5-FU and in combination Levoleucovorin

Teresa0287
Teresa0287 Member Posts: 16 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

hello, has anyone here had these medications for 6mo treatment? Any tips or pointers?

Comments

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    #2
    Folfox

    I am on folfox right now, those 2 drugs plus oxilaplatin.

    It takes me about 5,6 days to recover, after infusion, therapy is every 2 weeks, not very many issuess, sensitive to cold, thats oxilaplatin, low energy, thats 5fu and oxilaplatin combined, but still manage to walk twice a day, average 45 min., than fall asleep, appetite is good, no nausea, they give me before infusion dexamethasone and zofran pills to prevent nausea, and it works.

    Good luck to you!

     

  • Woodytele
    Woodytele Member Posts: 163
    #3
    Same boat with mozart

    i have the same experience as Mozart, recovering from fatigue takes a while,  i think you are better off walking or excercising as much as you can, it helps in a number of ways. 

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    edited May 2017 #4
    We're all have the same

    We're all have the same experience as we sounds like have the same drugs. I always make sure I have my gloves sticked on the fridge for easy reach. I had pair of gloves with magnets. My hands get so sensitive on cold stuff, then get numbed. Be careful on handling anything cold. Check your port surroundings for any bruise or things like it. I recently had an issue with the bruise around the port all the way to my armpit. It was painful for 46 hours. I didn't know I had massive bruise from the infusion, the needle slightly moved while the nurse taped the needle securely to my skin! You will know it 'cause it is painful!

  • Teresa0287
    Teresa0287 Member Posts: 16 Member
    edited May 2017 #5
    wow thank you so much for the

    wow thank you so much for the information!! do you think it makes a difference what stage you are or your CEA levels before treatments start? is everyone getting the 6month duration also? (2 days a week of home infusion for 6 months) I am not sure if the oxiplatin is included i will ask tomorrow, is that the only one that causes the cold intolerance? thank you again so much for your replies!!

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #6
    Teresa0287 said:

    wow thank you so much for the

    wow thank you so much for the information!! do you think it makes a difference what stage you are or your CEA levels before treatments start? is everyone getting the 6month duration also? (2 days a week of home infusion for 6 months) I am not sure if the oxiplatin is included i will ask tomorrow, is that the only one that causes the cold intolerance? thank you again so much for your replies!!

    Oxi

    The Oxaliplatin is administered by infusion at the chemo center.  And yes, I think that its the Oxi that causes the cold sensation, as well as the jolting sensation when you eat (and a 100 other side effects). 

    The 5FU comes with its own set of side effects. Everyone is different, so I wish you the best. 

    I was on 5FU pump for 2 days after my Oxi infusions for six months; and then 24/7 for six weeks during radiation. Being hooked up everyday for six weeks was not as bad as I had anticitpated. In a way, it was better than the 42 hour deal. 

    Good luck as you head into this journey. 

    TRU

  • zx10guy
    zx10guy Member Posts: 273 Member
    edited May 2017 #7
    Leucovorin is a folic acid

    Leucovorin is a folic acid which from what I remember is used to enhance the effective time 5FU is active in your body.  It's used when receiving the bolus shot of 5FU in the clinic.  When my oncologist pulled 5FU bolus shot due to how my blood counts were presenting, he pulled Leucovorin as it wasn't needed at that point.  When I went through chemo treatment back in 2013, there was a shortage of Leucovorin which I was concerned about.  Fortunately, I was able to get it when I needed it during my treatment.

  • Cindy225
    Cindy225 Member Posts: 172 Member
    edited May 2017 #8
    5-FU and Oxaliplatin Chemo Side Effects

    Agree we all are experiencing similar side effects.  I'm on my 10th treatment 2 more to go.  In addition to what everyone else shared I've also had nose bleeds in the AM and PM, hair thinning, stiffness in hands that make buttoning and fine motor skills very challenging.  No knife cutting for me! Eek! The other side effect from the neuropathy which I didn't expect was balance issues.  I trip, fall and bang into things which my onc said was related so I am very focused when I walk/run. Fortunately, the "chill days" after the infusions have only lasted two days which include the weekend so I binge watch/catch up on shows then back at it again.  Hang in there!  

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    #9
    I am also on 6 months

    Just like you, Teresa, I am on 6 months therapy, 12 sessions on FOLFOX. I have stage IIIc. Tomorrow is my 3rd infusion, it should had been done last Friday but due to a massive bruise along my port all the way down by my armpit the oncologist cancelled the scheds and moved it to the next Friday which will be tomorrow. Are you on your second treatment? 

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    #10
    Very Common Cocktail

    FOLFOX is one of the common combinations for Colon Cancer, and it was my drink of choice for 6 months, not that I drank it Laughing

    I wrote a bit about this in this thread:

    https://csn.cancer.org/node/309103

    Also if you click on my profile, I wrote as I was going through it.  Will try to get back a bit later, need to get ready for something I need to do shortly, but wanted to reply with some things that could help

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