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There are three broad ways to deal with symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

  • Chemotherapy dose reduction (not preferred)
  • Preventive treatments (drugs and other treatments that have neuroprotective properties)
  • Symptomatic agents (lessen the manifestations of peripheral neuropathy but do not treat its root cause)

Many things can be done to alleviate peripheral neuropathy. You also may want to read about neuropathic pain for more pain management treatments.

NOTE: Some of the treatments described here for peripheral neuropathy have not been studied in patients with cancer. They have been studied in diabetic populations, in which peripheral neuropathy is common.

May or May Not Be Helpful

Assistive devices may be helpful. Because peripheral neuropathy often is accompanied by a loss of strength, using a cane, leg braces, leg splints, or similar devices can help improve your balance and body alignment.

Not Enough Evidence

Many treatments fall into this category.  

Prescription drug options include:

  • Amifostine
  • Carbamazepine
  • Nortriptyline
  • Recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor

Nutritional supplements with known beneficial effects include:

  • Acetyl-L-carnitine
  • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • Capsaicin
  • Calcium and magnesium
  • Glutamine
  • Glutathione
  • Vitamin E

IMPORTANT:

  • Some of the supplements listed previously are best delivered via an IV or some method other than swallowing a pill. Talk with your oncology nurse or physician to fully understand your options.
  • If your practitioner recommends a supplement that may be taken orally, ask for recommendations of the best brands to buy. Brands vary widely in their potency, purity, and bioavailability. Don't attempt to self-medicate with these products.

Acupuncture also has been used in treating peripheral neuropathy. 

Because peripheral neuropathy can involve loss of strength, small studies have shown that progressive resistance and aerobic exercises can help regain some of that strength. Stretching may be helpful, too. Although exercise is important for everyone's health, this recommendation should be tempered with the practicalities of your condition. Discuss this with your specialist before attempting exercises on your own. The types of activity that would be most beneficial will vary according to your current lifestyle, the stage of your disease, and the nature of your treatment.

Finally, another group of treatments called physical agent modalities are helpful for many patients. These modalities include:

  • Pulsed infrared light therapy (PILT)
  • Spinal cord stimulation
  • Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)

 

Neuroprotective

an agent that has the ability to minimize neurologic damage

 
 

Physical agent modalities

a form of therapy used in physical medicine and rehabilitation that produces changes in soft tissue through the use of light, water, temperature, sound, or electricity. Examples include ultrasound, whirlpool, hot and cold packs, TENS units, and other medical devices.