Peripheral Neuropathy after Chemotherapy – Supplements Suggestions for Bone Pain after Chemo
Chemotherapy has many side effects, some of which can be long-term or even permanent. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 (read about my breast cancer here). Even though I finished my treatment about 3 1/2 years ago I still have lingering joint and muscle pain after chemotherapy. One of the most bothersome effects is tje bone pain after chemotherapy, especially the pain in my feet and hands. As I found out a few days ago, this pain after chemo is Peripheral Neuropathy from Chemotherapy most likely caused by the Taxotere. My feet hurt so bad I can barely walk somedays.
How to Treat Chemo Induced Neuropathy
I have been to many different doctors and tried a variety of natural remedies for neuropathy from chemo including homeopathic and pharmaceutical treatments. It’s hard to exactly describe the long-term chemo side-effects pain I have. At first, I believed I had arthritis. I am not able to stand for long periods of time. The area around my joints hurt, with the majority of the pain about my big toe joint and the ball of my foot. It feels like I don’t have enough padding on the bottom part of my feet and the bone is hitting the hard floor. I have chemo feet!
My hands feel somewhat the same, although not quite as bad. I still have a hard time with some fine motor skills such as opening bottles and using a kitchen knife.
During my most recent appointment with the oncologist, she recommended I see a neurologist for my chemo induced neuropathy. My appointment with a neurological oncologist was earlier this week. I was a little nervous about seeing a cancer neurologist. That sounds scary, and I started worrying that maybe something was horribly wrong with my brain.
The neurologist did a ton of tests checking my reflexes, range of motion, vision, sensitivity, and more. He poked a safety pin up and down my feet, legs, hands, and arms. I never realized how bad my neuropathy really was. At the tips of my fingers and toes I could feel a sensation, but it wasn’t until the pin made it’s way further down my toe or finger, that I could really feel the prick. That was interesting.
Vitamin and Supplement Suggestions for Peripheral Neuropathy after Chemo for Breast Cancer
So, here I am now with a diagnosis of chemo induced peripheral neuropathy. In addition to a few other daily medications, vitamins, and supplements I already take, the neurologist recommended quite a few others as well. Here are the recommended supplements and vitamins my neurologist suggests for peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid 800-600mg BD
- Vitamin B12 500mcg QD
- Vitamin B6 25-50mg (I’m not taking this extra B6 because I get it in my multi-vitamin) QD
- Vitamin B1 50-100mg QD
- Gamma Amino Butyric Acid QHS
- Phosphotidylserine and Phosphotidylcholine 300-900mg
Then, in addition to this, this is what I take daily to be healthy and help some of my lingering joint pain that with an original diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.
- Tums (for Calcium)
- Probiotics (digestive issues with occasional IBS attacks)
- Celebrex
- Cymbalta
- Alive Multi-Vitamin
Here’s a picture of what my morning looks like and all the pills I take.
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Rachel K. Belkin, M.Ed is an Austin, Texas blogger, entrepreneur, speaker, freelance writer, and educator. After selling her lifestyle blog for six figures in 2021, she teaches business, blogging, and influencer marketing strategies that helped her build her business on part-time hours. Bylines include MSN, Associated Press, HuffPost, Medium, NewsBreak, and Hometalk. She has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, CBS Austin, and other news and media outlets.
