Capecitabine tablets and oxaliplatin infusions

Hi Jools63 

I haven't had capecitabine and oxaliplatin for the type of cancer I had, so have looked in the group and found these posts which mention it.

Wishing you all the best

x

Thank you latchbrook. You are so kind as always. I hope you are well. 

Hi Jools

Its Oldale here and yes I am currently on Oxaliplatin and Capecitaine tablets.  I am finding the infusion of oxaliplatin in my arm, quite painful but it improves with a hot water bottle held close to my arm. Also have to remember not to open the fridge and freezer or touch anything cold for a few days after the infusion - very strange.   Really dislike taking the tablets, especially when I have to rise from my bed at 6am in order to fulfil the 12 hour gap! I don't wish to eat late in the evening, hence the 6am/6pm regime.   

Feeling really tired and nauseous after my second cycle and my hands and feet are tingling and very red.

However I still have my hair and people say how well I look -( the medication has made my cheeks red and slightly suntanned)

Hope it is going ok? I suspect some of your side effects are very similar.

Best Wishes  from Oldale

Hey Oldale I’m so sorry to hear that you’re feeling so tired and nauseous after your second infusion. I have seen a few posts on here saying about the hands and feet sensation, and the need to wear gloves to take stuff out of the fridge or freezer. I haven’t started my treatment yet. My first one is 31st. My sister has just gone for ct, endoscopy, colonoscopy and mri all within 10 days to see if she has bowel cancer. She had breast cancer 9 years ago, so I’m hoping that that’s not the case. Cancer really is a b***h! I hope that things settle down for you. Keep me posted when you feel up to it?

Hi Jools

Really sorry to hear about your sister. Hope the results are positive - the waiting is such hard work and your mind is in turmoil.

Coincidentally my sister also had breast cancer 17 years ago and has spent the last few years on high alert looking for other signs of cancer.  Must admit, I always assumed that if I had cancer, it would be breast cancer, so when bowel cancer was confirmed, I was very surprised, indeed,  shocked at the diagnosis.

I will definitely be updating my side effects as my treatment progresses and as I mentioned previously, I am pretty sure that some of our side effects will be similar/the same.  Will be in contact after 31st May. Hope your first treatment goes ok?    Best wishes

Wow! I wonder how many others have a sibling who has also had cancer. I really appreciate the time you have taken to respond to my post. I thought the same as you regarding where I might get cancer, if at all. I was shocked, but almost relieved when they said it was bowel. I’m still compiling a list of questions for Friday at my pre-treatment appointment! Thanks for your good luck wishes. Take care and I’ll keep you posted.

Hi Jools

I am assuming your treatment has gone ahead and you are currently checking out potential side effects?  The side effects seem to start a few days/week into the first treatment. Hope your arm pain has subsided and you are managing the pink tablets ok?

I have recently had a slight nose bleed and sticky eye when I wake up in the morning. Nothing significant, but just another thing to endure. Feeling less tired but nausea is persistent, so dragging myself through each day.

Do hope you are coping as well as can be expected in the circumstances?  

Best wishes Oldale

How lovely to hear from you. I have spent the last couple of days trying to figure out how to check in with you! The infusion was okay until my arm was bad with strong numbness. I thought the tape was too tight so left it longer than I should have to raise the alarm. I remembered the hot water bottle tip, so that really helped. Weirdly it wore off in the evening two days later. I’ve had a couple of minor blips. My face kept cramping up, but it was a change in temperature, so I’m more careful now. I’m struggling a bit with sleep, but hoping that improves now that I’ve taken the last steroid. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a nose bleed and sticky eye. I really don’t like feeling sick, so might start taking the anti nausea tablets at night. I think I’ve got off quite lightly so far. I’ve stripped beds and done some washing. I even went to work for a couple of hours today! I’m making the most of any good days, as I suspect they will become rarer. Do look after yourself. It’s nice having someone to talk to that really understands. X

Hi Jools

Just checked my calendar and noticed that I was quite busy during my first cycle of treatment but it has almost come to a full stop during this third cycle - my calendar is very sparse!  Definitely make the most of it while you can.

Have to agree with you regarding the steroids. My sleep is disturbed for three days whilst taking them, then everything settles down for the rest of the cycle. I looked up the reason for taking them and one of them is to increase your appetite? Not sure whether it works or not.

The palms of my hands are now very red and tingling - almost as red as a tomato some days! I believe almost everyone suffers from this whilst taking this particular medication?  I also have very heavy eyelids which feel sore when I first wake up, then it wears off quite quickly during the morning. Sometimes I am in disbelief at all these strange and weird side effects!

Lovely to catch up with you again and hope its going ok so far.  x

I’ve read your post three times now, just to make sure I’ve taken everything in! Since I told you how well I was doing, things have changed a bit. I’m now suffering with upset stomachs, and really painful wind. I’ve taken the loperamide, and they stop the diarrhoea, but they cause the wind pain. I have had some nausea, but having read the side effects of the medication, have decided against taking them. I have found that eating dry cream crackers really helps! I went to work yesterday and wasn’t very well, so will be very careful about when I choose to go in again. I hope you’re coping okay with the red hands. Are they painful? The heavy eyelids sounds like a strange one. I think we need to hang on to any sense of humour we can. Well done on getting through 3 cycles. I’ve still got two weeks before I’m due number 2. Get plenty of rest, and let me know how you’re doing when you feel up to it. X