Hubby really struggling with the cold sensitivity on xelox. When the throat spasm happens it's so scary. Where can we get those heat packs they have during chemo? Can we get them on prescription
Hi Ddd213. Do you mean the ones they put on your arm or does your unit have something for throats as well? I used a wheat bag on my arm when it was sore after the infusion - you heat them up in the microwave and you can get them on amazon or maybe boots? They can get very hot though so if you were planning on using it on the throat then be careful it’s not too hot x
Thanks Karen, yes I meant the ones they give you for your arm, the gel type. When he had the reaction on the drip today, the nurses ran over and gave him warm water to drink and had me hold the heat pad on his neck. I've looked up the lavender ones on amazon xx
My mum had the spasm of the larynx. It’s good to remind them that although they have the sensation of their throat closing and a choking feeling their airway remains open . We took a wee flask with warm ( not hot) water for the journey home and wrapped her up with a scarf .
If your unit is aware of it they may slow down his infusion next time and they have a few things they can add which should prevent it from happening . They did this for my mum and it never happened again .
OK thanks, we took a flask today and he's got a thin scarf (what do people do in the winter!!) I also phoned triage who said they'd let his oncologist know for next time, so perhaps like you say they'll add something in.
I had quite severe throat and muscle spasm reactions in winter and they reduced my dose and gave it over double the time. It helped a bit but usually I just had to use a wheelchair to get to the car after treatment sit and breathe into my cupped hands and wait until I could walk a bit further. I had a balaclava hat and scarf. Warm drinks helped and once I was home I could cope. When you know what it is and you realize that you won't die, you just have to relax and wait for it to pass. I had a PICC line for my oxaliplatin and I am so glad.
