Xelox/Capox chemotherapy and Lansoprazole

Thankyou so much for your replies...it's so comforting to hear from Others going through the same treatment and getting some idea about what to expect....so glad I found this forum....even though I'm lucky to have a caring husband and daughter who are both so supportive...I just feel so alone....do you understand the feeling ? I keep having bouts of anxiety and near to tears...I then go on alright for a while...and then I seem to break down again...is this normal? And...does it get better?

i have resorted to taking a zopiclone sleeping tablet at night to help me sleep...although I don't like taking tablets ...but it is such a relief to be able to get some sleep...which makes me feel better in the morning...but I'm wondering if it's ok to take them? And can you take them when on Chemo? And also is it ok to keep taking laxatives...I'm taking cosmocol as I just can't go without it...... I know I should be asking the oncology people these things...but I can't bear to ring them anymore..as they just get cross with me...and just keep saying I'm getting the best treatment...and I can't get any answers....and I just end up feeling guilty for bothering them when they they must have people worse off and younger than me...Im 69...(but always thought I was still only about 40 in my mind as I was so fit and active before this happened ! )...this forum is a tremendous help...even though I realise everyone is different with different side effects and things......but it just gives me a bit of hope...and I want to say Thankyou so much Karen...Suzy...Rita...dcyorkroad....crankshaft John  and everyone for taking the time to read my pitiful woes and write back... I'm trying to be positive...like people tell me....but it's difficult ....and Thankyou for the virtual hugs and best wishes....and I wish you all the very best too ...hugs to you all....Irene xxxxx

I think it’s perfectly normal to be up, down & all over the place as we go through this... On my first round it made me really emotional too! I just try to go with the flow & as I have never been in this situation before I really don’t know what to expect & just accept it ALL because there’s no point in fighting it & part of me knows o have to come through it to come out the other side. As for feeling alone, I have an amazing partner, but there’s just no way they could ever know what I’m going through & more over I really wouldn’t want them to! I have a friend who has been through chemo & she has been sending some texts & it does actually help to hear her recount of her time ... (it was 10yrs ago now & she says she even forgets sometimes she’s had cancer!!) I also find being on this forum helps tremendously! So thank you everyone for that support!!! 

Sleeping- I partner jokes I could sleep for the olympics so unfortunately have no knowledge on this.

Toilet habits may change, they advised I could have diarrhoea OR be constipated  I did end up having some diarrhoea on both cycles 1 & 2 (not sure what will happen on the next 2 rounds?) but it wasn’t too bad so didn’t need the tablets. What about maybe asking your own GP about being able to take sleeping tablets & laxatives? (If you don’t want to talk to the oncologist?) would that work perhaps? 

Suzy 

Thankyou Suzy....yes....I will ask my Gp about tablets and things....I'm so grateful for this forum....getting comfort and advice from you and others...so many caring people out there...warms my heart ...just been told my treatment has been brought forward a week...but not given a reason why....but feeling it best sooner rather than later....this Friday....oh dear ...my nerves are all over the place again....Thankyou ...keep well and safe ....Irene

I’m in for mine on Friday too! Let’s be strong together   

We can DO THIS!!!
Suzy 

Thankyou John....I appreciate your reply...I'm starting this treatment this Friday..it has been brought forward a week....but don't know why....but better sooner than later.....all very worrying how it's going to affect me...I think all those horrible side effects that you have to sign for doesn't help with the emotions...than goodness for all you kind people on here taking time to answer my posts.....wishing you all the very best too....I'm hearing good results all the time ...irene

Yes ! We'll be strong together....Ithankyou x and we'll get through :)

Hi Irene and Suzy, best of luck on Friday. This stuff works! I was diagnosed two years ago and finished treatment one year ago. I have just had, today, the all clear from the one year scans and tests. If it can work for me it will work for you!!!

Thank you for these MAGIC words! & yaaaay for you! I’m sure you’re so relieved!

Suzy

Oh...magic words indeed !!!! That is so lovely to hear....yaaaaah !!!! So pleased to hear that you have the all clear....what a relief ....

My husband is going through Capox at the moment. He is now on his 'free' week (no chemo tablets) before his 3rd cycle starts next Tuesday. He was initially prescribed Omeprazole but after his 1st cycle it was changed to Lansoprazole which he takes daily. He was prescribed it by the hospital & they gave it to him after his last drip infusion. 

He has found cold sensitivity & tingling of his arm to be quite bad & it has lasted about 7-10 days. He has been having other problems which aren't side effects listed & I think they have more to do with the fact that his cancer is of unknown primary so although they are treating him with bowel cancer medication they don't actually know if it's the right treatment. 

One thing I would say is just to talk to your nurse. My husband has been guilty of suffering in silence. He seems to think that he just has to accept it & get on with it. After talking to his nurse today it turns out what he is experiencing is not normal. In cycle 1 he ended up constipated but didn't call the nurse until the day before his 2nd cycle started. They took an X-Ray & changed his laxative. This time round he has been feeling rough over the weekend (he explains it as feeling like he is being poisoned) so is getting a call from the oncologist tomorrow. He should have called last week but wanted to 'see if it would get better first'. At least this time he has another week before he is back at the hospital for his 3rd round.