Happy! (I think.....)

IzzieCat
IzzieCat Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
A little history....was diagnosed with colon cancer, stage 3, 3 pos. lymph nodes, no spread anywhere else, in March. Had surgery to remove the tumor, and 12 inches of my colon. No colostomy.....Anyway, I've been on chemo since april, 5FU/leucovorin. I have other health issues, Type 1 diabetes, and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. My onc. started me off at 60% of the dose I needed, did that for 6 weeks, and then after a break, bumped me up to 75% for 3 weeks, and then up to 100%. I am in my second chemo break right now. Haven't had too many side effects, a little nausea, very tired, and my hair is thinning out like crazy...(I hate that!) Blood work has looked great through out....Anyway, at my appointment with my oncologist yesterday, he asked me how I've been doing on the 100% dose. I told him that it's not been too bad, but I do get very tired 3-4 days after the infusion, and that my hair is really thinning out.....then, to my surprise, he said he was dropping me back down to the 75% dose! I asked him if it would mess things up, or not work as well, and he said No. I was so dumb founded, that I didn't ask him WHY he wanted to drop me back. He did tell me that he thought I was tolerating this VERY well, and seemed very pleased. Now, silly me, I'm worried that the lower dose will not be as effective.....am I crazy? He did ask if my joints were hurting, and they are, from the Rheumatoid Arthritis I have (part of the MCTD) Do you think maybe that had something to do with it? Can chemo make joint pain worse?

Mary ;-)

Comments

  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
    Mary -

    I strongly suggest you ask your oncologist for his reasoning. But, it is true that some forms of chemotherapy can cause joint pain - I actually didn't think that side effect was as typical of colon cancer drugs as some others, but I don't really know.

    Call and leave a message to have him call you - this is not worth stressing over. And chemo dosages can be varied and the chemo still be effective. But you should not spend any more time than necessary wondering why your doc lowered your dose.

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #3
    Mary -

    Just a couple of thoughts:

    1. Yes. Chemo can cause arthritis or aggrivate existing conditions. I have been on Celebrex or a similar pill since I completed chemo and experienced arthritis as a side-effect. Good news is that these drugs also seem to inhibit recurrence of the cancer.

    2. Depending on how big or small your frame is, you may be getting all the chemo your doc thinks you need.

    3. Remember that chemo meds build-up in your system so even though you may be at 75% now, you still have a pretty good load already on board.

    If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor about them. Ask him point-blank, "Why did you lower my dosage?" if you don't like that, ask him if he will bump it back up. Remember - s/he works for YOU, not the other way around!

    Glad to know you are doing well and tolerating your chemo!

    - SpongeBob
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    spongebob said:

    Mary -

    Just a couple of thoughts:

    1. Yes. Chemo can cause arthritis or aggrivate existing conditions. I have been on Celebrex or a similar pill since I completed chemo and experienced arthritis as a side-effect. Good news is that these drugs also seem to inhibit recurrence of the cancer.

    2. Depending on how big or small your frame is, you may be getting all the chemo your doc thinks you need.

    3. Remember that chemo meds build-up in your system so even though you may be at 75% now, you still have a pretty good load already on board.

    If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor about them. Ask him point-blank, "Why did you lower my dosage?" if you don't like that, ask him if he will bump it back up. Remember - s/he works for YOU, not the other way around!

    Glad to know you are doing well and tolerating your chemo!

    - SpongeBob

    My dad is so wise! Chemo is so subjective...dependent on white cell counts, red cell counts, patient tolerance in general.
    I also micro-managed my treatment....even down to asking to see the 'magic elixer' bottles for their pull dates....just ask, nothing to stress over.

    Hugs that you are feeling better!

    Hugs to my brave dad, too...one of the semi-colon originals!

    Kathi

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