[stillgoingParticipant]

Hi,
I have recently developed what my consultant says is Bortezomib Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, which I gather is quite a common side-effect. It is much worse at night (itchiness especially in my legs and numb feet) and is causing quite bad insomnia. I’m hoping that someone will have some suggestions for how to reduce the neuropathy sensations so that I can start getting a decent night’s sleep again!

[philParticipant]

Hi Stillgoing.

I have it from the top of my head (right side) down to my neck. Ask your clinic or your GP to prescribe you Gabapentin (pre-gabellin)

Taken three times a day it will eventually get better although you will experience the occasional attack.

[stillgoingParticipant]

Many thanks Phil,
That’s really helpful.

[tony642Moderator]

hi there, I was prescribed gabapentin as well, and it works really well for me. I have been on it for several years and it still continues to be effective gainst peripheral neuropathy.

regards, Tony

[stillgoingParticipant]

Thanks Tony. It’s really useful to know that gabapentin has worked for both you and Phil.

[fluffyflavParticipant]

Hi Stillgoing. Just seen your post. I’m currently half way through four chemo cycles and dealing with all the crappy affects but struggling with the peripheral neuropathy. It pitched up after towards the end of the first four week cycle and was given gabapentin. Didn’t really help so consultant haemotologist reduced thalidomide by half and increased the gaba dosage. Helped a bit to start with but has got worse over the last week or so. Currently in my hands, wrists and fingers, big toes and affecting my balance plus of course the sleepless nights. Gabapentin dosage now at its max although takes a few days to take effect and thalidomide stopped until next meeting with consultant when I’m assuming a different drug will be introduced. I got a few exercises for both hands and feet on YouTube which at the very least stretched the muscles and use a heat and a cold pad throughout the day and before bed which do seem to help. If I get four or five hours sleep I’m happy and with the gabapentin and the stretching I’m managing to get. Treatment centre have told me to let them know if the sleep problem becomes a real issue but not sure I want to go down the line of some kind of sleeping tablets. Hope you’re finally getting your sleep problem sorted and good luck with the rest of your treatment.

[stillgoingParticipant]

Hi fluffyflav. Thanks for taking time to reply my post. I am sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I was lucky in that my PN didn’t kick in until quite close to the end of my chemo. Once I came off the chemo, the PN started to reduce in intensity quite quickly, and now it’s not really a problem. It’s still there to a mild degree, but not enough to bother me most of the time. All I can really say is, I hope your consultant can keep it at a manageable level for you through your treatment, and that it starts to recede once your chemo is over.
P.S. If you do need to go down the sleeping pill route, I found that taking a whole tablet (Zopiclone, I think) left me feeling really rough the next day, but half a tablet was enough to get me off to sleep and left me feeling not too bad.

[fluffyflavParticipant]

Thanks stillgoing. Another sleepless night last night due to the PN pain in my hands. Meeting with consultant next week so will discuss the sleeping issue with her and see where we go. Thanks for getting back to me.

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