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I have had neuropathy for 10 months now, a side effect from Taxol. That chemo and I did not get along, but I'm still here to complain about it, so that's good. Meanwhile, I haven't been able to get rid of the pain mostly in my feet, and I've tried another prescription but it really made me dizzy. So now I'm trying Lyrica, and it really list a dozen plus side effects. Anyone have some good results ??
Mahalo,
Leilani
Cancer Taxol Dizziness Gabapentin Diabetes Vertigo Morphine Pain Neurontin Lyrica Peripheral neuropathy Carboplatin
Same chemo, same problem, different meds. I am on Neurotin (sp) but I don't see much of a difference. I will say they haven't gotten any worse, but no better that I can tell. But I am with you, still here. Better crappy feet than crappy cancer.
Barb
They gave me Lyrica as part of my "pain pack" after radiation. That particular drug really made food, especially water, taste funny, kind of "metallic". Other than that, it seemed to work for my chest pain. I didn't take it long - maybe a couple of weeks -
God bless,
Ellen
Aloha Barb,
Thanks for your insight. First, you are so right about the trade off...better to have crappy feet. I was just hoping I could lower the pain and soreness without being druged up again and dizzy. It says take 3 a day, but I'm on 2 for 3 days now, I guess I'll see........
Mahalo,
Leilani
Aloha Ellen,
Well I'm glad to hear that it helped you. Thanks for the information. I was thinking I'd give it a few weeks try.
The Doctor said last week, the neuropathy could be with me for another year, so I was willing to give something else a try. One day at a time!
Mahalo,
Leilani
Anecdotally, drugs like Cymbalta, Lyrica and Neurontin are used off-label, and it seems like a good try.
Most drugs are prescribed off-label. One must be cautious that off label remedies are fully discussed with patients and must not do any harm. A number of general practioners like to use Neurontin (gabapentin) for all neuropathy. It is already used for diabetic neuropathy and neuropathic pain and perhaps it (observationally) helps.
These general practioners having been giving it for chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy. After a work-up and ruling out other causes, they have found this to work. But again, do no harm.
Aloha gpawelski,
Thank you for your information, I sure appreciate it.
The do no harm part sounded good to me!
Again Mahalo,
Leilani
Leilani,
My husband Rene also tried Lyrica upon suggestion of his neurology doctor. Horrible reactions. Upon instructions, we tried increasing dosage from 50 mg to 75 (2x a day). It really did not help at all to solve the numbness and crappy feet. Worse, Rene's dizziness came back and also had blurry vision. We immediately stopped Lyrica and the blur also left. The dizziness is managed and Rene will get therapy for benign vertigo. For now we just massage the crappy feet.
Angel
Leilani,
I have been dealing with neuropathy for two months now since finishing my chemo. I have it in both my feet and hands, mostly my feet. My oncologist finally referred me back to my neurologist who is now doing testing on this and does say that some of this may return in the next months to a year if due to the chemo. In the meantime, I have been tried on Neurontin and I am now on Lyrica 3 x a day. Don't really think it does a whole lot (takes the edge off maybe). Keeping my socks and gloves on helps the best and watching out where I am cause sometimes I just can't tell. Anyways, the worst for me is not being able to sleep. If anybody has suggestions for this I would be so grateful. Sorry not to be of much help though.
Christy
Aloha Angel,
Thank you for sharing your husbands reactions to Lyrica. You know sometimes the prescriptions are worse than the conditions. I'll give it a few days, then if I start any of those side effects, I'll quit.
Then I'm with you, massaging the feet !
Mahalo,
Leilani
Aloha Christy,
Thanks for the information. Sorry to hear you are still having problems, it doesn't seem fair, but it is a small price to pay, I guess in the long one, for us to still be here!! That's what I keep reminding myself.
I've just been having problems not sleepling, is it from taking Lyrica ? I just get out of bed, go to the computer for an hour and then go back to bed. It's been working most of the time. Hope things work out for you soon.
Mahalo,
Leilani
I take lycria...i could not live without it..i take about two to four pills a day, i do not have cancer but i have restless leg with neuropthy...i do not have any side effects and have been taking it for about a year..one day without it, i am in so much pain...
Aloha Moonchild,
Thanks for your information. I'm sorry you have to take Lyrica but I'm glad for you that it works! I guess that's all that is important..... Take care !
Mahalo,
Leilani
what about compression socks? have you tried these?
My doc refused to give me lyrica when I begged for it - she said the side affects were terrible and not worth it. I was very angry with her (because I was in pain ) when she prescribed Magnesium Oxide *500 to 1000 mg* a day. I went back and thanked her the following week because those supplements worked. I couldn't believe it. My mom takes Mag Ox now and B6 and it helped her neuropathy as well. It's worth a try?
Good luck and god bless
I tried Lyrica, Simbalta and Nuerontin and got dizziness from all of them, still have the pain but am trying the mag-oxide and B6...thanks marianne breaths, what dosage on the B6? Good luck everyone, sometimes the pain is bad. I get up every night Leilani as you do, I think it is the pain sometimes wakes me up and moving around seems to help.
Aloha tiffmomiff,
I haven't tried the socks. I just found an advertisement for them when I googled neuropathy.
Do they work for you ? When the pain had gotten real bad, I did put on socks, and it seems to help a little.
Mahalo for your suggestion.
Leilani
Aloha marianne breathes,
Great ! I'll ask my onc my next appointment. I take it, you don't have any of the side effects, and you are getting good results from them ?
I know one drug will work for some, while some works better for others. I sure appreciate you sharing your experiences.
As with many of us, we've learned to live with some of the discomforts from the chemo and drugs, it's just nice to know from experiences, what is happening.
I'll give everything a try, but back off fast when it dosen't like my body!
God Bless and I hope things stay well for you.
Mahalo for your time,
Leilani
Aloha frency,
OK, I'm going to try your suggestion also. I appreciate your imput. I'm going to look them up and be ready for my doctor next week. It sure helps if you can have choices.
I just love this support group. There are so many kind people who stop and are willing to aid and give some help ! Thank you for being one of them.
Mahalo,
Leilani
These socks are miracle workers, my husband had such terrible leg and feet pain. The socks resolved the pain immediately. Ask tour oncologist about them. He can write a prescription for them and you will be fitted for them. Most insurances will cover them!
These socks are miracle workers, my husband had such terrible leg and feet pain. The socks resolved the pain immediately. Ask tour oncologist about them. He can write a prescription for them and you will be fitted for them. Most insurances will cover them!
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