Oxaliplatin IV and capecitabine tablets.

Hi, 

My husband is just finishing radiotherapy and has been taking capecitabine tablets. He will then be going on to Oxaliplatin IV and continue to take the tablets for 3 months.

I believe the pins and needles are a common side effect but as he hasn't started the IV I can't really comment on that.

What I can advise is make sure you moisturise your hands and feet, my husband has been doing it (not as much as he should) but the tablets do cause dry and cracked skin. We have been told it can be painful if not treated so best to avoid it in the first place.

How are you? How was your first Chemotherapy? Hope all goes well for you.

Kell

Hi Kell Sug. 

I had my bowel operation about 7 weeks ago where they removed the tumour and some lymph nodes. 3 of the nodes had signs of cancer cells so I was recommended to have the chemo. 

that was my first IV this morning and it seemed to go ok so far, just the pins n needles in my left hand and forearm. 

Hi Kevin. It should wear off after a couple of days - a heat pad or warm wheat bag will help. Mention it to the nurses at your next infusion and they may give you a heat pad during your treatment to help or slow the infusion down which can often help too.

Take care

Karen x

Hi Kareno62

thanks for the reply, I will try and get a heat pad to use for a wee while (I think my daughter has one) and will mention it to my nurse at the next treatment. They did offer today but I thought that the pins n needles were just as a result of my arm position and would go away after a few minutes but …..not quite (newbie). 

Hi Kevin I hope you don’t beat yourself up about the pins and needles. I let my arm go practically numb during my first infusion because I thought it was just the tape being too tight! Lesson learned the hard way. If you don’t have access to a heat pad, I used a hot water bottle. There are a lot of side effects and we genuinely don’t get all of them. If you get throat spasms don’t panic. A heat pad or hot water bottle will ease it. When you have your next infusion don’t worry about making a nuisance of yourself with the nurses. Most of the side effects can be treated quickly and easily. Good luck with the next one. 

HiJools63

thanks for your kind words. I have just taken my first 1300 mg dose of Capecitabine so waiting to see what side effects I get. Do you know if the throat spasms come from the IV Oxaliplatin or the tablets

Hi Kevin

i’ve just completed capos chemo. The spasms come from the IV Oxali. I was lucky enough not to get the throat spasms. The pins and needles will ease quite quickly as others have said heat helps. You may also get pain in your fingers when touching cold things. I recommend gloves to take things out the fridge for a few days.

Good luck with the treatment

Hi Julie1966

thanks for the reply, I have ordered cotton gloves which arrive tomorrow and will use my oven gloves until they arrive. Thankfully I live alone and there is nobody (except my cat) to laugh at my fridge visits lol

Hi,

My husband hasn't had surgery yet he has to wait for the chemo to finish first.

It is different for everybody isn't it?

How long have you got the chemo for?

I do hope all goes well. 

Kell

I’ll also recommend gloves when taking washing out of the machine. I was shocked at the pain but gloves were the answer.

• my next door neighbour did laugh at me hanging the washing out in gloves, which just made me giggle too.