5FU reactions?

[No Fear]

Hello,

Just curious if anyone has had a bad reaction to 5FU like I have? When I was in the pump for the first two rounds of FOLFOX chemo, I experienced severe chest pressure and was sent to the ER because they thought I was going to have a heart attack. I have since switched to Xeloda and then take the Oxiliplaitin by pump, but was put on a long acting nitroglycerin daily pill to help protect my heart and prevent further 'heart attacks'.

I am about to begin FOLFOX round #9 tomorrow, and I am very concerned about any long term damage that this 5FU drug may be doing to my otherwise perfectly healthy heart. My oncologist is very concerned about this as well and has considering ending my chemo at my next appointment because of it. I have had an echo-cardio gram done and no news there (which is good news!), but I am still very concerned about any long term side effects.

Has anyone been through anything similar to this? I have been unable to find much help when I search online.

Thanks!

[Sams wife]

There is an enzyme deficiency some people have with 5 FU. I can't remember the name either but someone will. And maybe give you a good place to start searching on here. Sorry. I was worried about that with hubby too. I wanted to say they can't digest 5FU but that's not right.

[Deborah614]

I get esophageal spasms that feel like a heart attack when I am on the 5fu or Xeloda. The spasms are excruciating and for all I've been through since diagnosis, it's the one thing that makes me want to stop treatment. I've had 2 oncologists insist the 5fu or Xeloda do not have this side effect, but I have been to the ER twice thinking I was having a heart attack. I am not a wimp when it comes to pain, but the spasms make me cry. The only thing that helps ease the pain is Mary's Magic Mouthwash that's specially formulated at a compound pharmacy, so I'm suspecting spasms are actually acid reflux from hell. The ER doctors said they give nitroglycerin to stop esophageal spasms, as they do for heart attacks. Maybe you and I are having same side effects? I'm having a terrible time convincing my oncologist that I can't handle xeloda, but had the same spasms during oral xeloda/radiation as I do when getting 5fu.
I really hope you aren't having heart issues. I'm hoping my esophagus isn't being trashed. These are parts we can't afford to lose.
~Deb~

[justin case]

I'd be more worried about the OXY.

[Annemiek]

i had heart palputations, irregular heartbeats, and they did check a few times, but my heart was always regular when they did. Now I've finished it's gone.
Bar,what do you mean by barbi Butt? ( ideally formed )

Annemiek

[NateA]

I am still trying to figure out what chemical causes what...just finished 3rd tx Saturday when 5fu pump came off, and was like!e 80% next day doing stuff and eating (with jaw pain at start of meals). Weird...makes me wonder if this tx really works except my cea has plumetted and my liver numbers are practically normalized..

[Nik Colon]

I am still trying to figure out what chemical causes what...just finished 3rd tx Saturday when 5fu pump came off, and was like!e 80% next day doing stuff and eating (with jaw pain at start of meals). Weird...makes me wonder if this tx really works except my cea has plumetted and my liver numbers are practically normalized..

First bite pain is normal on oxi, my tumors shrunk in half after 4 tx, only first 3 with oxi, so it worked good for me and also seen the cea drop each time tested

[ConnieSPK]

This article is a little old, but as a person that experienced different, "rare", 5FU side effects, you might want to read it..
http://www.ro-journal.com/content/pdf/1 ... -7-212.pdf

Regards,

Connie K.

[justin case]

I am still trying to figure out what chemical causes what...just finished 3rd tx Saturday when 5fu pump came off, and was like!e 80% next day doing stuff and eating (with jaw pain at start of meals). Weird...makes me wonder if this tx really works except my cea has plumetted and my liver numbers are practically normalized..

Oxiloplatin will usually cause pain when you take your first bite or two. It is also the culprit of cold sensitivity, which makes a lot of people unable to drink cold fluids. You are on the best to date cancer fighting program available. I also had the first bite pain, with drinking Gatorade, so I enjoyed Chocolate Ensure more, and it was a benefit in nutrients.

[Mastan]

I have a lot of chest tightness and restricted breathing on FOLFIRI. Not sure if is the irrinotecan or the 5FU or both. Whatever the case it is an evil side effect.

Mark

[JaninOz]

When having neo adjuvant chemoradiation, I was having 5FU 24/7 via a pump bottle. After a week of shoulder pains, I developed pain in the middle of my chest with associated nausea and clamminess. ECG was going off the chart and then it all suddenly stopped. ER docs clamped off the bottle and I had no more pain. I was told I was having vasospasms. It is a rare, but known, side effect of 5FU. Subsequent cardio testing showed no damage and no issues with my heart. FYI I had a PICC line.

My oncologist changed my routine for the remainder of the chemoradiation to two sessions of three days of IV 5FU over 10 minutes. I also had to take Perapamil to stop spasms. The vasospasms are something he has dealt with previously so he knew of other ways to deliver the chemo, that could be tried.

Adjuvant mop up chemo was done weekly via IV. 5FU only over 10 minutes with nausea meds and leucovorin prior. No Oxy as he believed it would cause more problems than any benefit I received. I had most of the side effects on the common list and a few more just from 5FU, so I was relieved at the no Oxy part!

[Jacques]

There is an enzyme deficiency some people have with 5 FU. I can't remember the name either but someone will. And maybe give you a good place to start searching on here...

DPD Deficiency - Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency
http://www.dpd-deficiency.com/
http://www.dpd-deficiency.com/downloads/files/dpdquestions1.pdf

[No Fear]

Thank you all so much for your replies. My onc took me off chemo for awhile as my side effects were becoming more severe. The vaso-spasms sound exactly like what I was going through with my chest pain. Glad to hear there wasn't any long term damage from it!

[Sams wife]

Good. I thought you had already had problems & wondering about damage. Hope my post didn't scare you. But vaso spasms didn't sound very fun either. Sounds pretty scarry actually.

Thanks Jacque. You wouldn't think I'd forget 3 little letters. But I managed too.