Guest guest Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 These do sound very much like side effects of oxaliplatin, the primary drug in the fol-fox regimen. They are associated with peripheral neurapathy. Some patients are much more susceptible to it than others and there is little if any way of knowing who will be affected prior to actually experiencing it. The calcium-mag does help some patients so it's worth a try if the doc recommends it. He may also want to discuss the possibility of trying a different chemo regimen that either does not include oxaliplaten or uses a reduced dose of it. Sometimes just changing the dosage or administration time or schedule can make a huge difference. The nurses at the infusion center are usually very knowledgable in offering suggested minor changes that will increase comfort dramatically. So, best advice: ASK questions and don't be afraid to be open and question options with the doc. A good doc appreciates a patient who's interested in their care and plays an active role. H --- flipper759@... wrote: > > > > I am assuming that all his organs are clear. What > are his blood counts like? > Do they think he has an infection? The Calcium > Magnesium sounds like a plan. > > You really need blood work results it sounds like > something with either low > counts or infection Ask lots of questions as to why > this is happening. It > sounds strange to be having these reactions a whole > week after treatment > > > In a message dated 12/20/2005 10:02:48 PM Eastern > Standard Time, > merier@... writes: > > Daddy had his first round of chemo (FOLFOX4 w/ > Avastin) last Wed-Fri and had > very few side effects until Monday morning. Now, he > feels bad all of the > time. In the early morning hours on Monday he had > extreme pain and spasms in his > lower back and down both legs. His onc told him to > go to the ER. He had > blood tests, urinalysis, and a CT done. They feared > something could be wrong with > his kidney function or that he could have an > aneurysm. The CT did not show > anything wrong with his organs, thank God. They > attribute the pain to side > effects from the chemo. > > He has numbness in his jaw, fingers, and toes. He > also has tingling and > burning in his feet. He has heaviness in his legs > and arms. He is very > uncomfortable. He has not had any nausea, but he is > on aloxi & decadron (iv) and emend > & dexamethasone. He still has the insomnia and > jitters from the dex even > though he stopped taking it on Sunday. > > He has the option for the Calcium-Magnesium > infusion, would it help the > neuropathy? Should he also take ALA? If so, how much > would you recommend? He is > taking some B-6. > > He also has a very low body temperature (94-96) and > low pulse (drops into > the 30s-40s frequently.) Is this response common > with these drugs? His normal > body temp is 98.something and his pulse is usually > in the 60s-70s. They were > concerned with his pulse at the hospital yesterday. > He has high-normal bp. > > Daddy feels much weaker and has a lot of aches and > pains all over his body. > Is there anything that you can recommend to help him > feel better? > > We are very concerned about the slowed heart and > lowered body temperature-is > this common? > > Thank you for any answers you may provide. I really > appreciate it. > > Take care. You are in my prayers. > > Meri > d/o , my Daddy & hero! > DX: 10-13-05 > CC w/ peritoneal mets > FOLFOX4 w/ Avastin: 12-14-05 > PAACE Trial, Control Arm > > > > > > > ******************************************* > Merry Christmas!! > > " For there is born to you this day in the > city of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. > And this will be the sign to you: You will find > a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a > manger. " And suddenly there was with the angel > a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and > saying: " Glory to God in the highest, And on earth > peace, goodwill toward men! " > > Luke 2:11-14 > ******************************************** > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 Meri, I am taking avastin with xeloda and oxaliplatin and they always dose me up with calcium and Magnesium. I take 300 whatever of Vitamin B6 daily. I get the neuropathy in my hands and feet just like your dad, but nothing in my back. I have a slightly lower body temp, but not as much as your dad. My blood pressure initially went up but lately has been lower. I think your dad has some drugs in his system that dissagree with him but I doubt that it is the avastin or the folfox4. You need to meet with the oncologist and try making some changes. I doubt that you can do much about it for a while, but the plan needs to be laid out before the next infusion. Len --- Meri wrote: --------------------------------- Daddy had his first round of chemo (FOLFOX4 w/ Avastin) last Wed-Fri and had very few side effects until Monday morning. Now, he feels bad all of the time. In the early morning hours on Monday he had extreme pain and spasms in his lower back and down both legs. His onc told him to go to the ER. He had blood tests, urinalysis, and a CT done. They feared something could be wrong with his kidney function or that he could have an aneurysm. The CT did not show anything wrong with his organs, thank God. They attribute the pain to side effects from the chemo. He has numbness in his jaw, fingers, and toes. He also has tingling and burning in his feet. He has heaviness in his legs and arms. He is very uncomfortable. He has not had any nausea, but he is on aloxi & decadron (iv) and emend & dexamethasone. He still has the insomnia and jitters from the dex even though he stopped taking it on Sunday. He has the option for the Calcium-Magnesium infusion, would it help the neuropathy? Should he also take ALA? If so, how much would you recommend? He is taking some B-6. He also has a very low body temperature (94-96) and low pulse (drops into the 30s-40s frequently.) Is this response common with these drugs? His normal body temp is 98.something and his pulse is usually in the 60s-70s. They were concerned with his pulse at the hospital yesterday. He has high-normal bp. Daddy feels much weaker and has a lot of aches and pains all over his body. Is there anything that you can recommend to help him feel better? We are very concerned about the slowed heart and lowered body temperature-is this common? Thank you for any answers you may provide. I really appreciate it. Take care. You are in my prayers. Meri d/o , my Daddy & hero! DX: 10-13-05 CC w/ peritoneal mets FOLFOX4 w/ Avastin: 12-14-05 PAACE Trial, Control Arm ******************************************* Merry Christmas!! " For there is born to you this day in the city of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. " And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: " Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! " Luke 2:11-14 ******************************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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