folfox and cramps

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jillpls
jillpls Member Posts: 238
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, I just went back on Folfox for the first time since Jan of 07. However, I have had a horrible time with it. I was sick to my stomach for most the week and then after 5 days blew out. Since yesterday I have had really bad cramps in the gut area even though the immodium has stopped the severe diarrhea. Has anyone had this kind of reaction after one treatment of Folfox?? I'm not on Avastin because my insurance denied me the drug. I'm afraid to have a second treatment because I had such a bad reaction. Does slowing the drip or having benedrill help with the reaction?? I'll be taking Amend to help with the nausea. Thank for any input. I"m seriously considering trying to find Chinese or eastern meds instead. Any suggestions as to where to begin??
JIll

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  • KATE58
    KATE58 Member Posts: 299
    #2
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    I can't comment on the
    I can't comment on the cramps since I am missing all of my large colon and some of my small
    I really don't have enough to cramp.
    but I did have the bad diarhea.

    My doctor always gave me benedryl,which i always complained about
    because it gives me 'restless leg syndrome 'all over my body'
    the one time I talked her out of it my tongue,lips and face swelled up so I
    couldn't talk-she swaggered in with the benedryl and said "NOW can I give you the benedryl?!!
    In 10 minutes all was back to normal and I don't refuse it anymore.

    I don't think it will help for diarhea or cramps,it more for allergic reactions (rashes and
    swelling etc,) But you might want to ask her about ATROPINE, It's used for a lot of reactions
    one of them being cramps ,diarhea,and hot flashes and excessive sweating.
    The problem I had with it was it kept me awake.
    Good luck
    GOD BLESS
    Kate
  • jillpls
    jillpls Member Posts: 238
    #3
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    KATE58 said:

    I can't comment on the
    I can't comment on the cramps since I am missing all of my large colon and some of my small
    I really don't have enough to cramp.
    but I did have the bad diarhea.

    My doctor always gave me benedryl,which i always complained about
    because it gives me 'restless leg syndrome 'all over my body'
    the one time I talked her out of it my tongue,lips and face swelled up so I
    couldn't talk-she swaggered in with the benedryl and said "NOW can I give you the benedryl?!!
    In 10 minutes all was back to normal and I don't refuse it anymore.

    I don't think it will help for diarhea or cramps,it more for allergic reactions (rashes and
    swelling etc,) But you might want to ask her about ATROPINE, It's used for a lot of reactions
    one of them being cramps ,diarhea,and hot flashes and excessive sweating.
    The problem I had with it was it kept me awake.
    Good luck
    GOD BLESS
    Kate

    Thank you for the info
    HI Kate,
    I have had atropine but the stopped my gut from any movement which cause a blockage. It was like pushing out a child, I have 4. it was horrible. But now that you mention it, I do remember getting the restless leg. Now I wonder If I was getting benadryl...I'll have to check. Thanks for responding.
    God bless you too!!!
    Jill
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #4
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    jillpls said:

    Thank you for the info
    HI Kate,
    I have had atropine but the stopped my gut from any movement which cause a blockage. It was like pushing out a child, I have 4. it was horrible. But now that you mention it, I do remember getting the restless leg. Now I wonder If I was getting benadryl...I'll have to check. Thanks for responding.
    God bless you too!!!
    Jill

    I
    Am not on Folfox, but with the Folfiri, comes with some diarrhea, which is when I cramp. They do give me the atrophine shot as well during infusion, but when I get disconnected from the pump, that's when I seem to get the diarrhea more. I take am Immodium-AD for that, and it has worked pretty good for it.

    I can't even take Benadryl, it makes my skin feel like it's crawling, and I can't get any rest on it, like the itchies or something.. it's horrible.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Fb489
    Fb489 Member Posts: 69
    #5
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    folfox
    My husband ended up in the the hospital on Thanksgiving with severe diarreah and stomach cramps. he was hospitalized for one week. his doctor said she will have to reduce the dosage
    and see how he reacts. if he is still having problems he will quit chemo, it is too difficult for him to handle.
    best wishes to you.
  • thready
    thready Member Posts: 474
    #6
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    Cramping
    I have been taking Ativan during treatments for N/V it has really helped. I get other stuff Emend, Aloxie, etc but the Ativan really helps after I finish the Emend. Make sure you are getting enough fluids and if you have to go back to the doctor for fluids a few days after treatment. Might help(?). (Extra fluids have helped me with the ichies alot also)

    I know about the Benadryl restlessness. One of the side effects is that it might cause hyperactvity in children, well guess I just never grew up! The sancuso patch was even worse then Benadryl, but I would take the benadryl for an allergic reaction-it is the best for that.

    Jan
  • MoSoLe09
    MoSoLe09 Member Posts: 14
    #7
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    Hi Jill
    I am also on folfox
    Hi Jill

    I am also on folfox just finished tx 7 of 12.
    After the 3rd I had cramps and diahrea real bad, the cramps felt like someone punching me in the stomach from the inside out. at first the docs and I thought it was the anti virul I was on. After the next treatment it happened again, apprx 1 wek after tx again, the onc said it was probably the 5 Fu causing the GI problems and suggested reducing it but I did not really want to do that. As it was I was prescribed Ativan to help me sleep and that seems to have stopped the cramping. I still get occasional cramping and still have the diahrea, I think the chemo just is throwing my whole system out of whack. Ask your doc to let you try the Ativan to see if that helps.
    good luck
    Frank

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