Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

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worriedson714
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 4:27 pm
Facebook Username: jasonbeck

Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby worriedson714 » Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:03 pm

Hello all ,
My dad had his scan friday so we are all on edge for the results also he had alot of loose stools last week that finally seems to be getting better . However today I have noticed he has confusion problems and even fell one time . He has had five cycles of folfiri is on blood thinners I know most likely there is alot going on but can low electrolytes cause the confusion and the fall ? I had him started drinking propel hoping that helps out until monday when i can call the oncologist ?
The current other problem is he is all of a sudden getting very tired which I know most likely could be the chemo but he also has had a hemoglobin of 7 to 9 for years and the oncologist is ok with it . Could anemia also be playing a role in the sleeping so much ?
My Dad was DX - 3/19 stage 3 rectal cancer
Folfox - 6/ 2019 threw 10/2019
Rad - 4/ 2019 threw 5/2019
12/ 19 - Abdominal Perineal Resection - Cancer left and permanent colostomy
9/21- Removal of prostate and bladder- Permanent Urostomy still cancer left
5/28/21 - Positive Biopsy Mostly necrotic tumor
6/14/21 - Sepsis with obstructive uropathy needed nephrostomy tube
7/19/21 Kidney infection
7/28/21-Started folfiri
8/3/21 - Blood Clots in lungs and leg
10/13/21 Chemo stopped

Nor Cal
Posts: 89
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2020 8:18 pm

Re: Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby Nor Cal » Sat Oct 09, 2021 8:52 pm

I'm 51 and take 2 naps a day. The anemia can be rough. I also drink the hippy gatorade (I forget what it's called) to try and keep my electrolytes in good shape. Can also go with the low sugar coconut water.

Do you have a blood pressure cuff at home? May be worth monitoring...
Dx June 2020, stage IV, w liver mets in both lobes. M, age 50. Right-sided colon tumor. CEA 120.
BRAF+ TMB 5% MSS TDL1-1%
July 2020 - Present: 55 cycles chemo (All the various 5-FU regimens)
December 2020 - February 2021 Y90 Radioembolization, Chemoembolization x2

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beach sunrise
Posts: 1041
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby beach sunrise » Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:16 pm

For electrolyte balance I take Tri-Salts
For blood building I eat liverwurst
8/19 RC CEA 82.6 T3N0M0
5FU/rad 6 wk
IVC 75g 1 1/2 wks before surgery. Continue 2x a week
Surg 1/20 -margins T4bN1a IIIC G2 MSI- 1/20 LN+ LVI+ PNI-
pre cea 24 post 5.9
FOLFOX
7 rds 6-10 CEA 11.4 No more
CEA
7/20 11.1 8.8
8/20 7.8
9/20 8.8, 9, 8.6
10/20 8.1
11/20 8s
12/20 8s-9s
ADAPT++++ chrono
CEA
10/23/22 26.x
12/23/22 22.x
2023
1/5 17.1
1/20 15.9
3/30 14.9
6/12 13.3
8/1 2.1
Nodule RML SUV 1.3 5mm
Rolles 3 of 4 lung nodules cancer
KRAS
Chem-sens test failed Not enough ca cells to test

worriedson714
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 4:27 pm
Facebook Username: jasonbeck

Re: Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby worriedson714 » Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:37 pm

beach sunrise wrote:For electrolyte balance I take Tri-Salts
For blood building I eat liverwurst


Liverwurst has been out of stock at all stores here you can still buy it ?
My Dad was DX - 3/19 stage 3 rectal cancer
Folfox - 6/ 2019 threw 10/2019
Rad - 4/ 2019 threw 5/2019
12/ 19 - Abdominal Perineal Resection - Cancer left and permanent colostomy
9/21- Removal of prostate and bladder- Permanent Urostomy still cancer left
5/28/21 - Positive Biopsy Mostly necrotic tumor
6/14/21 - Sepsis with obstructive uropathy needed nephrostomy tube
7/19/21 Kidney infection
7/28/21-Started folfiri
8/3/21 - Blood Clots in lungs and leg
10/13/21 Chemo stopped

User avatar
beach sunrise
Posts: 1041
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby beach sunrise » Sun Oct 10, 2021 12:48 pm

Yes, usually at Publix. Ask the grocer to order it. They can do that for you.
8/19 RC CEA 82.6 T3N0M0
5FU/rad 6 wk
IVC 75g 1 1/2 wks before surgery. Continue 2x a week
Surg 1/20 -margins T4bN1a IIIC G2 MSI- 1/20 LN+ LVI+ PNI-
pre cea 24 post 5.9
FOLFOX
7 rds 6-10 CEA 11.4 No more
CEA
7/20 11.1 8.8
8/20 7.8
9/20 8.8, 9, 8.6
10/20 8.1
11/20 8s
12/20 8s-9s
ADAPT++++ chrono
CEA
10/23/22 26.x
12/23/22 22.x
2023
1/5 17.1
1/20 15.9
3/30 14.9
6/12 13.3
8/1 2.1
Nodule RML SUV 1.3 5mm
Rolles 3 of 4 lung nodules cancer
KRAS
Chem-sens test failed Not enough ca cells to test

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

Re: Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby Gravelyguy » Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:13 pm

I know the one time I was dehydrated, I struggled with my thinking and had trouble with balance.

It might be worth calling the on call oncologist. Iv fluids could make all the difference.

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

catstaff
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2021 11:37 am

Re: Low electrolytes maybe ? and anemia ?

Postby catstaff » Sun Oct 10, 2021 6:09 pm

Electrolyte imbalance can certainly cause confusion, especially low sodium. If it's enough to cause confusion IV supplementation will probably be required, as GravelyGuy notes. However, bloodwork is required to confirm this.

Chemo can cause fatigue especially if hemoglobin is low. Why has he been anemic for so long?
D/H Dx 10/2019 RC age 61
Clinical T4bN2M1a (common iliac and para-aortic lymph nodes)
MSS KRAS G12D
CRT 11/19-1/20 FOLFOX 3/20-7/20
Pelvic exenteration w/LAR 8/20
ypT4bN0Mx G3 0/14 nodes LVI not seen PNI-
CEA 10/19:20, 1/20-11/20:1.6, 4.3, 3.4, 2.7, 2/21:9.0 3/21:18,40 4/21:28,19, 5/21:13.3,8.6
PET 3/21 recurrence in distal nodes, L5 vertebra, pelvis
FOLFIRI+bev 3/21-


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