Side effects of Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin (Capox)

I did a cycle of Capox and was switched to Folfox. This was 2 years ago and in April I finished Folfox for the second time. The nausea was better controlled this time.

Cheryl x

Hi Phoenix C, are the anti sickness tablets you and Kath write about the ones you get before the IV drip of Oxaliplatin and then three days supply to take home, two at breakfast and two at lunch? Or are you talking about something else? The 'anti sickness' pills I have been given are steroids and they seem to weaken all the side effects including nausea. My wife tells me that I'm like I'm on a high while taking them but I crash when they run out. Also, the pins and needles and severe sensitivity to cold and touch are worse for me than the nausea which is thankfully short lived and pretty mild compared with what you have to put up with. I'm going to ask my oncology team about taking half the dose for twice as long. I don't need to be high for 4 days but having the benefits for 3 extra days, even if they are reduced by the lower dose, seems to be worth checking out. What do you reckon?

All the best JSM

PS Two different nurses who administered my Oxaliplatin have told me eating before and after the IV drip can alleviate nausea and fasting makes it worse. I hadn't had any breakfast before my last treatment and the nurse managed to rustle up a mug of tea and loads of biscuits just so I didn't have an empty stomach. Maybe worth checking a bit more on the fasting suggestion before you do it,,,,,

The antisickness I was given were to use "as and when ," needed.sorry cant remember the name.The first time I waited until I felt nauseous then took them.that didnt work.so I decided to take them before I felt sick for the week after the oxy drip and that worked really well.they def werent steroids though.

Kath

Oh gosh thank you for that. I will ask also about taking steroids over longer period to stretch them out (rather than breakfast & lunch 3 days- just breakfast 6) good idea thank u 

yeah I’m not sure I’ll fast before hand as I’m an constantly hungry at the moment- so it will just make me worse I think . I really appreciate ur post though thank you xx 

Hi Kath. Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad that whatever it is you're taking works for you. I think I may have been given the same as you to take home to use 'as and when needed'. I also got pills to help with fatigue, pills to help with diarrhea and a mouthwash for any ulcers as well as the anti nausea pills. I haven't used any of them yet as the steroids seem to control the side effects really well. I would just like to feel the benefits for a bit longer. Do you not get five pills to take before the Oxy drip? The five I get consist of one anti nausea pill (Oval shaped and pink) and four small, round, white ones (steroids also to combat nausea but with additional benefits). I also get to take home an extra three days supply of these steroids to take alongside the Capecitabine ..... plus all the 'as and when needed' stuff. 

All the best JSM 

My capox was 3 yrs ago so cant remember it all.I did have 3 days steroids but that was it.I was given loperamide but didnt need to take them as I have a stoma and it wasnt affected by the chemo.

All the best with your treatment.you will ge

Sorry that got cut short

You will get there

Kath

Hi Phoenix C. You're very welcome but we have to wait for the experts to advise us, and they may say that halving the dose won't work and that we need to take two at a time to get any benefit at all. I'm not sure if that's the case they will increase our dose to get the extra days benefits as steroids are pretty powerful and also addictive. So I'm just hoping that the reduced dose will work, but hold back your thanks until we know... it might turn out to be a rubbish idea rather than a good idea!

All the besr JSM

Hi Kath. Sorry, I thought your capox was current. I too have a stoma and they gave me loperamide as well. I'm keeping the original pills but not taking home any more as, like you, I haven't needed them ..... yet!

ATB JSM

Hi all. Hope you don’t mind me chipping in here but just wanted to mention re the anti sickness tablets? Please talk to the nurses if you’re struggling - they tend to start you on the cheapest brand but it doesn’t suit everyone. I’ve heard that Emend is very good but expensive so tends not to be issued as first line but worth knowing about?

Take care all

Karen x