Chemotherapy/neuropathy

[Nearlythere80]

My partner is going to start chemo soon for breast cancer. One of the drugs can cause neuropathy/nerve damage in the hands and feet which she is worrIed about in particular (docetaxel). Has anyone been able to use the new cooling gloves and socks i read about? I can't work out if they prevent or treat the problem

It’s to, as far as I can gather, hopefully prevent the onset of neuropathy. I googled after recently seeing someone wearing them when I was with a loved one having their treatment. It restricts blood flow to the hands and feet to reduce the amount of the drug reaching those areas, so lessening their effect and potentially reducing nerve damage.
I’d known about cooling caps to prevent hair loss but hadn’t ever heard about the boots and gloves.
I hope all goes well with your partners treatment.

@Nearlythere80 its the taxane group of drugs that cause neuropathy in BC treatment. They are called docetaxel and paclitaxel. I’ve had both of them during my prolonged battle with breast cancer. First time round I got mild neuropathy which settled slowly. Second time round I used ice socks and gloves that I bought on Amazon for about £40. I took in a cool box with frozen ice packs and spares. I started using them about ten minutes before the taxane infusion, and kept them on until 30 minutes afterwards. I just had very mild numbness on my three middle toes of both feet. My hands escaped. Not many chemo units supply ice which is a shame. There is some evidence from Japan that ice helps.
Good luck to your partner. When do they start treatment? Ask anything you need to know.

I’ve got extensive nerve damage and neuropathy from chemotherapy. It’s ruined my life. I can barely walk. I’ve begged for amputations, the discomfort is so all encompassing. This is almost five years since I had chemo. I’d tell your partner to strap a load of frozen peas around her feet and hands if she has to. Anything to try and mitigate. Sending all good wishes.

It's to prevent or minimise neuropathy. I took a coolbox in to each chemo session, like one you get from a camping store and took in ice, frozen peas, ice lollies, ice gloves and ice socks, gloves and socks just got from Amazon just Google chemo ice socks / gloves. You could also just use frozen peas or frozen ice bags and put bare hands feet on, I used a mix but you do need multiple packs and swap every 20 to 30 mins. I did still get neuropathy in chemo on Pax but long term it's minimal. Also any neuropathy report it to chemo line so they can adjust dose to minimise chance permanent. I ate 4 ice lollies each time and also my dentist prescribed extra fluoride toothpaste, recommend going to dentist pre chemo though may need private one as NHS impossible to get round here. My teeth survived well and no mouth ulcers. Basically ice reduces the chemo going to that area. But don't start the ice before cannula in if using cannulas. And drink loads especially pre chemo session, 2 litres a day. Eating little and often can be best. There's loads of anti sickness tablets. And a digital thermometer and take temp twice a day and phone chemo line immediately if over 38C even if it's 2am, this will stop the serious issues generally, it's often when people leave a temp for hours before reporting it they end up hospitalised. Hope all goes as well as it can.