Chemo & PN
 

Hi there,
I had tests at Washington University in St. Louis, MO in Feb, '14 and was told the I had PN in my feet. They ran all the tests and could not find the what the cause was. My toes will not bend, so I walked with a slight limp. My toes are numb and tingling and do not burn like some peoples do. I first noticed this about 3 years earlier and it was slowly getting worse.
Fast forward to November '14 and I find out I have Stage 3 colon cancer. I go through the radiation/chemo, then the operation in February and am now taking chemo pills until July. I have breezed through the whole process. No fatigue, sickness or loss of hair. I am blessed. But, my balance from the PN has gotten way worse the past 6 months. I know chemo aggravates PN, so my question is, after I finish with the chemo, can I expect some relief?
When I walk normally I am fine, I do limp but I get along ok, but if I have to stand in a line, ( like in a funeral home) I almost need a cane, because I need to put my hand on something to steady me.
I work at a bldg. supply company and am on my feet all day long and have not had any problems there. The only problem is when I have to bend over and lift something heavy. My balance is shot. I am getting B12 shots monthly plus methyl pills, 2500mcg on an empty stomach. Thanks for any info.
Gene

In February, 2014 what was the reason for the PN? Anyone in your family have some of the same symptoms as you had at that time? Just curious.

Balance work
 

Hello Gene, I once had to be touching something at all times, wall, railing,if not I felt as if I was going to topple over. I went to Chiropractor and she gave me routines to improve balance and I got many of the same stuff off U-Tube. I believe that a strong core was the best as far as results. All the stuff of standing like a Flamingo, or eyes shut and head back and touching your nose. Wait that may have been a field sobriety test, haha. Anyway, balance comes real slow and IMHO core strength was the best way to improvement.If you are worried about worsening, talk to a Chiro, some are trained in gait and balance issues. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

The Docs could find no cause for the PN. They ran all the tests that they had but had no conclusive reason. I will be 57 in June, have never been over 155 lbs, no one in my family has had this problem. I used to go to gym 2 times a week until the cancer deal. I would normally jump on the cross trainer and put on 4 miles in 30 minutes and then hit the different weight machines for another 30 minutes. I just started going back to the gym last week. I have one of those bags hanging on me right now because my plumbing got rerouted. That will get fixed in June. The bag isn't that big of a deal. I thought it would be worse.
Thanks,
Gene