Quick oxipalitin infusion side affects

Hi Hatariforce

I wonder if our helpline staff could get an answer for that one from the Macmillan nurses . 0808 808 0000. My mum had that type of reaction at the normal infusion rate and to combat that it was slowed to over six hours initially and the second year she had it slowly administered through the night . So I guess speed does come into play but I have no idea of the science and never heard if that before . What I can confirm the infusion is metabolised over around 12 hours if I remember correctly and she used to be so much better when she reached half way through the night ! If you are at all worried you could phone the NHS 

Sorry it popped off . NHS 111 . Even just for reassurance. Or her cancer unit . 

I hope she is ok ! It will have given you both such a fright .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Court,

I don't live in England. South African here. This forum was the best out there, so I joined. We unfortuanetly cannot just phone up oncology department. We would have to physically go in to see them to get any results. If she not much better tomorrow we will go in and see them.

So pleased you did join us . I understand  now . I really hope she starts to feel a lot better soon . I remember my mum would get up around four o’clock for the toilet and the worst was over by then . But it’s horrible to see them do ill and having to go through that . Definitely one to ask the Dr about when you get the opportunity. 
Court 

I feel so sad for your wife, the side effects of a quick infusion are awful. When my oncologust set up my infusion plan of oxiliplatin she advised me it would be done over 6 hours. 

My first infusion was done over 3 hours, I was so desperately ill afterwards I was terrified at the thought of having 7 more cycles like that, even although I questioned the speed as I was expecting to be in the ward longer and had organised transport at a certain time. 2nd infusion 3 weeks later was again over 3 hours, I was so ill I ended up being admitted to hospital 2 days later as I couldn't stop vomiting and soiling myself. 

I demanded to speak to my oncologist before cycle 3, she was unhappy that her infusion time expectatiin hadn't been adhered too, the next 6 infusions were done over 6 hours and she also added a sedative into my cycles to reduce the anxiety and trauma I was being overwhelmed with. The slower infusion made such a significant difference and I was able to tolerate the rest of the treatments much better. 

Reality seemed to be although the oncologists plan infusiin times my reality was that while in the chemotherapy units time is of the essence and the nurses seem to run a quick out more in plan. 

Please don't be scared to speak up if anything about your wife's plan isn't working, ask for a phone consultation with the oncologist or speak with your wife's specialist nurse, only people having chemotherapy know how it feels, how traumatising and scary it can be. If they don't speak up and talk about how they feel, unmanageable side effects, pain or discomfort no one will ever know. Cancer specialist teams are amazing but they need to receive honest communication to make plans for patients as smooth and supportive as can be. 

I hope your wife is feeling better. 

Day 2 after chemo, not a very good one. I asked if she wanted to go in to the hospital but she is not having any of it. I cannot and will not force her but am worried. She slept most of the day with bouts of vomiting in between. I think she is fed up with everything. I do believe once she gets better from side affects she will still carry on with treatments but for now she is in a terrible state. All I can do is stand by her side and support her as much as I can. I feel so sad not being able to do much about her pain and side affects.

Take care

Stephen

Hi Hatariforce,

I am so sorry to hear that your poor wife has experienced this. I am not sure what happened in the unit but 10mins for the chemo sounds very quick indeed. I know when I had my oxaliplatin cycles last year, they took around 3 hours. How does she feel now? My first infusion was bad and I had a lot of vomiting, but not too bad after that. The unit gave me steroids also to lesson the after effects of the chemotherapy and anti sickness pills. The diarrhoea is horrible to go through, I had to take immodium a few times with the chemo I am having now. It can be uncontrollable at times.

I took some replacement salts also on the nurses advice which helped. Do you have someone you can phone for advice as I don't think your wife should be suffering so much?

Hi ,

Just wondered how your wife is getting on ? Hope she has picked up a bit .

Court 

Hi court,

Thank you for your concern and inquery. She has improved physically, still abit tired and low energy but it is to be expected. My main concern is the damage done psychologically. It was a bad scare for the both of us. I am not sure if she will return to treatment. She is remaining quiet on that front. It breaks my heart to see her in pain but have to respect her decision as to the way forward. I am not feeling her symptoms, I am not feeling her discomfort so only she can decide. If it was my decision I would try anything just to have her around forever. To me it would be such a waste to stop now after going through the process so far. I am also physically and mentally tired and I am only the carer. I can only imagine what she is going through. I will keep you informed as to her decision and the way forward.

Take care

Stephen