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Neuropathy Causes and Treatment
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Neuropathy Causes and Treatment

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Neuropathy Causes and Treatment

  • Post
    • September 18, 2013 at 6:39 pm
    Landslide45
    Participant
      I have a side effect question for the group. My Dad (stage IV) has had mild neuropathy off and on since beginning interferon treatment last summer. He is now in a 3mg clinical trial of Ipilimumab, and this week (he is between his 2nd and 3rd doses) the neuropathy has gotten severe and made it very difficult for him to walk. He is having a brain MRI tomorrow but in the meantime we are anxious to know if folks have had similar experiences and how likely this might be a treatment side effect vs being tumor-related.

      Anyone have any thoughts or advice? Anyone have tips on how to handle neuropathy symptoms?  Thanks in advance–this board has been a major source of hope and knowledge for our family as we try to fight this nasty disease!

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 19, 2013 at 3:01 am
        melissa ann
        Participant

          HI, funny you should ask.  My husband was on an IPI/Biochemotherapy trial at MDAnderson.  HIs last course was at the end of June.  He was also on 3mg.  He began experiencing numbness in his right hand and fingers midway through treatment..  The neuropathy unfortunately has continued and has actually worsened a bit and is currently affecting his arm as well.  He does have a mass in his right chest which may also be contributing to the neuropathy.  He had a neurology work-up and they were fairly certain that it was definitely side effects from the medicine and it would get better. (he was also on IL2 as part of the biochemotherapy and that contributed to the neuropathy as well.  Right now he is taking Gabapentin  and has been since June.  He feels like that is helping a little bit.  We spoke to our oncologist last week on whether he thought physical therapy would be helpful, and he thought it was worth givin it a try.  I hope this helps and we do wish the best for you and your Dad.  Tell him to keep fighting!

            • September 19, 2013 at 8:03 pm
            Landslide45
            Participant

              Hi Melissa,

              Thanks for your note.  So the neuropathy symptoms worsened months after the treatment ended?  We will look into Gabapentin.  Dad fell down a small hill yesterday it was his second incident in two days so these are some heavy duty side effects.  Just hoping and praying they can be managed and aren't directly from the cancer.  If the IPI works it will be worth it!

              Best to you and your husband as well.

              • September 19, 2013 at 8:03 pm
              Landslide45
              Participant

                Hi Melissa,

                Thanks for your note.  So the neuropathy symptoms worsened months after the treatment ended?  We will look into Gabapentin.  Dad fell down a small hill yesterday it was his second incident in two days so these are some heavy duty side effects.  Just hoping and praying they can be managed and aren't directly from the cancer.  If the IPI works it will be worth it!

                Best to you and your husband as well.

                • September 19, 2013 at 8:03 pm
                Landslide45
                Participant

                  Hi Melissa,

                  Thanks for your note.  So the neuropathy symptoms worsened months after the treatment ended?  We will look into Gabapentin.  Dad fell down a small hill yesterday it was his second incident in two days so these are some heavy duty side effects.  Just hoping and praying they can be managed and aren't directly from the cancer.  If the IPI works it will be worth it!

                  Best to you and your husband as well.

                • September 19, 2013 at 3:01 am
                melissa ann
                Participant

                  HI, funny you should ask.  My husband was on an IPI/Biochemotherapy trial at MDAnderson.  HIs last course was at the end of June.  He was also on 3mg.  He began experiencing numbness in his right hand and fingers midway through treatment..  The neuropathy unfortunately has continued and has actually worsened a bit and is currently affecting his arm as well.  He does have a mass in his right chest which may also be contributing to the neuropathy.  He had a neurology work-up and they were fairly certain that it was definitely side effects from the medicine and it would get better. (he was also on IL2 as part of the biochemotherapy and that contributed to the neuropathy as well.  Right now he is taking Gabapentin  and has been since June.  He feels like that is helping a little bit.  We spoke to our oncologist last week on whether he thought physical therapy would be helpful, and he thought it was worth givin it a try.  I hope this helps and we do wish the best for you and your Dad.  Tell him to keep fighting!

                  • September 19, 2013 at 3:01 am
                  melissa ann
                  Participant

                    HI, funny you should ask.  My husband was on an IPI/Biochemotherapy trial at MDAnderson.  HIs last course was at the end of June.  He was also on 3mg.  He began experiencing numbness in his right hand and fingers midway through treatment..  The neuropathy unfortunately has continued and has actually worsened a bit and is currently affecting his arm as well.  He does have a mass in his right chest which may also be contributing to the neuropathy.  He had a neurology work-up and they were fairly certain that it was definitely side effects from the medicine and it would get better. (he was also on IL2 as part of the biochemotherapy and that contributed to the neuropathy as well.  Right now he is taking Gabapentin  and has been since June.  He feels like that is helping a little bit.  We spoke to our oncologist last week on whether he thought physical therapy would be helpful, and he thought it was worth givin it a try.  I hope this helps and we do wish the best for you and your Dad.  Tell him to keep fighting!

                Viewing 2 reply threads
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