← Return to Anybody Get FOLFOX Chemo After Metastatic Diagnosis?

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@madilworth - I'm really glad to hear your midway CT scan showed no nodule in the lung—that’s incredibly encouraging and suggests the FOLFOX 6 treatment is having a positive impact! The cold sensitivity from oxaliplatin is definitely a strange and common side effect; it can feel like a shock to the system when touching cold surfaces or drinking cold liquids. It sounds like you’re managing the nausea, diarrhea, and neuropathy well with acupuncture and physical therapy—great job staying proactive. Since you’re handling things but might want some additional tips, here are a few practical ideas for dealing with cold sensitivity and other side effects, along with some general guidance:
Cold Sensitivity (Oxaliplatin-Induced): This happens because oxaliplatin can cause temporary nerve irritation, leading to tingling or discomfort with cold exposure. To help:
Wear gloves when reaching into the fridge or freezer, and keep warm socks or slippers handy for cold floors.

Use room-temperature or warm drinks and foods to avoid throat or mouth sensitivity. A scarf or face covering can help if you’re outside in chilly weather.

Some patients find relief by keeping a warm blanket or heating pad nearby for comfort during infusions or at home.

Since this is a neuropathy-related effect, let your oncologist know if it worsens or persists, as they might adjust the dose or schedule to reduce nerve impact. This might seem counterintuitive but the next time you are having your oxalaplatin infusion, try wrapping your fingers in a cold pack. The chemo nurses typically keep these on hand. What you are doing is limiting the amount of drug into the fingertips and preventing the drug from affecting the nerves. Could you give that a try and let me know if it works?

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Replies to "@madilworth - I'm really glad to hear your midway CT scan showed no nodule in the..."

Thanks for the tips! After treatment #2, my throat seemed to be closing up after simply breathing cold air, so I know to be careful with cold temps. I go to an infusion center for treatment, so I make sure I am bundled up when I leave. Sometimes even room temp water is too cold, so I heat up water when needed. I have gloves that I use for getting things out of the fridge. Thankfully the cold sensitivity has only lasted for a few days after treatment.

I am interested in icing, but my nurses were not super excited about me trying it and my doctor said research about its effectiveness is inconclusive. I have tried compression socks, which seem to mitigate some of the effects for my feet. I have had a hard time finding the right compression gloves (either too loose or too tight). The exercise routine developed by my oncologist PT seems to help me recover from the treatment.