Second cycle today with stomach issues

[Hopegirl]

Hi everyone , today was 2nd xelox infusion. Feeling a little bit more fatigue with 2nd one . I hope it’s normal and also having some stomach pains a little almost like constipation bloating feeling . Hope it’s normal . This time they added another nausea
Meds into my infusion because last Time i was nauseous for almost a week . Ugh sucks I have take xeloda pills for the next 14 days . Anyone just started the same chemo as me . SUCKS to have anxiety disorder while going thru this . Sorry really hard to type right now. Thanks for reading any advise would be great and also just found out I’m doing 6 rounds not 4. Knew that was too good to be true . Wow even both hands feel weak

[susie0915]

I think each infusion gets a little tougher. Do talk to your oncologist as they can adjust dosage levels if it becomes tough. It is cumulative. But I always looked forward to that week off. I did have my xeloda dosage reduced a couple times due to diarrhea, and the oxi as well because of weight loss. I never had issues with nausea, mostly diarrhea, cold sensitivity and first bite syndrome. Good Luck.

[heiders33]

Most of this sounds pretty normal. It sucks but it will pass with time. The constipation should probably be addressed, maybe with Metamucil? I am also doing six rounds. It seems like a lot but in the grand scheme of things is not that many. I just had my fourth infusion and am not really experiencing hand cramping or sneezing like I did the last three times. So perhaps side effects can change over time.

[Lee]

Sorry you are not feeling well. I did the pump, so I don't have any real advice regarding side effect from xeloda pills.

Do keep a look out for possible fever, wondering if you might be getting sick, flu, etc.

If the Xeloda pills and Xelox make you sick, You might want to consider the pump route. It's every 2 weeks, for me it was week on when I did not feel the best, and week off, when my life was normal. I felt fine. The only down side, you are hooked up to a pump for about 48+ hours.

Something that helped me, I would eat a breakfast egg cheese sandwich on way to infusion. Also make sure your liquid intake is up. You don't want to get dehydrated, that will land you in the ER with a host of other medical problems.

Good luck, hope you are feeling better soon.

Lee

[juliej]

Hi, Hopegirl!

I'm glad they upped your nausea meds! You might ask your onc about a script for Ativan too. It helps with both anxiety and nausea. I took a pill before bedtime every night to help me sleep and it also prevented morning nausea.

Remember to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, especially water with electrolytes in it. It will help the chemo pass through your body. You may not feel like drinking water or eating, but in order to keep your strength up, you must eat even if you're not hungry. Small meals every 2-3 hours worked best for me. Also, I nibbled on Goldfish crackers to control the nausea between meals. I had a supply in my car, in my purse, everywhere!

Anyway you frame it, chemo is no walk in the park. There are good days and there are bad days and it's all out of your control. It hits you both physically and mentally. But it's important to not let it take control of your thoughts. Just focus on what it's doing (killing the cancer cells! ) and look for ways to distract your attention from the crappy side-effects. Baby yourself. Do something you like to do, go for a walk, watch a funny movie, hang out with friends who understand and will take care of you, buy yourself a present.

Sending good thoughts and strength your way!
Juliej

[Jomo]

Sorry your not feeling well, I’m also on my second round and I get my first push at office the go home with pump for 48 hrs.
First treatment I had the same issue and what help was to always have something in you stomach. I didn’t fell like eating so I use a drink supplement.I use Ensure see if office have samples before you buy.I drank that and I also used with the Nausea meds and it did help. I having the problem of leg pain and doesn’t go away until they take the pump off.Hope you start to feel better

[love3]

Everything you are experiencing is normal. I had constipation for 3-5 days after every oxi infusion. My oncologist suggested a stool softener (not a laxative!) and it worked wonders. I started taking them the morning of my treatment and continued for the 3-5 days. I also got the diarrhea after the second round of xeloda and had to take Imodium for that. It's not easy but you will get through this. Symptoms may change slightly or come and go with each round. Hang in there. My oncologist prescribed Xanax for me. I only took it on infusion day but it helped me so much.
Take care of yourself and like others have said.....drink lots of liquids! Change it up and have variety on hand. It's tough when you have to drink room temperature or warm beverages. I never felt like my thirst was quenched the first few days after oxi because of that. I found room temperature flavored sparkling waters tasted the best.
Every day is a step closer to the end of your 6 rounds.

[NHMike]

I’m on my first round with eight planned and the first week was rough due to the cold sensitivity mainly but the other stuff too. It doesn’t help that it’s been a cold winter so far. I maintain a list of side effects and mark the effect 1-10 so that I know how I’m doing and can present it to the oncologist for any adjustments. I’m still trying to make adjustments on food, hydration, and changing the bag through this. I think that this will get tougher with each cycle.

[Hopegirl]

Thank you everyone for your great advice. Ugh I just wish instead of getting tougher with each cycle that only the first cycle is tough. How long does it last the with the side affects with each cycle towards the end like the fatigue or neuropathy . I didn’t have really bad cold sensitivity with my first cycle except the drinking room temperature part but now I’m feeling it more . I can’t even wash my hands feels like I’m getting shocked or something and my fingered gets tingly very tingly than goes away . I hope my neuropathy won’t come so bad I understand everyone is different . Sigh and the fatigue I’m worried about that too , it’s hard when you have 2 young boys to take care still that needs mommy’s help still . Hope I make sense . Thanks everyone

[heiders33]

The length of side effects is different for everyone. I do think they last longer with each round because of the cumulative effect. But you get better at managing them with each round. I don’t have little kids so I can only imagine how tough that would be! I got hit hard with fatigue yesterday and took a couple of naps. Hang in there!