Chemotherapy for bowel cancer

Hi i dont post very often now but I noticed nobody had replied so far, you will probably already have noticed pins and needles from the drip, particulary when touching cold things, thin gloves help with this and generally wears off after a few days but can be longer lasting, the tablets can make you feel or be sick, if you have been given anti sickness meds I would take them regardless of whether you feel sick or not, fatigue can be a problem as well, just rest when you feel the need to...good luck, itll be over before you know it!

Hi thank you so much for your reply. I was also warned about throat spasms when eating or drinking anything cold, or going out in the cold, but this has also happened on my first chew and swallow of warm food, though is easing now - is this possibly normal?

Hi. Hope you're doing okay considering. My first round of chemo was oxyplatin I think it was called along with the tablets to take home and take for 9 days afterwards. The IV chemo gave me sensitivity to cold in the throat and fingers, had to basically eat and drink hot things only. Although I didn't get this with hit food too so that's maybe something to check with your team about. My main effects were from the tablets. Tell them if you experience neuropathy in hands and feet, numbness and pins n needles. The treatment also gave me a random mix of constipation and diarrhea with can be a pain to get on top of, although if you have a bag it could be easier? I lost my sense of taste and everything started to taste like a plain chip. Although symptoms subsided towards the second week after treatment along with the sensitivity to cold. Generally being unsettled and uncomfortable and super tired. Really you have to be kind to yourself. If you're tired, sleep, if you notice anything, tell your team. 

Hi thank you so much for your reply. Anything I hear from anyone is so very helpful and makes me feel better and not so lost. I shall certainly ask about that first chew/swallow of hot food  

Hi Bonna and a warm welcome to the board from me. You’ve had a couple of great replies so far so I’ll just add a link to a post that we did a while ago about what to expect

 CHEMO TOP TIPS UPDATED 

There can be a lot of side effects but it helps knowing what’s normal like first bite which is often not mentioned. As Dom says take the meds that you’ve been given and if say the antisickness isn’t working then talk to the nurses - often a change in tablet can make a big difference

Take care

Karen x

Hi thank you so much for your reply and the link too - such very useful information for me - huge thank you

Hi, my husband just finished cycle 4 of Capox we head back to the oncologist tomorrow then surgeon on Wednesday to discuss Aper.  The only side effect he really had was the cold sensitivity…. But it didn’t last long. Just listen to body and rest when you can.  Xx Big hugs x

Thank you so much