Peripheral Neuropathy
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Peripheral neuropathy is the term that is used to describe damage to the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are the intricate system of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord with the rest of the body.
These nerves send messages to and from the brain and enable us to move and understand the messages from our senses, such as touch, and help with some automatic body functions.
This image demonstrates how the peripheral nerves sense that the fire is hot and that this is a threat to the body. The nerves send this message to the brain, which in turn sends a message back via the nerves to make the muscles move the hand away from the heat and prevent injury.
When peripheral nerves are damaged, it means that they are unable to carry out their normal roles
Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, reduced sensation and pain. It predominantly affects the hands and feet.
We deliver a monthly cancer related peripheral neuropathy workshop to support people to learn about different ways to manage their symptoms. This workshop is delivered both on-line or face to face in the Macmillan information and support centre.
To attend please follow this QR Code
or contact the Macmillan information centre to reserve a place
Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Centre – St George’s
0208 725 2677
Cancer.information@stgeorges.nhs.uk
Management of peripheral neuropathy
It is important to tell your team if you have developed new symptoms.
Medication
The aim of medication is to ‘turn down the volume’ of the pain. Nerve pain is referred to as neuropathic pain, there are specific medications that your doctor can prescribe to treat neuropathic pain. Different medications will be considered depending upon your needs and your medical history.
Topical agents (creams) such as capsaicin or menthol can also be used to treat the areas of pain. Please note these creams won’t improve numbness or tingling and it can take 8 weeks for these creams to show a benefit. Please do not apply the cream to broken or irritated skin.
There are non-medication related treatments that also might help, such as acupuncture and using a TENS (Transcutaneous electrical stimulation) machine.
Self-management techniques
Looking after your hands and feet
Reduced sensation in your hands and feet can make it difficult to detect changes in temperature, texture or when something is painful.
We advise that you are careful when dealing with hot items in the kitchen, not just those fresh from the oven. We would recommend using oven gloves to be a barrier to protect your hands from changes in temperature.
You may not be able to accurately feel how hot water is, this would make you at risk of burning your hands in water that is too hot. We would recommend checking bath water/washing up water with a thermometer.
Protect your hands from injury that you may not feel by wearing gloves when doing the washing up, when you do DIY, cleaning or do repairs and protect your hands in the garden.
We recommend that you inspect your feet daily and wear supportive, well-fitting shoes. Some people find padded insoles helpful to support your feet.
If your feet are very sensitive to the texture of your socks, you may find ‘seam free’ socks or different materials helpful.
Physical activity
Movement and stretching can help to improve circulation, reduce pain, improve strength, balance and mobility. LINK
These exercises might be helpful YOU TUBE LINK TO FILM.
Some people find their balance is affected because of weakness and altered sensation in their legs, this can increase your risk of falling over. The ‘Get up and Go’ resource from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy outlines guidance to fall-proof your home and gives examples of helpful exercises to improve strength and balance.
Sleep
Peripheral neuropathy can impact upon your sleep. Sleeping well can contribute to physical health, emotional wellbeing, improved energy levels, motivation and managing pain. The experience of pain can be worse if you are exhausted.
Please see SLEEP LINK for further information and guidance.
You can access the Sleepio App free through Macmillan. Onboarding Sleep Test -Sleepio
Stress management
Stress can increase the experience of some of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Stress can also make it difficult to think clearly and take actions to help you manage your symptoms. Learning about different stress management techniques can help. Please see LINK TO STRESS SECTION for further information and guidance.
Complementary Therapy
Reflexology, self-hypnotherapy, mindfulness, breathing techniques, guided relaxation, creative visualisation and other forms of complementary therapies have been found to be helpful in managing the experience of peripheral neuropathy.
The Full Circle Charity’s wellbeing hub provides free access to wellbeing resources
Wellbeing Hub – Full Circle Fund. These include:
- Reflexology for peripheral neuropathy film
- Reflexology self-help videos
- Self-hypnotherapy for peripheral neuropathy LINK TO SGH YOU TUBE
Practical aids to help at home
Peripheral neuropathy can make it difficult to do certain daily activities due to the pain or weakness some people experience in their hands. For example, buttoning up a shirt or opening jars.
If you wish to explore or purchase equipment to help you with these day-to-day activities, “Living Made Easy” is a website that provides advice and information on equipment for independent living.
These aids are useful for people with many health conditions, not just neuropathy. To find these aids online, an easy way to find them is using the search term ‘disabled equipment suppliers’ which will produce a list of companies that provide these gadgets.
Please remember, not everyone struggles with day-to-day activities, so these aids will not be required for all.
Driving
Peripheral neuropathy may affect your ability to drive. You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you develop this symptom.
Resources
Further information on fatigue can be found at:
The Cancer Care Map and Macmillan’s In Your Area are both examples of online directories that aim to link people to sources of support for self-management and peer support.
www.macmillan.org/cancer-information-and-support/in-your-area?pcode=