Cancer Research UK main site

Preventing Neuropathy with cold gloves and socks?

lizjon
Offline

Hi all, I'm starting ECT chemo in a couple of weeks and finishing putting my chemo bag together.  Has anyone successfully used the freezer pack/gloves/socks during chemo to prevent neuropathy? I'm not sure whether to buy them or not and before I did I hope someone on here has had experience of using these. I've decided against cold capping so I think I could tolerate the cold if it helps my hands and feet.

Also, can anyone have a look at my list and see if I've forgotten anything:

Softest blanket ever, E45 cream, my beloved Kindle with Audible and headphones, snacks, water bottle, wet wipes, antiseptic wipes, Gengigel mouth wash/dry mouth spray, puzzle book, notebook and pen, ginger tea bags, anti nausea wristbands, Anbesol

I'm preparing for the worse and hoping for the best!

thanks Liz

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    Good morning Pippin, glad you've done your second round and not feeling too bad. I think I'm struggling a bit as I'm still recovering from abdominal surgery in November, had a few stomach issues after my tummy tuck/reconstruction so that's maybe why I feel a bit rough.

    That's very commendable doing that much walking, I think I'll have to try that to help get my insides moving a bit more too. We're off to the zoo today so that's a good walk around.

    By the way, I bought a second pair of Suzzi Pad cold therapy socks on Amazon, about £20 and they lasted a whole hour. I know EC doesn't tend to cause neuropathy and its the T that does but I decided I may as well wear them every session. Surprisingly the chemo unit nurses said they didn't know anything about them but were happy for me to wear them.

    What meds do you think is causing your constipation? Anti sickness?

    Have you been checking your temperature with the hot flushes just in case? I'm already through the menopause so don't have hot flushes.

    take care Liz x

  • Offline in reply to lizjon

    Sorry you are still struggling with your recovery from the surgery, must make things a little more difficult to cope with. I think that is the surgery I'll be having after the chemo is finished. Do you have to buy the gloves and socks for each session or are they reusable? It's definitely the meds causing the constipation, so will hopefully go once they're finished in a couple of days. My injections start tonight, hoping that goes as well as last time. Have started to get a few shooting pains in my boob, which I did get last time too. Hope this us a good sign that treatment is working.I have been taking my temperature regularly and all has been fine so far. Good that you are no longer getting the hot flushes, this has been the worst bit for me. Hope you have a lovely Easter, always here if you want to chat. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    Good evening Pippin, I had a 5 year delayed diep reconstruction, that's when they found the new/old/hiding breast cancer behind my rib, they don't seem to know if it was missed last time round. If you want to know more about diep when the time comes please ask anything, I'm not shy. I have to say after 5 years of wearing a prosthesis I'm still amazed every day with my new boob, it's been fabulous, and now I'm smaller I only need to wear crop bras or pull on ones which is amazing, no more digs in my shoulders. I also had a mastopexy to reduce my normal boob so I'm lovely and symmetrical now.  I was treated at Whiston Hospital and they were an amazing team.

    The cold therapy socks/gloves have compartments in them and come with resusable ice packs, just freeze them before your chemo and put them together before you leave home, I've got a picnic freezer bag that I took with me to keep them frozen.

    I realised today that most of my stomach problems happen if I overindulge, which I did today as I had no sickness at all. Now I'm just struggling with wind pains. Totally my own fault and won't be doing that again.

    Happy easter and best wishes Liz x

  • Offline in reply to lizjon

    Thanks so much for all the info regarding the reconstruction. Will definitely talk to you more about that later. I will be looking into the cold socks and gloves, as concerned about the risk of neuropathy. My mum had a couple of chemo sessions, after surgery for bowel cancer. She still suffers the neuropathy slightly, a few years later. Hopefully, now you know what is causing your stomach problems, you'll be able to control it better. Take care and have a lovely weekend. Xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.