non seminoma) November 97.
I underwent intensive chemotherapy for 6 months. My protocol was
B.E.P. Bleomycin, Etoposide and Cisplatin. During this treatment I
became neutrapeanic a couple of times and underwent blood transfusions
when my hemoglobin levels were low. I also received GCSF (growth
factor) injections.
As an aside, prior to all this I suffered from narrowing of the disc
space S1/L5 as a result of an injury 6 years ago.
During the chemotherapy my first three fingers and thumbs felt
bruised. This apparently was a side effect of one of the chemo drugs.
From reading on the internet I knew I may experience numbness in the
far extremities as a side effect of high doses of cisplatin, which I
could expect to go after some 3 months.
After my chemo ended I found that my toes felt constantly cold though
warm to the touch and the first three fingers and thumbs on both hands
were numb.
After a couple of weeks I began to experience the electric shock
feeling in my feet when I nodded my head. I mentioned this to my
oncologist who seemed slightly excited by it and informed me that I was
exhibitting classic symptoms of what he told me was "L'hermitts
syndrome" which was a rare condition associated with high doses of
cisplatin which had caused me some nerve damage. He told me that there
had been few case studies but it would probably go after some 3 months.
Since then the condition has worsenend with the whole of my feet
effected by the cold sensation and numbness, and the feeling in my hands
spreading to the palms and the tips of the little fingers. I also now
get pin prick pains in my feet and hands. Nodding the head still causes
the electric sensation.
I found nothing on "l'hermitts syndrome" in the oncology sites and
have eventually stumbled across this site.
Has anyone heard of it being caused this way?
What can I expect in the future?
Is there anything I can do to relieve it?
My legs feel very weak when I get up from sitting. Is this a symptom?
After all the scary words and phrases I've heard over the past six
months I've just been scared by two more - M.S. and T.M. Should I be?
Geoff