SIDE EFFECTS

 

SIDE EFFECTS COMMON TO ALL OF THE DRUGS IN THIS REGIMEN

*Decreased blood cell counts

*Fatigue

*Nausea and/or vomiting

*Diarrhea or constipation

*Hair thinning or loss

*Infertility and risk of birth defects

SIDE EFFECTS SPECIFIC TO EACH DRUG IN THIS REGIMEN

*Fluorouracil: Photosnsitivity (skin and eye sensitivity to the sun), nail or skin changes, rash, mouth sores, hand-foot syndrome, (swelling, redness, pain and /or peeling of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of feet.

*Oxaliplatn: Cold sensitivity n your hands and feet or feeling cold for first few days after an infusion; peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, cramping of the hands or feet), changes in taste.

During my first treatment, I experienced quite a bit of nausea and discovered the cold sensitivity (yikes!) it was quite a shock to get that sensation when grabbing something cold from the refrigerator or freezer.  So, I thought drinking cold water wouldn't be an issue...wrong!  swallowing is an issue... Also, I get cold easily, which I was just the opposite...HOT!  A thing called hot flashes.😖

When I arrived at Roswell for my 2nd treatment I went to see my doctor, DeePak Vadehra, and received my blood draw there.  My sugar was hight because I failed to give myself my insulin that morning before going for treatment.  Because my blood sugar was high, I did not receive the steroids.  Which was okay, as it actually allowed me to rest during those three days and not feel like I was hyped up on caffeine.  I hit a wall on the 3rd day during my first treatment.  The fatigue wasn't so bad this time...there was no brick wall.

After my second treatment, I experienced more of the cold sensitivity, which this time included my feet and toes...walking on cold floor and my shag rug in the dining room felt like needles on my bare feet.  I now wear fuzzy socks or house shoes all around the house.  The oven mitt has a new usage for me...grabbing cold items out of the refrigerator.  😄

Today, I have noticed the darkening of my hands, face, and feet.  I am not too happy about this one...it is not a glowing sun-kissed look, but a dull dirty black look.  I spent quite a while scrubbing my hands and nails and nothing was coming off when I realized it was from the chemo. 😔😞😧  I do not like the look of this at all. 

I also been having some spasms or something with my lower back...I woke up like that...it was hard to walk at times or to sit down.  I finally took a Tylenol and it seems to have calmed down.   No diarrhea or constipation but pain all the same, which has increased.  Some foods do not taste the same...a funny metal taste in my mouth and a burning metal smell to everything outside. 

I still thank GOD that my side effects are not worse...I can deal with them thus far.

Chemo information taken from Roswell Patient Education