Side effects of Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin (Capox)

Hi JSM I’m having my second cycle tomorrow. Some of the side effects I experienced after the first one were tingling fingers, very common, face cramps, slight tightness in the throat, and lack of appetite. The face cramps were due to a change in temperature. Leaving a relatively warm house to walk my dogs at 7.30 in the morning! Someone else had warned me about the throat problem, so I wore a soft cotton scarf for the first day and night. Trapped wind was very painful, but a hot water bottle helped. A little bit of nausea for a few days, but I was too scared to take the tablets, but dry crackers did the trick. I hope this helps even a little?

I’ve just finished my first session and experienced the tingling if I went near anything below room temperature and also had a couple of episodes with my throat. The most uncomfortable part is the trapped wind so I was told to take buscopan, gripe water and gaviscon with pain killers. Did the trick - along with a hot wheat bag. I had no feelings of nausea or any other problems so I feel quite lucky. Start my second session next Monday. Hope this helps.

Hi Jools. Thanks for replying and any shared info helps, I think. One particular aspect I'm curious about is the tingling and sensitivity. For me, it was much more pronounced in the arm that received the IV drip, although cold anywhere would produce a reaction. It has subsided over the first week but hasn't gone completely. I now am in a quandary as to which arm I should have the next IV drip in. The same one and have the ongoing effect limited to that arm (even if the cumulative effect is worse) or change arms and give the first one an extra 3 weeks to recover but risk both arms then being affected. Any thoughts?

All the best. JSM

Hi Tufty. Yes, it all helps. We are all different and will have differing reactions to the chemo, but there do seem to be some common to most ones - like the tingling. I've just asked Jools whose reply to me was just in front of yours about the tingling. So, can I ask you too which arm you are going to have your next IV drip in on Monday? Same arm or other arm?

All the best JSM

Hi JSM1650 

My mum had that combination six cycles and for two years running .

Whilst some aspects were accumulative her middle cycles , 3,4, 5 were easier than no.2 so from aspect it was not as anticipated for her . 
She did have it in her other arm some times . 

The second year she had a small reduction in Oxaliplatin dose  but a significant reduction in her side effects . 

Take care ,

Court 

Hi JSM

Going to be the same arm - the bruising, etc took a while to disappear but it’s all clear now

I’m going to have my second in the same arm. I’m left handed, so decided I can do most things with the right slightly out of action. I found the tingling wore off. I haven’t had to wear gloves for athing in the last 9 or so days. I saw my oncologist yesterday, and she said the effects can build, but the drugs themselves don’t stay in the body, otherwise we wouldn’t have that “rest week”. She ao said that not everyone gets worse with each cycle. I’m holding onto that hope. I’ve been writing down my side effects and when they’ve occurred, just so that I have an idea of what’s coming. Hopefly you’ll find that your side effects ease too.

Hi Jools. Thanks for the feedback. I'm right-handed and had it in my right arm so that's another reason for considering a swap. Please let me know how your arm holds up. Good luck

Hi Tufty. Thanks for the feedback. Please let me know how it pans out. Good luck.

Hi Court. Thank you for your feedback which is helpful and interesting. Could I clarify, were there just 12 cycles over two years for your mum, or have I got that wrong? Also how long was the gap between ending one set of 6 cycles and beginning the next set?

All the best. JSM