Treatment 7 and Allergic Reaction

[Sunwaterandsky]

I had my seventh Xelox treatment - the oxali infusion - on Thursday. Half way through the treatment I noticed a hive on the back of my hand and then my hands started to itch and swell. I also had itching in my scalp and belly. Well, I didn't really think much but the nurses noticed and jumped into action. My Oxali was immediately stopped and the antihistamines etc. were given. The doctor decided not to continue the Oxali - personally I think it was because he was required to come and assess me if he wanted to continue (that's the cranky part of me).

It was pretty funny. At one point, I was lying there thinking "Oh someone is snoring". I was awake and snoring!

The question I have is this. The nurse has indicated that the doctor will probably want me to have the final dose with significant pre-meds. I know that many of you have been through this. I want every cancer cell to die now and not continue growing so I want that final dose but I would like an idea of how many others managed to have a treatment after the allergic reaction. The nurse says the reaction is common in the 6th or seventh treatment.

Overall, i am feeling really good and I think I can tolerate a lot right now but I would like to make an informed decision.

Sunwaterandsky

[RayGirl]

My allergic reaction was a bit milder, but started around round 3 or 4 (sorry too tired to look up right now) my onc increased premeds and slowed my infusion rate down and would stop and start the infusion whenever I started turning pink. It made for a longgggg day in the chair, but somehow I finished twelve rounds.

Good luck on the journey!

[Jimswife]

My husband was stage 3 like you with 2 positive lymphs , he's on chemo number 9 and the oxi is starting to affect him now , I think the onc wants to reduce it now for the final 3 sessions , his mouth has been pretty sore plus the tingling in his hands has been bothering him , he wanted to push through for the full 12 sessions also but I think if they can reduce it a bit it may be better .

[Terry]

There has been a lot of people with reactions over the past years that did it with premeds and even by getting desensitized and having it in the hospital. This is my 3rd time with oxi and they said I have a higher risk of allergic reaction each time. I'm praying that doesn't happen, but for me I will try it with more premeds and if it's working even hospitalization.

Consider all your factors. Is your CEA decreasing, how has your scans been? If these things are all better I would definitely play that into important factor.

[dianetavegia]

I broke out twice in huge pink splotches but we adjusted some meds and I was able to complete all 12 of FOLFOX. My doctor added Ativan to the Bendaryl. I think he might have upped the steroids because I had headaches after the last few tx's. The Ativan made me sleep thru my last four infusions.

[disco nap]

I had the exact same reaction right around that time.

They loaded my with benedryl before subsequent infusions (which was great because I slept through the whole thing) and another option was to slow the oxi infusion to half rate if that didn't work..but it did.

I still got every drop of oxy i was supposed to get.

[Sunwaterandsky]

Well, I don't get a scan until it is all over and CEA is not a marker for me, so I really have no idea how this is progressing. I think I will push to get as much of that final dose as I can. Luckily for me, I have only one more treatment (well presuming I remain NED).

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it.

SWS

[SkiFletch]

Count me among the same group. Had an rxn at tx 5. Finished 6-9 with extra decadron, benadryl, and tagamet along with a slowed infusion to 4 hours. Made for a LONG day in the chair but as mentioned, the benadryl naps made it go fast . Started getting very rapid onset and persistent neuropoathy after tx9 so that's why we stopped Oxali. Reaction was controlled with meds.

[adina91]

Me too! For me it was tx 8 and that was my last. It really knocked me on my ass and my onc said that he figured I had enough.

[simon031003]

Esteban had severe reaction during txt number 5. His was so bad he ended in the ER with oxygen because his airway was almost compromised. They discontinued oxi at that point and he finished the remaining with 5FU only.

[justin case]

I got severe shakes in round 5 or 6, can't remember. They controlled it with benedryl on future infusions. It was during the oxi infusion.
Regards,
Michael

[Sunwaterandsky]

My doc decided that with the allergies and the progressing neuropathy, we should skip the last oxali dose. I must say that I feel quite happy with that decision. Most of my side effects appear to have been from the oxali. The fatigue and neuropathy remain.