A New Little Problem . . or two!

Just when you start to think that being tired out is the only side effect you're going to get, along comes a couple of new things to think about. First, a bit of a problem with the old voice box. I already have a bit of trouble at times with acid reflux affecting my voice, but I'm now finding that the first few days after chemo my voice starts to go husky (no, not sexy, just husky!) and my throat feels a bit full. This is known as Laryngeal Spasm and is due to the effect of Oxaliplatin on nerves. It's usually triggered by cold, so I'm having to be careful about taking cold drinks, or going out when the temperature dips.

Second, Peripheral Neuropathy has reared its ugly head. This manifests itself in the form of tingling or and/or numbness in the hands and feet. In my case it's fingers only, and again is triggered by low temperatures. Taking things out of the fridge or holding a cold item sets it off. A couple of days ago I picked something up out of the freezer and immediately had to drop it the sensation was so severe.

Unfortunately during my surgery in 2009 I suffered a brachial plexus injury to my right arm and hand. I can't go into that too deeply for legal reasons but it left permanent damage to the nerves, in particular in the thumb and first two fingers. These are desensitised making handling small items difficult or impossible at times, and any prolonged use of the hand results in pain that can also spread back into my arm. This problem with the chemo has emphasised this condition and resurrected problems which I hoped had gone forever.

So, it's not all going to be plain sailing, but when I compare my problems with what some patients have endure they do seem a bit trivial. If I go out I take a small flask of hot tea and a pair of gloves and a scarf. Yes, I know it's still only early Autumn but you never know in this country!