Could allergy symptoms be a chemo side effect?

Chelsea71
Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband, Steve, goes for #6 Folfiri with Avastin tomorrow. Lately he's been experiencing watery eyes, sneezing and a puffy face. He is an allergy sufferer but the only time has had allergies this time of year was last year, when he was on Folfiri with Avastin. A pattern is emerging. I will inquire about this at the hospital tomorrow but meanwhile I'm wondering if anybody out there has had this problem. Would it do any good for him to take allergy meds?

Thanks

Chelsea

Comments

  • biglaur
    biglaur Member Posts: 72 Member
    #2
    I suffer

    Sorry to hear your husband is suffering...I thought I was the only one who had this...no one ever seems to complain about it.  I'm 4 years FROM treatment...and still...the minute I walk onto the golf course (grass) my eyes tear up and my nose runs...It's so annoying.  I used to have mild seasonal allergies a long time ago...but ever since chemo (11 rounds of Folfox/Avastin/Clinical Trial drug) I have to carry kleenex wherever I go...am constantly nose blowing and "crying".  I've tried OTC allergy meds as well as perscription...nothing works.  I know...in the scheme of things being NED all this time having a runny nose is a small price to pay...but it's still annoying. Yell

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #3
    biglaur said:

    I suffer

    Sorry to hear your husband is suffering...I thought I was the only one who had this...no one ever seems to complain about it.  I'm 4 years FROM treatment...and still...the minute I walk onto the golf course (grass) my eyes tear up and my nose runs...It's so annoying.  I used to have mild seasonal allergies a long time ago...but ever since chemo (11 rounds of Folfox/Avastin/Clinical Trial drug) I have to carry kleenex wherever I go...am constantly nose blowing and "crying".  I've tried OTC allergy meds as well as perscription...nothing works.  I know...in the scheme of things being NED all this time having a runny nose is a small price to pay...but it's still annoying. Yell

    That is so great that your
    That is so great that your Ned after all that time! We are at the hospital now and I just asked the nurse. She said it is a side effect from the 5FU. She said it is not one of the more common effects but they do see if from time to time. Steve finds the OTC meds don't help him either. Thanks for the response.

    Chelsea
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #4
    Chelsea

    The way I heard it was that the 5fu "shrinks" the tear ducts...and therefore, the overflow.  Nose used to run all the time...couldn't even take a bite to eat without a mess.  And it was messy.

    My eyes don't tear as much anymore, but I don't think they stretch back to the original manufacturer's specs...but maybe some.  Still took Zyrtec D for allergy, but don't know to any real degree how effective or not it was during treatment.

    -c

  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #5
    It's the 5FU

    5FU affects all moist / mucosal areas including gums, soft pallet, nose, eyes, throat, colon, female parts.  

     

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

    It's the 5FU

    5FU affects all moist / mucosal areas including gums, soft pallet, nose, eyes, throat, colon, female parts.  

     

    Thanks for the information,
    Thanks for the information, Craig and PatchAdams. It's very interesting about the tear ducts shrinking. I have not come across that in any of the research I've done on his chemo's. It makes sense, though. It looks like fluid is building up under his eyes. He took some OTC allergy meds this aft. I don't think they are working as his face looks like it's ready to explode. At least it's not causing him any pain or discomfort.

    Thanks again,

    Chelsea

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