Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (The Return of Side Eff@cks)

Nerve damage from chemotherapy can lead to lingering effects after treatment. There are several natural agents that can help. But, some can actually make it worse too! Listen in while Tina & Leah discuss how to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and what to (safely) do if you already have it.

Chemotherapy drugs are designed to be toxic to cancer cells but sometimes they are also toxic to your nervous system. This can have long-term consequences. Take heart, there are ways to lessen the risk during treatment. There are also ways to improve peripheral neuropathy symptoms after treatment. Did you know that there is clinical trial data that shows this? (We may be creative, but not when it comes to recommending treatments.)

Links we mention in this episode and other cool stuff:

What drugs are most likely to cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy American Cancer Society

High-dose L-glutamine for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. Clinical Cancer Research

Omega-3 fatty acids and taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy BMC Cancer

High dose L-glutamine in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy The Oncologist

Review of natural agents & chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) Nutrients (2022)

Review of vitamin E studies - it only works for cis/carboplatin-induced CIPN (Frontiers in Cryotherapy)

The ASCO guidelines for CIPN (We don’t agree with doing nothing.) ASCO

Frozen gloves (cryotherapy) for prevention of CIPN Annals of Oncology

Scrambler therapy for pain management Support Care Cancer

Cytokines as targets in CIPN Cytokine

Alpha-lipoic acid alongside a taxane drug and doxorubicin Support Care Cancer (2022)