CAPOX - started today - Oxaliplatin IV

Hi Craig123,

You're not ranting, I understand your stress.

Side effects like the throat spasm kick in quite quickly, as you can witness.

I found a snood really helpful, and drink warm drinks not cold. For your hands, gloves or use a tea towel when you touch something straight from the fridge. 

It can be quite alarming to go out in the cold and get the throat spasm, so wrap up if it gets cold again. These side effects only lasted upto a week after infusion for me, hopefully it will be short lived for you too.

Hope that helps.

Take care,

Jayne

Warm drinks only for first week. Wear gloves to get things out of the fridge or open doors with brass door knobs. Also toilet flushes taps etc.

I wear a snood to pull over my mouth and nose if it's cold. I warmed my arm before IV which made a difference and nurses had a heat pad to keep it warm during infusion. I wear an arm warmer (cut off sock!) afterwards. I've had 4 so far, each time effects are slightly stronger and the newest one is pain in my eyeballs if I tear up! 

You're not ranting, it's a hard drug to take but I always found the best thing to do is ask the forum. Someone will be in your position and will help. 

Hope this helps and good luck.

Ali x

Hi Craig 

I finished my capox treatment in October 

I found the infusions really uncomfortable with numbness in my legs and feet then the tingling pins and needles pain later

its all painful from start to finish

I always made sure I had gloves / slippers to hand ar home , socks on door handles etc

this treatment is uncomfortable but you will get through it 

i forgot about painful eyes if you cry but that’ll stop you crying lol

if I can do it you can 

keep strong and be kind to yourself too

Hi Craig123,

Thanks for your sharing, I've been taking CAPOX since July/2021 and I am still taken infusion every fortnight.  I truly understand your feeling.  

It seems the side effect are variance for different peoples.

Usually the numbness happen during infusion and I need to take rest for first 2 days, can't do anything, it is even harsh in winter months.  Therefore, keep yourself warm and as other fellows recommended, wear gloves or other protector to touch with your hand. 

Feeling sick and vomit especially during bedtime, along with diarrhea and tummy pain, anti-sickness and anti-diarrhea drug inevitable.

Recently, my skin are seriously dry, I need to take plenty of moisturising cream for counter the effect.

One thing I learn for last 3 years is try your best to nutritious yourself, your body need energy to counter the toxicity of the drug, it is difficult especially if you feeling sick, but it is critical for you and your body to continue the treatment.

All the best.

Bruch4268   

Hi Craig, I am starting my 3rd cycle of capox next week. First cycle was similar to yours - sore arm during the infusion, the neuropathy started really quickly and the chemo bite was intense. I also felt sweaty and dizzy at the end of the infusion and my head felt really buzzy for a few days after. I had a heat pad on my arm during the treatment for both cycles but it was still painful going in.

All the symptoms gradually got better over the course of a week and my second cycle was much better, the neuropathy was far less as was the chemo bite. The infusion was still painful but my arm recovered a lot quicker. I am hoping the 3rd cycle will be similar

As others have said, keep warm, keep your gloves on and warm food and drinks for the next few days. Take a really small first bite when you eat, that passes after you chew a few times. 

Post if you have any other side effects, hope these improve for you soon.

Brenda

Hi Craig,

I had my second infusion 12 days ago. On my first infusion my throat became scratchy and I became very warm but I didn’t have a temperature. I was unable to drink the water they provided me with so on the second infusion I went prepared with a bottle of warm vimto! 

I always take my snood to wear and don’t leave the house without it on for the first 7 days after the infusion. I have freezer gloves for the fridge/freezer and wear my thermal gloves when my hands feel tingly. Running my hands under warm water also helps to get rid of the pins and needles/tingles. The first bite pain was awful with my first infusion but did ease within a few days. It wasn’t so bad after this infusion thankfully. 

As for the cannula, I can’t comment, everyone who has oxiplatin at my hospital has a PICC line as standard. I’m pleased about this as I have awful veins and they have to use a  scanner to get a cannula in. 

You are not ranting, you are asking questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. Please do not apologise. 

Rachael x

How are you doing? Hopefully not too many side affects. 

Hi Rachael,

Thank you for the message.  I’ll be honestly it’s pretty much floored me for the last two days.  I knew it wasn’t going to be nice but the intensity of it was still a shock.

I was told to leave off the Capecatibine tablets yesterday as I was too wiped out but managed them this morning.  So far it’s been manageable.  A bit anxious about the sickness and diarrhoea that might build up but they’ve given me meds for that. Got a bit scared last night as I had really aggressive hiccups for  a good hour or so and the last time that happened was the day after surgery and resulted in my causing a slight tear somewhere and a bit of internal bleeding.  It’s all very anxiety provoking.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I’m really pleased to hear your second cycle seems better than the first for you.

I’ve found this space invaluable in helping me get through this so far so it’s a big thank you to everyone that makes it so welcoming and safe. 

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. Try to rest as much as possible. I feel nauseous at times but haven’t ever vomited. I usually get diarrhoea on day 4/5 but the lopamide soon helps.

Hope you start to feel more yourself soon 

Rachael