First day of chemo

judman92
judman92 Member Posts: 31
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I just had my first day of chemo the only side effect which was almost immediate was the neuropathy. Is there any medication they can give to make that better?

Comments

  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #2
    Neuropathy
    Hi: See my post in response to someone else with this problem. I, too, am on oxaliplatin plus irenotecan and 5fu. I had an immediate response to the oxaliplatin as you did. The oncologist reduced the amount of oxaliplatin by 40% and lengthened the infusion rate (my treatment is 5 hrs) for the second treatment. As well, it was recommended that I take 5 grams/day of L-Glutamine (an amino acid used in the treatment of fibromyelgia as well as for muscle building), plus Vit B6, Calcium/Magnesium, and Alpha Liloic Acid. Since I've been doing all that (I just finished by 6th treatment) I've not had a problem - can even drink cold drinks and eat ice cream! I don't think there is a prescription for neuropathy although I have heard that this is a common side effect in the treatment of lymphoma and they get a prescription for it.
    Good luck and hope this helps!
    Cheryl
  • Connie43
    Connie43 Member Posts: 44
    #3
    neuropathy
    I had that as soon as I got home from my first treatment. I tried to make lunch and couldn't touch anything in the fridge or freezer. My solution was to tell my husband, honey you have to make lunch ALL BY YOURSELF!!!!!!! If you don't have that option, try taking a deep breath, and say, ITS ONLY TEMPORARY.
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    #4
    Connie43 said:

    neuropathy
    I had that as soon as I got home from my first treatment. I tried to make lunch and couldn't touch anything in the fridge or freezer. My solution was to tell my husband, honey you have to make lunch ALL BY YOURSELF!!!!!!! If you don't have that option, try taking a deep breath, and say, ITS ONLY TEMPORARY.

    Hang on & stay away from
    Hang on & stay away from cold stuff!
    Sad to say numbness hands/feet will linger on..,Been done with chemo since early Apr and still cant feel my hands or feet! Taking b12 but nothing seems to work.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #5
    Neuropathy
    Let your doctor know about this as in most cases it gets worse. They might be able to reduce it or give you something to help it. Taking B6 helped some. Good luck.

    Kim
  • amy_4314
    amy_4314 Member Posts: 7
    #6
    calcium/magnesium infusion
    One thing you can ask your oncologist about is obtaining a calcium/magnesium infusion along with the oxaliplatin. Here is a post on the topic from fightcolorectalcancer.org -

    http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/research_news/2010/11/calcium_and_magnesium_safely_reduce_oxaliplatin_side_effects
  • judman92
    judman92 Member Posts: 31
    #7
    westie66 said:

    Neuropathy
    Hi: See my post in response to someone else with this problem. I, too, am on oxaliplatin plus irenotecan and 5fu. I had an immediate response to the oxaliplatin as you did. The oncologist reduced the amount of oxaliplatin by 40% and lengthened the infusion rate (my treatment is 5 hrs) for the second treatment. As well, it was recommended that I take 5 grams/day of L-Glutamine (an amino acid used in the treatment of fibromyelgia as well as for muscle building), plus Vit B6, Calcium/Magnesium, and Alpha Liloic Acid. Since I've been doing all that (I just finished by 6th treatment) I've not had a problem - can even drink cold drinks and eat ice cream! I don't think there is a prescription for neuropathy although I have heard that this is a common side effect in the treatment of lymphoma and they get a prescription for it.
    Good luck and hope this helps!
    Cheryl

    Neuropat\hy
    My treatments are long as well I am usually there 5 1/2 hrs. I did talk to my Dr. about doing something to reduce the neuropathy and he is going to try something different this next Wednesday when I go back. I have a really good Dr that is willing to listen and try different things to make them work better. Thank for the advice.
  • judman92
    judman92 Member Posts: 31
    #8
    amy_4314 said:

    calcium/magnesium infusion
    One thing you can ask your oncologist about is obtaining a calcium/magnesium infusion along with the oxaliplatin. Here is a post on the topic from fightcolorectalcancer.org -

    http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/research_news/2010/11/calcium_and_magnesium_safely_reduce_oxaliplatin_side_effects

    cakcium/magnesium
    Thanks for the info I will ask him about it prior to treatment next week.

Discussion Boards