Kristin,
it almost sounds as if your patient has phantom sensation after mastectomy. Is
she ready for a prosthesis? My experience with limb phantom pain suggests
compression can help desensitize the area, but even better is the sense of
having a whole limb and using it.
Just thinking outside the box.
Sarah
From: aptaoncology-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <aptaoncology-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Kristen
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2022 6:41 PM
To: APTAOncology@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [aptaoncology] Treatments for CIPN, fibrosis, covid related issues
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Hello! We are getting a lot more referrals for CIPN, often after chemo is
already complete and the patient has severe neuropathy. We currently address
balance, strength, sensory normalization techniques (contrast baths, various
textures of fabric), STM, TENS, and in some cases dry needling. Any
recommendations for other modalities or treatments that you have found
successful? Also wondering if there are any topical creams (over the counter or
Rx) that you have found really help.
Unrelated, but I recently had a patient with h/o breast cancer and radiation
fibrosis. Her biggest complaint was breast itchiness ever since her surgery and
only got worse with radiation; the itchiness was mostly under her incisions but
she says the feeling is "deep" and she can never get the itch to go away. She
said she has tried every over the counter ointment and lotion with nothing
helping. We have just started treatment for her including using non-thermal low
level laser for the fibrosis, but wondering if there is anything else we can do
to help specifically with the itchiness?
Last topic...has anyone noticed any correlation with persistent breast tissue
pain after a patient has had COVID? We have seen a couple patients with
persistent breast tissue pain despite all our best interventions. The
physicians are at a loss what to do next and are referring to pain management.
We have even asked about rheumatology consults. The most relief we have been
able to provide these patients is completing MLD and taping for edema. Just
curious what others have observed.
Our oncology rehab group is new-ish (has really grown this past year), so we
are all still learning and would be interested in other specialists' insight
into these topics!
Thank you,
Kristen Knox
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