First chemo session side effect advice

FormerMember over 4 years ago

8 replies
113 subscribers
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Hi all!

Had my first chemo session this morning with a 2hr Oxaliplatin infusion. I did really well with no reactions which was a relief. I've been left for the rest of the day with the expected cold sensitivity and pins and needles fingers, but not a lot else until a few hours ago.

The problem I'm having now is that I feel achey in my legs, kinda achey restless.

I've just taken my first dose of capecitabine with dinner. I'm exhausted physically and emotionally from my day and am now planning on heading to bed. However, I know I won't be able to sleep well with this achey feeling in my legs.

Can I take anything to ease it?

court over 4 years ago

Sorry I did not see your response last night ? How did you get on ? I remember my mum’s legs were affected but around twelve hours after her infusion she improved .

Hope you got some sleep !

Its a long day for sure and that’s great to get the first one completed . How many cycles are you having ?
Remember you feedback to your team as well as they like to monitor everything at your next appoint.

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Suzy Su over 4 years ago

Hi cookiepirate,

I know exactly what you mean!

I said to my partner that my calves looked like something out of alien the movie with the constant twitching & looked like they were actually rippling under the skin!

I was waking up the first few mornings where they had been aching because they must have been constantly cramping in the night... Sadly, I haven’t found (or tried) anything to ease it.

Suzy

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

Thanks for the reply... Finally dropped off to sleep just after midnight. I'm recording everything in a chemo diary so will feed back to the team about the leg thing.

The achey legs came on about 12 hours after the infusion, but has gone this morning.

I'll keep an eye on it!

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to Suzy Su

Hi, glad it's not just me!

I found some compression socks I had left over from when I had surgery and put those on. They definitely eased the achey restless feeling enough to be able to finally get to sleep.

court over 4 years ago in reply to Suzy Su

Hi Suzy Su

My mum was told to drink tonic water before she went to bed . Quinine in small doses in it helps with cramps . But you can also let your team or GP know as they can help with this . My mum’s were quite sore . However that was a long time ago so you might want to check this out with your team or our helpline 0808 808 0000 to make sure it’s still current and appropriate.

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

I'd heard that too... Might try it!

court over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

It went off before I could finish it ! Hate when it does that . I was just saying it was quite a long time ago so you might want to check it out with your team or our helpline staff first just to ma sure it’s current practice. Always cautious with these aspects . But it really was sore for her .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Suzy Su over 4 years ago in reply to court

Oh thanks Court!

Good advice, will try that on my next round! :-)

Suzy