Posted on 06/03/2023 6:36:07 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)—nerve pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet—is a common side effect of certain cancer treatments, including two drugs frequently used to treat cancer—the taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel. Initial results from a large study that tracked CIPN in more than 1,100 patients treated for breast cancer with a taxane show a pattern of clinically meaningful, persistent sensory and motor symptoms, with patients experiencing more severe symptoms with paclitaxel than with docetaxel.
Michael J. Fisch, MD, said "These results are highly relevant because taxanes such as paclitaxel and docetaxel are integral to our treatment of breast cancer. Peripheral neuropathy due to these drugs is familiar but poorly understood."
All patients enrolled were evaluated for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy before treatment and again after 4, 8, 12, 24, 52, 104, and 156 weeks from registration. Patients underwent neurosensory testing and functional testing, and clinicians assessed them for CIPN symptoms using the NCI's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).
Patients also completed their own self-assessment using an established patient-reported outcome measure, the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire, which scores symptoms overall on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating worse symptoms. Multiple studies have found patients with CIPN experience a 7-10 point increase in their sensory subscale score on this survey.
Through 24 weeks, patients with breast cancer experienced clinically meaningful and persistent sensory and motor symptoms. Over 40 percent of patients receiving paclitaxel or docetaxel experienced a clinically meaningful increase in the CIPN-20 sensory subscore at 24 weeks. At nearly every timepoint through 24 weeks, patients treated with paclitaxel had more sensory neuropathy than patients treated with docetaxel.
Paclitaxel and docetaxel are standard treatments for early-stage breast cancer. Both can lead to CIPN, but differences in symptoms caused by the two drugs have not been well described previously.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I have chemo induced neuropathy. Not from those tho. I had 6 different types of chemo (not sure which one started it, but it just kept getting worse ans treatment continued. No pins/needles. Mine has been going on for 7.5 years and is a burning pain and deep/bone crushing pain from my feet to over my knees. Neurapathy demonstrates in many different types of sensations/pain. Fortunately my drs found a treatment that makes it bearable.
I’m pretty sure that paclitaxel is one of the drugs I’m getting. Fingers and toes are tingling a lot of the time.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine
- Vitamin B-Complex
- Vitamin E
- Japanese Goshajinkigan
- Apigenin
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Curcumin
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (Omega-3 fat) & Alpha Lipoic Acid
These were ones listed from the following paper that seemed helpful and not likely to cause heath issues.
Dietary Supplements in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A New Hope?
Thank you. The only supplement from the list, that I take, is B…as a B deficiency is known to contribute to PN. But, am unfamiliar with the others in relation to PN. I’ll definitely check in to them. I’d prefer to take supplements over the strong pain meds. So, thank you again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.