Hi. I’ve stage 4 colorectal cancer. Spread to my liver. im now on palliative treatment although 8 weeks ago I was booked in to have tumours removed. I’ve just been put on cetuximab only received one dose but already struggling with side effects.
Cetuximab got me too. I have a colorectal met in my lung, adrenal gland, and a couple lymph nodes. Also on palliative treatment plan. Started on Folfiri, cetuximab with 5FU pump. After the first dose ended up with blood clot on my good lung. Now on blood thinners. Next session delayed by a week and given a reduced dose. After second session admitted into hospital with severe mouth ulcers and my face was in a bit of a mess. I was unable to eat solid food or drink hot drinks. Lukewarm soup and ice cream was the best I could manage. Next treatment delayed by over a month, with CT scan before starting next. Third treatment on Cetuximab only and the side effects were there but nowhere near as bad so turned up for 4th treatment and when the nurse asked how it was I had to say side effects had not cleared. Delayed for another week. I have booked a consultation prior to the next one.
On the plus side the tumor appears to have shrunk a bit and my blood markers have dropped.
They've given me Lidocaine mouth wash which helps numb things a bit. Difflam mouthwash to help heal it. Urea skin creams and factor 50 E45. Talk to your team, don't suffer in silence, get in touch with them, use the special helpline number if they gave you one. I thought I was being a bit of a wuss but apparently not.
Hi thank you so much for the reply. Yeah I’ve been hassling my team. it’s good to hear from other people who are experiencing the same thing. Obviously it would be better if no one had to go through this.
Yes I do. Overnight, seems to help. It gets a bit crusty so wash off before putting day creams/ sunscreens on in the morning. Reduces redness but does sting a bit when you put it on. Settles down quick enough. Also had some bad dandruff that came out of nowhere and the missus found MooGoo sensitive scalp milk shampoo (recommended by cancer research) That really worked noticeably. Got the hair of a 20 year old now, not much of it but it's in nice condition. In my 60's by the way.
