Oxaliplatinum Neuropathy and Accupuncture

Today I went to see an accupuncturist to see if she can help with a certain symptom of my chemo that I am not happy about. One of the chemo drugs I am on causes Neuropathy in the hands and feet. Mainly a tingling sensation or numbness which feels like your hand or foot fell asleep. It also can at times cause my hands to just not want to work so fast or precise. So far this has been transient, lasting only a few minutes at a time then disappearing. Oxaliplatinum also causes a nerve reaction to cold things and cold weather. When I drink something colder than room temperature, I get a freaky painful feeling in my mouth and throat similar to the tingling in my hands. When I reach into the refridgerator to get something, I get a frozen/burning feeling on my fingertips because they are so sensitive to the cold it is as if it is sub-zero temperature. I hear that in cold weather I could have a reaction like this too.

These feelings get stronger and stronger with each dose - and last longer. Many people have to stop treatment with this drug because the side-effects become too painful and are nonstop. After treatment ends, it can still take many months and even years before finally these feelings go away. And for 12% of patients these feelings never go away. The drug causes nerve damage. I have met many many people online who have problems from this drug.

Here is just one example of what people are experiencing, even after their treatment has ended Colon Club: How Long Should Neuropathy Last?

Needless to say this does not bode well with me. I am a guitarist and an artist. Loosing the abilities of my hands would be a big blow to me. It is of course possible that things will resolve naturally and I will have no permanent problems. That happens too. However I have done considerable research to see what I can do to ensure this.

For a time, Oncologists were giving patients interveinous Calcium and Magnesium. It seemed to cut down on the neuropathy quite a bit. That has recently been stopped because it has been learned that this interferes with the drug's cancer-fighting abilities. See Here

Barring that, there are a few things that can be tried: Taking vitamin B-Complex pills daily has been shown to help. L-acetyl-carnitine and L-glutamine powder are also something to try. Some people say Vitamin E helps too.

So finally, I went to see an accupuncturist this morning. I had been to see one in the past regarding carpal-tunnel problems I had and the accupuncture worked then. Having the pins stuck into you is actually very relaxing and enjoyable. They release endorphins into the body and I fell into a peaceful nap. I will have to do it for a while to get the most out of it.

Biking - Exercise

Exercise has been proven to be a factor in beating cancer. Studies have been done and here is a quick abstract of one: Impact of Physical Activity on Cancer Recurrence and Survival For one reason or another, it keeps your immune system high, you process toxins out of your body faster, you reduce stress, raise your metabolism, etc etc... its all good.

I have always been a fan of exercise and prior to all of this, for years, I was biking and swimming regularly. I dont want to swim laps right now because of the probable reaction I will have in the cold water while on Oxaliplatin, but I have been biking still, lifting weights, and am now in a Yoga class. When it gets colder out, I might just do something strange like get an aerobics DVD and work out in front of the TV.

Biking is a great exercise which I did a lot of this summer and continue to do on my good weeks. The weather is still warm here and I will bike until the temperature drops into the 50's. So far I do a standard 12 miles, two or three times a week and have biked over 360 miles this summer. Here is a quicktime video of one of the places I pass when biking. Not only is it great cardio exercise, but a very peaceful experience too.

Hey.. So far there might be a bug in this and it could crash your browser. I will get to it soon, but give it a try. Click on the image to play short movie. (works best with hi-speed internet)

Where Im at...

Today I had a conversation with my Oncologist during an office visit.

My Oncologist tells me that "I am well and the reason I am doing chemo is so that I will stay well."

(The malignancy was removed surgically, and the chemo is for the purpose of sweeping up any microscopic leftovers. After surgery I was declared NED meaning "No Evidence of Disease." There is a very good chance already that there are no leftovers, nonetheless this is being done to insure that. However the chemo treatments I am undergoing are the same strength as anyone else would get. For a young and otherwise healthy person, the dose is as high as it can be.)

Chemo - round 2... afterthoughts...

CT scan from early June

I expected round 2 to go similarly to the first round. Pretty much it was. I was able to drive myself there and back. The worst part about the actual infusion is getting benedryl interveinously first. That stuff makes me drowsy and anxious at the same time. After the infusion at the Oncologist's office, I really dont feel that bad or anything. It takes some time for the chemo to "get to work." I felt OK all weekend but the "uneasy mono-like feelings" that I get, hung around for a day or two longer.

I decided to stay in and vegetate over the weekend, instead of go out in the city like last time. It was probably a good thing to conserve my energy. The same gastric problems that happened round 1 returned a few days later and this time they stuck around almost all week. Didnt hurt as much as the first round because I knew what to expect and took the right meds to counter this in advance.

When I could I exercised: walked, biked and lifted weights several times. It was what got me back to normal; my symptoms subsided because of it. I only had to take an anti-nausea pill on two days and overall had no nausea problems to speak of. But I did get woosy at work after lunch once.

Only 10 rounds left.

First round of chemo done.. thoughts.

PET scan image

Well,

The weekend following my first round of chemo went very well. I brought a chuckle to my Nurse Practitioner's face after telling him that I biked, lifted weights, and went to a DJ party till 3am while wearing my infusion pump, and everything was good. Unfortunately on the following days I experienced some gastric problems, realizing that I felt like cement inside. Several remedies later, I had the opposite problem and was up all night. I experienced painful abdominal cramps which could be the result of the chemo, or the result of my diet- which might need to be changed now to accomodate the chemo. This pain occurred in the mornings around 5am or so and I even had it this morning too, although now that Im up and about it has receded.


At the Onc office, they gave me an extra liter of fluids because I was dehydrated from the gastric experiences.. I was told to follow the BRAT diet for a few days. That being Banannas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. But so far I havent done that fully - I did have rice and applesauce today, but needed more food in me for energy. Just toning down my intake of fatty and fried foods. I need to gain weight and maintain my weight so Im trying to come up with something workable. I had a taste for pancakes and eggs this morning, but had a bowl of cereal instead. I tempted fate and had chineese food for lunch today. Keeping fingers crossed.

Here is a link I found from the John Hopkins Center, on diet for colon cancer; before, during and after chemo: John Hopkins Colon Cancer Center: Diet and Nutrition