Though lifesaving for cancer patients, chemotherapy can damage the peripheral nerves, resulting in a condition called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN. CIPN's most characteristic symptom is pain. It also can cause burning, tingling, balance problems and numbness. Severe cases can lead to paralysis or organ failure, according to the American Cancer Society. Some supplements may help. Ask your physician how supplements can fit into your comprehensive CIPN treatment plan.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that is abundant in seeds, nuts and vegetable oils. Vitamin E supplementation may help prevent chemo nerve pain, according to a 2011 article by Frank H. Lee and Srinivasa N. Raja of Johns Hopkins University's Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. Several studies demonstrated that patients undergoing chemotherapy were less apt to develop neuropathies when they received vitamin E. If you are considering the use of vitamin E for chemotherapy-related nerve pain, check with your physician.
Passionflower
Herbal supplements made from passionflower, a tendriled woody vine indigenous to the Americas, have used to induce calmness and reduce symptoms of anxiety for over 200 years. With its antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic effects, passionflower may be useful for alleviating nerve pain, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It contains natural serotonin, a chemical involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Passionflower is usually prepared as a tea. Use it only under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin, the chemical component of peppers that causes their fiery, mouth-burning qualities, can be used in topical form to relieve the discomfort of chemotherapy-associated nerve pain. According to James Duke's "Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook," it works by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Capsaicin also serves as a counterirritant, provoking mild irritation on the skin in order to provide pain relief to the deeper structures below. Ask your physician if topical capsaicin is appropriate for you.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Naturally present in plants and animals, acetyl-l-carnitine is a potent antioxidant often used as a dietary supplement for brain disorders. Lee and Raja state that small, preliminary studies have demonstrated its limited ability to reduce discomfort in patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathies. Some study volunteers experienced mild gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches and restlessness with the use of this supplement. Although the results show promise, larger, controlled clinical trials are necessary before acetyl-l-carnitine can be widely recommended.
References
- American Cancer Society: Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Chemotherapy
- "Pain"; Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Chronic Pain; F. H. Lee and S.N. Raja; Jan. 2011
- "Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"; James Duke; 2000
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Passionflower
- Raintree Nutrition Tropical Plant Database: Passionflower
