How do you manage severe chemo neuropathy pain without medication?

Many community members have found relief through non-medication approaches like gentle stretching, warm/cool therapy, massage, acupuncture, and specialized physical therapy exercises that can help with both the neuropathy symptoms and balance issues. It's encouraging that you're advocating for physical therapy - many find this particularly helpful for managing the balance challenges that often come with neuropathy, and therapists may also suggest additional techniques for comfort and mobility.

My mother benefited from a drug called lyrica for her neuropathy

I'm 9 months post chemo and still struggling with severe neuropathy in my feet. I'm constantly experiencing pain, tingling, pins and needles, coldness, burning, numbness, etc. I've tried acupuncture, epsome salt soaks, gabapentin, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and massage with no change. They told me it could get better for the first 2 years but after that it's permanent. I would definitely advocate for PT if your having balance issues. I've fallen a few times because I can't feel where my feet are. I wish I had a better answer for you but I'm struggling with the same issue. Good luck and let us know if you find something that works for you.

I don't want to take pain meds. I think that is just putting a bandaid on it and not curing the problem. I guess I some what understand it takes time to heal the nerves its a very slow process. All I am every told is it is a side effect and give it time. I just want to know if there is something to help with the pain or help it allow faster. My oncologist has nothing to say about any alternative treatments. It is fake and just taking your money. I have been using a lotion I've gotten from Walgreens made with frankensense and myrh (sp). Helps a little plus some time compression ankles help. But some days the burning hurts so bad it hurts to walk. Like it is ripping my arches apart.

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. It is hell and the doctors don't understand how awful it is. My oncologist didn't discount the effect but there really isn't anything they can do for it. The gabapentin should have helped some but I already take gabapentin for restless leg syndrome so they couldn't give me much more. Different things work differently for different people so what doesn't work for me might work for you. If your insurance will cover it try acupuncture. Also try ALA (1200 mg/day). People with diabetic neuropathy use it and it helps them. Nothing is going to work instantly though. I gave each treatment I tried several weeks before giving up on it. I think walking helps mine some but yeah sometimes it's just too painful. Try to keep you feet warm at am times. That's helped me. Good luck.

Thanks will check into things and try. Have just started pt only go once a week. They sent me for balance. A friend with same cancer as me told me to try pt. They also recommended special shoes n do laser therapy on her feet.