FLUOROURACIL CHEMO

Hi Cat Lou, Talk to your specialist nurse re your symptoms or the hospital cancer help line, they will advise. They are there for anything however small. You won’t be able to switch off straight away but it will come over time. I know your.

Head will feel like it’s exploding but it will calm down eventually. I have had the same treatment and it does make you tired. So does all the worrying. Just take each day and treatment as it comes and you will eventually calm down. Don’t forget, however trivial you might think a question is, just ask and they will put your mind at rest or give you something to help.

Thank you for the advice  x

Hi, Cat lou, I had 5FU as chemo, after a rollercoaster of diagnosis etc, but 2 years ahead of you. Are you on a high or low dose treatment?  Mine was weekly low dose, after a low anterior resection. My nodes were clear but it was in the blood supply (hence chemo) . Yes you tend to think of nothing else, but it does lessen . 

Look for a paper, After the treatment finishes, then what? By Dr Peter Harvey

This might help, I know it did me. Perhaps court can do a link? I never can!!

In the meantime please contact your nurse, or the Macmillan phone line for advice.

Regardless, big (((hugs))) 

Thank you so much for the reply xx

Hi I had the same started today and my tummy feels funny I hope it’s not going to start. My nose won’t stop running it’s driving me mad  hope you feel better soon let’s hope it passes xxx

Hi, The first day wasn’t good had a dodgy stomach too, hot flushes and nausea but the second day not as bad just had the pump off so ready for round 2 in two weeks time. Hope yours goes well, sending big hugs  To everyone xx

Hello Cat,

Sorry to hear you're struggling with side effects and anxiety, completely understandable!

I'm 2 and a half years since diagnosis and am currently half way through 6 months of flouracil 5FU. I'm fortunate that I get very few side effects, tiny bit of nausea and some sleep deprivation because of steroids. Fortunately I spoke with my oncologist yesterday about my sleep and he said to half my dose as I have minimal side effects. It reminded me to always ask questions if struggling with anything. That's not your issue but I encourage you to ask questions to your oncologist and chemo nurses. They're extremely helpful and will give you best advice.

With not being able to switch off, it's a big issue at the start of your journey and not easily done. I've used Macmillan counselling services and found it massively helpful in managing worries and anxiety, might be a thought? 

Hope that's helpful,

Martin

Hi Marin thank you for the reply and advice it’s much appreciated, I suppose it takes time to get use to I’ve never been ill before and suddenly wham the news I had bowel cancer floored me anyway hope your well and thanks again x

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Found it . Hope it helps ,

Court