Polineuropathy after chemotherapy

Polineuropathy after chemotherapy occurs due to toxic damage to nerve fibers and certain areas in the brain with medications. First of all, patients are concerned about the weakness that has appeared.

Polyneuropathy is a defeat of the peripheral nervous system, which manifests itself in peripheral flaccid paralysis, sensitivity disorders, trophic and vegetovascular disorders. If you ignore this symptom during chemotherapy and do not prescribe the necessary symptomatic treatment, then there are other signs of polyneuropathy. They become more intense and diverse.

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of the polyneuropathy after chemotherapy

The mechanism of damage to the nervous system can be as follows:

1. To cause axonal degeneration.
2. To provoke the appearance of segmental demyelination.

The degree of manifestation and frequency of symptoms of polyneuropathy after chemotherapy depends on the drug, its single and cumulative dose also affects. There are other risk factors, for example, hereditary and acquired neuropathies, the presence of diabetes, existing alcoholism, renal and / or hepatic dysfunction, previous chemotherapy courses.

[4], [5]

Symptoms of the polyneuropathy after chemotherapy

Specialists distinguish several types of polyneuropathy after chemotherapy:

• Distal - this syndrome manifests itself in symmetrical disorders of sensitivity and / or impairment of motor functions in the patient.
• Sensory - manifests itself in sensations of numbness, tingling, cold or burning sensations in different parts of the body. It also manifests itself in dysesthesia, a violation of the sensitivity of nerve fibers, so that when touched to the skin, the patient experiences unpleasant, and sometimes abnormal and perverted sensations. For example, cold can be felt by heat, simple touch - like pain. Perhaps the manifestation of this type of polyneuropathy only as a pain.

All of the above signs begin with hundreds of feet and tips of toes, with fingertips and hands. Gradually, these sensations extend to the arms and legs, rising to the spine.

• Motor - manifested in the reduction of muscle strength, reducing their tone and atrophy, involuntary muscle movements, decreasing tendon reflexes - Achilles, knee. These symptoms begin to occur in the area of the foot, fingertips and toes, hands and gradually spread to the spine. Patients can not make simple movements - stand, move on their heels, unbend their hands; there are symptoms of "drooping" feet or brushes.
• Vegetative - manifested in the violation of the rhythm of cardiac activity, changes in blood pressure, the appearance of dizziness, the occurrence of diarrhea or constipation, in dry or sweating skin, hearing and potency disorders, and urinary incontinence.
• Central - occurs in rare cases and manifests itself in encephalopathies with convulsive syndrome, as well as in disorders of consciousness - from the appearance of drowsiness to the state of coma. There may also be feelings of the passage of electric charge from the neck to the hands and back of the spine to the legs after the head has involuntarily leaned forward.

Forms

Neuropathy after chemotherapy

Neuropathy after chemotherapy occurs due to damage to the peripheral nervous system, and in rare cases - the central nervous system. Neuropathy manifests itself in violation of the motor (motor) functions of the patient, as well as in reducing the sensitivity of the skin, the appearance of perverse (abnormal) sensitivity, a decrease in vibration sensitivity, a decrease in tendon reflexes, a feeling of numbness in limbs and parts of the body, and so on.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

Treatment of the polyneuropathy after chemotherapy

To protect yourself from the negative consequences of polyneuropathy, patients and their relatives need to adhere to the following recommendations:

Preventing burns:

• use thick rubber gloves for washing dishes and other activities with hot water; if possible, buy a dishwasher;
• install in the house taps and faucets with automatic regulation of water temperature - thermostats;
• When cooking, always use handles and holders for pots and pans;

Fall prevention:

• in the bathroom, shower and toilet put special rubber mats that prevent slipping;
• for a while to hide in the house all the wires, carpets and everything that can cause a fall (if the patient stumbles over these items);
• Minimize independent movement through streets outside the home;
• purchase and wear special orthopedic shoes;
• In the winter, move only on the paths cleared of snow and ice;
• At night, include night lights along the route from bedroom to toilet, bathroom or kitchen.

In order to facilitate self-service:

• buy shoes and clothes with Velcro, because tying laces and button fastening are complex actions for patients with polyneuropathy.

Prevention

In order to prevent the amplification of symptoms of polyneuropathy after chemotherapy:

• it is necessary to stop smoking;
• it is forbidden to take alcohol;
• in the presence of diabetes it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of sugar in the blood;
• use prescribed by the doctor neurotropic vitamins, which include Thiamine and Neuromultivitis.

Patients who undergo therapy with the oxaliplatin preparation should not come into contact with cold to touch subjects, as these sensations cause pain in patients.

[10], [11], [12]