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What to expect from Gemcitibine chemo/radiation?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Jul 11, 2023 | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
@jk77 ,
Are you counting Day 1 as the first infusion day, and then taking home a pump with 46 hours of 5FU (flurouracil) that you return on Day 3?
If so, your feeling lousy on Day 4 might just be the culmination of Day 1 pre-meds wearing off plus the 5FU, plus two nights of lousy sleep with that pump around your neck?
Also, dehydration is common with chemo, and makes one feel lousy. Maybe you could inquire about getting one more infusion on Day 3 before they disconnect your pump? It seems like a liter of saline (for hydration) plus some Palonsentron (Aloxi) might get you through the next two days. Aloxi is similar to Zofran, but remains active a good while longer. (I'm getting Aloxi instead of Zofran in my pre-meds now with the Gem/Brax/cis). I avoid the dexamethasone as much as possible because of its impact on my blood sugar and sleep quality.
Replies to "@jk77 , Are you counting Day 1 as the first infusion day, and then taking home..."
Thank you very much for this info. Yes, I count infusion day as Day 1; pump comes off on Day 3; the worst side effects begin on Day 5.
I have noticed that hydration helps, so I'll ask about IV hydration. And, I didn't know about Aloxi; thanks for mentioning it.
Thank you very much! Wishing you all the best.
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Good suggestions. When I was on Folferinox, the Friday that I had pump removed, I had IV fluids that helped me get through the weekend without feeling totally wiped out. Still trying to get a handle on the Gemzar Abraxane treatment which gives one solid day of flu-like symptoms, and several days of fatigue, brought on by chemo- induced anemia.