Strange chemo side effect or vit b6 overdose?

Chelsea71
Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Last week Steve's face and ears turned blue/purple. Face was slightly swollen. Thought it was from allergies. On Friday he went to the home care office to get disconnected. The nurses didn't like his color so they told him to go to the local hospital. The ER doc actually got ahold of the oncologist in Ottawa. She had no idea as to what it could be. She recommended a ct scan of the neck and head. The concern seemed to be a new tumor, athlerosclerosis of a venous vein or any other type of obstruction. They compared his blood work from several days ago (before chemo) to blood work that they took at the hospital. Blood work looked really good. No changes since previous blood work. CT scan came back fine. The oncologist told the ER doc that the chest ct scan done last Thurs showed no abnormalities. The ER doc explained that all the big problems had been ruled out. He figured it was just an unusual chemo side effect. I then mentioned that for the best 2 or 3 weeks he's been taking vit b6 300 mg daily. He seemed to think that this combined with the chemo could be the cause. Recommended no more vitamins for now. The blue purple tinge has subsided for the most part. Face is still puffy around his eyes. Blood pressure was fine. Urinalysis was fine. To me, blaming on the vitamin is a bit of a stretch.

Any thoughts?

Chelsea
«1

Comments

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #2
    Also, no swelling or
    Also, no swelling or retention elsewhere. Fingers, legs, feet etc are normal. Seems to be localized to the face.

    Craig mentioned on a different thread that the 5FU can affect the mucous membranes and even cause the tear ducts to shrink. I wonder if the problem could have something to do with that?

    He gets 8mg dexamethasone with his chemo. His upper body had kind of taken on a new shape. Has gained weight on his head, face, chest arms etc.. Does anyone think it could be related to the dexamethasone?

    I would appreciate any feedback.

    Thanks.
  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #3
    If I remember right......

    Nana B had purple hands from chemo.  Maybe she'll see this and respond or you could do a search of old posts.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #4
    B6

    My oncologist recommended B6 for me throughout my chemo so that just doesn't seem right.  I'd think more chemo related than vitamin.  Glad he is doing better.

    Kim

  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    #5
    Annabelle41415 said:

    B6

    My oncologist recommended B6 for me throughout my chemo so that just doesn't seem right.  I'd think more chemo related than vitamin.  Glad he is doing better.

    Kim

    They tell you take b6 to

    They tell you take b6 to fight the neuropathy from the oxycaliplatin chemo.

    5fu can cause Hand and Foot Syndrome and that will cause the hands and feet to discolor.

    Neuropathy is usually in hands and feet..

    However the hot and cold alert they advise may have some connection... possibly... I know

    As for te reshape of the body and where weight seems to deposit.. I cannot comment on..

    I hope you solve the mystery...

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #6
    dmj101 said:

    They tell you take b6 to

    They tell you take b6 to fight the neuropathy from the oxycaliplatin chemo.

    5fu can cause Hand and Foot Syndrome and that will cause the hands and feet to discolor.

    Neuropathy is usually in hands and feet..

    However the hot and cold alert they advise may have some connection... possibly... I know

    As for te reshape of the body and where weight seems to deposit.. I cannot comment on..

    I hope you solve the mystery...

    I spoke too soon.  The

    I spoke too soon.  The situation worsened.  Face got more purple and swollen and he started having shortness of breath.  We are at the ER in Ottawa now.  They say he has a blood lot in his neck. They are meeting as a team to rewiew his history and try to figure out what to do.  They are concerned about the lack of blood flow to his brain.  The problem may be related to the port.  

     

    It's really nice to have all you guys to share this with.  

     

    Chelsea

  • Dxed
    Dxed Member Posts: 79
    #7
    Chelsea71 said:

    I spoke too soon.  The

    I spoke too soon.  The situation worsened.  Face got more purple and swollen and he started having shortness of breath.  We are at the ER in Ottawa now.  They say he has a blood lot in his neck. They are meeting as a team to rewiew his history and try to figure out what to do.  They are concerned about the lack of blood flow to his brain.  The problem may be related to the port.  

     

    It's really nice to have all you guys to share this with.  

     

    Chelsea

    Wish he pulls through

     

    I am sure the docs will find away to attend to the problem. Wish you both all the best.

     

     

    Sander

     

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #8
    PatchAdams said:

    If I remember right......

    Nana B had purple hands from chemo.  Maybe she'll see this and respond or you could do a search of old posts.

    I will. Thank you.

    I will. Thank you. Chelsea

  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #9
    Dxed said:

    Wish he pulls through

     

    I am sure the docs will find away to attend to the problem. Wish you both all the best.

     

     

    Sander

     

    me to chelsea

    goodluck, hugs

    pete

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #10
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    me to chelsea

    goodluck, hugs

    pete

    Thanks Pete.  We got good

    Thanks Pete.  We got good news last night.  The "cancer doctor" on duty explained the results of the ct scans taken last Thurs.  chest ct fine except for several blood clots.  Liver tumors have shrunk and the questionable retro peritoneal lymph node is stable.  Steve's onc told us to hope for no changes as this would mean that it's not likely cancer but just a funny looking spot from the HIPEC surgery.  As for the blood clots (several in lung, one in neck, a couple near the heart), it's a daily needle for rest of life.  Oh well, there's worse things in life.  So we're pleased about the scan results but I just can't shake the feeling that some sort of bad news is coming.  One of the residents asked me if he's ever had cancer on his heart.  This has left me feeling rather unsettled.

     

    Chelsea

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #11
    Geez Chelsea - that sound

    Geez Chelsea - that sounds scary!  I'm glad things look good on the scan, but sorry Steve has to deal with these clots now.  Hang in there and don't let the resident scare you.   We met a lady in chemo last week with colon cancer - they gave her 6 mos to live over 2 yrs ago and she's still hanging in there - she's in her 70s.  She said "they don't know what they are talking about 1/2 the time!"  Hey, not cancer related, but my mother was given months to live - over 30 yrs ago and she's still around to tell the story! 

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #12
    jen2012 said:

    Geez Chelsea - that sound

    Geez Chelsea - that sounds scary!  I'm glad things look good on the scan, but sorry Steve has to deal with these clots now.  Hang in there and don't let the resident scare you.   We met a lady in chemo last week with colon cancer - they gave her 6 mos to live over 2 yrs ago and she's still hanging in there - she's in her 70s.  She said "they don't know what they are talking about 1/2 the time!"  Hey, not cancer related, but my mother was given months to live - over 30 yrs ago and she's still around to tell the story! 

    Yeah, it has been kind of

    Yeah, it has been kind of scary.  He's been admitted and I think he will be here for a while.  Tomorrow is the app. with the liver surgeon and I don't think we are going to make it.  I'm looking at him now.  His face is red and purple and blue and his head is big and swollen looking.  Veins in his neck are very pronounced.  He's started the needles but in the meantime they seem to be worried about a stroke.

     

    Several things are on my mind.  You really can't trust doctors to look after you.  It's crazy that the Cornwall er doc thought this could be caused by vitamin b6.  We all have to be very strong self advocates.  Cornwall was happy to send him home with a purple, swollen face.  I learned this lesson 20 months ago.  I guess I forgot.

     

    The other thing that's jumped out at me is just how used to this new cancer life we've become.  Steve is so used to hospitals that he seems as comfortable as if he is in his own living room.  He is on the same floor as where he was first diagnosed.  I remember the shock and devastation I felt at that time.  I walk the same halls and I don't feel that same upset.  I sure as hell don't feel happiness.  I guess I feel like we've conformed to this new life that revolves so much around his medical needs.  I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing?  

     

    As you can probably tell, I have some time on my hands.  I think I should go buy a book. Lol

     

    Thanks,

    Chelsea2013-01-07

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #13
    Chelsea71 said:

    Yeah, it has been kind of

    Yeah, it has been kind of scary.  He's been admitted and I think he will be here for a while.  Tomorrow is the app. with the liver surgeon and I don't think we are going to make it.  I'm looking at him now.  His face is red and purple and blue and his head is big and swollen looking.  Veins in his neck are very pronounced.  He's started the needles but in the meantime they seem to be worried about a stroke.

     

    Several things are on my mind.  You really can't trust doctors to look after you.  It's crazy that the Cornwall er doc thought this could be caused by vitamin b6.  We all have to be very strong self advocates.  Cornwall was happy to send him home with a purple, swollen face.  I learned this lesson 20 months ago.  I guess I forgot.

     

    The other thing that's jumped out at me is just how used to this new cancer life we've become.  Steve is so used to hospitals that he seems as comfortable as if he is in his own living room.  He is on the same floor as where he was first diagnosed.  I remember the shock and devastation I felt at that time.  I walk the same halls and I don't feel that same upset.  I sure as hell don't feel happiness.  I guess I feel like we've conformed to this new life that revolves so much around his medical needs.  I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing?  

     

    As you can probably tell, I have some time on my hands.  I think I should go buy a book. Lol

     

    Thanks,

    Chelsea2013-01-07

    Good Thing or Bad Thing?

    It's a good thing, Chelse...you're in a firefight right now...all of your senses are geared to fighting...at handling one situation...and then moving over to the next fire to try and put it out...while diligantly looking over your shoulder to see the other fire smoldering, while hoping it doesn't catch blaze again.

    Once you figure out the routine as you have, it becomes sort of second nature, to have a feel and a way around the hospital...after all, you know the drill by now.  So, it's good that Steve is calm...and you too.

    It's the constant evolution of going from one state of the fight to the next....from scared at first...now to more active approach...and the realization that one must remain vigilant as often as possible...because mistakes do happen.

    I'm always real good about looking at the gauges and understanding the numbers on medical equipment...so you begin to know what's right and what isn't.

    One evening, I was by myself after my wife had left for the night...I had a twisted bowel that put me in the ER one evening...was tossing up bile and the like...diarrhea too...couldn't hold down a sip of water...so I got really dehydrated quickly.

    So, they ramped up the saline when I got there...for 24 hours that was a good idea...but then my tissues got full...they had the pumps turned up to 75% capacity...I was being drowned by saline fluid...I was urinating every 6-minutes per hour...for 10-hours!

    Pretty close to 100 pi$$es that night...that's all I did...every 6-minutes.  I filled up nearly two 2-litre bottles of fluid.

    I called the nurse in and said the numbers on the pump are too high and need adjusted....I'm being flooded.  They stared at the meter...made a couple of calls...doctor never called back....so they made the decision themself...at my urging of course:)

    But, with no one there to watch me...and if I had not been my own self-advocate, I could have been in serious trouble before medical personnel could have or would have intervened.

    You don't always have to know...but pay attention to your surroundings when you can...watch for patterns...the live you save may just be your own.

    I'm so sorry that Steven is going through all of this...I'm worried for him from what you are telling us...hoping for a turnaround for the both of you.

    -Craig

  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #14
    Sundanceh said:

    Good Thing or Bad Thing?

    It's a good thing, Chelse...you're in a firefight right now...all of your senses are geared to fighting...at handling one situation...and then moving over to the next fire to try and put it out...while diligantly looking over your shoulder to see the other fire smoldering, while hoping it doesn't catch blaze again.

    Once you figure out the routine as you have, it becomes sort of second nature, to have a feel and a way around the hospital...after all, you know the drill by now.  So, it's good that Steve is calm...and you too.

    It's the constant evolution of going from one state of the fight to the next....from scared at first...now to more active approach...and the realization that one must remain vigilant as often as possible...because mistakes do happen.

    I'm always real good about looking at the gauges and understanding the numbers on medical equipment...so you begin to know what's right and what isn't.

    One evening, I was by myself after my wife had left for the night...I had a twisted bowel that put me in the ER one evening...was tossing up bile and the like...diarrhea too...couldn't hold down a sip of water...so I got really dehydrated quickly.

    So, they ramped up the saline when I got there...for 24 hours that was a good idea...but then my tissues got full...they had the pumps turned up to 75% capacity...I was being drowned by saline fluid...I was urinating every 6-minutes per hour...for 10-hours!

    Pretty close to 100 pi$$es that night...that's all I did...every 6-minutes.  I filled up nearly two 2-litre bottles of fluid.

    I called the nurse in and said the numbers on the pump are too high and need adjusted....I'm being flooded.  They stared at the meter...made a couple of calls...doctor never called back....so they made the decision themself...at my urging of course:)

    But, with no one there to watch me...and if I had not been my own self-advocate, I could have been in serious trouble before medical personnel could have or would have intervened.

    You don't always have to know...but pay attention to your surroundings when you can...watch for patterns...the live you save may just be your own.

    I'm so sorry that Steven is going through all of this...I'm worried for him from what you are telling us...hoping for a turnaround for the both of you.

    -Craig

    Sorry you're both going

    Sorry you're both going through this....just to let you know I've been doing the lovenox shots for two years now.   They may combine the shots with warfarin to get his INR to where they want it  then to the lovenox shots alone.   My oncologist compared it to someone with diabetes getting a daily injection.     Good other than the blood clots that the scan was stable. 

  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #15
    smokeyjoe said:

    Sorry you're both going

    Sorry you're both going through this....just to let you know I've been doing the lovenox shots for two years now.   They may combine the shots with warfarin to get his INR to where they want it  then to the lovenox shots alone.   My oncologist compared it to someone with diabetes getting a daily injection.     Good other than the blood clots that the scan was stable. 

    Dear Chelsea

    Thinking of you both......this is such tough stuff.  Hope things can get resolved soon.  One step at a time.....how often do we hear that?

    Keep us updated ( a lot).  Everyone is pulling for you two.

    HUGS

     

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #16
    janie1 said:

    Dear Chelsea

    Thinking of you both......this is such tough stuff.  Hope things can get resolved soon.  One step at a time.....how often do we hear that?

    Keep us updated ( a lot).  Everyone is pulling for you two.

    HUGS

     

    Thanks everybody. Steve is

    Thanks everybody. Steve is getting lovenox injections here at hospital butsheen he gets home he will take Fragmin.  Apparently it works well with cancer.  Doc said the injections don't shrink the clot.  Just prevents it from growing, then the body breaks it up.  It is not a fast process so he may have these symptoms for a while.  He's been granted an LOA for tomorrow so that he can go to his app with the liver surgeon.  Not sure what to expect from that one.

     

    Thanks for the support

     

    Chelsea

  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #17
    Chelsea71 said:

    Thanks everybody. Steve is

    Thanks everybody. Steve is getting lovenox injections here at hospital butsheen he gets home he will take Fragmin.  Apparently it works well with cancer.  Doc said the injections don't shrink the clot.  Just prevents it from growing, then the body breaks it up.  It is not a fast process so he may have these symptoms for a while.  He's been granted an LOA for tomorrow so that he can go to his app with the liver surgeon.  Not sure what to expect from that one.

     

    Thanks for the support

     

    Chelsea

    Joining in

    Hi Chelsea!

    Just read all these threads.....wow. Here's a hug to start with.

    A good--scratch that---GREAT doctor is also a superb detective. Slow to dismiss anomalies, and willing to dig a little deeper into what is causing a problem.

    Very glad to hear your hubby is in the hospital---a good place to be until things settle down.

    Hugs from California~

    Tommycat

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #18
    Hi chelsea....wondering how
    Hi chelsea....wondering how the night went. Been thinking of you guys.
  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #19
    jen2012 said:

    Hi chelsea....wondering how
    Hi chelsea....wondering how the night went. Been thinking of you guys.

    Thanks for the concern Jen
    Thanks for the concern Jen and Tommycat. He is alright. The symptoms are still there and have not improved. The thrombosis doctor said he will have to be on the blood thinners for two weeks before the symptoms start to dissipate. They are doing an ultrasound of both sides of his neck tomorrow or Thursday. We are hoping he will be able to go home by the weekend. He has given himself his first needle. It was a very dramatic event. He said it was easier than he thought it would be. (He breezes through surgeries and chemo etc, but very stressed at the thought of giving himself a needle. Go figure.). Anyhow, thanks again for your support. Hope all is well with you guys and all CSN members.

    Thanks

    Chelsea
  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #20
    jen2012 said:

    Hi chelsea....wondering how
    Hi chelsea....wondering how the night went. Been thinking of you guys.

    Thanks for the concern Jen
    Thanks for the concern Jen and Tommycat. He is alright. The symptoms are still there and have not improved. The thrombosis doctor said he will have to be on the blood thinners for two weeks before the symptoms start to dissipate. They are doing an ultrasound of both sides of his neck tomorrow or Thursday. We are hoping he will be able to go home by the weekend. He has given himself his first needle. It was a very dramatic event. He said it was easier than he thought it would be. (He breezes through surgeries and chemo etc, but very stressed at the thought of giving himself a needle. Go figure.). Anyhow, thanks again for your support. Hope all is well with you guys and all CSN members.

    Thanks

    Chelsea
  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #21
    jen2012 said:

    Hi chelsea....wondering how
    Hi chelsea....wondering how the night went. Been thinking of you guys.

    Thanks for the concern Jen
    Thanks for the concern Jen and Tommycat. He is alright. The symptoms are still there and have not improved. The thrombosis doctor said he will have to be on the blood thinners for two weeks before the symptoms start to dissipate. They are doing an ultrasound of both sides of his neck tomorrow or Thursday. We are hoping he will be able to go home by the weekend. He has given himself his first needle. It was a very dramatic event. He said it was easier than he thought it would be. (He breezes through surgeries and chemo etc, but very stressed at the thought of giving himself a needle. Go figure.). Anyhow, thanks again for your support. Hope all is well with you guys and all CSN members.

    Thanks

    Chelsea

Discussion Boards