So is this normal after only one infusion of Oxi?

[Rob in PA]

My husband has finished his 4th cycle with oxi. Each time he gets the tingling/pain in his hands and feet from the cold. He states it subsides about 5 days after the pump comes off. We keep his beverages at room temp and he wears gloves before he reaches into fridge. When it first happened he was nervous, but now he expects it and we try to plan ahead. Good luck in your journey. Take care.

Mary
(I don't know how to do the signature)
Dx 10-31-14 Stage IV 45yr old
mets to liver,adrenal gland,lung

Mary,
I'm guessing by your username you are a NY Mets fan and not a fan of metastasis? LOL

Back on topic, yes, the facial pain was the most bothersome for me during Oxi. I would just lie in bed with a hot compress over my face to help ease the pain in face, jaw, and teeth.

Piratesrule!

[NY Metsrule]

Hi Rob in PA,
Yes! We are NY Mets fans. Sorry
This is our year, although we say that every year!
Be well.
Mary

[PainInTheAss]

Yes, I had the frozen fingers soon after the first infusion. I called them Zombie fingers and I would hold them out and walk like a zombie and go "Arrrrgh." (Walking Dead fan) My kids were not amused. It was so weird to see them get into some odd position and freeze. I also had to uncurl them sometimes.

This didn't really get worse, so I wouldn't worry about it getting worse and worse with each infusion. I did have horrible leg cramps after a few infusions and blurry vision. My Oncologist prescribed Ativan and all of this greatly decreased so you might want to talk to your Oncologist about taking Ativan, especially on infusion day. It's weird that it helped, but it did.

[elise]

yes yes yes and the mouth tingle/slurring if my mouth got cold at all. I'd be outside in a tank top with mittens and a big scarf on. UGH Oxi

[Peabody5422]

I couldn't drink even tap water that was too cold, go bare footed, touch anything in my refrigerator so forget the freezer. When I would go out to eat I would have to have them put water in a bowl of hot water. It gets better after you stop the OXI but I still have problems with my fingers and feet. It's been 3 months off of Oxi. Just hang in there.

[lpas]

Thanks so much to all for the feedback--it's been very helpful.

Fortunately, after a week most of the initial Oxi effects are gone. Fingers still get tingly when I go outside or get something from the fridge, but that's about it. Next infusion isn't till the 26th. I guess that's one of the good things about XELOX--I get the 3-week Oxi cycle instead of 2.

[Nik Colon]

Thanks so much to all for the feedback--it's been very helpful.

Fortunately, after a week most of the initial Oxi effects are gone. Fingers still get tingly when I go outside or get something from the fridge, but that's about it. Next infusion isn't till the 26th. I guess that's one of the good things about XELOX--I get the 3-week Oxi cycle instead of 2.

But, don't you get a higher dose because of the length between? I could be wrong, but if so, that may be why your SA's are worse. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[lpas]

Thanks so much to all for the feedback--it's been very helpful.

Fortunately, after a week most of the initial Oxi effects are gone. Fingers still get tingly when I go outside or get something from the fridge, but that's about it. Next infusion isn't till the 26th. I guess that's one of the good things about XELOX--I get the 3-week Oxi cycle instead of 2.

But, don't you get a higher dose because of the length between? I could be wrong, but if so, that may be why your SA's are worse. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

It is a slightly higher dose, but I think I'd rather have slightly worse symptoms spaced every 3 weeks than slightly better symptoms spaced every 2. Of course with that said, I have no basis for comparison, so what the hell do I know really...

[Nik Colon]

Thanks so much to all for the feedback--it's been very helpful.

Fortunately, after a week most of the initial Oxi effects are gone. Fingers still get tingly when I go outside or get something from the fridge, but that's about it. Next infusion isn't till the 26th. I guess that's one of the good things about XELOX--I get the 3-week Oxi cycle instead of 2.

But, don't you get a higher dose because of the length between? I could be wrong, but if so, that may be why your SA's are worse. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

It is a slightly higher dose, but I think I'd rather have slightly worse symptoms spaced every 3 weeks than slightly better symptoms spaced every 2. Of course with that said, I have no basis for comparison, so what the hell do I know really...

You do what you feel is best for you, but if you get really bad side effects, please talk to your onc.

[lpas]

Yes, I definitely will.

[megan120]

I am so glad (not quite the right word, relieved maybe?) that so many of you experience "claw hand" as well. I never heard of it as a side effect and I thought it was somehow in my head or something I work the night shift and it is always cold in there. It is always nice when I am getting ready to start an IV or even just trying to type on the computer and my hands freeze up. Not super encouraging for my patients. I have started carrying the hand warmers in my pockets at work to keep my hands warm enough. Of course sometimes I feel how warm my scrubs are and have that momentary fear that I am having an ostomy issue. Can't seem to win

[O Stoma Mia]

... My first day is tomorrow, but I'll just be having the oxaliplatin infusion. Am doing the Xeloda pills instead of 5FU...

I can't remember if you ever said how you are receiving your oxaliplatin infusions. Is it by peripheral IV to the wrist? By PICC line to upper arm? By central line to a port in your chest? Although the amount of oxaliplatin delivered might be the same in all cases, the flow rate or other parameters might be different. It might help to know which method is being used and whether or not you are experiencing any problems with the administration method itself.

Before you started your infusions, did you doctor present you with the various options available and describe the benefits and problems associated with each method?

Ways of administering IV drugs

[lpas]

... My first day is tomorrow, but I'll just be having the oxaliplatin infusion. Am doing the Xeloda pills instead of 5FU...

I can't remember if you ever said how you are receiving your oxaliplatin infusions. Is it by peripheral IV to the wrist? By PICC line to upper arm? By central line to a port in your chest? Although the amount of oxaliplatin delivered might be the same in all cases, the flow rate or other parameters might be different. It might help to know which method is being used and whether or not you are experiencing any problems with the administration method itself.

Before you started your infusions, did you doctor present you with the various options available and describe the benefits and problems associated with each method?

Ways of administering IV drugs

I'm doing it via port. I'm told that I have great veins in my arms (an easy stick) and I originally wanted to just be infused that way but my doctor talked me out of it--said it would probably be painful and my veins could collapse.