Bowel cancer

Map 5 hours ago

2 replies
153 subscribers
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Hi I’m new to this find this difficult to talk to people about my problems but here goes ,i had surgery day before Christmas Eve,and have now just completed 4 cycles of chemo,I’ve been off chemo for 2 weeks now,can anyone tell me how long the symptoms last as I haven’t been told anything from hospital,I have lost my sense of taste,and still have very tingling feet,still feel very tired also,just don’t know what to expect and how long symptoms will last.

CerysM 4 hours ago

Hi Map

the last time I had chemo I was tablet only. The side affects lasted about three months after I finished.

This time I’m infusion and tablets. I’m told the tingling can last a couple of months after finishing but will gradually fade for most people.

the tiredness lasted a lot longer for me but that also faded so while I was still tired and napped more - I was also able to get on with life.

I hope that helps?

cerysm (typed. while wearing gloves as second infusion this morning :-) )

Net77 4 hours ago

Hello Map,

Well done completing your course of chemo.

I guess it's different for everyone, however in my case it was about 8 weeks after finishing chemotherapy before I started to feel like myself again with more energy and less brain fog! I found the chemo very tiring and it was difficult to climb stairs some days. I found being outside helped clear my head a bit. Most things tasted like cardboard during chemo and this lasted for a while afterwards, to be honest I can’t remember how long but probably improved over 2-3 months. I found I craved strong tasting foods during that time.

The tingling in your feet is probably peripheral neuropathy caused by the chemo drugs. I didn’t suffer too much with this and found keeping my feet very warm and massaging them regularly during the 4 months I had chemo helped (or maybe I was just lucky). Occasionally now my left leg and foot don’t have the full sensation it used to have, I find exercise helps.

My chemo was FOLFOX.

Hope you start to feel much better soon. Rest when you can and try and follow your body’s requests if possible.

Best wishes,
Net77