Need Chemo Side effect help

CloudMax · 07-10-2005, 02:47 AM

this is my first post so please excuse any mistakes

my husband has recurrent colon cancer, stage IV with mets to liver and lungs.. he is taking oxaliplatin, f5u and leucovorin.. has 2 days of iv's one week and the next week off... he is having some major problems with sore throat after only 4 treatments.. is there anyone with any advice for him? onc doc gave him prescrip for lydocaine to be mixed with mylanta and gargle but doesn't bring much relief and neither does salt water gargle.. also are there anymore wonderful surprises in store for us? thank you so much in advance for your patience and your help!

ktee_uk · 07-10-2005, 07:35 AM

Hi Cloudmax and welcome to the boards although sorry it is in such circumstances. There are many great people on this board from across the world who can offer advice, help and support.

My husband had the same routine as yours during 2003 and 2004. He was 44 at the time. We were warned about the usual side effects and so he tried to prevent rather than treat after they occurred, sometime successful sometimes not.

With regard to the sore throat, is this due to mouth sores, or is it possible he has an infection? I am sure the docs would have picked it up if infection but keep checking his temp to be on the safe side. Husband used to gargle EVERY day, with or without symptoms and he also switched to a baby soft toothbrush and made sure he gently brushed his tongue and roof of mouth.

It could be that the meds he was prescribed need to be gargled for a while before relief comes. Have you asked the oncologist if there is anything else they can offer for immediate relief?

I guess the only other thing I can think of is to try popsicles but go steady as he may have neuropathy effects from the oxaliplatin.

good luck cloudmax and keep us posted if he finds an answer to the prob.

regards
ktee

CloudMax · 07-10-2005, 01:53 PM

thanks ktee! i know that we read all the lit that came about the drug and now that you mention it, it did say to watch temp! do i feel dumb! so when he gets up (he sleeps a LOT) will check it... what did your husband gargle with? how is he? this is sooo mind boggling for us... he has lost weight.. started in 2001 with the orig cancer in his rectum, they did 6 months of chemo and radiation then had resection.. saved the anus but he had an illeostomy for over a year.. reversed that and did pet scan and all the tests.. they were concerned because some nodes were larger than normal but hey~ said it was gone, could have been inflamation causing that.. then in march he had congestive heart failure (has a weak heart) retained much fluid.. when in the hospital they found spots on the lungs, did another pet scan and found on liver too.. meanwhile he had all the symptoms of ibs! he has had a lot of problems with gastritis.. and sometimes diahrea or constipation..couldn't even make it to an appointment with a doc because he was one or the other! if that wasn't enough, he quit urinating.. went to urologist and they drained 2000ml off bladder and said prostate was swollen, got urolox and flowmax..then he has lost control of urine, so is now using and external catheter.. does everyone have all these problems??? pitty dom scary! i am so glad i found this board as no one in my life has had cancer and i have no clue what we are doing, what's gonna happen, and what to do! thanks to everyone there!
hubby is up and temp is only 97.7 so guess it's only the chemo and not something he has because of immune problems

still do feel silly for not thinking of it.. will watch better from now on~ thanks again!

CancerDad · 07-11-2005, 12:33 AM

Hi Cloudmax:
I was on the same regimen, and the sores in my mouth and throat got so bad I required morphine drops in addition to the "Miracle Mouthwash"-- Benadryl/Mylanta/Lidocaine mix. Some people actually have to be admitted. So don't worry about it. Just call the oncologist and let him/her know how bad it is. In addition, he/she may choose to put him on an antiviral as well. Call them though, that's why they are there. Also, the onc. may choose to reduce the level of 5 fU next round. Don't worry, it won't affect how effective the chemo is.

BTW I am 32--dx w/stage 3C Rectal Ca at 31 and can't pee since they resected me a year and a half ago. I get the occassional stream, but for the most part have to straight cath myself too. It's not that big a deal now-- there's actually a great catheter by Flomax... it just requires tap water to lube it. Saves on all the KY. As you know, it's a non-sterile procedure at home anyway, but I like them so much better. Have him give them a try. And Flomax didn't work for me... not prostate problems. 2000mls-- my GOD the poor guy. Hopefully the overdistention didn't do further damage. Anyway I wish him the best.

Hang in there.
CancerDad

CloudMax · 07-11-2005, 11:53 PM

hey, CancerDad! how'd you get so smart?? the onc doc told him today that they will reduce the chemo next time and to hang in there and he will feel better in a few days.. still using the lidocaine/mylanta mix and gargling but it's not much help.. as for the urinary prob, he has the opposite of yours.. he can't hold it.. so tried diapers (expensive and messy) then discovered the external catheter! tis like a condom with a tube attached to a bag worn on the leg.. he thinks it's better'n the wheel!
so what's next on the agenda for you? how are you doing? i have read some of the posts and the replies.. you seem like a caring and special person.. will be thinking good thoughts for you! thanks again! will try to keep in touch ~