speech and mouth muscles

FlorenceDaphne
FlorenceDaphne Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, My mom has stage 4 colon cancer metastizied to the lung with 9 small lesions. She was on xeloda Jan.-July. She starts Folfox first of October. She has had some of the side effects. Her speech is blurred sometimes, and it looks like her mouth muscles arnt working right. Her top lip is hanging over her bottom and she breaths differently. The Dr. said it was all the medication she is on, but she has been off for 2 months now and it seems to be getting worse. Does anybody know what this is?
I appreciate any information. This is my first time on this website. My mom is moving in with me so I would like some knowledge on whats to come.

Thankyou Connie

Comments

  • Lifeisajourney
    Lifeisajourney Member Posts: 216
    folfox
    I had folfox and after 7 of 12 they took me off. I had slurred speech, falling, lip trembled and other neuro problems my mri even showed problems. No exp with xeloda, but would suggest before she start folfox her onc be aware of issues. They did a spinal tap to be sure everything was ok, and I did get better after stopping, but I still have neuro problems so be aware that folfox can create neuro issues also. Just a FYI. Pat
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    speech pathologist
    No, I can't tell what the problem with your mom's speech is. I would expect in these circumstances that your Dr. would refer your mom to a speech pathologist for evaluation and perhaps therapy.

    --Greg
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Hi
    I don't know the answer, but I just want to welcome you and tell you that I'm sorry about your mom.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • ktlcs
    ktlcs Member Posts: 358
    tootsie1 said:

    Hi
    I don't know the answer, but I just want to welcome you and tell you that I'm sorry about your mom.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Welcome
    and sorry to hear about your Mom, you've come to a good place, you'll find a lot of comfort here, some good advise and maybe even a laugh or two.

    Now to your question, my husband was on Xeloda and did not experience any of the side effects you are describing nor were they, if I remember correctly, normal side effects of the drug. Is this her only medication? Maybe there is an intraction with another med that is causing these symptoms. In any event, I would consider having a neurologist see her just to be on the cautious side.

    Best Wishes to you and Mom

    Kathy
  • ktlcs said:

    Welcome
    and sorry to hear about your Mom, you've come to a good place, you'll find a lot of comfort here, some good advise and maybe even a laugh or two.

    Now to your question, my husband was on Xeloda and did not experience any of the side effects you are describing nor were they, if I remember correctly, normal side effects of the drug. Is this her only medication? Maybe there is an intraction with another med that is causing these symptoms. In any event, I would consider having a neurologist see her just to be on the cautious side.

    Best Wishes to you and Mom

    Kathy

    Well....
    My Mom didn't take Xeloda, but did 5FU. She had to have lowered doses during infusion due to neuro issues. She also had lots of difficulty with her potassium levels while on chemo. She had slurred speech, difficulty eating- she was gagging when small bolus of food was in her mouth, and she said it felt like her lips were numb.
    It wouldn't hurt to check labs and I second the Speech Path idea as well.

    Keep us posted

    Susan
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Doubt it's Xeloda
    Pretty sure it isn't the Xeloda causing those side effects, at least I haven't heard of them, and I've been on Xeloda for 7 months now.

    I'm thinking here, perhaps she should be sent to a nuero specialists to be on the safe side, you might want to ask the onc to show you the side effects list that show the problems your mother is exhibiting and ask how common those side effects are exhibited in Xeloda (according to my paperwork, it isn't). What OTHER medications has she been on?

    As for you wishing to have some knowledge of what's to come, ask any questions, there are many of us stage IV colon cancer with mets on this board.

    What is your mother's age?

    Winter Marie
  • vhtqm1
    vhtqm1 Member Posts: 107
    pursue this further

    never have read and or experienced an any way slurred and or unrecognizable speech during treatment with xeloda. i would pursue this further and not to be thinking negative but just trying to open the possibilities of something else to look for may be a minor stroke? please get this checked.

    ed