How can I manage severe neuropathy and chemo brain after breast cancer?

Managing neuropathy and cognitive changes after cancer treatment can be incredibly challenging, and it sounds like these symptoms are significantly impacting daily life. Many survivors in this community have found relief through various approaches including physical therapy, occupational therapy, certain medications, acupuncture, and working with pain specialists who understand chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. For cognitive concerns, some have benefited from cognitive rehabilitation therapy, brain training exercises, and strategies to manage daily tasks differently. Consider discussing these options with an oncologist or neurologist who specializes in post-treatment side effects, and please share what works for you - other community members would likely benefit from hearing about successful approaches.

That's really solid advice - I'd definitely second exploring those options with specialists, and maybe also ask about vitamin B supplements since some folks here have mentioned those helping with their neuropathy symptoms too.

Hi Tracey Chemo induced peripheral neuropathy is horrendous. I truly sympathise with you. I stopped chemo early because mine was so awful I didn’t want to live like that. Over time mine has improved, but I note that you had treatment longer ago than I did. I had western medical acupuncture which may or may not have helped. I certainly believe time helped. I know people who have tried capsaicin / Botox / pain meds for nerve pain etc. There is clearly terrible suffering going on from this issue and the oncology world MUST do something. Chemo might be saving a lot of lives (and I believe it does in some cases) but not without the most brutal and long lasting side effects. I predict in 50 years chemo will be regarded as how we now view medieval medicine: barbaric. Congratulations on being cancer free since your treatment. Best wishes

PS chemo brain cognitive issues are horrendous. They distress me greatly several times every day. My brain - where there was once crucial tissue - is now a vacuum, eaten and destroyed by cytokines thanks to chemo. I truly sympathise with you Tracey.

My neuropathy is so bad that I rock myself to sleep sometimes and I sit there and fall asleep sitting straight up because my feet have to be on the floor. It has not subsided from the day it started. It has never changed. I had one chemo session left so I pushed through, but the pain has never subsided at all. It hurts so bad and I have been to several doctors, not just my oncologist pain management. I’ve had a spinal cord stimulator put in didn’t work. Nothing has worked I’ve had the needles put in all over my body acupuncture I’ve tried so many things. I don’t know what to do and sometimes I feel in my head that I’m going crazy. I don’t have anyone to talk to about it cause they didn’t have a lot when I was done with my cancer. It was Covid so there was no groups no nothing. It’s been six years and it’s changed my life forever. I’m so grateful for being healed but my life has changed so much. It just is awful without feet thank you for speaking with me because sometimes you just want someone to listen that understands what we go through so thank you so much all of you for commenting to me. It’s the first time I’ve got to talk about it with other cancer patients so thank you.