Chemotherapy and Sore Feet: Some Tips That May Help

“I finished Chemo Nov 08 but still have the pain in my feet,” says survivor Kim.

“I finished chemo in Oct 08,” says Kinden, “and still have sore feet….For me it is inside the skin, not really on the outside.”

Sore feet can be the result of a side effect called “hand-foot syndrome,” or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE). (Read our post on PPE.) Certain types of chemotherapy drugs (like Xeloda, 5FU, Doxil, and more) cause the condition by leaking out of small blood vessels in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The leakage results in redness, tenderness, and sometimes peeling.

The symptoms of PPE can eventually cause swelling of the palms and soles as well, and in severe cases, move into blistering. In these cases treatment may be delayed or drug dosage reduced until symptoms subside. In the meantime, patients should report any discomfort to the doctor as soon as possible (to prevent worsening of symtoms), and ask about possible medications.

There are several things you can do at home to reduce discomfort from PPE. Avoid long exposure to hot water, use ice packs or frozen veggies on the bottoms of feet, try thicker moisturizers like organic Chamomile Hand Cream or Suki’s Butter Cream Healing Salve for cracking and peeling, and use over-the-counter pain relievers. Vitamin B6 is reputed to help reduce symptoms (100 mg a day), as is elevating the legs or using compression socks if you have swelling. In addition, avoid pressure on your hands and feet, limit rubbing, and put off hot showers and sun exposure.

Writer and breast-cancer fighter Monique Doyle Spencer recommends henna powder. “If you get a burning feeling in your feet from your therapy, this will cool it,” she says. Find the recipe at her blog. Other fighters recommend swabbing the feet with heavy cream, then slipping on soft socks for 30 minutes to an hour, or overnight.

Wear shoes that fit well. Women, especially, need to be more cautious than usual when choosing footwear. We have many styles and fashions that look great, but aren’t great for our feet. See a podiatrist if you need to, get some cooling insoles, and choose brands that are well made and well ventilated.

PPE isn’t the only cause of cancer-related sore feet. Sometimes, it’s caused by nerve damage, or what’s known as neuropathy (numbness and tingling caused by chemo drugs). Your doctor may have medications such as Lyrica and Neurontin you can try. Wear shoes with rubber soles to help you avoid falling (if your balance is iffy). The coolness of the “Chillow Pillow” may help you sleep, particularly if you have restless legs and feet. If you can, turn to swimming for exercise so you can get the pressure off your feet. Some studies have shown acupuncture to be beneficial, as well. Jean Lazar, massage therapist and Cinco Vidas expert, strongly recommends massage. A one-hour foot massage has helped many of her patients get back on their feet.

For most patients, foot soreness does eventually go away, but sometimes it can take longer than you’d like. As survivor Phoenix says, “After a year after chemo I thought I was completely better generally, but now I know it wasn’t true; it takes a long time and each year that passes you feel a bit better than before.”

Do you have recommendations for easing the pain of sore feet? Please let us know.

Photo courtesy of Messa via Flickr.com.

9 Responses to “Chemotherapy and Sore Feet: Some Tips That May Help”

August 4th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Averil Fawkes says:

I thought I was going mad because my feet are so sore and I finished chemo in Nov 08. I have been so encouraged by the comments of others and will certainly try all of the suggestions on this site. Thank you so much
August 10th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Zane says:

My feet are just killing me. I was told to take 10 grams of L Glutamine a day to help and B6….other than that, I was told that I could take gabapentin sp? but I chose not to take it…it is a seizure drug that has worked well on fibromalgia (I know I spelled that one wrong)…thanks for this site and for following me on tweeter!
August 10th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Zane says:

Whoops….the oncologist recommended B12 actually…I wonder if she really meant B6
January 8th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Andrea says:

Thanks for the info. I am going on three years of extremely Painful feet. I have taken a couple different chemos in the mean time and I think that my body has not time to heal. I will try the suggestions. If anyone has anymore ideas, I am desperate and open to them. I am 35 and can not really walk anymore!! thanks, Andrea
April 3rd, 2010 at 6:12 am
Britta says:

Hi Averil, congrats on finishing treatment. I’m so glad that this post helped you. Thank you for commenting. – Britta
April 3rd, 2010 at 6:14 am
Britta says:

Hi Zane, Thank you for reading and commenting. I hope that your condition as improved somewhat. Please let me know how things go. – Britta
April 7th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Britta says:

Please let me know how these remedies work for you Andrea to relieve your pain. The CV team is sending you love and light. Keep us posted! – Britta
July 14th, 2010 at 7:01 am
hugh says:

I finished chemo in 2002.The only side effect was sore feet,I was told it might go away but this didn’t happen.I am taking gabapentin (400 grams 3x a day). The burning in my feet is still there and doesn’t seem to get any better.If I wear socks they seem to hurt my feet.Also if I could find some shoes with soft supports.Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Hugh
July 16th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Britta says:

Thanks for commenting Hugh and sending you healing thoughts. I know how long term side effects can linger and be a reminder of treatment. I wrote another post on feet after treatments are over http://blog.cincovidas.com/feet-after-cancer%E2%80%94soreness-and-other-side-effects I hope some it helps. Please keep me posted on the alternatives you are doing and if you get any relief. best to you, Britta