Folfox for Chemotherapy

Hi Richard

I hope you get a response to your post soon.

Richard, I know it can be frightening to learn about the potential side effects of treatment. Keep in mind not everyone experiences every side effect mentioned. However, if you do experience side effects the medical team are on hand and very experienced at managing them.

It may help if you have further discussion with your medical team and/ or cancer nurse specialist to discuss your concerns or worries.

If you would like to discuss this or anything else please do not hesitate to contact our support line 1800 200 700 Monday to Friday 9am -5pm.

Kind regards

Cancer Nurse.

Hi! I was on Folfox, radiotherapy, surgery, then folfox plus oxalyplatin. Didn't notice much at all from folfox just eventual tiredness. Nothing else!! Its all scary but many folk manage to get through it all and come out far side! Dive in and keep swimming you'll be at far side before you know it!

Hi Richard,
I’m new here as I was diagnosed with metastasised colon/liver cancer in July.
The treatment recommended was Folfox. I’ve just had my 5th treatment yesterday and can honestly say it’s been fine.I know they list lots of side affects but none have been bad and I’m coping with the small ones I have. Just be sure to stay on top of the nausea medication and just take them regardless.

Fatigue - as the chemo builds up I get tired very easily but that’s fine I relax on the couch for a short time and I’m good to go again. I’m lucky I sleep solidly every night, for the first day or two after treatment and with the steroids I do find I wake around 4/5 am but just read or listen to a podcast and can fall back asleep and take a lie in.
Dry mouth: I initially got a very dry mouth and mouth ulcers and would wake with what felt like you mouth was stuck closed. The hospital gave me a brilliant mouth wash ‘BMX’ it something they mix up and so does my pharmacist, it works so well, again just needed for the first few days after chemo.

Stinging fingers: just when you touch something cold so I just avoid it and use a tea towel or anything to hand when taking stuff out of fridge. For other things like chopping cold meat I’m using a knife and fork. So just not a big issue.
I got results back from genetic testing so they now have added a immunotherapy infusion yesterday. I had to sign a consent form for the treatment and they had listed all those side affects again. I signed it anyway as it’s not as strong as the folfox so hopefully I won’t have any bad reactions.
I hope that helps
Carol

Throat: if you drink anything cold it feels like razors in your throat. Only have room temperature drinks. I am struggling with having no real taste, everything tastes off but I’m just getting on with it.

Itchy hand and feet: this usually happens in the first few day only and I just take an antihistamine.

Hi Richard,
I’m new here as I was diagnosed with metastasised colon/liver cancer in July.
The treatment recommended was Folfox. I’ve just had my 5th treatment yesterday and can honestly say it’s been fine.I know they list lots of side affects but none have been bad and I’m coping with the small ones I have. Just be sure to stay on top of the nausea medication and just take them regardless.

Fatigue - as the chemo builds up I get tired very easily but that’s fine I relax on the couch for a short time and I’m good to go again. I’m lucky I sleep solidly every night, for the first day or two after treatment and with the steroids I do find I wake around 4/5 am but just read or listen to a podcast and can fall back asleep and take a lie in.
Dry mouth: I initially got a very dry mouth and mouth ulcers and would wake with what felt like you mouth was stuck closed. The hospital gave me a brilliant mouth wash ‘BMX’ it something they mix up and so does my pharmacist, it works so well, again just needed for the first few days after chemo.

Stinging fingers: just when you touch something cold so I just avoid it and use a tea towel or anything to hand when taking stuff out of fridge. For other things like chopping cold meat I’m using a knife and fork. So just not a big issue.

Throat: if you drink anything cold it feels like razors in your throat. Only have room temperature drinks. I am struggling with having no real taste, everything tastes off but I’m just getting on with it.

Itchy hand and feet: this usually happens in the first few day only and I just take an antihistamine.

I too go home with a pump for 46 hours which is Fluorouracil haven’t noticed any other symptoms. Just a bit awkward as it comes with a belt or you could also clip it to a trouser belt loop.

I got results back from genetic testing so they now have added a immunotherapy infusion yesterday. I had to sign a consent form for the treatment and they had listed all those side affects again. I signed it anyway as it’s not as strong as the folfox so hopefully I won’t have any bad reactions.

I hope that helps
Carol