Has anyone any tips on coping with sore feet which make me hobble 3 months after finishing taxotere. I know that the neuropathy can be permanent but would love to be able to wear some shoes that aren’t trainers. When I succumb to vanity and wear a pair of shoes I can feel my toes curling up in order to walk with any degree of comfort and this is leading to hammer toes.
Have tried the Boots ball of feet cushions without much relief.
Crispy
Oh dear - I can sympathise . I can remember not being able to get downstairs cos of permanent numbness. I had taxotere dec 05 - mar 06 and still have quite a degree of numbness in hands and feet.
I wear proper crocs - not the cheap ones - as they stay on, especially the womens’ style ones as they are narrower.
Last year, I did actually manage to wear flip flop type sandals as long as my feet were hot enough to secure suction but usually wear the hiking type of sandals as they strap quite securely to your feet.
Maybe ask at a specialist shoe shop like scholl or an outside sports shop. Could be worth asking for a referral to a specialist podiatrist to see if they have any ideas.
Hope someone else has ideas for you
Kate
Thanks Kate
Glad I’m not the only one. The GP has refered me to thew podiatrist but choose and book wouldn’t work so I’m waiting for something in the post.
Crispy
I too still have neuropathy a year after taxtere.I can only wear ecco or hotter shoes[Google suppliers] and as Kate says hiking type sandals.I will try Crocs,thanks Kate.For me the problem is numbness in fingers as well as toes.When I am tired it creeps right up my legs.Onc says if it doesnt clear up 3 years post treatment it will probably be permanent.
I have it in my toes too, but I am mostly able to wear ordinary (flattish) shoes. It really is very annoying though…like a permanent “fizzing” sensation and loss of feeling.
I think mine has decreased a bit since finishing Tax in November 2007. Initially the numbness was from the balls of my feet to the tips of my toes, and now it is mostly confined to the toe-tips. I massage my feet everyday with Scholl Foot Cream and pay particular attention to the balls and toes, I also find wearing socks in bed helps, though I have no idea why!
:(((
Thanks Everyone
Has anybody been following the thread about bone pain and joint difficulties after chemo? My concern is the changes in toe shape and reading the posts wonder whether it is osteoporotic as well.
Any thoughts anyone
Crispy
bumping this up for mary frod
Oh, Crispy, I do sympathise. I have been crippled by both inflamed soles and by painful splits on the big toes. Standing for any length of time still sets them off.
For six weeks I was restricted to padded socks and sandals, and was really dreading the onset of winter. However, I have finally got a pair of shoes from Cosyfeet which I can actually walk in. They are a great company - very quick and very responsive.
Although Cosyfeet say to order your normal shoe size, I found I needed a half size up to allow for space over the toes.
The only advice I’ve had from oncs, is to keep warm…odd when your toes feel like they’ve been cryogenically frozen! Foot massage seems to help a bit, though, so Justme’s experience seems to fit what the onc is saying.
The other thing I was told doesn’t bring too much cheer: expect neuropathy to continue for 12-18 months after last Tax. This is because the nerve endings have been stripped by the drug and nerves take ages to re-grow. Finding fave shoes and boots don’t fit, either. Cue changes in toe shape. I think I’m developing an ingrown toenail.
Finding it very frustrating, 'cause I’d like to start jogging/running again to pick up a bit of fitness and it’s quite difficult with Bird’s Eye Frozen Toes. Fingers aren’t too bad
Worst thing for me is an evening class I teach at uni on a Tuesday evening: even though I’m quite an active tutor and walk around the lecture room a lot, always end up hobbling out at the end of the evening like someone who’s aged 20 years in two hours.
Small tip for those having finger problems: I’m a Mac user, and replaced my computer when all this sh*t kicked off, expecting to work from home more. On a whim I went for the wireless keyboard, which is almost flat, quite sensitive and so much easier to negotiate with tingling fingers than the standard keyboards at work. There’ll almost certainly be something similar for PC users out there.
The other thing that works for me is cycling, which doesn’t involve toes. Keeps joints moving and gets circulation going (and blood pressure up, if you live in London!).
Good luck with the podiatrist, Crispy, and let us know how you get on.
And good luck to all who are grappling with this problem.
L x
My chemo(4xfec,4xtax) finishedJuly '04 and I still have periperal neuraphy in my toes.It doesnt bother me too much these days but Crispy’s comment about changeing toe shape is definately me! The toes on my right foot are unrecognisable from my pre chemo ones-and I cant move them as much as the other foot.
Hi Folks
Just an update 'ive posted this info elsewhere but its easier to rewrite it.
May was referred to foot and ankle assessment clinic, podiatrist sorted out removing hard skin and corns and I have a regular appt with them .
The orthotissts are trying to find a compromise that fits my altered foot shape and to quote them “protects the soles of your feet from the peripheral neuropathy”.
So since the end of August i have been wearing thick insoles (a lot thicker than those in the shops ) that come three quarters of the way up my feet. This still leaves my toes as a problem and only fit in a pair of cross trainers. however this does mean i can mange Pilates again but only if i wear the trainers and I am cycling /crosstraining at the gym (running isn’t good yet). The orthists are making me a pair of shoes to wear for work (some days I’m on my feet all day) which will have full sole protection. Get them next Monday so will keep you informed. Have bought a couple of Clarks air cushion shoes with round toes but haven’t tried them for any length of time.
Good to know I’m not the only one whose feet have changed shape. The orthotists are not certain that it was just the Tax.
Crispy
Just wanted to say, I used to get Cosyfeet stuff for my late dad and they are an excellent company to deal with. Don’t forget if you have a medical condition you can get VAT exemption on things like footwear if your feet are affected.
Littlemiss
Hope this thread gives you other ideas.
Crispy
Yes it has given me ideas, thanks. I’ve bought a great pair of booties like the cosyfeet design (my Dad used them too)on ebay, which are very comfortable. I never thought I’d be praising slippers. This is what happens in middle age!
hi all
well went for the new shoes, light comforable and it feels so different than the trainers I’ve had for months. Didn’t walk out in them though as they still need finishing and final adjustments. Did have the most sensible talk I’ve had about buying running trainers and walking boots. May have them for Christmas.
There is hope out there.
Crispy
Ah, so I’m not alone then. After 6 FEC and 28rads, I ache all over but feet are the worst and am getting a bunion. Bought some sweet little pumps in a size up from old shoes but long to be able to wear my trademark spiky heels. I feel like a different person. : - (
Hi Pinky Ann,
I had Fec also and have sore feet. When I mentioned this to my Onc she said that you dont get this problem with Fec. I recently read about a lady who had sore feet that have been attributed to a rare side effect from Tamoxifen.
So I blame that. The soreness has recently moved from my toes and sole to my heel and ankles. And mainly affects me first thing when I get out of bed for about 10 minutes, or if I have been sitting down for a while. I liken it to feeling if you have been dancing all night in stilettos. I,ve had it for months now and I,m used to it now.
Love Andrea xx
I know that “dancing in stilettos” feeling, Andrea! Was a guest at a brilliant Hindu/Scottish wedding a week ago. The dancing was fab, Bollywood and ceilidh, but suffered the next day despite being more reserved on the dancefloor than usual.
Am not exactly leaping out of bed in the morning, either. Poetry in motion…not! Have had referral to foot clinic at a local hospital, so let’s see what they have to say. Incipient ingrown toenail has turned into a real one, the boots I had made to measure a year ago don’t fit any more. Ho hum…
L x
a year after finishing taxotere I’ve just had an orthopaedic appt where I’ve been told I have to weigh up the pros and cons of orthopaedic shoes to prevent any further damage to my feet.
So because the peripheral neuropathy affected not only the sensation in my feet but how the small muscles which support the arch work I have a wider flattened foot which causes aching ankles and sore balls of the feet. This is complicated by a bunion which they could operate on but the chances of success are reduced with peripheral neuropathy and it would mean I wouldn’t be able to bend my toe and therefore run.
So I 've been asked to revise my expectations wearing orthopaedic boots most of the time or wearing ordinary shoes painfully with the risk of ulcers (because I can’t feel the damage until its too late) and other complications.
I know this is pure vanity and my head says it is a small price to pay but I just look at the skirts and dresses in my wardrobe and cry (I’ve not really worn skirts or dresses since tax because all I’ve been able to wear was trainers).It feels as if it makes a mockery of deciding for a WLE rather than a mastectomy.
Sorry to let rip it seems such a little thing in comparison with everything else but it seems the final straw.
C