Cycle 1 of oxaliplatin/irenotecan/5FU Chemo Treatment

westie66
westie66 Member Posts: 642
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all: As promised I am going to report on my treatment today, cycle 1. I think I am getting Folfiri (spelling?) and not Folfox, so my sheet read anyways. Long day, went in at 7:30 am and got home at 3 pm. They started the process with 5 pills and then the oxaliplatin, then an injection for the irenotecan, the other things. Finally the pump went on. Symptoms mild so far but immediate - very achy painful joints, headache, mild tingling in fingers and arm (got quite a shock when I accidentally touched an ice pack for the Neulasta injection I get on Friday!), stiff jaw (a little). But I still have my appetite and am not troubled by feeling cold (good thing as it is cool here and raining). Friends spent the day with me and took my dog to the dog park - friends are wonderful! Thursday the pump comes off (yeah! I don't see how I'm going to get my clothes off tonight!), and Friday I get the Neulasta. I get the treatment every 2 weeks so next week is free. Right now the pump is the most awkward unliked thing.
I have taken B6, cal/mag, L-Glutamine, and alpha lipoic acid pills. And tyenol for the headache and joint pain. And have a bunch of pills to take tomorrow and for the next 2 days.
More as time goes on ...
Cheryl

Comments

  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #2
    Did they give you a little
    Did they give you a little fanny pack to put your bottle in. I had to bring my own, forgot to mention that, as it seemed I wasn't warned about that at hospital. I lucked out in that I found a fanny pack that came with a cooler we had bought, I suppose you could wear it about your waist and carry a water bottle in it. But, it's perfect for this at home infusion bottle. At first I would just put the bottle beside me in bed, found the cat etc...just didn't work right, I'd get up out of bed to go to the bathroom and forgot I was connected to something, so I tried sleeping with the fanny pack around my waist and it works fine, not disturbing my sleep, and no sudden dropping something to the floor that is attached to your chest while half asleep and forgetting your attached, never mind trying to set the bottle somewhere while you're trying to pee half asleep. I'm on Folfiri too, not many side effects, just from time to time some randome thing would pop up and I'd say to myself oh, this must be a side effect. Tonight for the first time I felt something up in the top of my throat that felt like I'd gotten something small and sharp stuck way up like between where your throat and nose meet at the top back of your throat. Then because of what I felt mentally I started to have trouble swallowing. I never have issues swallowing. But, all of a sudden I would have to focus on swallowing, it went away after that first one so maybe it was just something stuck temporarily...hoping so, I don't want this feeling again. Seems people on oxy. get that throat issue with the feeling of glass shards, but I don't know if it's common with Folfiri.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #3
    just sending good wishes
    hi cheryl,
    keep us posted if you have any questions.
    hugs,
    pete
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #4
    The headache, nausea, cold,
    The headache, nausea, cold, and joint pain is the new normal for the next 6 months. I put my mind to that and was able to cope better. As soon as Chemo stopped the rest went away quickly. There are neuropathy and other symptoms yet to come that take some time to go away.


    Best Always, mike
    PS Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #5
    thxmiker said:

    The headache, nausea, cold,
    The headache, nausea, cold, and joint pain is the new normal for the next 6 months. I put my mind to that and was able to cope better. As soon as Chemo stopped the rest went away quickly. There are neuropathy and other symptoms yet to come that take some time to go away.


    Best Always, mike
    PS Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

    First Treatment of Oxaliplatin/irenotecan/folfiri, etc.
    Thanks Mike, Pete, and SmokyJoe. I made it through the night all right - keep the pump in its own case (which they gave me at the cancer centre) on my right side and my dog Charlotte on the left. Worked all right. I learned very quickly to put on socks as bare feet on a bare cold floor was electrifying! I seem to have picked up a little of the neuropathy right away. The aches, pains, and headache have subsided a bit. I'm taking tyenol - they didn't say I couldn't! And Vit B6 and L-glutamine and alpha .... acid. The pump comes off tomorrow, yeah, but today I have scans. An interesting journey!
    Cheryl
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #6
    The Journey of a 1,000 Miles.....
    .....Begins with the 1st step.

    Sounds like you are doing Folfox from what you're describing.

    Best of luck during your treatment and we'll take it a step at a time.

    -Craig
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #7
    Thanks for checking in
    It sounds like you did well, + I hope you continue to do so.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #8
    Sundanceh said:

    The Journey of a 1,000 Miles.....
    .....Begins with the 1st step.

    Sounds like you are doing Folfox from what you're describing.

    Best of luck during your treatment and we'll take it a step at a time.

    -Craig

    Folfox
    It did to me too but they had folfiri written on my chemo chart. I haven't a clue what the difference is! I just know it was a long process. Luckily the side effects I had yesterday have abated a lot, hardly noticeable today. But realize it is only cycle 1! Thanks, Craig.
    Cheryl
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #9
    AnneCan said:

    Thanks for checking in
    It sounds like you did well, + I hope you continue to do so.

    Thanks for checking in
    Hi Anne: can I assume you're from Canada like me? Yes, did well I think - the side effects of yesterday and this morning have almost gone away (although I am still not going near the fridge!). I've visited with friends most of the day. I failed my mammogram though and have to have a biopsy when this chemo is finished. I'm used to it now!
    Cheryl
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #10
    Sundanceh said:

    The Journey of a 1,000 Miles.....
    .....Begins with the 1st step.

    Sounds like you are doing Folfox from what you're describing.

    Best of luck during your treatment and we'll take it a step at a time.

    -Craig

    Folfox vs folfiri
    Hi Craig: I just looked it up. The main difference is Folfox uses oxaliplatin and Folfiri uses Irenotecan. I am getting both oxaliplatin and irenotecan! so it is folfoxfiri! I think the oncologist wants to hit it with it all!
    Cheryl

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