Anyone have folfiri - when did you have treatment break?

I would imagine it would be decided what your scans show, where the cancer was ect.  My husband is on folfiri now, before it was folfox.  He just finished his 38th continual treatment (1 1/2 yrs).  His Dr. told him even tho the chemo is working and no cancer is showing up he cannot stop.  He said the cancer would come back if he did.  He is stage 4.  My husband would love to take a break from this too!  Good luck!

I just had my first break from folfiri at it was when I should have had #17 treatment.  I am switching to Xeloda.  I have been taken off the IRI part back at #13 because I responded so well to treaments.  They tell me I will never be off the stuff either.  The pusher for the break was my anemia was draining all my energy.  All I did was sleep and work.  I couldn't do anything more.  I am doing better now that they have the anemia temporarily under control.  Plus I am doing acupuncture to help with that and I can feel a difference which is nice.

My break was just one treatment.  And next treatment day I am moving over to Xeloda to see if that helps.  I just hate wearing that pump and because my treatment is over a weekend, I am losing every other weekend.  And that STINKS.  So I want my weekends back for a better quality of life.  I am hoping I iwll have less fatigue on the first week and can start riding horses more, again. 

Bellen said:

Vtspa - folfiri break

Hello vtspa - I have CRC with multiple liver mets. I had a scan at #6 - said numerous lesions still, but marked reduction.  Having scan after 12 (soon).  

Where are his mets? Is his chemo biweekly - some have extended to every 3 wks after a while.  My Onco is saying I could have a break soon - not sure how long he means. Does your husband have any specific side effects from the chemo cocktail?  And how is he handling them?  And is he having the full folfiri cocktail?  I also have avastin at the beginning of treatment and the 5fu bottle for two days following, so really it's every 12 days.

 I also have been having neupogen shots for low WBC, so this aggravates the side effects with spinal, sternum bone bone, crappy feeling in stomach.  Using tylenol, but thinking of trying claritin.  Not sure what other issues are related to the shots, as the chemo cocktail has so many side effects on its own, as you know, so don't know where to place the "blame".  Not that I can't handle everything, but lots of ups and downs, and don't know how will feel day to day.  Been out of breath more lately for few days (last few treatments - said platelets are low).  Wondering if even one treatment date delay would make a world of diff on tumour growth, as even that would be a nice little break for now.  I did have one wk delay when my WBC was too low early on, and I know some have to delay due to illness, mouth sores, WBC counts, Etc.  Wishing best wishes to your husband, and thank you for responding.  

His mets were in his lungs, he had 30 spots in all lobes and some lymphnodes.  That is why he could not have any surgury.  The chemo has gotten rid of the tumor in his colon/rectum and all the spots in his lungs except a small spot is still there.  His lymphnodes are clear.  The Dr said it was an agressive cancer and he does not want him to take a break.  He gets the chemo every other week, after the infusion he brings home the pump.  He got nerothopy in his feet, hands, & mouth.  Other side effects are lightheadeness, no taste, and just wears out fast.  If he does anything real physical he is sore for days so he has stopped that.  Anyways, our life is chemo week and not chemo week!  What fun!