Lingering Chemo Side Effects

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BrownBagger
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Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby BrownBagger » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:59 pm

Hi. My name is Eric and it's been 4 weeks since my last chemo infusion.

I'm not sure if I'm still getting side effects from the Xelox or what.

1.) I get chilled really easily and have trouble warming up;
2.) I have slight numbness at both ends of my GI tract (lips & anus);
3.) Always wake up with a dry mouth;

Nothing too serious--just annoying.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

Twinsmom
Posts: 294
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:23 pm
Location: Illinois

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby Twinsmom » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:34 pm

Hi Eric,

I don't have the same symptoms as you but I do have some numbness in my feet. Very slight and not a problem but I have heard that the side effects can linger and possibly even get more pronounced a few months after chemo.
rectal cancer dx 12/19/08 at age 46
49 yrs old
stage IIa
chemoradiation 6 weeks Jan 09-Feb09
surgery 4/13/09, clean margins, temp ileo
Folfox 5/09 - 10/09
Takedown 12/07/09
Clean CT scans April, 2010 and May 2011: NED
Twin sons, age 13

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Gaelen
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Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby Gaelen » Sat Jan 02, 2010 5:31 pm

Eric, increasingly noticeable symptoms are pretty common for the first few months after both oxaliplatin and radiation.

I was thinking about this a bit today, going over study reports. There are trends in increased reporting of neuropathy and reporting of lingering neuropathy in patients for as far out as 9-12 months after dosing - but the higher incidence of lingering neuropathy is among people who had BOTH oxaliplatin and radiation.

I had neuropathy during and after folfox, which dissipated within 6 months of the end of that protocol, and the only thing I had left was enhanced sensitivity to cold.
However, prior to intraoperative rad, which followed my 25 days of external rad, the rad oncologist warned me that I would probably experience numbness and tingling in one or both of my feet that would show up and get worse around 6 months post-op. That makes sense, since radiation half-life is part of the reason that it's effective.

Right on schedule, I developed left foot neuropathy and left leg weakness. The foot tingling is every bit as intense as when I was on oxaliplatin - which I've been off since Dec. 2004. So it ain't the oxaliplatin causing this...it's the radiation.

I wonder how many other people who've had both radiation and oxaliplatin still have lingering neuropathy - and are blaming it in on the oxi and not considering that the radiation can cause this, too.
Be in harmony with your expectations. - Life Out Loud
4/04: dx'd @48 StageIV RectalCA w/9 liver mets. 8 chemos, 4 surgeries, last remission 34 mos.
2/11 recurrence R lung, spinal bone mets - chemo, RFA lung mets
4/12 stopped treatment

bayqueen
Posts: 129
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:13 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby bayqueen » Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:59 pm

I get 7 of 12 treatments of folfox on monday. I have been pretty lucky so far but have
noticed dry mouth, some neuropothy (?) in my hands, feet, lips, and when I was outside
for a short period of time my cheeks got numb. My hands are freezing most of the time.
I wear gloves alot, especially during and about 6 days after. I did have radiation back in
Feb/Mar 09 along with chemo. Not much happened other than my hips get
really sore.
Sue 49 yr.
Diagnosed 1/29/09
Finished 6 wk. 5FU Pump
& Radiation 3/26/09
Temp. Illeostomy 6/18/2009
Margins clear 4/4 Nodes Negative
10/28/09- 6 mo. Folfox
Reversal 5/14/10
Petscan 12/3/10 NED
Port Removal 12/17/10

http://www.UniqueBenefits.org

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CRguy
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Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby CRguy » Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:25 pm

BrownBagger wrote:Hi. My name is Eric and it's been 4 weeks since my last chemo infusion.


- greeted with a chorus of "Hi Eric !" (subtle reference NOT missed my friend !!!)

BrownBagger wrote:I'm not sure if I'm still getting side effects from the Xelox or what.

1.) I get chilled really easily and have trouble warming up;still get that even now 2 years out
2.) I have slight numbness at both ends of my GI tract (lips & anus); have not had this AND I am not going to go to the obvious cheap joke either !!!
3.) Always wake up with a dry mouth;definite side effect of the Xeloda part BUT can also dry up stuffy sinuses for those so affected - me.

Nothing too serious--just annoying.


Cheers and keep on Keepin' ON.
Be well
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

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BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby BrownBagger » Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:40 pm

I love it when people get my jokes. Thanks, CRguy!
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

nvrimgnd
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 2:44 pm

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby nvrimgnd » Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:46 pm

Hey..thanks Eric & CRguy ~ I needed that laugh! Eric, I knew you were kooky when I finally figured out what you were throwing in the waste can. (The one in your posted photo). Keep it up! And by the way ~ I had to respond to your comment regarding some of your side effects. I finished my first phase of chemo in Feb/March of 2009 (Xeloda & Radiation) I had stayed with my sister because she lived close to the center I would be driving to everyday. She thought I was nuts because I was always "freezing". I wore my coat and scarf and gloves in the house. Towards the third week I developed the HAND/FOOT Syndrome and had acquired some weird rash on my chest. It almost looked like my skin was becoming transparent. My ONC was out of town and the other's all looked at me with a blank stare: "We've never seen anything like that before"!!...Oh,well, that's lovely!! They took me off Xeloda for the rest of the week and then lowered my dosage substantially. The only symptoms that lingered were the sensitivity to cold and a slight numbing in my lower lip. (Another side effect they "never heard of".)

I had the LAR surgery (with resulting ileostomy ) in May and then another 4 -5 months of the oxali/leuc/5fu cocktail. As many others did ~ I had the mouth sores (believe me...my saviour was the baking soda/salt rinse at least 5 times a day). I had the glass shards feeling in my throat if I forgot to drink something room temp. I did not get the hand/foot thingy with the second phase of chemo... but the partial numbness I had experienced during my 1st phase of chemo had resulted in my whole mouth being completely numb throughout the second phase. I had a reaction after my second trtmnt of oxi ...I was using my mouth rinse and my whole tongue went numb. I freaked on that one. Thought I was going to be paralyzed. Even called the hospital. (Doc's office just closed) After 20 minutes it went away. On several occasions I got the jaw pain ..that was real sweet!! (upon biting onto pretty much anything...even a piece of gum) and for the longest time I got where my hands would lock up like "claws". They finally took me off the oxaliplatin part of the chemo for a few trtmnts and the majority of the side effects have lessened to a comfortable degree. I finished chemo in Oct., and the numbness (in my lips/mouth) is still there..but not as intense. As for being cold...I'm sitting here right now with the heat up past 75 and the fireplace has been going all day. Every day. (getting expensive!! The insurance doesn't cover that!!)
Thanks for letting me vent!! (and also for the humor) K~

airic
Posts: 37
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:19 pm
Location: Columbia Falls, Mt

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby airic » Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:08 pm

I am not receiving chemo as planned for Monday Jan. 4th. I have fluid in lower ab area that showed up as bacteria, can't do chemo till it is gone. My surgeon and I decided to take my colostemy down and remove fluid. I will join your club on Jan. 11th and I am counting the days till I can toss my bags too. I saw your pic and felt a connection.
Stage IV Colon Cancer
8 inches of Colon removed 11-13-09
Lymph Nodes removed 11-13-09
Liver peice removed 11-13-09
Colosotmy Bag 11-17-09
Start Chomo FLOFOX6 Jan. 4th 2010

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CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby CRguy » Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:19 pm

BrownBagger wrote:I love it when people get my jokes. Thanks, CRguy!


WELL !!! it IS a tough job but .....somebody's gotta do it !!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

sometimes things sneek through but one of the best things about this board is, over the years, I have had the honour of meeting up with some really incredible folks, just DOIN' their thing !!!!

maybe humour, maybe knowledge, maybe humility, maybe angst...ALWAYS REAL, COLORECTAL FRICKING REAL !

I like finding the humour, irony, "life's joke on me" sarcastic / sardonic HUMOUR !..in everything.

Keeps ME real.

Love your posts and your energy...keep trying to sneek one past me...dare you !! If i miss it..well I'll be back atcha the next day.

Be well on your journey
Many CHEERS !!!

CRguy

(( ALSO : check out the Xeloda Hand Foot thread of yours and see how a manly man handles that problem !!! ))
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

bayqueen
Posts: 129
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:13 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby bayqueen » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:23 am

I forgot to add I do get jaw pain but it is usually during the 3 day infusion. I have had the flu
twice in 3 mo. which I can't remember the last time before that. In bed over my birthday
on the 30th and New Year's Eve. I think I try to block out/forget anything that is not happening
at the moment. Like you Brownbagger, so far it has just been annoying. When I see some
of other people's side effects and situations I tell myself I am fortunate, it could be alot worse.
I have a friend with brain cancer the docs sent home with hospice 3 wks. ago and gave her 48hrs. to live and
she is still hanging in there. She has been fighting for over 2yrs. Only 450 cases of her kind in
the US.
Sue 49 yr.
Diagnosed 1/29/09
Finished 6 wk. 5FU Pump
& Radiation 3/26/09
Temp. Illeostomy 6/18/2009
Margins clear 4/4 Nodes Negative
10/28/09- 6 mo. Folfox
Reversal 5/14/10
Petscan 12/3/10 NED
Port Removal 12/17/10

http://www.UniqueBenefits.org

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BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: Lingering Chemo Side Effects

Postby BrownBagger » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:33 am

airic wrote:I am not receiving chemo as planned for Monday Jan. 4th. I have fluid in lower ab area that showed up as bacteria, can't do chemo till it is gone. My surgeon and I decided to take my colostemy down and remove fluid. I will join your club on Jan. 11th and I am counting the days till I can toss my bags too. I saw your pic and felt a connection.


Welcome. Don't forget sleeping on your stomach again. For me, that was a real benefit to getting reversed, among others.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.


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