treatment side effects- need some input-help!

pandas823

I am on my third change in treatment and I again am struggling with eating. My bones just ache everywhere and my pain is getting very taxing. I worry is it the chemo or the cancer? I am told it is mainly the treatment but not sure what to think. Help- can anybody share their experience how they dealt with the pain & discomfort. I feel exhausted all the time. I am stage 4 and not a candidate for surgery at this point. Current treatment is Erbotux and Irinocitan infusion once per week- this week was my third. Been on chemo since April 2010. Thanks Dave.

Erinb

If you are not a candidate
If you are not a candidate for surgery, can you take a break? Do you know if your cancer is slow or fast growing? What are your CEAs? I don't have cancer my husband does, but I can empathize with the feeling crappy part. I am so sorry. Just throwing suggestions out there. I hope you get some relief.
Erin

TMac52

Hi Dave.
I really cant answer your questions but want to give you some support. Someone will cime in here soon that can answer your questions i'm sure. hang in there buddy.
Tom

Annabelle41415

Treatment
Treatment can be very taxing on the body and losing weight is a big part of it. Let your doctor know how you are feeling as they can usually give you some pointers on getting your situation in control. Don't ever feel like you have to go through this alone as you can always come here for help. Rest, rest, rest. When your body feels exhausted it is telling you to rest. Never before my diagnosis did a nap ever exist in my daily life, when and after chemo rest was most needed for me. Made me feel like it (the chemo) won, but it didn't. You will feel better, but don't expect a big bounce back fast. It takes time and you will get there. Hoping that your treatment will shrink those tumors so that you can have surgery. Welcome to the board. You have found a great group. Sorry you had to join, but we are here for your journey with this.

Kim

AnneCan

Panda
Welcome to the board. This is a great place for support. I have been fortunate in that I haven't had too much pain or discomfort. I do get exhausted + try to let myself rest when that happens.

pete43lost_at_sea

smiling and scream loud
sorry to hear about pain and eating.

I was surprised how much pain I could bear, you will get through this.
we are here for you!!

I had intense agony every crap for about 5 weeks during chemoradiation.

I was advised to pop a couple of panadiene fortes and numbing jelly before going.
That did not seem to help.

I tried suppositories, but to painful to get in. When it gets to the 10 out 10 I begged the onc nurses for advice.

The answer was to scream. It scared the kids and neighbours, but we all got used to it.
And it worked for me, somehow the action of yelling really loud, gets your mind off the pain. Bit like mum during child birth. I hope we can come up better solutions.

When I went to my mates farm, the cows would come around as if I was a new bull.

I am hope someone with a similar chemo treatment will help with better advice I am a T3 rectal cancer patient, had the op 3 months ago, its gone and during mop up chemo with folfox completed 5 of 12.

Keep posting its free and we are a clever and caring group.

welcome to the colorectal board, sorry you had to find us,

Pete

plh4gail

I'm on chemo, but not the
I'm on chemo, but not the same as you. I hope you find some help and answers.

Gail

pandas823

Erinb said:

If you are not a candidate
If you are not a candidate for surgery, can you take a break? Do you know if your cancer is slow or fast growing? What are your CEAs? I don't have cancer my husband does, but I can empathize with the feeling crappy part. I am so sorry. Just throwing suggestions out there. I hope you get some relief.
Erin

Thanks!
Erin,
Not sure taking a break is an option. My primary thinks it is slow growing. My CEA's have been between 3.5-15 range (currently is 13). Feeling a little better today. Thanks for your concern. How is your husband doing? My wife and I like your picture- reminds us of our girls when they were that age.
Good luck with your family's journey as well- Dave & Audrey

pandas823

TMac52 said:

Hi Dave.
I really cant answer your questions but want to give you some support. Someone will cime in here soon that can answer your questions i'm sure. hang in there buddy.
Tom

Words Appreciated!
Thanks Tom!!
Dave & Audrey

pandas823

Annabelle41415 said:

Treatment
Treatment can be very taxing on the body and losing weight is a big part of it. Let your doctor know how you are feeling as they can usually give you some pointers on getting your situation in control. Don't ever feel like you have to go through this alone as you can always come here for help. Rest, rest, rest. When your body feels exhausted it is telling you to rest. Never before my diagnosis did a nap ever exist in my daily life, when and after chemo rest was most needed for me. Made me feel like it (the chemo) won, but it didn't. You will feel better, but don't expect a big bounce back fast. It takes time and you will get there. Hoping that your treatment will shrink those tumors so that you can have surgery. Welcome to the board. You have found a great group. Sorry you had to join, but we are here for your journey with this.

Kim

Great Advice
Kim,
You're right this is a great group I can see that already and it is a great comfort. My family is always getting after me to rest and I am getting better at taking naps but it is so out of the norm for me (like you mentioned). I feel I am in very good company. Thank you for your support.
Dave

pandas823

plh4gail said:

I'm on chemo, but not the
I'm on chemo, but not the same as you. I hope you find some help and answers.

Gail

Good Luck with your treatments!
Gail,
Thanks for your kind words. How are you doing with your treatments? Good we hope!
Dave & Audrey

pandas823

pete43lost_at_sea said:

smiling and scream loud
sorry to hear about pain and eating.

I was surprised how much pain I could bear, you will get through this.
we are here for you!!

I had intense agony every crap for about 5 weeks during chemoradiation.

I was advised to pop a couple of panadiene fortes and numbing jelly before going.
That did not seem to help.

I tried suppositories, but to painful to get in. When it gets to the 10 out 10 I begged the onc nurses for advice.

The answer was to scream. It scared the kids and neighbours, but we all got used to it.
And it worked for me, somehow the action of yelling really loud, gets your mind off the pain. Bit like mum during child birth. I hope we can come up better solutions.

When I went to my mates farm, the cows would come around as if I was a new bull.

I am hope someone with a similar chemo treatment will help with better advice I am a T3 rectal cancer patient, had the op 3 months ago, its gone and during mop up chemo with folfox completed 5 of 12.

Keep posting its free and we are a clever and caring group.

welcome to the colorectal board, sorry you had to find us,

Pete

Welcomed Words!
Pete,
Thanks for sharing your story with me. I will try the screaming but I will make sure I do it when my daughters have their friends over! My pain is from my stomach down to my colon area- feels like an ice pick being jabbed in to me. That is what it felt like through my first round of treatment when my 2 biggest tumors disappeared-God willing maybe it is what is occurring again. Congratulations on your successful operation and good luck finishing up with your treatments!!! Our thoughts are with you. And please know how appreciated your words of support were/are for me & my family.
Dave

pandas823

AnneCan said:

Panda
Welcome to the board. This is a great place for support. I have been fortunate in that I haven't had too much pain or discomfort. I do get exhausted + try to let myself rest when that happens.

AnneCan,
So glad you have not had to go through a lot of pain but I know the exhaustion you're talking about and thanks for the advice. Thanks for reaching out it is very appreciated.
Dave & Audrey

pandas823

AnneCan said:

Panda
Welcome to the board. This is a great place for support. I have been fortunate in that I haven't had too much pain or discomfort. I do get exhausted + try to let myself rest when that happens.

AnneCan,
So glad you have not had to go through a lot of pain but I know the exhaustion you're talking about and thanks for the advice. Thanks for reaching out it is very appreciated.
Dave & Audrey

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