Peripheral Neuropathy / Nail/Skin Toxicity
Anecdotal Advice/Reports from Several Patients
The anecdotal reports below show
what some patients are doing to prevent skin/nail toxicity and prevent
peripheral neuropathy. Note that there are two studies of using cold
gloves and socks that do show some benefit for nail changes/skin
toxicity, but they make no mention of preventing peripheral neuropathy
by cooling the extremities. See the page on using
glutamine for peripheral neuropathy
prevention.
Here's a collection of responses to
one question:
I rushed off and ordered two of the
thermo jell mittens in preparation for my upcoming chemo. I notice that
they claim to stay cold for about 20 minutes and stay cool for another
20 or so. How does one manage to keep the fingers chilled enough?
1. Ric. I keep my feet and toes on
ice packs. Starting during the steroid drip and keeping my feet and toes
cold all during the 1 hour taxotere. I bought two pair of mittens (4)
and plan to change them in the middle of the session. When doing
Taxotere I put on a pair right after the steroid drip then change into
new frozen mittens 30 minutes into the Taxotere drip.
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/frozen-glove0805
http://www.shop.earthlink.shopping.com/xPF-Southwest_Technologies_Elasto_Gel_Therapy_Mitten
Also, suck ice during the drip.
I found out about all this stuff
after the fact but things have not got any worse and my nails are in
good shape when I use the mittens. Ice in mouth will protect taste
buds.
Hope this helps a bit!
2. Harry. When getting Taxotere I
use "Blue Ice" packs. The kind that folks put in a small cooler to keep
their beer chilled. I put the toes of one foot on separate ice packs and
share a third ice pack for my finger tips.
It has been my experience that it
is adequate to keep the finger tips cold and the toes. I unintentionally
tend to curl up my left big toe so it does not always remain chilled. It
is the only toe that I am losing the nail. I also suck on ice cubes to
preserve my taste buds. This has worked well for me after many Taxotere
treatments. Some fellows bring small coolers with the necessary ice and
ice packs. Some infusion centers such as the one where I am currently
being treated supply everything necessary.
3. Ray. For keeping areas cold,
Walmart has some cold packs. They can be used for cold or heat and I get
the ones that are about 23 inches lond and 3" wide. They hold in place
with velcro and I chill them in the freezer the day before Chemo and
wrap one around the front part of each foot and secure it in place and
use the cold packs in each hand during treatment along with the sucking
on ice.
