Finished my second bout of chemo at the end of June after 18 weeks.Got through it - just.Had all the predicted side effects and was hospitalised 3 times for various reasons,but I'm still here.
Towards the end of my chemo my peripheral neuropathy began to appear.The soles of my feet started to become numb and gradually I noticed a lack of sensation in my fingertips.This has slowly developed and now I have poor sensation and general lack of any strength in my fingers and hands in addition to general numbness in my feet.
The act of standing up from a seated position is a little difficult and I wonder if this is muscular or more nerve damage.
Just wondered if anyone has any insight into whether these side-effects are 'generally' temporary,will develop further or become permanent.

Hi Brendan, I just want to say hello and welcome back. Well done on getting through your chemo. I see from your earlier posts that you have had a really tough time. I am suffering from peripheral neuropathy too, but I don't think it is anything as bad as yours. I have numbness in my toes and finger tips. It started a couple of months after my treatment finished. Now 5 months later it is still there but doen't annoy me as much. Not sure if this is because it is reducing or because I am getting used to it.

Best wishes for a good recovery. Sally

Not sure if trying to increase circulation would help but it might - try acupuncture -to try and return blood flow to the areas - nerves do regenerate slowly and not always entirely but look to see what you can do to help. congrats on the getting through chemo. Hugs

I,too, have numbness on the bottom of my feet from chemo and wondered how long it will last. My Oncologist says he's pretty sure that it will eventually go away but I wanted to hear from others as to their experiences. I'm disappointed that there hasn't been more response to the original post.

Edit: I found another, similar, post with responses of three and six years without being resolved.

Hasn't anyone on this board actually recovered from neuropathy?

Well 2.5 months on from my post above in August, I do think things have improved. My finger tips are just about back to normal and my toes are definitely less numb and irritating. So I am hopeful this will continue to improve and disappear at some point, but it will take time. i will try to remember to update on this in the future. Sally.

My fingertips and toes started to feel a little numb and tingly 4 months after treatment. Now nearly eight months post treatment I still have it. I have gotten used to it for the most part. From what I've read Cisplatin is the reason because of all the platinum that's in it. My MO gave me a Rx if the pain gets worse but haven't found the need. He also suggested taking a multi B vitamin.

Once again this site proves the best source of info to explian and direct you through this odd journey. I have had this strange pins and needles thing going on in my toes, a least I now know where it has come from. 12 weeks of Cisplatin. Hoping that it does not get more pronounced. the dryness in my left ear annoys me, but I am begining to eat real food and I am feeling that I am finally heading in the right direction. It is obvious that this treatment can produce a lot of friendly collateral damage but I am thankful for this sites hints and tips and sharing and witnessing the courage of many of the members.

Saw a neurologist re. this problem 2 weeks ago. I thought she would just go through the motions and fob me off with a quick chat and sympathy (I really do need to be less cynical).
However, I had a full,thorough examination and what to me seemed a tight analytical approach to my symptoms. I was prescribed daily Pregabalin tablets to ease my condition.
At the moment I feel as though my neuropathy may have peaked (5 months after ending chemo).
I no longer have the acute pain/discomfort in my shoulder joint,the sense of numbness in my fingers,hands and feet doesn't appear to be spreading further,I'm sleeping well and I no longer have the 'electric shock' type sensation in my arms and hands when I extend them outwards.
The neurologist told me that my condition may ease a little, but it will never completely disappear. It's not perfect,but I can manage and I can live with that.

this is true... nerves do tend to regenerate somewhat but will never be 100% they are very touchy and don't like people messing with them... ;o) so glad you are feeling better. I had one bout of tingling in my palms during chemo. Post treatment I had the weirdest sensation, when I would bend my neck forward... it was like a lightening bolt shooting down my spine to the back of my legs... I looked it up, it's called L'hermette's sign (or something like that) it is said to go away within two years... and is neurological and brought on by being nuked... It's gone now. If it lasts more than two years then it's permanent but that's almost unheard of... So nerves... as I said.. very touchy fellows.

hugs... :o)