#10 coming up Monday, with changes

colon2
colon2 Member Posts: 183
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am getting ready for #10 on Monday, I had the oxy cut back 25% on #9, but the side effects have not eased up. My hands and feet are still numb. The first 7 treatments it only lasted a few days, but since # 8 it has been constant. The Dr and i discussed it last time when he cut the dosage. If it didn't go away, we would cut out the oxy altogether. I can't say I will miss it. I am wondering if the other drugs are as effective without the oxy. Is it worth it to continue those for the last 3 treatments? Does anyone know?
Thanks, carletta

Comments

  • SandyL
    SandyL Member Posts: 218
    Carletta,
    husbands doctor stopped the Oxy after #9 due to very low white blood count and platelets. He told us that the Oxy is a relatively new drug compared to the chemo. So the chemo has been given long before Oxy came on board. I wish I could remember how long Oxy has been in the cocktail, but I can't sorry. But apparently the chemo drugs without the Oxy are beneficial, too. My husband had 9 round of full Oxy, Leuco and 5/FU before they eliminated the Oxy. Then quit at 11 treatments still due to low blood counts. His feet were never affected by the Oxy. When he didn't get the Oxy with #10 and #11 he had no side affects at all. Not even the fatigue.
    Sandy
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    Oxy trouble
    Hi Carletta, I did 12 rounds with oxy (it sounds like a boxing match, hu?) I have experienced numbness in hands and feet. I have been off of oxy since Sept 08 and my hands are getting better. I still have numbness, but I can function. My feet are still quite numb, yet very sensitive, it's hard to explain. I have been on irionoteacan (?#@##!) and avistan since January with very few side affects! In fact I can say I feel pretty normal! I had scans in April and that showed good progress on my lung tumors. I am stage 4 -colon cancer. After being off oxy for 3 months the tumors came back on my lungs, That is when I started the other meds. I had scans yesterday and axiously await the phone call! My doc and I have discussed me staying on this cocktail as long as it was working for me.I'm good with that. I know I couln't have tolerated the oxy any longer or again.It's a strong drug- talk with your doc! Best to you- Jean
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183

    Oxy trouble
    Hi Carletta, I did 12 rounds with oxy (it sounds like a boxing match, hu?) I have experienced numbness in hands and feet. I have been off of oxy since Sept 08 and my hands are getting better. I still have numbness, but I can function. My feet are still quite numb, yet very sensitive, it's hard to explain. I have been on irionoteacan (?#@##!) and avistan since January with very few side affects! In fact I can say I feel pretty normal! I had scans in April and that showed good progress on my lung tumors. I am stage 4 -colon cancer. After being off oxy for 3 months the tumors came back on my lungs, That is when I started the other meds. I had scans yesterday and axiously await the phone call! My doc and I have discussed me staying on this cocktail as long as it was working for me.I'm good with that. I know I couln't have tolerated the oxy any longer or again.It's a strong drug- talk with your doc! Best to you- Jean

    Thanks
    Thank you for your answers. They confirm to me what I was already pretty sure of. I do not want any more oxy. Jean,you did all 12 and the numbness still hasn't gone away. At which treatment did it start lasting the full 2 weeks? I am glad you are having no problems with your latest meds. I will pray that they work for you. . Hopefully those scans will be good. I was diagnosed stage 3 with 1 lymph node involved in Jan, but that was 2nd time for me. First time in Nov 07 they said stage 1 , and that they got it all. no chemo that time. Hopefully this time they actually did get it all
    God bless you, Carletta
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183
    SandyL said:

    Carletta,
    husbands doctor stopped the Oxy after #9 due to very low white blood count and platelets. He told us that the Oxy is a relatively new drug compared to the chemo. So the chemo has been given long before Oxy came on board. I wish I could remember how long Oxy has been in the cocktail, but I can't sorry. But apparently the chemo drugs without the Oxy are beneficial, too. My husband had 9 round of full Oxy, Leuco and 5/FU before they eliminated the Oxy. Then quit at 11 treatments still due to low blood counts. His feet were never affected by the Oxy. When he didn't get the Oxy with #10 and #11 he had no side affects at all. Not even the fatigue.
    Sandy

    Sandy
    My platelets were low last time.I only seem to have side effects fom the oxy, so maybe I wil be like your husband and tolerate the rest pretty good. I really have had it pretty easy so far, other than the cold sensitivity and numbness. The only time the fatigue was bad was treatment # 3. I slept for 5 days. I would wake up for a little while and then go back to sleep. I even took a nap in church on Easter. We went for sunrise services, and it was about 1 1/2 hours till Sunday School, so I stretched out on a pew and slept.Anyway, I have decided No more oxy for me. My body is saying enough of that. I am going to listen to it.
    How is your husband doing now? Hopefully he is NED.
    God Bless You, carletta
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    oxy issues
    Hi Carletta, I am so sorry you are having problems with this! I had problems from the lst day and they were really affected by cold. Drinking, touching and just being cold all the time. I don't really remember when the numbness started being an all the time issue, but even when I finished the treatment it continue to get a bit worse. Don't get me wrong, I can live with it, but would like not to continue having it. I tried a few supplements that were suggested, but really felt no affect. Make sure you check with Dr, before trying anything, especially if you are still on chemo. I hope you will have great success with oxy as you deserve it if you've gone this far!! Sometimes I feel like a bad sport for being frustrated that I went 6 months with other really rough side affects, cause it was working so well, only to have it not be a success! Then I thank God that He showed me I can stand much more then I thought and now I can stay on this iriotecan/avistan with no problem! Fickled hu! You will be in my prayers. Jean
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member

    oxy issues
    Hi Carletta, I am so sorry you are having problems with this! I had problems from the lst day and they were really affected by cold. Drinking, touching and just being cold all the time. I don't really remember when the numbness started being an all the time issue, but even when I finished the treatment it continue to get a bit worse. Don't get me wrong, I can live with it, but would like not to continue having it. I tried a few supplements that were suggested, but really felt no affect. Make sure you check with Dr, before trying anything, especially if you are still on chemo. I hope you will have great success with oxy as you deserve it if you've gone this far!! Sometimes I feel like a bad sport for being frustrated that I went 6 months with other really rough side affects, cause it was working so well, only to have it not be a success! Then I thank God that He showed me I can stand much more then I thought and now I can stay on this iriotecan/avistan with no problem! Fickled hu! You will be in my prayers. Jean

    Carletta
    I did oxy also and had to stop after #10 because of numbness in my feet and tingling in my extreme fingers...They told me that oxy was great up to a point to where the neuropathy started to stay long after the next treatment was over...They continued on with my last 2 treatments with only the 5fu and the Leucovrin....The last 2 treatments were a cakewalk, no sickness, nausea, or anything. The oxy was the one kicking my butt but it sure did the job on the cancer.........
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183
    Buzzard said:

    Carletta
    I did oxy also and had to stop after #10 because of numbness in my feet and tingling in my extreme fingers...They told me that oxy was great up to a point to where the neuropathy started to stay long after the next treatment was over...They continued on with my last 2 treatments with only the 5fu and the Leucovrin....The last 2 treatments were a cakewalk, no sickness, nausea, or anything. The oxy was the one kicking my butt but it sure did the job on the cancer.........

    Buzzard
    I am glad to know that it worked on the cancer with less than the 12 treatments. The oxy symptoms are the only ones I have had any trouble with, so hopefully I too will have no problems with the remaining treatments. How long did your numbness last after you stopped the oxy?