can anyone comment on round three chemo?

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ittapp
ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello, I am headed for round three on Tues. I am on Folfox and Avastan with the 48 hr. drip treatment, I was wondering if anyone could comment on how the third chemo treatment was for them. I was sick two days with nausea, fatigue and tingling in fingers and throat. The second was the same but for a day with the nausea and burned/blistered lips and sores in mouth. I am so scared about the third one and what side effects may come with this one. I am trying to stay positve but wanted to hear from experience. Thanks for listening, Patti

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  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #2
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    I was on 5FU and oxi
    and believe probably some different side effects and more than likely a lot the same- but I think the general thought is that with each treatment the symptoms do get worse. I was hospitalized after treatment number one after my WBC hit the gutter and I got a blood infection. And it was downhill from there. After treatmment six I was hospitalized due to mouth sores- my mouth was so swollen that I couldn't get my lips open, couldn't speak. When the swelling started to go down, after 3 days in the hospital, my oncologist said my entire mouth was lined with sores, that he had never seen such an extreme case. My chemo was drastically cut, but after treatment eight, was hospitalized again, this time for dehydration as well as mouth sores. Then oxi was cut totally then. It was probably 2 months after that that I could actually taste anything.
    Not to scare you, but really, be very proactive about nausea meds and mouth rinses. If you have already seen issues with mouth sores, have your doc give you a script for magic mouthwash and use it before you even get the sores. Make sure he knows the issues you have had already- the duration and kinds of problems, it is this information that they use to make the decision when to modify the chemo drugs.
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #3
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    Everyone is different
    Hi Patti,
    I think the thing we have learned from ****'s experience and people on the board is that everyone is different. **** just finished round #9 out of 12 and he has had some fatigue, metal taste in his mouth, cold sensitivity and light nausea. He has remained very active throughout treatment. He walks about 4 miles on days when he is too tired to run. He does not exercise much on treatment day and days 2 and 3 either. Other than that he always feels better after a walk. He is also taking B6, B12, Vit D, multivitamin and drinking a lot of water. He also has magnesium and calcium infusion before and after his 2 hours of oxy (I think this may be standard). Drink lots of water and get outside if you can. We know that yoga has helped **** too.
    Praying that your treatment goes well.
    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • kidlife
    kidlife Member Posts: 8
    #4
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    I am also headed for #3
    Hi Patti

    My third one is on Thursday. You are vey fortunate for only having 2-3 days of nausea; I have it for the week. Dehydration is a big problem also. I didn't get much tingling in my fingers from the first two, but have the throat sensitivity with cold drinks.
    Overall, I think you are doing well if you are bouncing back from the nausea during the first few days.

    Good luck, let me know how it goes.

    Naira
  • Julie 44
    Julie 44 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #5
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    kidlife said:

    I am also headed for #3
    Hi Patti

    My third one is on Thursday. You are vey fortunate for only having 2-3 days of nausea; I have it for the week. Dehydration is a big problem also. I didn't get much tingling in my fingers from the first two, but have the throat sensitivity with cold drinks.
    Overall, I think you are doing well if you are bouncing back from the nausea during the first few days.

    Good luck, let me know how it goes.

    Naira

    I agree
    Like they said everyone is different.For me I also had nausea (got compozine for it)I also used Magic mouthwash that helped alot.I was VERY tired and slept alot. I had loose stool alot too. I am NED now after 6 months of treatment. I go for CEA test next week. I tell everyone to plan something special for when they become NED. Then it gives you something to look forward to..I had a HUGE BBQ it was great...Keep positive you can and will get through this.................JULIE
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #6
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    You Will Do It and Can Make It
    Hang in there, Patti!

    I know words can seem "hollow" at times, but it's what we have to give each other.

    I've often found that even with family and friends..."We each have to WALK ALONE."

    What I mean by that is we have to do the treatments and surgeries and suffer and get better, because no one can do it for us.

    I'm completely here for you and want to hear how it went. I had it bad, but eight months later, I recovered from most of the bad side effects. I know you will too.

    Just try a few more - we've got to fire the big artillery right now - there is a reason it is called "THE WAR ON CANCER." But you can do this, I know you can. And you're going to live to tell about it too.

    Continued best to you and yours
    -Craig
  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    #7
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    Sundanceh said:

    You Will Do It and Can Make It
    Hang in there, Patti!

    I know words can seem "hollow" at times, but it's what we have to give each other.

    I've often found that even with family and friends..."We each have to WALK ALONE."

    What I mean by that is we have to do the treatments and surgeries and suffer and get better, because no one can do it for us.

    I'm completely here for you and want to hear how it went. I had it bad, but eight months later, I recovered from most of the bad side effects. I know you will too.

    Just try a few more - we've got to fire the big artillery right now - there is a reason it is called "THE WAR ON CANCER." But you can do this, I know you can. And you're going to live to tell about it too.

    Continued best to you and yours
    -Craig

    always make me feel better
    Thanks Craig and to all of you who replied to me, it means so much to have someone that is going through all of this to talk to. You are right Craig in saying we are in this alone but thank God for our families that have to endure everything else! i will be thinking about all of you tomorrow in my looooonnnngggg day at Chemo, my sweet, sweet husband will also be with me sitting in a very uncomfortable chair all day as well. Thanks and lots of love, Patti
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #8
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    Miracle Mouth Wash
    Ask your onc to prescribe you some miracle mouthwash, it's made up of differnt ingrendients but it will help with the mouth sores. Remember not to drink anything below 50 degrees and watch out for cold things in the fridge, and forget the freezer :-). Take your nausea pills for the whole 3 days or more of chemo before the problem starts. The nausea will probabaly stay but it can get better. Try and rest during this time, but always get up and get dressed. I try not to give in to the side effects, to face the day with "I will get through this." I count the treatments down. I am on number 8, 4 to go..... I had all your symptoms, and purple hands and restless leg syndrome. I stopped chemo to have a liver resection and am back on chemo now, this one is tougher then the last and my hair is thining... But 4 to go WOW! Hang in there. Try lemonaide for some reason it helps me.

    Go Get em!
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #9
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    Can't say it any better than anyone else
    Remember Patti,
    You are unique, just like everybody else. You really can't compare how you will be with someone else. What is probably best is to compare you with you. What I find works best hands down for naueas is good ol' mary jane. For some stupid reason that is beyond comprehension, it is not legal in all states (yet) for medicinal use but I bet you that if those who "make" these laws had cancer and had times when they puked for 3 days straight, they would be singing a different tune. Some people like the $180 per pill Emend, personally I don't. I find them to be not nearly as effective.
    I've been at this for over 5 years, it's not always easy but hang in there, you can get through this.
    phil
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #10
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    Gatoraid, Bananas, Ginger, and Baby Wipes
    Gatoraid, Bananas, Ginger, and Baby Wipes! These things made me feel better. I drank a lot of water and gatoraid. Bananas would help me after many bathroom trips. Baby wipes made the trips more bearable. My wife got me puzzle books for the bathrooms.

    Exercise as much as possible. Siting and rotting away is no good to you. I got out and walked the dogs a lot. When the diarrhea was really bad we would just go around the block several times. (Approx 2 miles on most walks.)

    Remember it is for a short period of time and you will get better!
    Best Always,
    mike

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