How long will chemo side effects last after end of chemo

3 replies
126 subscribers
1673 views

Hi all,

I am on a watch and wait program for rectal cancer Stage 3 T3A N1 M0. Another Doctor said I was Stage 2 T3A N0 M0,

so I am not sure which is right. Either way I was very lucky to have a radiologically complete response and no evidence of disease

after initial chemoradiotherapy so am now on watch and wait.

My doctor said there was a survival benefit to chemotherapy for 3 months with XELOX which is Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine so I did it and finished last Saturday, 2 days ago.

I was really extremely fatigued on the last cycle, was nauseous, dizzy, had dry skin which was prone to blisters especially on the feet, became prone to piles, had alternating constipation and diarrhoea. My bloods showed that I was anaemic, had low heomoglobin and red blood cell count and low lymphocytes. I was so tired I couldn't leave the house for 3 days solid sometimes on the last cycle and slept about 17 hours a day. I did have tingling in the hands, feet and jaw, but these went a few days after infusion of oxaliplatin.

I do feel somewhat better on day 2 after finishing, but do feel some of all of these symptoms but less severely.

How long should it take for these symptoms to go. Should I be back to normal by the end of the week?

My wife would like us to take a holiday to Romania next week, but I am not sure if I will be well enough.

Any advice and wisdom would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

Jogey over 5 years ago

I should add that I lost a stone over the 3 months and am still having appetite problems. Most food makes me feel sick, even water makes me feel sick even though I take anti-nausea tablets.

court over 5 years ago in reply to Jogey

Hi ,

Observation only and I think my mum would be a bit older than you but I noticed a difference around two to three weeks . But saying that she still needed to rest . I did take her on holiday after about three weeks but stayed in the UK . She was not powering on full cylinders but did enjoy the break and rested a lot .

The other thing I factored in was being near hospitals just in case a problem presents .

Do you feel ready to go ? If there is no rush a few more weeks won’t do you any harm . You have been through a lot and want to go when you will get the best out of it . Quite a lot of energy to go on holiday .

take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Jogey over 5 years ago in reply to court

Hi Court,

I am 3 days away from end of chemo and feel much better than last week but still fatigued. I think your words are wise and maybe we will do a staycation in the UK and close to where I live.

Thanks for your helpful input.

Jogey