During my chemo treatment, I had cold sensitivity and I had neuropathy in my hands and my feet. Depending on the kind of bowel cancer chemo that you have, you may get a cold sensitivity. Most—the majority of people—probably do get cold sensitivity in their hands. Which means that you can’t touch anything cold, or you get very, very, very strong pins and needles and/or little kind of electric shocks in your hands.
How chemo treatment affects your hands
Even when walking around Marks and Spencer, touching food and taking things out of your fridge, touching door handles, even sitting on cold toilet seats; those will affect your hands and give you little kind of like almost shocks in your hands.
And I found that it’s really weird.
Actually, I could remember one day I was making myself a smoothie and went to lift it, and I just dropped on the floor! It was so strange that I just couldn’t quite coordinate my hands.
I still have neuropathy; more so in my hands because I kept my feet very warm during the chemo infusion, and I did take gloves with me. I came kitted out every chemo session. I came kitted out and the nurses would always laugh and say “How long are you staying?!”
But I had everything; I had gloves with me. I had warm boots. I had a blanket. I had all sorts of stuff, like snacks. I had lukewarm water. Tepid water.
Practical tips for managing cold sensitivity
- Keep warm! Get some cosy slippers and clothes and consider using gloves to keep your hands and feet warm.
- Certain things may be very cold to touch, consider placing extra pairs of gloves near the fridge to remind you to wear them or in your handbag/coat for when you are out.
- Talk to your stoma care or oncology nurse if you’re experiencing burning sensations or tingling in your hands and feet.
Chemotherapy can make you more sensitive to cold objects and food or drinks. Listen to Kathy’s experience on adjusting to life during periods of cold sensitivity.
