Hi, I know how you are feeling with the peripheral neuropathy. It’s definitely diccult to cope with. I began to have slight tingling in my feet after the first week of Velcade, which gradually got worse by the end of cycle one. The volume of my Velcade was reduced in cycles 2 to 6, but the tingling changed to numbness and pain in my lower legs. The bottom of my feet can feel like sponge. When the weather is cold, the pain becomes worse. At night appears to be when the pain is really bad.
On my consultant’s advice, I started taking vitamin b6 and b12 on a daily basis. Hot baths help, as well as wearing bed/thermal socks and an electric blanket when my legs are cold at night. I use a fentanyl patch for my bone pain, which also helps with the pain and I increase my tramadol tablets when required. I was offered gabapentin for pain relief from my consultant. My pain in my legs and feet has subsidised a little, but I’m not sure whether it’s because the weather is a little warmer or that I’ve finished Velcade a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I couldn’t add thalidomide to my treatment because I had a numb patch on my leg from this drug which can also cause peripheral neuropathy.
There is an information sheet on this site covering the subject, which together with advice from myeloma beacon website, also suggests we try magnesium oil and cocoa butter rubbed into the legs, alpha lipoic acid, folic acid, vitamin E, fish oil and omega 3, multi b complex tablet, exercise, acupuncture, massage, reflexology, relaxation, tonic water and prescribed gabapentin.
Let me know whether you have any success with any of the above. Apparently the pain can take months before it gets better and sometimes unfortunately it doesn’t improve or symptoms can become more intense months after treatment has finished. You must be relieved to be through your sct. Have you passed the 100 day mark? Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Jan
