My Feet Hurt!

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kmartin
kmartin Member Posts: 78
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi All:

 Since chemo my feet have hurt...on the bottom. Not burning or numbness...just hurt. I teach and therefore stand a lot, so today I bought 2 pairs of Dansko shoes hoping they will help. I have seen a rheumatologist due to all joints and hands being stiff, and a very positive ANA. I have seen a neurologist, who doesn't think it's neuropathic. I do have the EMG scheduled in two weeks.

 Any ideas, or tips would be appreciated. Does anyone else have foot pain that is not neuropathy?

Kathy

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  • scrappy_survivor
    scrappy_survivor Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2010

    I do mine is bone spurs from the chemo.

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  • lisaelder1972
    lisaelder1972 Member Posts: 171
    edited March 2010

    Kathy,'

       Your post caught my eye because the pain in my feet is excruciating! Do your toes hurt too? Mine hurt so bad that it makes me cry sometimes.This is despite the fact that I take Oxycontin,Oxycodone and Dilaudid in high doses every day.I have found one thing that helps the pain some.When I was a little girl,my Grandma used Watkins products and I found Watkins White Liniment on Amazon,so I ordered it a few weeks ago.I figured for $9.99 it was worth a shot at least.It is amazing how much it helps.It smells kinda loud but I wouldn't care if it smelled like crap as long as I get some relief lol.I tried every OTC rub on product in the drugstore,from ICY hot to Absorbine Jr and none of it worked at all.I told a friend of mine with RA about it and she loves it.I hope you find relief soon because I know how bad it can be.Let me know if you try it,I think you;d really like it,I sure do.I never could find it in stores only online at Drugstore.com,Amazon.com or JRwatkins.com.It's been around for like 100 years and is natural.Good luck.

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  • angelsabove
    angelsabove Member Posts: 363
    edited March 2010

    Another painful foot person hear. Mine is in the left foot. Makes me think the toxins come out of the feet. You know the Asian culture believes in those detoxing foot patches. I have not tried that, but thinking about it. I work out on the treadmill and those days.....OMG....it hurts hurts hurts.....When I put my leg straight out and point my toes up....man it is like a stinking shooting pain....MMMM maybe it is neuropathy. My last chemo was on Nov. 16th 2009......

    GREAT TOPIC....gonna keep reading for good advice....

    May God Bless Us All 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    My feet don't hurt, though for the first time I got cramping in them during chemo that made me have to stand up to stretch them out.

    I'm a bit vague on this but I've seen an add on TV lately where you can stand on some machine (our local Wal-Mart has one) and it will detect where the pressure points are in your soles. Then you can buy the appropriate insoles.

    Perhaps that may give some relief?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    My feet don't hurt, though for the first time I got cramping in them during chemo that made me have to stand up to stretch them out.

    I'm a bit vague on this but I've seen an add on TV lately where you can stand on some machine (our local Wal-Mart has one) and it will detect where the pressure points are in your soles. Then you can buy the appropriate insoles.

    Perhaps that may give some relief?

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2010

    Hi ladies,

    I've worn the Dansko shoes for 2 days, each day on my feet chasing 7 first-year nursing students for 8 hours. I must say that the first day I had much less pain in the evening. The second day I had a sore spot on the top of the foot, where the shoe rubbed the first day, but the heel and bottoms of my feet are not hurting!!!!

    I am going to wear the second pair tomorrow to see if they continue to work. I told my husband that I might have to wear these clunky, clog-like shoe all year long....what to wear during the summer??

     I bought these shoes at a local small shoe store called Van Dyke and Bacon, where they fit your feet each time you buy new shoes...just like a shoe store of old. They also sell these at Nordstrom's and nursing uniform shops. I strongly recommend trying them on when buying them. I bought my first pair on line and they were oddly sized...they are hand assembled so there is some slight variation. Try them on in person!! I had to return the first pair.

    I am anxious to hear what else others are doing for their painful feet....off to see a podiatrist.

    Kathy

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2010

    I have not heard of bone spurs from chemo....did you have an x-ray to diagnose this?

    Kathy

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2010

    Hi Lisaelder,

     I sure sounds like you have neuropathy...by boss has this after TAC for TNBC. She is on an antidepressant Cymbalta, and has had some relief. Have you seen a neurologist?

    Kathy

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited March 2010

    I still have the neuropathy in my toes and I am 6 months out of chemo.  I got it right after my very first taxol and was switched to taxotere for the remaining 3 dosages because of it.  I have no pain in toes, just numbness and sometimes a tightening feeling in my toes, where I swear they feel as though they are going to burst open like over cooked sausages!  Oftentimes (recently began) I have a lot of pain in my entire foot after sitting and getting up or getting out of bed in the a.m.  My onc says it is definitely neuropathy and that it takes many forms.  She still says "eventually" it will go away.  Hopefully in this lifetime!  This da#n disease just keeps giving and giving, doesn't it?

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  • kathimdgd
    kathimdgd Member Posts: 268
    edited March 2010

    I also have foot pain,as i said in some earlier posts,my feet feel like i walked thru fire then shattered glass.It started during chemo,which i finished feb.of last year and i still have it.Also my toenails feel like they are growing backwards,into my toes,instead of out.They hurt all the time when i'm sitting or laying down,even just the bedcoverings touching them make them hurt.Funny thing is they don't hurt when i walk though.go figure!!

    I'm also having a lot of shoulder/neck arm and hand pain.My onc tells me it's from the Femara.Everyday i question whether i can do this for another 4 1/2 years.

    Kathi

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  • 5andcounting
    5andcounting Member Posts: 232
    edited March 2010

    kmartin-I didn't have foot pain til I started the taxol. I wear high heels a lot and this pain feels like I've been on my feet for 24 hours and just hurts, no neuropathy. I, too, have a pair of dansko clogs that are the best feeling shoes I own. The fashion police will pull me over any day now but it is helping my feet.

    I also take pain meds two days after the infusion (for two days) and that helps some.

    Hope you are feeling better!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited March 2010

    I finished chemo 12/18 and my feet are still hurting.  Sometimes I think I'm crazy, but they hurt.  The ache and have burning pains in my toes with sharp pains in both my toes and fingers at various times of the day.  Ugh!!!  I do need to talk to my onc about because I don't know what to do - the only thing that feels good are soft slippers, but I can't wear that to work.

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  • CoffeeLara
    CoffeeLara Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2010
    Ya, I mostly have numbness at the balls of my feet and one foot also has numbness and a strange dry patch coming up on the spot between the big toe and the pointer (?) toe..but my legs have such strange sometimes debilitating spasms!! 
    WTH!  I take multiple mg. of Turmeric after my aunt told me to squirt mustard in my mouth with the cramping!!  lol...It helps and I researched what it was in the mustard...Turmeric!!  anyhow..if this helps any of you..I would google Turmeric and be pleasantly surprised at its benefits.
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  • waniyetu1025
    waniyetu1025 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2010

    Well after recieving  first trial drug only 2 doses of Bevezicumb side effects they took me off right away then started with 4AC /4Taxol dose dense,  Well I started feeeling pain on my feet and hands also.  Dr said its Neuropathy it will go away he said.  Well its been 2 years now and still hurts the tingling shifts to my toes and then the bottom of my feet.  They always hurt.  If we go to Disneyland or any where that I have to walk a lot.  I have to still use a wheel chair.  Its so agraivating cant even jog or take long walks. I really dont know when this will go away. I tried to get Disability but they keep denying me.  Also my knees always stiffen up and hard to start my day. I wonder if this is the same thing in my knee joints.  The neurologist Dr says its permanent damage to our nerves.  It wont go away. Anyone gone this long or maybe longer with this problem?

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  • skigrl
    skigrl Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2010

    2 months after taxol i ended up with neuropathy in my hand and feet. That was 10 months ago. It has since gone from my hands, but i continue to have very painful feet. It feels like i have little pebbles stuck to the bottom of my feet when i walk. SO i have a pair of  TEVA sandals with the squishy footbed. They are HEAVEN to my feet. I walk in them all day long, except of course when i leave the house, we still have snow, then i switch to BOG boots that have squishy soles,,,ahhh. I am hoping the pain goes away like it did in my hands. I just try to stay focused on what Taxol did to the cancer cells.....hopefully!

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2010

    It's really amazing...all the foot pain, toenail issues...hope someone is listening!

    Update ~ my nerve conduction test was normal! NO neuropathy! so what the H#%LL I did ask the neurologist for a recommendation for a good podiatrist. He gave me two names.

    The Dansko shoes have worked wonders for two weeks now, so I am feeling more comfortable recommending them. But remember to try them on in person.

    I forgot to mention that about 9 months ago, when the foot pain really became a daily issue, I also felt weird sensations down the entire length of my legs....I had buzzing and creepy crawly sensations that made me have to move my legs. This was worse in the evenings. So my onc. diagnosed me with RLS...restless leg syndrome. I started on Lyrica and had immediate relief from these sensations. I am currently on Lyrica 150mg in the morning and 75mg at dinner.

    Again, lots of leg/foot/toe problems.

    One of my big toenails fell out and has almost grown back in. My friend lost all of her toenails...other friends have had trouble with fingernails...these are known side effects of the taxanes.

    Thanks for all the great shoe suggestions...how about for summer sandals???

     Kathy

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  • NavyMom
    NavyMom Member Posts: 1,099
    edited March 2010

    Hi Kathy,

    Dansko makes sandals too!  Go on line, you'll see several colors and styles.

    Navymom

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  • kathimdgd
    kathimdgd Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2010

    Kathy,

    My onc put me on Lyrica,25mgs and i didn't last a month with it.It gave me terrible charlie horses in my legs and feet,my mouth got so dry it felt like my tongue was burnt,and i retained sooooooo much fluid,that i'd put on 3# in one day.So i said thanks,but no thanksI was worse off on lyrica than i was without it.My toes would just seize up from the charlie horses,same with the legs.

    Kathi

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited May 2010

    I ended chemo in August of 2007 and I still have neuropathy in my left foot. Both of my feet are achy and hurt when I stand on them. The neuropathy started as soon as I started Taxol. It's supposed to be temporary but so far it's still here...

    Linda

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited May 2010

    Hi Kathi and Linda,

    This week I am trying to wean off the Lyrica for good. One month ago I was taking 150mg in the morning and 75mg at dinner. I first cut back to 75 mg twice a day. Today I cut out the morning dose, hoping that once a day would be enough to keep my foot pain and buzzing in my legs at bay.

    I tried to get off of it once before, because I have some hand swelling and had some weight gain, which I hope to reduce once off the Lyrica.

    Kathy

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited May 2010

    So far, so good without the Lyrica. Have been off completely for 4 days and no changes in my legs buzzing or foot pain (gone!) Yahoo!

     Kathy

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  • kathimdgd
    kathimdgd Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2010

    Linda,Kathy and others with foot pain.How's it going now that you are off the lyrica??

    I still have the heaviness and leg and foot pain i had b4 the lyrica,but i no longer have the charley horses in legs and feet.

    kathi

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited June 2010

    I am having charley horses in my left leg...I have to jump out of bed and push my leg down..I hate that...it happens often..my right foot is still numb sometimes when I walk for exercise...still aching in my legs sometimes..I think it is from the Taxol.

    This chemo is very very strong...I guess I should be glad that is all I have since my last chemo was almost 1 year ago...I'm really not complaining...just hoping that the chemo killed all the cancer cells..I can deal with the se's....but sometimes it is weird to not be as mobile as I used to be...

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited June 2010

    I have to say I am six months out and still struggling with the pins and needles feeling, some days more so than others.  I tried neurontin and had lots of swelling within days, had to get off and am afraid to try lyrica, as my DD had terrible SE's years ago.  I just try to listen and when my feet are a little angry I rest them and when my fingers are upset I massage and rest them too, not much else I can do. 

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  • MtnMom
    MtnMom Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2010

    I have nothing helpful or astounding to add to this thread, other than my feet hurt TOO!!  My onc also doesn't have a great explanation for it and it is more achey/stiffness than pain.  They are doing better and I hope they continue to get better, fingers crossed (was done with chemo in Mar 2010)...I also noticed that they would especially hurt after I had been driving for more than a half hour.

     Anyways, thanks for starting the thread and the posts, it's reassuring I'm not the only one, although I'm not happy anyone else has sore feet!

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2010

    Hi All,

    I have been able to stay off the Lyrica for about 1 month now. I have not had any buzzing in my legs or heel pain since stopping. I have been exercising more regularly, and really feel that the heel pain was mostly due to a lack of flexibility in my feet. Perhaps that symptom was due to the 8 months of relative inactiviy due to treatment in '08.

    I will wear the Dansko shoes this fall when my teaching resumes. I also threw out about 5 pairs of flip-flops and shoes that always caused foot pain.

     Good luck to all, Kathy

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  • sunnydaze
    sunnydaze Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2010

    Hi... new to these boards... TN... double mastectomy coming 7/14... then chemo... daughter of a survivor.  My mom is cancer-free for 5 years now and is still having major foot pain and toenail pain... I want to avoid this if at all possible... can I opt out of Taxol or ask them to switch to something else?  I am a RUNNER and am very active/excercise often.  That's been the scariest thing for me... not the hair loss (that will grow back)... not the boob loss (I'll get new ones)... but if I have to remain sedentary because of foot/leg pain?  Not to mention I am a newly single mom of  3 and 4 year olds so I need to be able to keep up.

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited July 2010

    Hi Kelly,

    I have really been thinking about how to respond to your questions. I would thoroughly discuss your concerns during your upcoming meeting with the oncologist. It is my understanding that the taxane drugs are key to treating this type of BC in our country, but I have heard of other cocktails, though mostly from women in other countries ~ FEC (Canada for example).

    I want to reiterate that my nerve conduction test was negative for neuropathy, although the neurologist stated that the EMG really measures large nerve function much better than micro-nerve funtion. And he felt many people after chemo suffer from damage to the smaller nerves.

    My feet and legs are now feeling normal after changing my footwear and taking Lyrica for about 1 year. Have been off the Lyrica for 2 months and my heel is pain-free and no buzzing in my legs at all. An occasional urge to move my legs about in the evenings, but nothing worth re-starting the Lyrica for.

    Hope all are moving forward with this chronic pain problem. Keep us posted on your progress as we all learn from each other.

    Kathy 

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2010

    Sunny..I run too! ..or least I try..anyway...My onc told me that exercise was the best thing..I tried to work through the pain and usually it works...my right foot gets a little numb when I run but I still can do it....

    I'm almost a year PFC and it gets better every day...

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  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 337
    edited August 2010

    The bottoms of my feet have hurt sometimes also, and I couldn't understand it. Its been off and on, and  I do wear Dansko shoes much of the time, and I bet they help.  I've finished AC and am coming up to my third weekly dose of Taxol. I'm trying Vit B6 and L Glutamine, but who knows if that is helping or not. So far I'm mostly pain free.

    I'm not a runner, but I do Pilates, spin, walk and ride. Its so important to me to stay active and I hope this foot pain doesn't get worse.  

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