folfiri 5

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butterfly23
butterfly23 Member Posts: 256
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, I am on 5fu 46 hrs every 2 weeks, my biggest reaction to this is complete exhaustion, I am not getting sick thank God, but I have absolutlely NO energy whatsoever, I was wondering if any of you are on this dose and what your reactions were. I had treatment on Wed thru Fri. It's now monday and I am still not myself. I have colon cancer stage 4 age 38, I had no symptoms at all, except a swollen lymph node in my neck, I amon my 3rd treatment. God Bless All of You, Please stay POSITIVE!!!

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  • Monicaemilia
    Monicaemilia Member Posts: 455 Member
    #2
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    Fatigue was, and is, a big side effect for me. Just as you start to feel better it's time for the next dose. You should speak to your doctor, though. They may be able to reduce the dose so that it is not so debilitating. At the end of the day, you want to feel as good as possible so that you can beat this disease into submission. Monica
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #3
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    I had the same 5fu dose as you. I had it along with oxalyplatin. I had my oxaliplatin dose lowered a number of times, so you should ask you doctor about the 5FU. I was completely exhausted. I usually only got 2 or 3 OK days before I went again. I am done now - the good news is the exhaustion does go away. I tried to walk for 1/2 an hour a day when I could. It did help a bit.
  • shaver81
    shaver81 Member Posts: 6
    #4
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    I also had the same treatment cycle as the one you are having. Reactions were about the same as you described. I did have some nerve attacks which were really tought to deal with. The good news, like someone else said, is that the exhaustion goes away. I was able to keep up my golf game during the treatments but I did have to stop walking and went with riding instead (kinda a bummer but you sometimes have to adjust). I hope your treatment continues to be successful.
  • cjf2006
    cjf2006 Member Posts: 83
    #5
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    By identifying your treatment as folfiri I take this to mean you are receiving irinotecan (Camptosar) as well. I never had much fatigue with 5fu + oxaliplatin, or just 5fu alone, but with the irinotecan I get wiped out. It does get better, but it takes me about a week. You have to be patient. Good luck.
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #6
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    let me amend my reply a little bit, the camostar (sp?) is likely more of a culprit than the 5FU (I had oxaliplatin). Ask you doctor.
  • apache4
    apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #7
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    cjf2006 said:

    By identifying your treatment as folfiri I take this to mean you are receiving irinotecan (Camptosar) as well. I never had much fatigue with 5fu + oxaliplatin, or just 5fu alone, but with the irinotecan I get wiped out. It does get better, but it takes me about a week. You have to be patient. Good luck.

    I agree. 'had the 5fu and Oxy and now am on the Folfiri. I am more tired with this. my onc lowered my dose a bit this time so, we'll see how that goes. This will be my 8th on folfiri. Did 16 of the other regimen. Dx Stage IV 6/06 mets to liver, resection of colon only surgery...too many mets for liver. My best to all.
  • Mickeyw
    Mickeyw Member Posts: 28
    #8
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    Hi,
    I am done and have NED visiting. I took the FOLFOX regime which is 5fu, oxaliplatin,and lukevorin. exhastion was a part of it. My treatments were every 2 weeks for 6 months Jan thru Jul of 2007. Could not cut the grass, or climb stairs or much of anything until about 4 days before the next treatment, then it would begin again. I can aassure you it does get better. The only long term side I have is numbness in my fingers and bottoms of feet from the oxaliplatin. I will probably have it the rest of my life, but that I can live with. Prayers are with you!!!! I am willing to talk with anyone at any time about my or their cancer. See my profile for contact info.
    Mickey

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