Postby skier03 » Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:11 pm
Hi,
This is my second time on the lovely 5FU pump. My first time around (for 7 months about a year ago), I did not have any reactions to my hands and feet from the infusion. However, I am on it again, just about finished (one more treatment to go!), and have had many hands and feet problems this time around. I don't know if it's the different combination of drugs or if my body is just reacting differently. Anyway, the day that I come off of the pump, my hands and feet turn bright red, my fingers are a little bit swollen, everything is completely dry, my feet teeter between itching and hurting, and my hands are just extremely sensitive and in pain. This lasts for about 2-3 days, and then my hands and feet are just really dry. The doctor told me that hyperpigmentation is a side effect of the chemo, and of course dry skin is as well. I don't know if everything else is normal or not (but then again, what's normal on chemo?), but you are not alone in your experiences and side effects. I would mention it to the doctor, but I think that aside from the discomfort, you are probably just having a "normal" reaction to the chemo.
Best of luck to you and let me know if you have any more questions.
Skier03