Hand/Foot syndrome

Okay, better emotionally and things are looking up with me packing a little each day for our move on December 1st (grin) 

Thank you so much all for bearing with me.  My Oncologist is putting me on an antidepressant so hopefully once that gets in my system (about a week) there will be no more meltdowns.

So, last night I noticed my hands are redder than usual (usual being not red at all) and my skin is starting to peel a little bit.  I didn't think with the chemotherapy I am taking that that was a side effect but when I have time (am doing laundry now then have to run to the drugstore) will do research here on the net to see what is going on.  So will report back later today ...................... Have a great and wonderful day everyone.

Here is what I found:


"Hand-Foot Syndrome

Other terms: Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia; PPE

What is hand-foot syndrome?

Also called hand-foot syndrome or hand-to-foot syndrome, Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia is a side effect, which can occur with several types of chemotherapy or biologic therapy drugs used to treat cancer. For example, Capecitabine (Xeloda®), 5-Flurouracil (5FU) (FRICK A DUCK, THIS IS ONE OF THE DRUGS I TAKE), continuous-infusion doxorubicin, doxorubicin liposomal (Doxil®), and high-dose Interleukin-2 can cause this skin reaction for some patients. Following administration of chemotherapy, small amounts of drug leak out of very small blood vessels called capillaries in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Exposure of your hands and feet to heat as well as friction on your palms and soles increases the amount of drug in the capillaries and increases the amount of drug leakage. This leakage of drug results in redness, tenderness, and possibly peeling of the palms and soles. The redness, also known as palmar-plantar erythema, looks like sunburn. The areas affected can become dry and peel, with numbness or tingling developing. Hand-foot syndrome can be uncomfortable and can interfere with your ability to carry out normal activities.

Things you can do if you suspect hand-foot syndrome (Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia):

Prevention: Prevention is very important in trying to reduce the development of hand-foot syndrome. Actions taken to prevent hand-foot syndrome will help reduce the severity of symptoms should they develop.

This involves modifying some of your normal daily activities to reduce friction and heat exposure to your hands and feet for a period of time following treatment (approximately one week after IV medication, much as possible during the time you are taking oral (by mouth) medication such as capcitabine).

Avoid long exposure of hands and feet to hot water such as washing dishes, long showers, or tub baths.

Short showers in tepid water will reduce exposure of the soles of your feet to the drug.

Dishwashing gloves should not be worn, as the rubber will hold heat against your palms.

Avoid increased pressure on the soles of the feet or palms of hands.

No jogging, aerobics, power walking, jumping - avoid long days of walking.

You should also avoid using garden tools, household tools such as screwdrivers, and other tasks where you are squeezing your hand on a hard surface.

Using knives to chop food may also cause excessive pressure and friction on your palms.

Cooling procedures:

Cold may provide temporary relief for pain and tenderness caused by hand-foot syndrome.

Placing the palms or bottoms of your feet on an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas may be very comforting. Alternate on and off for 15-20 minutes at a time. (UH DUH I ALSO TAKE AVASTIN AND GET NEUROPATHY FROM IT SO HOW CAN I DO THE COOLING PROCEDURES?)

Lotions:

Rubbing lotion on your palms and soles should be avoided during the same period, although keeping these areas moist is very important between treatments.

Emollients such as Aveeno®, Lubriderm®, Udder Cream®, and Bag Balm® provide excellent moisturizing to your hands and feet.

Pain relief:

Over the counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be helpful to relieve discomfort associated with hand-foot syndrome. Check with your doctor.

Vitamins:

Taking Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) may be beneficial to preventing and treating Plantar-Palmar Erythrodysesthesia, and should be discussed with your doctor.

Drugs/treatment changes that may be prescribed by your doctor:

Chemotherapy treatments may need to be interrupted or the dose adjusted to prevent worsening of hand-foot syndrome.

When to call your doctor or health care professional:

If you notice that your palms or soles become red or tender. This most often occurs before any peeling, and recommendations for relief of discomfort can be given. If you are on chemotherapy pills, you may be asked to hold treatment, or need your dose adjusted to prevent worsening of symptoms.

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice."

So since Monday is my next chemotherapy session I guess I talk to my oncologist about this, and here today was going okay and now am in tears again as I don't want anymore pain or discomfort but I don't want to stop the treatments especially since this will be my fifth treatment and then the sixth one they do the PET scan to see if the mets have shrunk enough to do other things (ablation, surgery, etc) and I don't want all the time I have put into this to mean nothing.

I am sorry to sound like a cry baby but this is very upsetting to me and I guess I thought I wouldn't have any side effects but maybe fatigue, well there goes that idea. So will talk to my Oncologist on Monday and see what happens.