Is chemoradiation easier to deal with than folfoxiri chemo?

7 replies
127 subscribers
301 views

Hi, I've got Rectal cancer, T3N2M0, and am about to have my 4th Folfirinox chemo cycle at 100% this week, (i have them every 2 weeks, and spend nearly the entire 2 weeks really ill) and I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me if the side effects of the chemoradiotherapy that I'm due to have after I finish 6 cycles of this chemo, are easier to deal with than these 3 day cycles I'm currently on? They've been pretty horrendous so far, including massive anti chlonergic reactions to one of the 3 chemo drugs I'm on... and constant severe nausea and severe cramps, as well as loads of other things... I'm just hoping that it gets easier once the chemo is done with to be honest...?

Kareno62 21 days ago

Hi Heverini Yes I think it is. Obviously people have different experiences but the chemo is a mild dose in tablet form called capecitabine which enhances the effect of the radiotherapy. The only real side effects I personally got was tingly/gritty feeling feet which stopped once the treatment finished

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Heverini 21 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Oh good, at least that's a relief then!

Susan13 21 days ago

I found the chemo radiation very tolerable, much easier than my full chemo which was folfox.

Wenglish 14 days ago

Hi Heverini my treatment plan is the opposite way round than yours as I’ve had chemo radiation first and I’ve had no side effects and worked every day around my radiotherapy appointments. Not looking forward to the Folfirinox I think that’s going to a whole different ball game

Heverini 14 days ago in reply to Susan13

Aww brilliant, this is so intense, and with me having the GCSF injections for my bone marrow as well, loads of nasty side effects, massive neuropathy now, in mh mouhh and lips and tongue as well now..pins n needles etc.... just needed to know its not gonna all be so bad!!

Heverini 14 days ago in reply to Wenglish

Some people have said they don't have many effects, but I'm allergic to the Irinotecan chemo, so have atropine, and then extra injections to stimulate my bone marrow to produce white blood cells, as my numbers are constantly 1.8 etc, too low... but you get sude effects from those as well.. you've made me feel better though.. just hope you get a better time than me xx

Heverini 14 days ago in reply to Susan13

That's great, thanks Susan x