The hearing loss is from Cochlearotoxicity caused mainly by Cisplatin. There are many causes for Ototoxicity, mostly medication induced, and one is by Chemo, mostly from platinum based chemos like Cisplatin, and this �Cochlearototoxicity,� which can either be reversible, temporary or permanent, and is dose dependant, meaning it depends on the dosage of Cisplatin you received, and the medical community has found it occurs more often when Cisplatin is given in high doses, above 60mg, bi-weekly, instead of lower weekly doses. What happens is the Cisplatin is absorbed in the cochlear�s sound detecting hearing cells, and damages them being some chemos attack fasting acting cells like hairs, nails, nerves, etc. It is suggested that you tell your oncologist when in treatment if hearing loss or tinnitus occurs since they can regulate the dosage, stop it or change the medications, so not to make this adverse effect permanent.
There are 20 different types of neuropathies, and the one from chemo is "CIPN", Chemo Induced Perpheral Neuropathy. It is basically damage to the peripheral nervous system. The nervous system transmits information between the nervous system and rest of the body, particularly the hands and feet and too a lesser degree the bladder and bowel, including vision. Peripheral neuropathy can repair itself over time, but sometimes is permanent and with no real cures. This nerve damage is also a cause of chemo brain or fog. Some symptoms appear right away, during treatment, but some platinum based chemos have a delayed onset of symptoms from weeks, months or even years, so this should be considered and discussed before, during and after treatment, especially with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, alcoholism and other co-contributing factors.
Chemo drugs attack fast growing cells like cancer, hair, bone marrow, so explains the loss of hair and lowered blood levels, but nerve cells are effected the same way and are are more sensitive than other cells and can be damaged easily and can be the cause of chemo brain and peripheral neuropathy..After chemo exposure, the cells that are responsible for producing Myelin, a fatty substance, that insulates and protects nerve conducting fibers, can become damaged.
There are many other contributing factors that can make CIPN worse like other illness, lifestyle, nutrition, amount, duration and type of chemos. Some symptoms, and their effects for day to day activates vary. Sensory symptoms like numbness, tingling or burning sensation. Sensation to touching something cold or cold breezes cold or burning of hands, balance, trip or stumble when walking, unsteady feeling walking on uneven surfaces, need to hold onto handrail going up or down stairs, pain with fine hand and difficutly writing or typing on keyboard, decreased of vibrations and diminished or no reflexes, Some people have to wear socks, gloves, scarves, hat to minimize sensation and in some cases causes weakness, incontinence, constipation, muscle paralysis in the limbs and many others. I was unable to walk fore 10 months due to the severe neuropathy from 5 day Induction chemo of Taxotere, Cisplatin, and 5-FU, and had to relearn to walk.
As mentioned, there is there is no real cure, but some find relief with treatments benefit from vitamins, pain medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, changing lifestyle and reducing exposures to certain chemos, Cisplatin, taxotere and 5-FU, to name a few.
I thought you would appreciate more info I have about these conditions from personal experience, but does not mean they may occur.
