Oxi is not my friend....

HollyID
HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
About 10 minutes into infusion today, Had a TERRIBLE reaction to the oxi. I've called it "Satan in a bag" for a while. Well, today it showed me it's powers. I got from infusion, got myself a few tissues for a runny nose and when I sat back down, it hit. I thought maybe I'd gotten up too fast, but noooooooooooo.... My face was red as a tomato, I could feel my heartbeat in my ears, stomach cramps, etc. I turned my IV pump off and called the chemo nurse. I had three of them surrounding me in a flash. They unhooked the IV line and then slapped normal saline on me to flush it through. No more oxaliplantin. Just 5-FU and leukovorin from now on.

I'm kinda depressed over it, if you can believe that. It's a helluva cancer killer and now I can't take it anymore. :o(
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Comments

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #2
    Holly
    Well you got through most of it before it reared its ugly head. George is now on 5FU and Leucovorin weekly adding Avastin every other week. He has no problems with this regimen.

    Sure I can believe your are depressed over it, it is like your "safety net" and now that is gone.

    Rest up and Take care - Tina
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #3
    Holly
    So sorry you had such a horrid reaction to oxi today.

    I understand completely being a little depressed over being taken off of "Satan"/oxi. I was taken off in February because of severe neuropathy and I actually cried. Like you said, it IS a helluva cancer killer and I guess I felt like my best chance had been taken away. My onc kept saying you are stage II...I am not going to let you be crippled for life trying to prevent something that might never happen.She had my port removed which also depressed me and she put me on Xeloda which I am finding out is a little demon in it's own right. ( just not as bad as oxi).

    Best wishes.
    -Pat
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #4
    how many left?
    Holly,

    How many treatments of the oxi were you supposed to still have left to get? I had an allergic reaction to it too- on my very first treatment of it. I was scared and bummed to think I couldn't get it. But, I was actually able to successfully take it another 9 times after that & stopped it on treatment #10. They gave me steroid pills to take 2 days beforehand each treatment & then they flushed me full of steroids and benadryl each treatment and stretched out the length of time I got the oxi over, so it'd go in me more slowly and they watched me very carefully after that. I was then fine for treatment #s 2-9. Time #10, even with all the steroids and benadryl, I did have another mild reaction, so they stopped it for good then. Just something worth mentioning to your onc.

    Take care & there's always Folfiri (main chemo is irinotecan (also called CPT-11 or Camptosar). It's pretty successful too- so don't despair.

    Hugs,
    Lisa
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #5
    Walking the Tight Rope
    Hi Holly

    That's a funny feeling, isn't it? You don't want it - but you really don't want to NOT have it - the irony with Oxy, huh?

    I agree, it is a cancer killer and has done its job with so many of us - some at a higher cost than others. It was always a fine line with me on when was it enough.

    Like Tina said, you obviously have had enough and it has done it's job - you threw the big stuff at it and you came away OK. Though, I'm sorry you had such a terrible reaction to it - must have been very alarming for you.

    And Tina also eluded to 5fu and the Leucovorin and Avastin...those are good weapons in your fight. You might also still be able to do do the CPT-11, Camptosar, Ironetecan to add to the 5fu and Leucovorin as well - Folfiri.

    You hang in there - glad you got to retire from the Oxy Club, before things got worse. You've earned a HUG today. ((HOLLY))

    -Craig
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #6
    Holly,
    I am sorry you had
    Holly,

    I am sorry you had this reaction to oxy; it is a helluva cancer killer but you are still on the other chemo + I think you have had most of your treatments, haven't you? I totally understand feeling upset; I am like that every time I have been delayed on chemo for low neutrophils.
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #7
    AnneCan said:

    Holly,
    I am sorry you had
    Holly,

    I am sorry you had this reaction to oxy; it is a helluva cancer killer but you are still on the other chemo + I think you have had most of your treatments, haven't you? I totally understand feeling upset; I am like that every time I have been delayed on chemo for low neutrophils.

    Holly
    Holly it probably sounds simplistic but I am a believer when it's oxy enough time then it's oxy done time. Sorry you had this reaction but soooo many people here have tripped up and fallen with oxy. You are still getting chemo and you will do well....keep going girl

    hugs
    mags
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    maglets said:

    Holly
    Holly it probably sounds simplistic but I am a believer when it's oxy enough time then it's oxy done time. Sorry you had this reaction but soooo many people here have tripped up and fallen with oxy. You are still getting chemo and you will do well....keep going girl

    hugs
    mags

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    #9
    lisa42 said:

    how many left?
    Holly,

    How many treatments of the oxi were you supposed to still have left to get? I had an allergic reaction to it too- on my very first treatment of it. I was scared and bummed to think I couldn't get it. But, I was actually able to successfully take it another 9 times after that & stopped it on treatment #10. They gave me steroid pills to take 2 days beforehand each treatment & then they flushed me full of steroids and benadryl each treatment and stretched out the length of time I got the oxi over, so it'd go in me more slowly and they watched me very carefully after that. I was then fine for treatment #s 2-9. Time #10, even with all the steroids and benadryl, I did have another mild reaction, so they stopped it for good then. Just something worth mentioning to your onc.

    Take care & there's always Folfiri (main chemo is irinotecan (also called CPT-11 or Camptosar). It's pretty successful too- so don't despair.

    Hugs,
    Lisa

    This was treatment #7, so I had six to go....
    I'm planning on talking to my onc next week so I can ask him about the benadryl and infusion times. If I could get to #8, I'd be OK with that.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #10
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Holly....Sorry bout the reaction...
    I did 10 and feel like that was plenty........gracie...opt for the oxi...do all you can to beat this crap...its over before you know it and well worth the aid it gives you in winning this battle...even if its just 2 or 3 sessions.....yeah, I was sick for a week but the second week was like a vacation. It was over before I knew it , although it is a rough treatment to most it is very very doable....and you can always say "no more"......Love and Hope to ya...Buzz
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Gracie
    Don't compare me to the other on the board. Some have done all 12 treatments without really having a lot of problems. I'm still going to talk to my onc and see if there isn't some way I can still benefit of it if they infuse over a longer period of time or see if they can't give loads of steroids/antihistamines to help it.

    They do watch you very closely. That can be assured. I was lucky to have 6 treatments. Even though I might not get through the other six, I still think I'll be OK. We'll have to see what the onc says.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #12
    Buzzard said:

    Holly....Sorry bout the reaction...
    I did 10 and feel like that was plenty........gracie...opt for the oxi...do all you can to beat this crap...its over before you know it and well worth the aid it gives you in winning this battle...even if its just 2 or 3 sessions.....yeah, I was sick for a week but the second week was like a vacation. It was over before I knew it , although it is a rough treatment to most it is very very doable....and you can always say "no more"......Love and Hope to ya...Buzz

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #13
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hi Graci,I want to let you
    Hi Graci,

    I want to let you know I wish all good thoughts tomorrow with the surgery; it sounds like you had very good results with the radiation + surgery - you can expect all good tomorrow too. Know that I am thinking of you, + looking forward to your post-sugical report when you are up to it. Take good care!
  • 5678dance
    5678dance Member Posts: 39
    #14
    HollyID said:

    Gracie
    Don't compare me to the other on the board. Some have done all 12 treatments without really having a lot of problems. I'm still going to talk to my onc and see if there isn't some way I can still benefit of it if they infuse over a longer period of time or see if they can't give loads of steroids/antihistamines to help it.

    They do watch you very closely. That can be assured. I was lucky to have 6 treatments. Even though I might not get through the other six, I still think I'll be OK. We'll have to see what the onc says.

    Just Switched
    from folfox to folfiri. The oxi was making my hands and feet much number, so I got taken off of it after 8 treatments. They always gave me steroids before the oxi, and still do before the folfiri.

    The oxi was not my friend either, but I got through most of it. Another tip that came on this discussion board was from Craig. You don't mention if you had issues with your mouth & throat, but I did. room temperature was even too cold for me. Craig recommended I try Magnesium Sulphate with the oxi. I was glad I did, as it let me drink whatever I wanted when I got home. My onc nurse had just ordered calcium to go with it, and my onc switched me to the folfori.

    The onc nurse had said the makers of oxi, upon finding out that people were using the magnesium sulphate, sent out a notice not to use it. Then they did their own studies, and found it was OK. Most chemo labs never went back to it, so you will have to ask. My insurance covered it.

    I do have good news about my switch to folfiri! I was dreading the diarreah that was promised along with it. I had my treatment yesterday, and so far, so good! Maybe I will miss out on it this time. Only 3 more treatments to go, as yesterday was 9 of 12!
  • thready
    thready Member Posts: 474
    #15
    Same reaction
    Holly,
    I had the same reaction during my 10th treatment. I finish up my 5fu-leucovorin tomorrow. I am just glad you are o.k. now.
    Take care
    Jan
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #16
    Holly
    You are a trouper, you've have gone through enough of oxi, just your bodies way of saying can't take it anymore, so need a break. It might be the big daddy but there are other big guns out there, you'll be ok hugs. Sonia
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    #17
    oxi is no one's friend
    it hates us as much as it hates cancer
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #18
    Sonia32 said:

    Holly
    You are a trouper, you've have gone through enough of oxi, just your bodies way of saying can't take it anymore, so need a break. It might be the big daddy but there are other big guns out there, you'll be ok hugs. Sonia

    I just hope the oxi hurt the cancer
    more than it did me!!!!! The "Evil O"........steve
  • Hovea
    Hovea Member Posts: 15
    #19
    coloCan said:

    I just hope the oxi hurt the cancer
    more than it did me!!!!! The "Evil O"........steve

    FOLLOW UP ON SIDE EFFECT OXI
    Steve.. would ap. hearing direct from you if possible re. the chattering teeth episode. Thankfully my onc. took me off the Ox and last cycle completely free of side effects - first time in 7 cycles. I am still seeking contact with anyone who has experienced this phenomenom.
  • Hovea
    Hovea Member Posts: 15
    #20
    SIDE EFFECTS OF OXI
    Hello HollyID. Sorry to hear of your experience but will add to the list of people who have really suffered from the side effects of Oxi. I have appendix c. stage 1V and had 7 cycles of chemo. First time Ok but ended up in hosp after next 3 cycles. Had a variety of weird and wonderful s/e's inc. one onc. brushing me off as psychotic. Changed onc's and cycle 6 added Avistan - too much for my system and developed 'chattering teeth'. Cycle 7 onc. took me completely off the Oxi and that had been the culprit all along; though my surgeon said maybe the Ox. did help to keep the cancer from spreading as I am now doing very well. You are not the only one in the world, Holly, so speak up for yourself and ASK QUESTIONS.
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #21
    Oxi
    I've had oxi too and Satan in a bag is the perfect way to describe it. That stuff left me bed ridden for five days at a time. I could feel that crap oozing out of my pores. It left a film in my mouth that was disgusting and everything that came out of me seemed like I was excreting toxic slime. To quote the mom in the movie water boy " OXI IS THE DEBIL!!! "

    Eric

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