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How to Reverse Neuropathy from Chemo

Posted by:

Johannes Sauer

Reviewed by:

Dr. Jennie Stanford

Updated at: November 27, 2024

Table of Contents

  1. How Does Chemotherapy Cause Neuropathy?

  2. What Types of Neuropathy Can Result From Chemotherapy?

  3. Recognizing Symptoms of Neuropathy

  4. Lifestyle Changes to Support Nerve Health

  5. An Individualized Approach to Recovery

If you are receiving chemotherapy, one of the possible side effects is damage to the nerves, which is called neuropathy. Research shows that neuropathy affects around half of patients who receive chemo.

Thankfully, most chemotherapy patients no longer have neuropathy a few months after stopping chemo treatments. But while you do, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life.

How Does Chemotherapy Cause Neuropathy?

Chemotherapy can cause neuropathy through an inflammatory process that damages the nerves. 

Not all cancer drugs cause neuropathy, but patients may not always have the luxury of avoiding the drugs that do. The priority is to choose the drug that gives the patient the best chance at eradicating the cancer.

What Types of Neuropathy Can Result From Chemotherapy?

Chemo can cause these types of neuropathy:

  • Peripheral: This is neuropathy that affects the peripheral nerves.
  • Sensory: This type of neuropathy can lead to numbness, pain and tingling.
  • Motor: This is a type of neuropathy that affects the ability to control movement.

Note that these categories of neuropathy can overlap. You can have sensory and motor neuropathy in your peripheral nerves, for instance. 

You should also note that while chemo can cause neuropathy, so can other conditions such as diabetes, injuries, and more.

Recognizing Symptoms of Neuropathy

Neuropathy can manifest through a variety of symptoms that affect an individual's sensory and motor functions, including:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Burning
  • Weakness
  • Reduction in balance
  • Feels of heat or cold
  • Constipation
  • Painful urination
  • Difficult urination
  • Challenges carrying out everyday tasks

Symptoms of neuropathy can range from mild to moderate or severe.


Lifestyle Changes to Support Nerve Health

Delicious looking salad and veggies on board

Nov 27, 2024

Some simple lifestyle changes can help you support nerve health during chemo. Try to boost your intake of B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, any vitamins you are deficient in, and nutrients like glutamine, glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, and acetyl-l-carnitine.

Try to eat healthy foods, and avoid eating fried foods, sugary foods, and excessive caffeine and alcohol.

An Individualized Approach to Recovery

Because neuropathy is a condition that can have different causes and symptoms in different individuals, it requires a customized approach to treatment. 

Some treatment options for neuropathy include:

  • Taking medications to help manage pain
  • Using neuromodulation
  • Eating an anti-inflammatory diet
  • Completing chemo treatment so your body can recover from it
  • Treating other underlying conditions contributing to neuropathy
  • Quitting smoking
  • Exercising regularly 

Your doctor may or may not suggest adjusting your dosage of chemotherapy drugs. It all depends on your individual condition and whether or not medication changes  would adversely impact your chances of successfully treating the cancer.

With respect to exercising, it may be helpful to invest in a pair of therapeutic shoes, such as the Cadense Original Adaptive Shoe.

What makes this shoe innovative is the proprietary variable friction technology that helps the feet to “glide” over uneven surfaces and minor obstacles. 

This can be especially helpful if you are experiencing foot drop as a result of neuropathy. Foot drop is a condition that makes it hard to lift the front parts of either or both feet.

The Cadense Original Adaptive Shoe is also designed to fit comfortably and snugly. With its wide base, it improves stability, which can make it easier to stay balanced while walking.

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FAQ

What are the common symptoms of neuropathy from chemotherapy?

Neuropathy from chemotherapy can produce symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness as a result of the damage to the nerves.

Which chemotherapy drugs are most commonly associated with neuropathy?

Some of the chemotherapy drugs most likely to cause neuropathy include platinum drugs, taxanes, and plant alkaloids.

Can neuropathy from chemotherapy be reversed?

Yes. In fact, the good news is that most patients who end up developing neuropathy as a result of chemo treatments are able to recover from the neuropathy a few months after they cease their treatments.

How can exercise help with neuropathy?

Exercising can help people with neuropathy to decrease their pain and other symptoms, as well as rebuild strength, flexibility and balance. Walking with neuropathy can also help improve gait when patients practice correcting unnatural movements.

This is important, because life expectancy with peripheral neuropathy can be shorter, likely due to an increased risk of falling.

Posted by: Johannes Sauer

Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. He was immediately drawn to the mission of the company because his cousin lost his lower leg in a tragic motorcycle accident a few years ago and is experiencing walking difficulties ever since. Johannes brings over a decade of experience in working for consumer product companies to Cadense. He holds an MBA from the University of Graz in Austria. Johannes lives with his family in Santa Barbara, CA.

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Reviewed by: Dr. Jennie Stanford

Dr. Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, is an obesity medicine physician and metabolic health expert, as well as a medical writer and educator. Dr. Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, is an obesity medicine physician and metabolic health expert, as well as a medical writer and educator. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Stanford is board-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine. She is passionately involved in medical education, dedicating her time to mentoring and advancing the field.

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