Folfox - Finished 8 of 12 - Its getting tougher !

meg724
meg724 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My father finished his 8th Folfox treatment of 12 about 2 weeks. With the 8th treatment things have really gotten tough. It seems as though he has barely recovered and is due for #9 (assuming his counts are ok). He did really well with 1 thru 7, just some fatigue and loss of appetite for approx. 5 days after. With treatment #8 there has been almost no recovery - major fatigue, can barely eat, diarrhea, dry mouth, etc. Can't imagine how he'll get thru the next 4 treatments? I'm wondering - is this typical? Is there anything we can do other than to push fluids to move the chemo thru faster? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    I'm sorry to hear your father is having such a tough time at the moment. I was on FOLFOX myself -- finished in December. I hate to say it, but things started getting much tougher for me after about #8. And, in the end, I only completed 11 out of 12. I would talk with his doctor and/or nurses and other staff and see if you can get specific treatment or advice for each of the troubling symptoms he is having (dry mouth, diarrhea) -- are there other things they can try? Not being able to eat is a concern -- is there anything he can tolerate? Is it related to nausea? If so, can he try a different anti-nausea medication? Finally, even if his counts are OK, might he want to consider delaying the next treatment (and possibly subsequent treatments) by a week or so, just to give him a little longer to recover. I had a number of delays due to low white blood cell counts and my oncologist told me that research had shown that delays up to 2 (or was it 3?) weeks in any cycle don't affect the effectiveness of the treatment.....I wish him all the best. Take care of yourself.
    Tara
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    Hi Meg - So sorry to hear that your dad is having a harder time on FolFox. I made it through seven without too much discomfort (although it took the first three to settle into the correct anti-nausea drugs). I could only make it through nine of 12. My body really started reacting poorly - even through the pretreatment drugs. I do not know if you have looked at all of your father's bloodwork or if you have discussed lowering the dosages to allow him to continue. I would speak with his doc frankly about the level of fatigue, etc., and come to a collaborative end....Make sure that your doc takes you and your dad's care very seriously. I know that chemo is meant to help all of us - but there are limits to what a body can withstand and I am sure you are trying to weigh things in you rmind; I am also sure your father is very appreciative of your care and concern. All the best and I hope you receive some good info from the doc and that you are able to watch your dad very closely. Take care - Maura
  • sam991
    sam991 Member Posts: 16
    Make sure the onc is aware of the detail of the side effects. Don't let your dad just tough it out without a consideration of any options. All the best.

    Colin
  • dash4
    dash4 Member Posts: 303 Member
    Hi,
    Sorry to hear about your dad. I am a caregiver for my husband and a dental hygienist, so I am sensitive to the oral side effects. Is your dad doing anything for his dry mouth? Biotene products are great. There is a mouthwash--NO alcohol in it like many others which make the dry mouth worse. There is a toothpaste--it does not "Bubble" like other toothpastes, but that bubbly effect also dries out your mouth. Plus if he wants gum--get Biotene or any brand with xylitol-it replaces the anti-bacterial effect you lose without your saliva. And Biotene has Oral Balance--it is a saliva substitute--it can be used as much as needed-take a little and swish around and swallow--aids in eating and great before bed. Plus he could also use a Colgate fluoride prescription called Prevident 5000 Booster. It also helps strengthen the teeth to prevent decay problems from the dry mouth. Well, I told you I take it seriously. My husband had 7 months of 5FU and is now with erbitux and irinotecan. These products have worked great for him and alleveiated problems we hear about others having. Any other questions-let me know. Good luck to your dad.
    Dash
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    dash4 said:

    Hi,
    Sorry to hear about your dad. I am a caregiver for my husband and a dental hygienist, so I am sensitive to the oral side effects. Is your dad doing anything for his dry mouth? Biotene products are great. There is a mouthwash--NO alcohol in it like many others which make the dry mouth worse. There is a toothpaste--it does not "Bubble" like other toothpastes, but that bubbly effect also dries out your mouth. Plus if he wants gum--get Biotene or any brand with xylitol-it replaces the anti-bacterial effect you lose without your saliva. And Biotene has Oral Balance--it is a saliva substitute--it can be used as much as needed-take a little and swish around and swallow--aids in eating and great before bed. Plus he could also use a Colgate fluoride prescription called Prevident 5000 Booster. It also helps strengthen the teeth to prevent decay problems from the dry mouth. Well, I told you I take it seriously. My husband had 7 months of 5FU and is now with erbitux and irinotecan. These products have worked great for him and alleveiated problems we hear about others having. Any other questions-let me know. Good luck to your dad.
    Dash

    Hi Meg...a small suggestion for nausea and the dry mouth. I used to drink ginger ale. The trick is to open the bottle and let it go "flat" ie; release all the fizz. It was very beneficial in helping to stave off the nausea feeling and also very refreshing.
    Ross and Jen
  • meg724
    meg724 Member Posts: 5
    kangatoo said:

    Hi Meg...a small suggestion for nausea and the dry mouth. I used to drink ginger ale. The trick is to open the bottle and let it go "flat" ie; release all the fizz. It was very beneficial in helping to stave off the nausea feeling and also very refreshing.
    Ross and Jen

    Thank you all so much - this message board has been an incredible resource. We have already tried your suggestions - these are the things that Dr's. either don't know about, or don't have time to share. I don't feel quite so alone in this battle. Thank you all for sharing!