1st FOLFOX treatment & im miserable

H

Welcome to the boards, though I am sorry you are here. I have had various forms of chemo, including FOLFOX and FOLFORI (both FOLFOX and FOLFORI use 5FU). Some things that worked for me for reducing the side effects were:

1.). The doctor dialed back the amount of the drug. There is often some leeway in there, with not much difference in the effect. In other words reducing a bit will still work to deal with the cancer. So have 10 oz instead of 12 oz comes out with the same result, but could help. (Note that I am just throwing numbers out, not actual doses.)

2.). Have the infusion rate slowed down. When I was on FOLFORI it took a few sessions to get it right. If they infused me too fast I experienced the side effects a lot more.

3.). Have the doctor add more premeds on board during your infusion - there are anti nausea meds and steroids (pretty sure I had steroids) which can help reduce the effects. (About the time of the disconnect is where some of those on board medicines start leaving your system.)

4.) Start taking the Zofran ahead of time if you see a pattern. If the nausea is starting after disconnect, but you are okay before then, start taking the Zofran before you start feeling sick. It is better to be ahead of the game, then to play catch-up.

You are starting to get used to all of this, and hopefully it gets better. For most of my chemo, and side effects, I would get them once early on, then not again. A couple of were a bit more. Fortunately I only vomited once from chemo - though I would be queasy during the first week of the two week cycle. Most of the time some crackers, tea/ginger ale took care of things. I do recall using Zofran more often towards my first FOLFOX treatment than towards the end.

If you are throwing up allot, I would be talking to my Oncologist, and like New Here said, he may adjust the dosage on your second round.

Chemo isn't a walk in the park, and sadly, the side effects can accumulate with each round; but excessive vomiting and diarrhoea can cause dehydration and you don't want to go that route, as it will land you in the ER.

I hope that things get sorted for you, and the rest of your treatment is bearable.

Keep us posted.

Tru

FolFox is basically 5FU and Oxaliplatin.

The 5FU is not to bad.

I was told in 2009 I had stage 4 colan cancer

Dave

The only thing i can say is watch your diet. I know at time had 5FU and Oxaliplatin My wife was on Nutersystem and I eat her food.

I Had few problems other that being tired and hands and feet num

Hope that helps.

Dave

I also had my first round of FOLFOX a week ago, had some weird side effects of facial muscles "cramping"—no pain like an actual cramp, just tightening of the muscles in my lower eyelids and lips. This seemed to pass w/pushing fluids and eating. Nausea/vomiting wasn't an issue, but the steroid I was prescribed to help with N/V (dexamethasone) was causing some heavy-duty heartburn by the second day.

All in all, I feel lucky to have gotten off so easily this time around, am feeling well other than tired right now. I do understand that the effects can be cumulative and I appreciate the info mentioned above about what can be done to mitigate side effects if they get severe. I'm also hoping to work through chemo, as I am the only income in my household and need both the paycheck and the health insurance from being employed.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, all.