Reaction to Oxali

[tmm903]

Hi Everyone!

Round 6 was to be yesterday June 4th, all bloodwork and everything was fine. Got hooked up to my oxali/leucovorin and within a half hour of it running had reaction of feeling very hot and my face, arms and chest were bright red. They stopped the oxali/leuco put me on some fluids and gave me some hydro cortisone to get rid of the redness. The onc said that does happen. He doesn't want to discontinue oxali yet as he is going to try running it slower my next time I am in. Overall on the oxali I have been doing pretty good with nothing other than the cold sensitivity and when I'm not careful around the cold stuff I do get some neuropathy--been sticking to room temp drinks or hot tea/hot chocolate and warm foods. So I'm almost half way there as the next round on the 18th of June will then count as my 6th round. Surprisingly I didn't feel discouraged, I just figured it's a bump in the road of this journey and just continue on. Like falling off a bike--you get up brush yourself off and ride again! I am also scheduled one day next week to get a CT scan to see how the liver mets are doing--I am praying for a lot of shrinkage. Also my CEA level has decreased by half since the beginning it is now in the 40's. Which the onc believes is a good sign as well since I am young and am doing extremely well with the whole chemo process. The CEA is what got me started on this journey. Keeping up with my positiveness and good outlook on things is what keeps me going as well as my 5 year old and my husband.

[guestagain1]

My husband had the same reaction and they gave him benadryl, etc. He was able to have the oxi gain with a slowed down infusion time and the allergy drugs first. Eventually the oxi was stopped and the 5FU, Leucovorin and Avastin were continued. I think there's some indication that 6 or 8 rounds of the oxi may be enough to make a difference. He stopped his chemo in order to have a liver resection.

[HollyID]

Been there and done that.

So sorry to hear of your reaction. I had about the same reaction during treatment #7. Twenty minutes into it, I was flushed and just felt weird. My heart rate was about 150 or so. My onc however refused to restart mine. He said when your body has had enough, it's enough. I agree. There are many studies that say 5 rounds of oxi has the same efficacy as 12 and I've read where 8 doses of oxi has the same efficacy of 12. My onc has never heard these stats, but either way, I think I'll be fine with just the 5FU and the leucovorin. It's been a walk in the park since they took "Satan in a bag" away.

[airic]

Bummer on the reaction. I have 4 treatments to go. My hands and feet feel different now as I get deeper into treatment. I stay away from cold for a few days after treatment. I will say if I want ice cream or a ice cold beer I will drink or eat. I do get hot flashes in between treatments. Hang in there and don't let any set backs get you down.

[Terry]

It stinks that you had that reaction Tracy but slowing it down can make a big difference. I had a reaction the first treatment and then he slowed it down the next and had no problems accept by round 6 I was getting neuropathy (different than the cold sensitivity) so he switched me to irinotecan. I wish now he would have just let me finish the 12 because apparently the irin. didn't work for me but I know he thought it would and was trying to save me from permanent neuropathy.

It sounds like you have your faith and a good attitude, those are going to get you through this.

God Bless you!
Terry

[SkiFletch]

I too had a reaction on tx #5 and did a whole bunch of steriodal and antihistamine pre-meds along with the slower infusion to get me through the rest. We stopped at 9 cause of neuropathy but the slower infusion and the pre-meds worked great for me. Welcome to the seemingly large oxi-reaction club