able to do it. I walk a lot when traveling in airports, foreign cities and hills etc. but it is more strolling, and I seem to do okay with that. Legs still get tired, but manageable, if I sit down and rest them once in a while. Standing is the enemy, standing on concrete is intolerable, and since my knees are also bad, sitting with legs bent is painful. I will also say that while traveling, I have seen people in all conditions who are also traveling. Yes, there are limitations for some, I'm sorry to say. But there are employees who are happy to push one through the airports in a wheelchair, or give you a ride on a golf cart thingy. If you go on a cruise all kinds of accomodations are made so one can make the most of it. There are all different classes of excursions when in port, including for those with limited mobility. I'm not saying it would be easy, but if it's really something you want to do there you might check it out. I am usually exhausted when I get home, but after a few days of not much activity am ready to resume daily activities. A big thing I love about travel is that seeing new sights is so distracting, and it does take one's mind off troubles very well. But only you know if you are up for it or not.
Lanne2389, I think you are right about being vocal to docs, they do not seem to take it seriously. Even the neurologist I saw said "yes, it's neuropathy, here's some pills." On to the next patient. The neuropathy I have is from chemo, I noticed it after my first treatment of Taxotere, and it got worse with time. Just when I thought it was much better, it came back with a vengeance, about a year after I finished chemo. I did not have radiation so can't blame that.
I cut the tops of all my socks so they aren't tight on my ankles, it's not pretty but it works.
Mary
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Maryna - good to see you but sorry for your troubles. I agree about traveling. Who know how long we'll be able to continue. I am no longer too proud to ask for a wheelchair if I get overwhelmed.
Just a comment about neurologists - mine is a guru at a major medical center. Up front 5 years ago she told me it might get some better, but that meant better from where I was after chemo and not back to before cancer. She said the only help she had to offer is for pain - nothing for the numbness. I just saw her for a follow up 4 years later. My fingers gradually got most of their feeling back most of the time. At least I can do up my own levis. The feet are still mostly dead, sometimes running up my calves. Unfortunately her answer is still the same. There has been no new developments for treatment to bring back the feeling lost from CIPN.
Andi - I did see a doc who is applying for a grant to run a trial to apply electricity to the feet - like a TENS unit. They have found that there is some improved feeling with diabetic neuropathy BUT, once you turn off the the current the feeling apparently doesn't last. It will be interesting if they get the same results with chemotherapy induced PN.
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My neuropathy isn't as bad as most of you describe. Numb fingertips/toes. I have achy pain in my arms, mostly at night. Sometimes in my legs. Feels bone deep. I take gabapentin at night and duloxitine in the morning. It's time to up the dosage
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Blownaway - the bone pain might be from tamoxifen? I'm taking duloxitine (Cymbalta) also and it seems to help with the neuropathy as well as my psych, I've had good luck with that and Tumeric and was able to get off gabapentin. You might try Claritin once daily for the bone pain.
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Perhaps it is the cold snap and sudden change in the weather but ouch! The last couple days have been brutal. I had just posted about how the burning and even the pins and needles had mostly subsided but they are back in full force. Hot bathes bring only temporary relief. I like to think that the pain is good and bringing on more healing but days and nights like this are difficult. Last night I actually wondered if it would be so bad to live without my limbs. This sucks.
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Hi, I wanted to ask you ladies and men of course, if you have neuropathy in places besides your hands and feet. I iced my hands and feet when I was doing TCHP x 6, then I did H&P up until the year mark. My neuropathy is on both sides of my neck, back of upper legs and inside of upper arms. When I really get tired I can feel my body hum at night. I did not start taking Gabapentin til after I finished all treatment. It seems to be getting worse. I finished up all treatment on August 8 of this year. I am wondering if this is going to be permanent.
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KCMC - So sorry to hear all the problems. With that many areas affected I would definitely make an appointment with a Neurologist. I was told you can see some improvement up to 2 years after the end of TCHP. Other people have been told 3 years. They didn't talk about H&P, but that's a question to ask since you only finished that 2 month ago. Gabapentin is of course only for pain and not for numbness.
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Hi NotBroken - oh I agree about the cold weather. Or the barometric changes. Or the phases of the moon (LOL). So sorry to hear your pain is back. Are you taking anything that might help?
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Minus Two, thank you, I think I will make an appointment with a neurologist, at first it was just itchy during treatment but ice packs usually took care of it. Then it started to tingle, burn and then shooting pains. I have to take the Gabapentin, I held out as long as I could it makes me so tired but I notice if I miss a dose the pain is worse. I hope it does clear up. 2-3 years is a small price to pay as long as this beast does not come back.
I was listening to Dr. Stubblefields podcast on BCO and he mentioned that Carboplatin has a 'coasting' effect and sometimes the neuropathy takes a while to show up and gets worse before it gets better. Ugh!
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Is there any way you could try acupuncture? I go to the integrative health center in our hospital. They only work with cancer patients so it must have some benefit documented.
They say it works the best if you start as soon as you can to when the symptoms start.
Also I would personally try b complex and b12 . Thorne bitamin makes a good methylated formulation.
The neuropathy webcast on the homepage is helpful as it explains that different drugs do different things to the nerves.
It's hard to say if it will be permenant. The gabapentin etc helps with the pain but there isn't good science regarding rebuilding the nerves.as of now conventional medicine doesn't have a lot of curative solutions in that area.
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Yes, I do have access to Acupuncture, my general practitioner performs it, I will call about making an appointment, I have done it with him in the past for fatigue before my cancer diagnosis and it helped, thank you for recommending it! I am taking a B complex and Alpha Lipoid Acid. I am running low on my b's I will look into the Thorne brand. Thank you so much
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NotBroken and MinusTwo and KCMC
YES to barometric changes, for me if a cold front is approaching I can tell, or a very rainy weather system. On those days I can feel as if I've been beaten with a bat all over, very achy. Once the front arrives I will feel better.
YES, acupuncture helps with the neuropathy burning pain and tingling. I go to an acupuncture doc who practices the Asian method of working with the meridians of the body to keep in balance. When I first went, soon after chemo ended, I went 3x a week for 2 weeks then once every 2 weeks, now I still go every 3 or 4 weeks. I think of him and my massage therapist as necessary for my wellness.
KCMC I have systemic neuropathy, it has made my legs weak. Also if I have had a busy day, in the evening my whole body will feel it; my mastectomy area will feel tight and nervy, I will be tingly in legs and feet and arms, back will be painful. If I have a good night's sleep, I will usually feel better in the morning and start the cycle over. Acupuncture does help, especially it helps for me with the burning painful feet and legs. Nothing helps the leg weakness except rest.
Mary
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Also just a note about Bvitamins. The dietician at the cancer said to never take more folic acid than is the RDA so read that label carefully. the Thorne vitamin is a dose of 2 capsules but I just take one daily to avoid to much folic acid and it is the methyl form. I take the Methyl form of Vitamin B's because I had a test and even eating high amounts of foods with B vitamins I was very low. They ruled out Pernaciious anemia which would also be good to check because it is a common occurance among cancer patients.
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Sorry to interject on the current posts of vitamins and accupuncture. Wanted to write a quick post that will give some hope to those 2+ years out from their CIPN.
RIGHT NOW (over 5 years PFC) I would say that my CIPN is only about 4% in my left foot, and 5% in my right foot. I have a couple toes that feel 99% normal, and almost nothing in balls of feet now. What it feels like is that the nerves regenerated in all the harmed areas, BUT it seems like where I might have had (let's say) 10 nerves, only 7-8 are there now to do the work. Although ALL areas of my foot have feeling now, some just have less feeling than before all the damage occured.
What did I start with, CIPN-wise? Here's an old excerpt from a post I wrote at about the 7 mo. point:
When the neuropathy began, I would say that my left foot was 45% numb and the right was 55% numb. After the New Year, it seemed that I might have improved to 40% numb and 50% numb, respectively. Really, it was hard to distinguish, and it seemed like I would have some days better than others. Now, I would say I might be at 35% and 45% numb, left and right. The other day, my toes could finally feel the hotness of bathwater. Just a little.
What I wrote above is about the degree of numbness, but he area of numbness is definitely reduced also. I barely feel it in my heels anymore.
My changes were more noticeable the first couple years, but I still had A LOT of healing after the 2-year mark. I was never immobilized by my CIPN. I kept my feet active, kind of bossed them around really, and I urge all of you to do the same, if possible.
I still have not given up to one day have "old normal" feet. At this rate, it may take 10 years. My cancer is gone now, so I plan to be around to find out if I am right.
Healing wishes to everyone posting here.
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Excellent news, Elimar!
Lyn
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