question about 5 FU

afredorap
afredorap Member Posts: 8
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey all!

My mom is on FOLFOX and she just started her last round of chemo (had 3 mos, then surgery, 6 weeks of radiation, and now her final 3 mos of chemo). When she was on radiation they gave her a low dose of 5-FU for the entire 6 weeks, but then she had 3 or 4 weeks of rest after radiation ended. During radiation she had horribly dry and cracking palms and feet, and a constant pain in her ears and throat. Now that she just finished the 48-hour 5-FU the ear and throat pain is back.

Has anyone experienced this? Any advice?

Thank you!!

mallory

Comments

  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #2
    Hi Mallory
    Hello and nice to meet you Mallory.

    When I was on 5Fu I had sores in my mouth and down my throat. If you think that is what your Mom has then I'd suggest she tell her oncologist and see if she can get some Magic Mouthwash to "swish and swallow". Helped me lots. Also, baking soda/salt rinse "swish, gargle but DO NOT swallow" helped sooth the sores.I never had any ear pain...
    The throat pain could also be from the oxialplatin which is in the Folfox. Cold foods & drinks are painful as well as getting out in cold weather, breathing cold air. I never had that as bad as some people but I did always feel like I had a stick lodged in my throat.

    I had burning red hands on 5 Fu but no foot problems. Later when I was taken off Folfox and started taking Xeloda only I had real bad foot & hand syndrome. Feet felt like they were on fire, blisters, cracks,discoloration, etc. Udder cream helped. Udderly Smooth is what I used but some people prefer bag balm. It is what they use on cow udders when they get chafed and raw but it helps us humans and our hoofs too.

    Best wishes to you and your Mom.
    -Pat
  • afredorap
    afredorap Member Posts: 8
    #3
    Jaylo969 said:

    Hi Mallory
    Hello and nice to meet you Mallory.

    When I was on 5Fu I had sores in my mouth and down my throat. If you think that is what your Mom has then I'd suggest she tell her oncologist and see if she can get some Magic Mouthwash to "swish and swallow". Helped me lots. Also, baking soda/salt rinse "swish, gargle but DO NOT swallow" helped sooth the sores.I never had any ear pain...
    The throat pain could also be from the oxialplatin which is in the Folfox. Cold foods & drinks are painful as well as getting out in cold weather, breathing cold air. I never had that as bad as some people but I did always feel like I had a stick lodged in my throat.

    I had burning red hands on 5 Fu but no foot problems. Later when I was taken off Folfox and started taking Xeloda only I had real bad foot & hand syndrome. Feet felt like they were on fire, blisters, cracks,discoloration, etc. Udder cream helped. Udderly Smooth is what I used but some people prefer bag balm. It is what they use on cow udders when they get chafed and raw but it helps us humans and our hoofs too.

    Best wishes to you and your Mom.
    -Pat

    thanks
    Thank you so much for your advice!! She has some Udderly Smooth and that Corn Huskers lotion too and it sounds like they've been helping a lot. Maybe she can ask her oncologist next week about that mouthwash! thanks again for your response!

    mallory
  • immbeloved
    immbeloved Member Posts: 37
    #4
    afredorap said:

    thanks
    Thank you so much for your advice!! She has some Udderly Smooth and that Corn Huskers lotion too and it sounds like they've been helping a lot. Maybe she can ask her oncologist next week about that mouthwash! thanks again for your response!

    mallory

    5fu
    i had neuropathy in hands which takes a while to resolve. also had one ear that roared and felt swollen but no pain. for the mouth,use an extra soft toothbrush and or water pic. eat yogurt every day.i would take a big spoonful and kinda swish it around my mouth then swallow. use baking soda/peroxide toothpaste, colgate makes one. this should help, my mouth sores were worse after the first treatment. avoid spicy foods.
    amber
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #5
    Mallory
    I had a terrible time with ear and throat pain. Sometimes it was from the cold sensitivy brought on by the oxi but sometimes it was from sores that were in the back of my mouth and slightly down my throat. Some were far enough down my throat that I couldn't really see them myself. The sores were from the 5FU. If that is what is causing her pain then ask the doctor for a numbing mouth rinse. It will really help by numbing the pain if it is from sores.
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #6
    FOLFOX
    The FolFox kills the newest fastest growing cells in your body. Cancer, Skin, Hair, Nails, Tongue, etc.... This is why our skin gets dry, our hair brittle, and things do not taste the same. I think everything tastes a little dry. This is normal, unfortunately.

    Best Always, mike
  • afredorap
    afredorap Member Posts: 8
    #7
    Lori-S said:

    Mallory
    I had a terrible time with ear and throat pain. Sometimes it was from the cold sensitivy brought on by the oxi but sometimes it was from sores that were in the back of my mouth and slightly down my throat. Some were far enough down my throat that I couldn't really see them myself. The sores were from the 5FU. If that is what is causing her pain then ask the doctor for a numbing mouth rinse. It will really help by numbing the pain if it is from sores.

    thank you!!
    thanks for your reply!! Did you find that ear pain came mostly from cold sensitivity? My mom said it started up again today after the air conditioning vent in the car was accidentally aimed at her ears, and she has been miserable ever since! Such a mess :\

Discussion Boards