Chemo Question

mikew42
mikew42 Member Posts: 114 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I started my chemo last Friday (5-FU, Camptosar, Leucovorin and Avastin). On this for 3 weeks then one week off and will do this for 6 months. So far so good, no side effects.

Does chemo build up over time and do side effects worsen? If so, when did your symptoms start?

Comments

  • MelStar
    MelStar Member Posts: 31
    #2
    Hi Mike!!! Everyone's reaction to chemo is different. I too had 5FU, Camptosar, and Leucovorin. I started it on 2/21/03, and did it every other week, as my body would not tolerate it every week. My side effects started immediately (mostly diarrhea, some nausea) but after time they pretty much passed, except for the fatigue.
    Let us know how you're doing with it, and good luck and God bless!
    Melody
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #3
    Mike,

    I had 5-FU, Camptosar and Leucovorin for 6 months. I started out 3 weeks with treatment and 1 week off. My first couple of weeks were tolerable, then I started getting sick. There is an accumulative effect. After about 3 months I got very sick, with intestinal irritation, fever, my liver enzymes increased, but a CT scan showed every thing ok. I continued for another couple of months and got sick again with fever, abdominal pain, lots of diahrrea, vomiting and the doctor cut back on my treatment to 2 weeks on and 1 week off for the last month. BUT, remember everyone is different and some people make it through with fewer side effects. Chemo is not good, no matter how you "cut" it. Hang in there. Let us know how you are doing, we can all offer lots of "experiences" and help you along the way. You are taking a big step to getting well and living a long healthy life. My thoughts were that 6 months of "hell" were worth a longer life with my loved ones and friends. Take care, God bless and keep us posted on how you are doing.

    Kerry
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
    Mike -

    Melody and Kerry are both right on the mark when they say that chemo treats everyone differently. There are things you can do to help mitigate some of the side-effects:

    1. Exercise has been shown to actually decrease the fatigue related to chemotherapy.

    2. Be sure to drink LOTS of water. Chemo-induced diarhea can get out of control and cause you to become severely dehydrated. That will put you in the hospital quicker than anything.

    3. Laugh. Laughter has been clinically proven to boost you imune system, improve your psycholgical state and, if you do it a lot, give you that really ripped set of abs we all strive for to show off at the beach.

    Oh, one more thing, be sure to hang out with the semi-colons and beeyatch and complain and inspire. I've found that quite cathartic, too.

    Best regards

    - SpongeBob
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #5
    I fully agree w/ Bob - exercise and water!! Muy importante! You may get a worsening of side effects as time goes on, but probably not. My first treatment (minus the Avastin) I was very sick, but after they figured out my pre-meds for nausea I did not have a problem again. After 6-7 treatments my hair did begin falling out from the Camptosar, so you can probably expect that, but it grows back, and it's probably not as traumatic for a man! lol! If you are doing well now, it is probably an indication you will do well the entire time.
    Good luck w/ your treatments! Susan

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