Sometimes anticancer drugs can cause problems with your body's nerves. One example of a condition affecting the nervous system is peripheral neuropathy, where you feel a tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness or pain in the hands or feet. Some drugs can also affect the muscles, making them weak, tired, or sore. Sometimes these nerve and muscle side effects, though annoying, are not serious. In other cases, nerve and muscle symptoms may be serious and need medical attention. Be sure to report any nerve or muscle symptoms to your doctor. Most of the time, these symptoms will get better; however, it may take up to a year.
Important signs and symptoms to report to your doctor or nurse
- tingling
- burning
- weakness or numbness in the hands and/or feet
- pain when walking
- weak, sore, tired or achy muscles
- loss of balance
- clumsiness
- difficulty picking up objects and buttoning clothing
- shaking or trembling
- walking problems
- jaw pain
- hearing loss
- stomach pain
What you can do at home
- If your fingers are numb, be very careful when grasping objects that are sharp, hot, or otherwise dangerous.
- If your sense of balance or muscle strength is affected, avoid falls by moving carefully, using handrails when going up or down stairs, and using bath mats in the bathtub or shower.
- Always wear shoes with rubber soles (if possible).
- Take the pain medicine that your doctor prescribed.
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