Peripheral Neuropathy ????

[Cal-Gal]

I suspect that I have peripheral neuropathy from the Cytoxan and or Taxotere--

Most my symptoms seem to be fading away with just a few popping up now and again--

However the last month, I started to notice that I am dropping things-like in the kitchen--AND I am having trouble opening jars--not just one or two--but almost every jar---it is crazy--I have a grip on it and turn it, but it doesnt open--I feel like I am in a bad movie---

Anyone else have this or know if it is related to the Peripheral Neuropathy?

Thanks and Good Night!!!

[Jackie07]

Here's a citation/abstract about a potential treatment for chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy:

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010 Sep 1. [Epub ahead of print]
Pilot Trial of a Patient-Specific Cutaneous Electrostimulation Device (MC5-A Calmare((R))) for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

Smith TJ, Coyne PJ, Parker GL, Dodson P, Ramakrishnan V.
Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Abstract

CONTEXT: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major dose-limiting and persistent consequence of numerous classes of antineoplastic agents, affecting up to 30%-40% of patients. To date, there is no effective prevention or therapy. An evolving hypothesis for reducing CIPN pain involves direct nerve stimulation to reduce the pain impulse.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact on CIPN associated with the MC5-A Calmare((R)) therapy device (Competitive Technologies, Inc. Fairfield, CT).
METHODS: The MC5-A Calmare((R)) therapy device is designed to generate a patient-specific cutaneous electrostimulation to reduce the abnormal pain intensity. Sixteen patients from one center received one-hour interventions daily over 10 working days.
RESULTS: Of 18 patients, 16 were evaluable. The mean age of the patients was 58.6 years-four men and 14 women-and the duration of CIPN was three months to eight years. The most common drugs were taxanes, platinums, and bortezomib (Velcade, Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge MA). At the end of the study (Day 10), a 20% reduction in numeric pain scores was achieved in 15 of 16 patients. The pain score fell 59% from 5.81+/-1.11 before treatment to 2.38+/-1.82 at the end of 10 days (P<0.0001 by paired t-test). A daily treatment benefit was seen with a strong statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-daily pain scores (P<0.001). Four patients had their CIPN reduced to zero. A repeated-measures analysis using the scores from all 10 days confirmed these results. No toxicity was seen. Some responses have been durable without maintenance.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific cutaneous electrostimulation with the MC5-A Calmare((R)) device appears to dramatically reduce pain in refractory CIPN patients with no toxicity. Further studies are underway to define the benefit, mechanisms of action, and optimal schedule.

[Jackie07]

And the description of Peripheral Neuropathy:

http://www.healthline.com/adamconten...l-neuropathy/2

[Jackie07]

This 'review' recommended neurological monitoring:

Neurologia. 2010 Mar;25(2):116-31.
[Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: an unresolved issue]

[Article in Spanish]
Velasco R, Bruna J.
Unidad de Neuro-OncologÃ*a, Servicio de NeurologÃ*a, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most prevalent neurological complication of cancer treatment, affecting a third of all patients who undergo chemotherapy. CIPN impairs functional capacity, compromises the quality of life and results in dose reduction or cessation of chemotherapy, representing a dose-limiting side effect of many antineoplastic drugs. In addition to classic, novel agents, bortezomib and oxaliplatin have been shown to have a significant risk of CIPN.

METHODS: By reviewing literature, this article analyses relevant issues and recent advances regarding the pathogenesis, incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, characteristics and management of CIPN.

RESULTS: Research into the pathophysiology and identification of risk factors for individual patients is growing. A future avenue of investigation includes the identification of patients at lower or higher risk based on their genotype. Best tools for CIPN assessment are not defined. Many agents have been claimed to be neuroprotectors without showing significant results in large randomised clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS: Early recognition and subsequent dose reduction/discontinuation of the offending agent is the only way to minimise the development of this potentially debilitating complication. Due to the lack of effective prophylactic or symptomatic treatments up to now, neurological monitoring should be recommended in patient candidates to be treated with neurotoxic antineoplastic agents, mainly when they present baseline neuropathy. Development of reliable methods for CIPN assessment is essential.

[Cal-Gal]

Thanks Jackie--will read through all this today!!!

Hugs,