Oxaliplatin and cold weather

With Fall and colder weather on its way, can I expect increased cold issues from Oxaliplatin? I am on it through November.

Comments

  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    Oxaliplatin and Cold Temperatures
    Hi: Yes,the same as opening your fridge door after putting on gloves and a scarf. Warm up your car first (have someone do that for you but if you can't put on gloves and a scarf). I am on oxaliplatin (and irenotecan and 5FU) and have finished my 8th treatment. I haven't had any problems after the first treatment - possibly because I had the dosage and infusion rate induced and I take supplements like VitB6, L-Glutamine (5 grams/day powder form in juice), alpha lipoic acid. I haven't really had a problem, can even eat cold ice cream right after. But everyone is different! And many people do these things and still have a problem.
    Good luck with it.
    Cheryl
  • relaxoutdoors08
    relaxoutdoors08 Member Posts: 521 Member
    Doing Folfox in Northern MN in Winter
    Yes,
    I had many problems since the advice was to wear gloves and a face mask and not to breathe in cold from the fridge. Well...Northern Minnesota in the Winter is -20 below zero. I had many issues with my throat, hands and feet with the Oxi effect. I ended up very hoarse and had glass like pain in the throat. Hope you do better. I am feeling so much better from the Oxi effects 6 months post Folfox. 80 degree summer weather really makes the difference in those Oxi Effects.
    NB
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    BRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
    The Friday after my second treatment, mid-April 2010, here in the Northwest, I walked through a cool drizzle to our fuel center.
    At the fuel kiosk I opened the safe and handed the cash till to my fuel associate.
    He told me, "I have it".
    I said, "I know", and had to pry my hand open so he could have it. Cramped muscles.

    The drizzle burned on my face.

    Cold plus Oxy not good to me...

    Thankfully, I had surgery in March and most of my treatments in warm weather.

    Mark
  • Kimo Sabe
    Kimo Sabe Member Posts: 64
    marqimark said:

    BRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
    The Friday after my second treatment, mid-April 2010, here in the Northwest, I walked through a cool drizzle to our fuel center.
    At the fuel kiosk I opened the safe and handed the cash till to my fuel associate.
    He told me, "I have it".
    I said, "I know", and had to pry my hand open so he could have it. Cramped muscles.

    The drizzle burned on my face.

    Cold plus Oxy not good to me...

    Thankfully, I had surgery in March and most of my treatments in warm weather.

    Mark

    Thanks
    Thank you....I guess....for confirming my worst fears.  I wrote this question while sitting on the couch after enjoying a 78 degree summer day. It was down to what would normally be a refreshing 60°. A breeze blew through and I felt my toes swelling more and more pain and tingling. 

    It was a bit reminiscent of the Raynaud's which has pestered me  for many years. Raynauds however is child's play compared to Oxaliplatin.  At least with Raynaud's you can still button your buttons and try to avoid situations that trigger your issues, etc. 

    There is a similarity that I think exists in that the trigger can be other than just letting your hands or feet get cold.  Obviously, you don't want to put on tire chains in the snow. However, a simple drop in ambient temperature or a breeze will stimulate the condition. 
    Well I shall try to be prepared.

    Which leaves me with my last dilemma. There are only three Oxaliplatin  treatments left, and I've only had peripheral IV's.  I have shunned the port but at this point my veins are suggesting it would be a good idea.  So it may be a port or a PICC line. I hope this is not a harbinger of what is to come. 

    Thanks again for the info. 

    Norm
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    Kimo Sabe said:

    Thanks
    Thank you....I guess....for confirming my worst fears.  I wrote this question while sitting on the couch after enjoying a 78 degree summer day. It was down to what would normally be a refreshing 60°. A breeze blew through and I felt my toes swelling more and more pain and tingling. 

    It was a bit reminiscent of the Raynaud's which has pestered me  for many years. Raynauds however is child's play compared to Oxaliplatin.  At least with Raynaud's you can still button your buttons and try to avoid situations that trigger your issues, etc. 

    There is a similarity that I think exists in that the trigger can be other than just letting your hands or feet get cold.  Obviously, you don't want to put on tire chains in the snow. However, a simple drop in ambient temperature or a breeze will stimulate the condition. 
    Well I shall try to be prepared.

    Which leaves me with my last dilemma. There are only three Oxaliplatin  treatments left, and I've only had peripheral IV's.  I have shunned the port but at this point my veins are suggesting it would be a good idea.  So it may be a port or a PICC line. I hope this is not a harbinger of what is to come. 

    Thanks again for the info. 

    Norm

    norm
    hugs when i was on my last treatment of oxy they suggested the port as my veins had shrivelled, had to tell them it was my last treatment. You have been given good advice, scarves, gloves never be without after treatment. Not sure if its b6 or b12, but it supposed to help, i took it. Hugs hope you get through your final treatments ok
  • karen40
    karen40 Member Posts: 211 Member
    Kimo Sabe said:

    Thanks
    Thank you....I guess....for confirming my worst fears.  I wrote this question while sitting on the couch after enjoying a 78 degree summer day. It was down to what would normally be a refreshing 60°. A breeze blew through and I felt my toes swelling more and more pain and tingling. 

    It was a bit reminiscent of the Raynaud's which has pestered me  for many years. Raynauds however is child's play compared to Oxaliplatin.  At least with Raynaud's you can still button your buttons and try to avoid situations that trigger your issues, etc. 

    There is a similarity that I think exists in that the trigger can be other than just letting your hands or feet get cold.  Obviously, you don't want to put on tire chains in the snow. However, a simple drop in ambient temperature or a breeze will stimulate the condition. 
    Well I shall try to be prepared.

    Which leaves me with my last dilemma. There are only three Oxaliplatin  treatments left, and I've only had peripheral IV's.  I have shunned the port but at this point my veins are suggesting it would be a good idea.  So it may be a port or a PICC line. I hope this is not a harbinger of what is to come. 

    Thanks again for the info. 

    Norm

    Suggestion
    Hi Norm,
    I also have Ranaud's disease. You are correct in saying that it is child's play compared to that of oxaliplatin. Due to my severe neuropathy, my onc. has reduced the dosage of oxaliplatin that I receive. He started this during my present cycle. I am currently in the middle of cycle 6 of 8. He said the amount of oxy., I am now receiving is still in the recommended guidelines for treatment. It has made a huge difference. My neuropathy has improved by 50% with my last infusion. Ask your onc. if you can safely lower your dose. Hope this helps.
    Karen
  • christinecarl
    christinecarl Member Posts: 543 Member
    I started chemo in Jan in
    I started chemo in Jan in MN. I had to get extra thick gloves so my finger tips would not hurt. My coworkers were nice enough to clear the snow off my car when I was at work, so I would not have to be outside much. It sometimes felt like my eyes were freezing shut walking to my car. It was tough, but doable. Good luck to you.