First Infusion Today - Side Effects To Come

VJS1985 over 2 years ago

2 replies
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So today I had my first Oxaliplatin infusion, had a panic attack on entering the reception but I soon got through it, it was quite a long apt but don’t think my next one will be as long, plus it will be starting earlier in the morning which will be a lot better, I’ve just taken the Capecitabine tablets, how long was it before any of you’s noticed any side effects from any of the meds, I did have a slight finger tingle earlier when I went to check the temp of the water before cleansing me face but other than that right now I’m doing ok… hope this makes sense I’ve got such a bad headache

Thanks

Vic x

Cecile over 2 years ago

Hi Vic, I had 12 cycles of Folfox, which includes oxaliplatin, folinic acid and 5FU 3 years ago. The slight tingle and funny feeling in the fingers when touching cold things appears quite quickly if I remember right, but although it was unpleasant it wasn't too bad. It did get slightly worse with each cycle and continued after I finished treatment until about 3 months after treatment, when I was finding it difficult to do little things like use a needle to saw or put earrings on. It did eventually get back to normal after several months. Sleeping with woolly socks really helps with the tingling in the feet and I also wore gloves everywhere. I also got slightly nauseous when tired so make sure you get plenty of sleep (naps during the day are good, if you can), but to be honest, side effects were not as bad as I was expecting.

I hope you tolerate your treatment well, take care x

Cecile

Dottis mum over 2 years ago

Morning Vic

I have just finished my oxiplatin and first 2 weeks of capacetabine.

The cold sensitivity and throat spasms happened more or less straight away. The cold sensitivity continued although not as bad for the 2 weeks I was on the capacetabine . Wearing gloves, long sleeves and a scarf when hanging out washing or when i felt the cold made it more comfortable.

I bounced back and forth between being constipated/diarrhoea/bladder malfunction for a few days till it all settled down.

I found the nausea horrendous and ended up with additional anti sickness tabs, but not before losing 5kg in a week. If the sicky feeling is bad then let them know as I waited to see if it would get better and it made it a whole lot worse.

Snoozing off and on during the day was a great help for me.some days I slept most of the day and waking up only to take the tabs.

I had trouble sleeping at night eventually, due to itching hands/feet/scalp and was advised to take an antihistamine before bed this helped.

I'm glad to say everything settled so try to stay positive , easier said than done sometimes. We are all different and the above was simply my experience, don't panic about anything and if you feel worried or just want reassuring then contact your hospital team/oncology , please don't do what I did by sitting waiting to see if it would get better.ASK

This is a fab group with so much knowledge, and so many willing to help in anyway they can.

Good luck, Vic

Carol