4 or 8 rounds of Chemo

Hi there was a report out think it was scot report which gives you the reasons for only 4 doses as opposed to 8 on capox, as it’s only 1-2 % benefit the benefit  outweighs the side effects which can be permenant, how have you got on so far with the treatment ? i’m starting friday  so would be great to hear.

im only having 4 rounds there was no choice to extend and i do think most centres abs doing the 4 only now, from what i’ve read and understood.

take care for now 

Linda

Hi Linda thank you for the informative response. The side effects are horrible, I experienced sensitivity to coldness after  the first week of each cycle, jaws would hurt after first few bites, pain in the area of Xelox infusion that lasts roughly a week, then as the rounds progress, tiredness and nausea become intense. 

I also experienced terrible hiccups the first two days after Xelox infusion. These are caused by anti sickness tablets called Dexamethasone.

The only medication I got was for anti sickness and nausea. Raw ginger and lemon helped me with nausea as well, although both are bitter.

Chemo may be tough  but side effects are manageable and you will get through it. 

All the best. 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30093-7/fulltext

This is the link to the Research on the Scot trial written up in the Lancet if you want to have a good at reading the full article .

take care ,

Court 

Hi Bertz. As L16 says the Scot trial has shown that 3 months chemo is as effective as 6 but with less side effects - see link below

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30093-7/fulltext

I’d finished chemo (2017) by the time these results came out but wish I’d known. I had 6 sessions of capox then 2 of just capecitabine. I mentioned that my feet were tingly and the nurse looked and said I wasn’t having my last session. My feet got worse after that and even now, 4 years later, feel like they’re permanently sunburnt - hot and swollen with reduced sensitivity. It’s something I can live with but I would be struggling if, say, my hands were in the same position, 

Remember that the chemo is the belt and braces and the actual cancer was removed during the op. Hope this helps

Take care

Karen x

Hey Kareno62 we think alike !

Great minds court  x

Thank you Court, ' always there with helpful information. Keep up the good work. 

Thanks Kareno62. Sorry to hear about  your tingling feet and thank goodness the chemo didn't affect your hands. The link is helpful too. It's aiding in my decision which I'll pass on to the oncologist this afternoon m

Hi Bertz,

 I had to decide on 8 months of oxy-cap chemo, at the start I wasn’t going to have it but decided in the end to go for it even though the benefits of it doing anything were so small. So had intravenous and loads of tablets on a two week cycle. Had a pic fitted after four rounds as the pain was too intense and this sorted that right out. Yes similar side effects of throat closing in cold conditions, couldnt touch anything out of the fridge. Went a bit doolaly too :)  I suffered severe nerve damage in my hands and feet which I still have two years on, also have cancer related fatigue, however I am still here and conditions are manageable which is the most important part. 
 I wish you all the best with your treatment and hope all goes well

Paula 

Hi thanks  Paula,  I'm sorry to hear of the cancer related fatigue you feel. I hope it will eventually go. I decided to stop at cycle number 4. It was a hard decision which I felt was the right one for me. I hope and pray for no regrets in the future