Difficulty breathing and swalowing during chemo (FOLFOX)

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 36

I am on chemo since January 2008 (Oxaliplatin, 5-FU, lukovorin) accompanied with lot of other medications which are there to help me tolerate side effects. I am using a pump and 5-FU is being delivered through approximately 46 hours. I am receiving chemo twice a month. After second treatment, I woke up with a feeling of pressure on/to my chest - similar to feeling when I eat too much. It didn't last too long. I had a lot of other digestive issues such as burping and hick-ups (hick-ups stopped). After sixth treatment, on the morning of second day when I was still on the pump receiving 5-FU, I woke up with feeling that my throat was closing. Along with that feeling, I have noticed slight change in my voice (that persisted) as well as echo-sound when I would cough. Doctors thought it was related to the yeast infection on my tongue and/or possible alergic reaction to the cats. That feeling of closed throat appeared once again later, during the week when I was of chemo but didn't last too long. And then, on seventh treatment, it happened already in the morning right after the treatment, this time more in the form of shortness of breath (needed extra air when walking upstairs). It got worse as time was going by and it felt like some kind of spasm in all organs from nose till stomack. I had sensitivity in my throat not related to the cold (smallest drop or crumb would make me cough) and problem with getting enough air (had to make more breaths-in while talking). Now it is my fourth day since treatment and I am feeling somehow better - off and on. Sometimes that shortness of breath feels more, sometimes less. I am not sure if this is related to digestion or something is happening wiht my lungs. After treatments I become very, very bloated, my stomack becomes huge. Food does not slide that easy to my stomack either, sometimes it feels like some of it is coming back. I do not have any other signs that would indicate alergy. Did anyone experienced anything similar? In short - shortness of breath and slight difficulty of swalowing, more like some spasm. My doctor wants me to see a lung doctor and is planing to evaluate me just before next treatment. But that is too long for me to wait... therefore I am asking you to share your experience with me. I am affraid of new treatment very much.

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 36

Just to add - shortness of breath I feel mostly when talking and walking upstairs. When I am still and not talking it just feels like some pressure.

REB

I have not experienced that.

I have experienced muscle aches and fatigue. On the night I after I do my chemo treatment, I can hardly walk. I just have no strength in my muscles. Its almost like being low on potassium. (I used to run cross country many years ago in high school. When our body's would get low on potassium, our muscle would cramp up were we could hardly move them.)

It has gotten worse with each treatment. The next day I am much better but my muscles are sore all over my body. Also, my jaw muscles tend to hurt when I first start to chew (Like they are tight) after moving them for a minute, they cease to hurt.

So, in my case, it does effect the muscles.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

dpotter · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Austin, Tx

I am on treameant 3 of 12, Started in Feb with (Oxaliplatin, 5-FU, lukovorin), Colon Cancer.

I understand what you are going thru, I found if I just relax and center a bit, it goes away.

My main problem is fluids, water tastes like crap and makes my tounge and throat ache, I find gingerale and warm tea the only things I can drink.

David...

REB · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Hard to swallow and breath

[quote="dpotter"]I am on treameant 3 of 12, Started in Feb with (Oxaliplatin, 5-FU, lukovorin), Colon Cancer.

I understand what you are going thru, I found if I just relax and center a bit, it goes away.

My main problem is fluids, water tastes like crap and makes my tounge and throat ache, I find gingerale and warm tea the only things I can drink.

David...[/quote]

It is hard to stay hydrated sometimes. Water does taste bad, and I can't drink anything cold. Gatorade is not too bad, but I don
t want to drink to much of it.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

dpotter · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Austin, Tx

I find drinking even room temp water makes me sick.

I can drink warm to hot tea and giner ale.

I will try the gatorade, but sweet is not the same anymore.

Going for chemo #3 on Tuesday, damn 3 of 12, will I make it Smile

_________________
1/11/08 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer
Started Chemotherapy 2-11-08 - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, (oxaliplatin 6 weeks only).
Age:42

REB · Last edited by REB on Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:17 am; edited 1 time in total

[quote="dpotter"]I find drinking even room temp water makes me sick.

I can drink warm to hot tea and giner ale.

I will try the gatorade, but sweet is not the same anymore.

Going for chemo #3 on Tuesday, damn 3 of 12, will I make it Smile

[/quote]

I remember eating a piece of chocolate pie after doing my first chemo treatment. I ended up spitting it out. It had no sweet taste what so ever. I found out that sweets tasted bad. That side effect has lessened with each treatment.

Its weird. The side effects that bugged me when I first started chemo, like nausea, don't really bother me much anymore. New side effects, like my muscles aching showed up instead. One side effect, the cold and numbness feeling, has stayed with me the whole time. I hate that one.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

dpotter · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Austin, Tx

Ya the cold thing is getting worse, even a cool breeze does not feel good, hot and cold flashes,now I know what it is like to be a women Smile

My fingers and toes are getting numb, but I find a thin pair of socks lets them breath but keep warm, and also a good foot massage helps tons.

Also you are correct about the muscles, but my doctor said my Electrolights(sp) were off, and has started my on some postassium(sp), they are feeling better now.
_________________
1/11/08 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer
Started Chemotherapy 2-11-08 - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, (oxaliplatin 6 weeks only).
Age:42

Montenegrita · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 36

Numinitis caused by Oxaliplatin, doc said. Some kind of inlamation of the lungs. He put me on prednisone and claims my condition is reversible. I have to say good-bye to Oxaliplatin as it pulmonary toxicity could become worse if continued. Will stay on 5-FU only. For neuropathies - I am sure glutamine powder and Ca+Mg tbts helped me much! I do not have any severe reactions/sensitivities and I did 7 treatments with Oxaliplatin! But do not do it on your own, check doses with docs (naturopathic and regular). All the best!

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