From FOLFOX to FOLFIRI

[Nik Colon]

Had neoadjuvant FOLFOX and on 4th and last tx b4 surgery they cut out oxi due to se's, now want me to do adjuvant FOLFIRI. Glad to get rid of the OXI but afraid of IRI now. Diarrhea, nausea, and hairloss! Please tell me your experience with IRI. I don't know what to think

[JENNJ]

I can't tell you too much as yesterday was my Dads first dose. He did get an atropine shot to prevent diarrhea and stomach cramps, and yesterday he felt fine. I would ask for that.
Good luck, hopefully it won't be as brutal as oxaliplatin- my Dad hated that by the 9th round!!
Katy

[j'swife]

My DH was off folfox after much fewer rounds due to neuropathy. The f olfiri has never caused him nausea etc and he kept the (limited) hair he had. Every combo seemed to produce post infusion diarrhea but it was controlled by over the counter meds. Now 1.5 years after resection, it doesn't happen. There's clearly a wide range of impacts. May your experience be like DH's!

[skypup]

Nikki, folfiri was harder for me than folfox due to nausea; diarrhea wasn't a problem. Hair usually thins but doesn't come out completely. The best advice I can give you is to remember that you are going for a CURE and this misery is temporary. Be strong and don't worry about what you can't fix!

[Nik Colon]

Thanks everyone, I hate not knowing what's gonna happen.

[jhocno197]

My husband has had fatigue, some nausea, very slight thinning of hair, and some diarrhea that has been easily controlled by immodium since he's been on FOLFIRI. The FOLFOX was much harder on him.

[midlifemom]

Since I am receiving FUDR by HAI pump I am not receiving full dose of folfiri. Not sure how much effect this reduced dose has but I will take folfiri over folfox any day. Have some hair thinning, fatigue. Minimal nausea (I get emend) and minimal diarrhea.
Good luck. The unknown is scary but not necessarily bad.

[Nik Colon]

Thanks. Yeah just nervous

[Teddi]

No experience to share, but wishing you all the best. Maybe ask for some ativan to help with the nerves. That helped me immensely with my chemo. Barely even remember it now. Slept through the last 4 infusions

Teddi

[michelle c]

One good thing - no neuropathy. I haven't had FOLFOX so I can't compare the two but my hair only thinned. I noticed it after about my third cycle in the shower - it was coming out in my hands whilst washing my hair - not too much but definitely noticeable. It continued and I got tired of constantly removing hairs from the shoulders of my clothes I stopped dying my hair and over blowdrying it to save it from any unnecessary damage I didn't suffer too much from diarrhea but I did receive atropine before each treatment to "dry everything up". I had nausea quite bad and also suffered from indigestion. Apparently FOLFORI is hard on the digestive system. My worst days were 1-3. Fatigue was accumulative. At first, I remember thinking that I would never get through 12 cycles but I did. It wasn't easy but doable. All the best to you. PM me anytime if you have any questions - I'd be happy to help if I can.

[Nik Colon]

Thanks