In remission!!!- CHOP+R recovery - - how to proceed

SingleDad · Last edited by SingleDad on Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:17 am; edited 1 time in total

Have some questions.

How long do the drugs actually stay in the body.

Can I actively flush via high water intake or is that not a good idea.

What are best steps to return to a "normal" - endocrine system.....I notice on other sites some have lasting consequences.....

Sleep like crazy??

High nutrition diet ?? ( so far it's been eat as nothing much gets absorbed )

etc etc
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

Badri

Hi,

Completed Six R-Chops and on remission since Feb '09. I too had the similar queries and hence thought my experience might help you.

I would imagine that the drugs do their job within a few days of administering and that is one reason why they suggest drinking plenty of water. I was asked to drink atleast three litres of water a day.

They also suggest having fruits that increase haemoglobin and platelet counts since these two plummet post chemo. I had also taken a few injections after every chemo cycle to increase counts of haemoglobin and platelets.

You need to keep taking high nutrition diet though there may not be real weight gain. I had infact lost around 20 kgs. But during chemo it is advised to have a good nutrition diet to maintain desirable body weight.

Fluctuations in body weight is something I had closely observed, there used to be a gain or loss of about two kgs in a day.

Hope the above information helps you.

Regards,
_________________
Age : 44
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 4
Finished Six cycles of R Chop 14 - 21st Jan '09
Officially in remission 9th February 2009
Remission confirmed 24th April 2009

SingleDad

Yeah that helps thanks - I was unaware of the water issue - and I do feel dehydrated....
I'll act on that..

My doc said eat during chemo so I did and maintained body weight and my blood work was fine all the way through.

I could feel tho I was not getting the nutrition level without frequent meals - craved fats tho not sugar.

Taste for veggies went away for a while then back then gone again.

I can still feel the chemo....sore mouth, digestive system uncertain.

The weirdest is tendency to muscle cramps - feels like I'm potassium short but my blood work indicates not....

I'm impatient as I'm tired of the chemo and want to flush it out before intra-secal starts ( prophylactic purposes - there are no symtoms ).

Thanks for the reply.....water time it is....
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 286 Location: Japan

I'm not sure there is something you can do to prevent any of long term side effects, as the drugs really do effect each individual differently. I imagine anything that builds the immune system would be a good start.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

SingleDad

Of course there is - the body has extenisvie repair capability - unless there is an underlying genetic weakness or nerve damage from the poisons there is no reason not to have a complete recovery to good health.
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

ChemoMan

Hi SD

Your jumping the gun I think SD. If you are getting intrathecal chemo they are going to inject methotrexate into your spine so all the side effects are going to continue. You will get more than one treatment. be careful not to put on weight as they will increase the amount of chemo if you do.

R CHOP is usually good but as Joepet says it can leave permanent damage but this is rare. The doxyrubicin can damage your heart and vincristine can damage the peripheral nerves. If this happens you will have to live with it. Chances are if you are not experiencing heart or nerve side effects now you will be OK. You should start to feel good about 3 to 4 weeks out and make a steady improvement from there. I had minor problems with infections in my toes but nothing really serious. All you need to do is eat well, by which I mean eat good healthy food and get lots of sleep. There is nothing more you need to do. have a bit of patience you will feel better than you have for a long time before you know it.

The only lasting side effect for me was the hair. 12 months out and I still have baby hair but I don't care one bit. like I said before at least I am alive to whinge about it Smile

Good luck with the rest of it I hope your intrathecal treatment doesn't go on too long and you can put all of this into the past.
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

ChemoMan

Hi SD

Take a look at this

http://www.presentme.com/FLASH/20080928LRFLiebertz/

Should answer your questions.
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

Badri

Hi,

I too had muscle cramps and the for a few days I found that the muscles jammed and then got released after a few seconds. I had it for a month. Also the tips of fingers in the hand and few patches below the feet
felt numb. There was a tingling sensation and was unable to hold glass with hot liquid. The nails got discoloured and became brittle. The fingers of the hand are much better.

I had shaved my head twice once inbetween the second and third chemo and the second one a month back. The first time it took about three months to get a half a cm length of hair and now it has grown the same length within a month.

The severest of symptoms that I now carry is Axonal Motor Sensory Neuropathy - some of the nerves of my hands and legs have been damaged and I am unable to walk steadily. It is painful to walk and my feet start dropping after some time. Though earlier I was unable to walk more than a few steps, I am now able to walk upto a Kilometer at a good pace. With each passing day I am able to walk longer and faster. I am not sure whether the nerves will be completely repaired. Had a Nerve function test in March and again last week, there definitely is an improvement.

Wishing you all the best in your recovery.

Regards,
_________________
Age : 44
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 4
Finished Six cycles of R Chop 14 - 21st Jan '09
Officially in remission 9th February 2009
Remission confirmed 24th April 2009

SingleDad

Thanks guys - it's not so much being in a hurry as having a timeline to work with..

Sure the intrasecal will have it's own side effects but the CHOP+R is done.
I get 4 rounds according to the doc.

My weight is stable - I need to taper the high fat aspect as my intestines get back to absorbing properly...

It's coming along slowly -

Glad someone else had cramps....that is seriously annoying as it limits my ability to stretch etc - even rolling over in bed risks a muscle cramp..

Mouth is still very sensitive as are my finger tips to heat...the mouth issue translates to a irritable throat - be glad when the resultant cough is done....

In for an Xray tomorrow morning...not sure of the goal on this.

Thanks again for the good info and wishes..
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

ChemoMan

Hi SD

The cramps won't last long......they hurt but Crying or Very sad

_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

SingleDad

Gonna try some swimming to loosen up ( aka bumping around slowly in the pool _
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

SingleDad

3 weeks since I rang the completion bell

Cramps are mostly gone...yay..I can actually stretch without fearing lock up

Energy coming back big time much to kids dismay as his eternal mess is the target of a lot of it.. Twisted Evil

Hair returning a bit -

Skin far less sensitive and dry - moth still a bit sore and sensitive

cough is way down which I attribute to the same less sensitive skin etc.

Taste returning somewhat for coffee - not entirely there...

Digestive system iffy tho not bad....

Sleep still a bit odd but deeper
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

SingleDad

Yippee!!!!!!

officially in remission - no sign of any cancer

2 years of check ups and after that with no recurrence it's declared a cure

still have some treatments to go through that are prophylactic in nature - about 2 months worth - then a 3 month follow up but doc says no sign of anything
_________________
Age 61
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma Stage 2/3
CHOP+R started Feb 26th 2009
Completed 6 cycles June 2009
Diary here http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12003
Officially in remission July 9th 2009 Wink

Three rounds of Intrathecal completed July 29th
Radiation to come as a prophylactic measure.
1st Radiation Sept 9 - 17 does completed Oct 1.
No more treatments scheduled
Heading to South Africa in January - once the itching stops Mr. Green

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 286 Location: Japan

Congratulations! See, chemo's no big deal at all! Smile

_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

ChemoMan

Hi SD

Excellent news....welcome to the club Very Happy

_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

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