Yesterday I started my second cycle of Folfox Chemotherapy (Oxaliplatin and 5FU) and I also had two units of blood transfused to boost my very low blood count. Today I feel wonderful. I have had no nausea (as yet) and although tired, have much more energy than last week (must be the new blood). The only side effect I seem to be feeling apart from tiredness is a sensitivity to cold drinks and a slight tingling in my fingertips.
I was extremely nervous about having my first chemo cycle but I think it went rather well. I did have 2 days of nausea, sore gums and a tiredness which seemed to hit me every afternoon. Food and drink also tasted awful for a few days which made me reluctant to eat.
From reading the posts on this site, Oxaliplatin seems to be the drug that everyone hates. The Oncology nurses tell me that everyone experiences the drug's side effects differently. Some people sail through it while others have to stop the Oxaliplatin before the 12 cycles are up.
What are people's experience of this drug? Does its side effects creep up gradually or does it hit you all at once.
Cheers
Stacey
FormerMember
Stacey I had my first cycle of oxaliplatin and capecitabine -I think that is 5FU- 3 weeks ago and I'm just about due for the next go.I had virtually no side effects except a fuzzy head on the day of the infusion and nausea once or twice.I'm still working and was able to continue.My problem is that I am terrified of the hospital and I'm not sure if I will go back next week. How did you have the oxaliplatin? I just had an infusion through a cannula which I hated. The drugs were no problem. I think if I'd had the side effects as well I would not be doing any more. It will be interesting to see what other people are experiencing.
I go into hospital to have the oxaliplatin through an infusion into my port-a-cath and the 5FU (fluorouracil) is administered over 48 hours through a portable pump that I carry around with me. The oxaliplatin infusion takes about 2 hours to complete and then the nurses connect up my 5FU pump bottle. After 2 days, I go back to hospital to have the 5FU bottle disconnected from my port.
I have found that the nausea and tiredness was worse on Day 4 of my Chemo cycle. From Day 6 onwards, I felt okay again. I am still on sick leave for another month but when I resume work, it will probably be part-time. I am planning to take the first week of each chemo cycle off and work the second week. I guess it will depend on how the future chemo goes.
I hope your treatment goes well. Hospitals can be very intimidating places but try not to be scared. Just focus on getting yourself well. When you become familiar with your oncology unit and get to know some of the nurses, it does become easier.
Thanks for your reply.Why do you have a port a cath? Did you opt for it? i would have been too scared but they just said a cannula will do so thats OK by me. The capecitabine is tablets (it is obviously not 5FU) so I suppose I am getting off lightly.
Stacey I am not just intimidated but phobic about hospitals, I couldn't even make it to the oncology unit. I find it extremely difficult to enter the hospital so they have a day surgery room for me just inside the door so I can still see the outside. I only have one nurse and she is the same one each time. The oncologist phoned me yesterday to be encouraging but he said that if I really find it too difficult ( he knows how bad it was last time)I can choose to have the oxi at home or I can do it with just the tabs. However he did say that it is worth using the oxi as it is excellent and my disease has already spread to the liver and lung. I didn't have symptoms until October.i am 61 and I feel for you being so young but if it hasn't spread you have a very good chance of a cure.You've had the worst-surgery- heaven knows how I am going to deal with that !!
However, I've got the second chemo 2morrow and I feel that I can do it , not sure that I would want it at home, thats a safe place. i have to take the best option if I can as my chances of a cure are not good. I will let you know how it goes.
I had the chemo and I feel fine. It was OK but they sent a doc in and he was not nice so I asked him to go and he did. We managed without him. So just tabs for 2 weeks and then a rest week. Hope you are getting on Ok
I got the port-a-cath inserted since I have to carry around the 5FU pump bottle for 2 days. The bottle is connected right into my port. I didn't really get a choice about having one. I was just told I had to get one inserted before treatment started. I don't mind the port though as it pretty painless (I hate needles!).
