Neuropathy

vtspa6
vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
in Colorectal Cancer #1

My husband is having a heck of a time with this.  Between his hands, feet & even his  mouth.  He hates that most foods don't have any taste too.  Is there any medication that he can take that will help relieve some of this?  It seems that it gets worse with every treatment (he just finished 7th folfox/avastin).  Onc. said he will be taking chemo the rest of his life so I am hoping there is something that can help.

Comments

  • DaveHereInFlorida
    DaveHereInFlorida Member Posts: 48
    #2
    Folfox chemo regimen/avastin

    Folfox chemo regimen/avastin ,  has these typical reac;tions you listed. In addition to these, i have  itching, low apetite , lethargy,  chronic tireness , and stomach issues.  I look at it as all part of the healing process i have to go thru to get the end result.  Id be willing to endure alot more if required.  At least you keep your hair on Folfox although it gets much thinner toward the 12 th session.   The chemo has a cumulative effect in your body so  just bare with him , comfort him,  pray often together that God will give you strength,  get plenty of sun and outdoors, and refuse to let cancer define who he is ,or you.

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,427 Member
    #3
    Some things

    Include trying acupuncture and some vitamins (certain Bs)  I tried vitamins, not much help.  Massage insoles helped a bit, but it builds up.  My oncologist is so concerned with the risk of permanant neuorpathy that he limits the Oxiliplatin to a maximum of 9 sessions out of 12.  I made 8 before he cut me off.  The risk of permanent damage outweighed the benefit of cancer.  (He described it as a snowballing, non-linear progression, which is why he cut me off.)

    The oncologist has said chemo for the rest of his life?  I was Stage III C and did not have that.  Just 12 sessions.   Of course if it comes back, would probably be back on chemo.

    P.S.  Be careful of the sun, it can trigger reactions/rashes.  Sun screen and caps are good ideas.  I had pretty much every effect, but all were very minor, other than neuorpathy which continues.  The sensitivity to cold was a big one for about 6 sessions.  Everything else came and went within a session just about.  Lost a ton of hair, including most on my body.  

  • vtspa6
    vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
    #4
    NewHere said:

    Some things

    Include trying acupuncture and some vitamins (certain Bs)  I tried vitamins, not much help.  Massage insoles helped a bit, but it builds up.  My oncologist is so concerned with the risk of permanant neuorpathy that he limits the Oxiliplatin to a maximum of 9 sessions out of 12.  I made 8 before he cut me off.  The risk of permanent damage outweighed the benefit of cancer.  (He described it as a snowballing, non-linear progression, which is why he cut me off.)

    The oncologist has said chemo for the rest of his life?  I was Stage III C and did not have that.  Just 12 sessions.   Of course if it comes back, would probably be back on chemo.

    P.S.  Be careful of the sun, it can trigger reactions/rashes.  Sun screen and caps are good ideas.  I had pretty much every effect, but all were very minor, other than neuorpathy which continues.  The sensitivity to cold was a big one for about 6 sessions.  Everything else came and went within a session just about.  Lost a ton of hair, including most on my body.  

    The Onc did say the rest of

    The Onc did say the rest of his life.  He said he might get a 3 mth break depending on the outcome of the scans.  Tim is in a difficult spot because of the spots are in every lobe (30 total).  I am sure they can cut out the rectal tumor tho.  The Onc said that the Oxiliplatin is the most important drug for chemo, so I would be scared if he stopped it.  I was hoping that there is a drug out there that can help, I know the Onc has not offered anything.  I beleive he will get a scan soon, after the 8th treatment.

    With Tim he has gained 22 pds since starting chemo!  He has not lost his appitite at all.  The only side effects he has is neuorpathy and lightheadedness and does get tired and sick occationally and his face turns beet red.

    Thanks everyone for responding, Vicky 

  • DD3
    DD3 Member Posts: 136 Member
    #5
    vtspa6 said:

    The Onc did say the rest of

    The Onc did say the rest of his life.  He said he might get a 3 mth break depending on the outcome of the scans.  Tim is in a difficult spot because of the spots are in every lobe (30 total).  I am sure they can cut out the rectal tumor tho.  The Onc said that the Oxiliplatin is the most important drug for chemo, so I would be scared if he stopped it.  I was hoping that there is a drug out there that can help, I know the Onc has not offered anything.  I beleive he will get a scan soon, after the 8th treatment.

    With Tim he has gained 22 pds since starting chemo!  He has not lost his appitite at all.  The only side effects he has is neuorpathy and lightheadedness and does get tired and sick occationally and his face turns beet red.

    Thanks everyone for responding, Vicky 

    Vicky

    I'm a bit confused by your post.  Is his oncologist recommending FOLFOX for life?  I've never heard of that (by all means I'm far from expert), maybe someone else can chime in.  I have heard of being on 5FU for life.  Oxy is a platinum based chemo and as you know and others on her can attest to it's tough.  My wife was cut off of Oxy her last two treatments due to nueropathy. 

  • vtspa6
    vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
    #6
    DD3 said:

    Vicky

    I'm a bit confused by your post.  Is his oncologist recommending FOLFOX for life?  I've never heard of that (by all means I'm far from expert), maybe someone else can chime in.  I have heard of being on 5FU for life.  Oxy is a platinum based chemo and as you know and others on her can attest to it's tough.  My wife was cut off of Oxy her last two treatments due to nueropathy. 

    Yep, thats what he said. 

    Yep, thats what he said.  Maybe he meant he will always have to battle this the rest of his life since it has spread, I'm not sure.  I was thinking he might have to change to different chemo treatments like folfoxi? (sp?) later not quite sure.  I guess we will know more after the scans are done.  IF the scans show the cancer is still present won't he still have to take chemo?  Maybe a smaller dose?  It does get confusing.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #7
    vtspa6 said:

    Yep, thats what he said. 

    Yep, thats what he said.  Maybe he meant he will always have to battle this the rest of his life since it has spread, I'm not sure.  I was thinking he might have to change to different chemo treatments like folfoxi? (sp?) later not quite sure.  I guess we will know more after the scans are done.  IF the scans show the cancer is still present won't he still have to take chemo?  Maybe a smaller dose?  It does get confusing.

    Choices

    There are several Chemo meds, some of which are long-term. So yes, people are on chemo for life. 

    Sue - Trubrit

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