(Continued answer) another patient with a severe case. It's hard to feel so alone with this severe peripheral neuropathy. . I'm still improving, much slower than I wish, but I'm not yet ready to settle for this level of function. I'm a writer who can't even type slowly. I celebrate small victories like today when for the first time I was able to fasten the snaps on my flannel shirt.
Leticia, looking back, I can wish I'd stopped the Taxol too, however I'd been tapering off Prednisone and it hid the developing symptoms. The upside is my chemotherapy was very effective against cancer cells,killed off most of them and made my surgery much less extensive. I pay a naturopath (not covered by Medicare) for nutritional advice. She has also recommended acupuncture. I'm holding off on that additional expense for now.
I really appreciate everyone who answers me with suggestions and good issues. You give me strength to keep persevering.

Margaret... sorry I am so slow to answer you but I was really heartened by your attitude and especially by the your neurologist having another pst

Marilyn, if you are on Medicare, it should pay for acupuncture by a neurologist who specializes in pain management. My husband has neuropathy and Medicare paid for his neuropathy treatments at Vanderbilt. He had to be diagnosed by a neurologist, but that was not a problem. Keep pushing to see a neurologist and try acupuncture. I will say the acupuncture worked only temporarily for my husband , but everyone is different, and it is worth a try.
I have a friend who had chemo and has severe neuropathy. It has never been attributed to the chemo treatments, but I think that the chemo is the culprit.

You're doing well, Marilyn. I found it's best not to hurry. This is our life now, sad to say. Personally, I don't expect to go back to where I was before I was diagnosed and started treatment. I've come to expect that there may be a new challenge to face every day that I wake up. Keep up the PT; it will help you in the long run. Tomorrow is the first day of your new life, the continuation of your journey. Continue to do everything you can to help yourself. You're doing great so far!!

I started feeling signs of neuropathy after 8 of the 12 recommended taxol treatments so I stopped the taxol. I still have just a little neuropathy in my feet and rarely in my hands. I take 100 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily. That controls it quite well. I know that acupuncture helps some people. Insurance doesn’t usually cover acupuncture but some physical therapists do dry needling. Insurance may not cover all of that expense, but often pays part.
Good luck to you.