Any suggestions about how to manage pain from peripheral neuropathy? Does it typically go away after discontinuation of thalidomide or Velcade?
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Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Massaging your hands or feet can really help. See if your wife would massage them for you. Besides helping with the PN, it's just nice and relaxing to receive a massage and can be a much needed break from the stress of myeloma.
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sally moyer
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Some people say that Lyrica or Cymbalta work. Anyone have any experiences with those? Do these drugs have their own side effects?
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sylvia
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Well, one "side effect" of Cymbalta is that it will make you happier ... 
One of its officially approved uses is as an antdepressant. You can read more about the medication here, which is the FDA's officially approved document describing the drug's approved uses (in the United States), efficacy, dosing, and side effects. The official Cymbalta site is here: www.cymbalta.com .
Incidentally, Cymbalta is approved as a treatment for peripheral neuropathy (PN) *due to diabetes*. This doesn't mean it won't help with PN due to other causes, but the officially approved indication is "Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain".
Lyrica (pregabalin) is a newer version of an older drug, Neurontin (gabapentin). Lyrica is officially approved as a treatment for "neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy." It is also approved to be used the help prevent epileptic seizures in individuals who might otherwise have such seizures. Neurontin is also commonly prescribed as a medication to help prevent epileptic seizures.
The official Lyrica Web site is here: www.lyrica.com .
One of its officially approved uses is as an antdepressant. You can read more about the medication here, which is the FDA's officially approved document describing the drug's approved uses (in the United States), efficacy, dosing, and side effects. The official Cymbalta site is here: www.cymbalta.com . Incidentally, Cymbalta is approved as a treatment for peripheral neuropathy (PN) *due to diabetes*. This doesn't mean it won't help with PN due to other causes, but the officially approved indication is "Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain".
Lyrica (pregabalin) is a newer version of an older drug, Neurontin (gabapentin). Lyrica is officially approved as a treatment for "neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy." It is also approved to be used the help prevent epileptic seizures in individuals who might otherwise have such seizures. Neurontin is also commonly prescribed as a medication to help prevent epileptic seizures.
The official Lyrica Web site is here: www.lyrica.com .
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
sally moyer wrote:Massaging your hands or feet can really help. See if your wife would massage them for you. Besides helping with the PN, it's just nice and relaxing to receive a massage and can be a much needed break from the stress of myeloma.
I started getting PN in my feet after 5th cycles of Rev/dx/Velcade. I stopped all meds in preparation for stem cell and the PN started 2 weeks later. Anyway, I've used an electric back massager the last 2 nights on my feet and I think it's working!
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Stann - Name: Stann
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/11/09
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Dr. Martha Lacy from the Mayo Clinic said:
"Unfortunately peripheral neuropathy is a complication of a number of myeloma therapies including thalidomide (Thalomid), Velcade (bortezomib) and vincristine (Oncovin). It may lessen or resolve completely when the drug is discontinued. It is hard to predict ahead of time who will get it or whether it will resolve.
Some claim taking vitamins will help prevent it but this is unproven.
There are a number of medications that may help patients manage the pain including Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin), Cymbalta (duloxetine) and amitriptyline (Elavil).
Alternatively, massage, acupuncture or exercise may help. If the area that is bothersome is not too large (e.g. feet only), some patients may find relief with anesthetic creams."
"Unfortunately peripheral neuropathy is a complication of a number of myeloma therapies including thalidomide (Thalomid), Velcade (bortezomib) and vincristine (Oncovin). It may lessen or resolve completely when the drug is discontinued. It is hard to predict ahead of time who will get it or whether it will resolve.
Some claim taking vitamins will help prevent it but this is unproven.
There are a number of medications that may help patients manage the pain including Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin), Cymbalta (duloxetine) and amitriptyline (Elavil).
Alternatively, massage, acupuncture or exercise may help. If the area that is bothersome is not too large (e.g. feet only), some patients may find relief with anesthetic creams."
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Fred, you may find the following article helpful:
Causes Of And Treatments For Multiple Myeloma Drug-Induced Nerve Damage
It reports that Velcade-based peripheral neuropathy is more likely to be reversed after discontinuation of treatment as compared to thalidomide-based neuropathy.
It also describes several medicinal and non-medicinal suggestions for alleviating symptoms.
Causes Of And Treatments For Multiple Myeloma Drug-Induced Nerve Damage
It reports that Velcade-based peripheral neuropathy is more likely to be reversed after discontinuation of treatment as compared to thalidomide-based neuropathy.
It also describes several medicinal and non-medicinal suggestions for alleviating symptoms.
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Julie Shilane - Name: Julie Shilane, Beacon Staff
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Hi Fred,
My partner also had neuropathy in his feet. In the rehab clinic they massaged "Aconit oil" in his feet - and that helped. Aconit oil in Germany you can buy free and it is really harmless and without any side effects.
I do not know if they have in the US, but it is a mixture of aconite, camphor and lavender in peanut oil.
Wish you a nice Sunday
Caro
My partner also had neuropathy in his feet. In the rehab clinic they massaged "Aconit oil" in his feet - and that helped. Aconit oil in Germany you can buy free and it is really harmless and without any side effects.
I do not know if they have in the US, but it is a mixture of aconite, camphor and lavender in peanut oil.
Wish you a nice Sunday
Caro
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Caro - Name: Caro
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My partner since more than 12 years
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Aug. 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
I have experienced neuropathy in my lower legs and feet ever since undergoing chemo (thalidomide, dex, melphalan) and SCTs in 2006. It seems to be worse later at night when laying in bed: severe cramping, numbness, tingling. Does anyone have suggestions on ways to alleviate the symptoms?
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lyndaclark - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2005
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Peripheral neuropathy
Hi Linda,
I have had neuropathy in my feet which was caused by Velcade. At one point it got so bad that my nerves were firing every 30 seconds all night long. I was in tears.
Then a myeloma specialist recommended Cymbalta. I started that and after 2 days, my neuropathy was so much better I couldn't believe it.
I told my local oncologist, who had never heard of Cymbalta (duloxetine). Since then he has prescribed it to two other multiple myeloma patients and they are "hooked". It's worth a try.
Good Luck, Stan
I have had neuropathy in my feet which was caused by Velcade. At one point it got so bad that my nerves were firing every 30 seconds all night long. I was in tears.
Then a myeloma specialist recommended Cymbalta. I started that and after 2 days, my neuropathy was so much better I couldn't believe it.
I told my local oncologist, who had never heard of Cymbalta (duloxetine). Since then he has prescribed it to two other multiple myeloma patients and they are "hooked". It's worth a try.
Good Luck, Stan
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Stann - Name: Stann
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/11/09
- Age at diagnosis: 46
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