Driving while on Folfox

[wetzelfamily]

First of all, let me say that I can not thank everyone involved in this forum enough. My father was diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer in August and is scheduled to begin his 12 cycles of FOLFOX soon, after a successful partial resection a couple of weeks ago. The information collected and the support on this site are amazing.

My biggest question is about working and side effects. As I have read, the drug effects everyone differently. However, my dad is a long haul truck driver and I am very concerned about him being away from home for such a long period of time between treatments, not to mention the fatigue and sickness that can accompany the treatments. He is very concerned about making money (all of his kids are grown) and is somewhat firm on his stance that he will work between treatments.

I'm not looking for a false sense of security here--I'd like to know whether those that have taken the treatment before, or are taking the treatment now, would advise long commutes and operating large vehicles at ANY time during the 24 weeks of FOLFOX treatment.

Thank you all, and God Bless.

[janklo]

My daughter was 25 when diagnosed and when she did her Folfox. The first few times she went to work at a desk job, no problem. But as the treatment wore on, the effects are cumulative. By the middle, she had to stay home from work and by the last few, someone had to stay with her to make sure she ate and stayed hydrated. I think your dad should not plan to work the during treatment days, but perhaps during the 'off week'. It's my understanding that the treatment makes you feel like you have the flu - tired, achy, nausea. Not a good combo for a truck driver.

The other issue is that many times chemo knocks down your white blood cells and treatment must be delayed until they come back up, so it's hard to plan ahead and say you'll get treatments on a specific date. There can be delays, it's common.

[rodey]

When I had both FOLOFIX and FOLFIRI I couldn't drive that day because of the benedryl. I also couldn't drive at night for the first few nights after infusion. I had some serious problems seeing as soon as dusk came along.

[Lee]

I did FOLFOX, and yes for me, chemo brain was a problem at times. Once, I needed the join checkbook (I was hooked up to 5FU at the time), and I needed the check book, hubby told me he just put it back in my purse. I checked, it was not there, checked with hubby again. Yes he just put it back in my purse and it should be on top. I checked again, and it was not there! After 3rd conversation, hubby checked my purse and yep, it was there on the top. I know for a fact, I checked that purse twice and the check book was not there, at least in my brain. Was this me or chemo brain. Hubby decided at that moment, I would not be behind the wheel while on chemo, I didn't argue, I'm still convinced that check book was NOT in my purse.

See how your Dad does early on, but long distance driving may not be a good idea as he get multiple FOLFOX treatments.

Lee

[Voxx66]

I can drive with no problems though sometimes I may not feel like it. I drive myself to and from the treatments - the benedryl makes me dizzy for like 15 minutes and then it's gone for me. The biggest issue is the fatigue and I take many naps. If he is on a deadline and needs to push himself then I'm not so sure long haul driving will be such a good idea.

[so-scared]

My husband was a salesman and drove all over. He would leave at 4 or 5 am and not return until 9 pm. He did this the whole time that he was on FOLFOX. He did get a bit of neuropathy but nothing major and he never felt sick. Chemo hits everyone differently. Some do very well and others do not. You will not know how your dad handles this until he starts the treatment. At that time you will have a better feel for all of this.

Welcome and hang in there!

[mstults]

I would make sure he discusses it with his doctor. I would be worried about blood clots and I testinal problems like diarrhea. And off the top of my head I'd highly suggest he not drive a big rig.