Recommendations for recovery after FOLFOX: What helped you?

Posted by wku @wku, Aug 9 2:09pm

After two years on folfiri, and one on capecitabin, my cea numbers started to climb into the 30’s. I’ve now switched to folfox and after three treatments my numbers have finally started to drop. 🤞. I thought Folfiri was bad but the Folfox is pretty bad too. I get infused for three days but it takes 2-3 more before I start to feel human again. Is there some trick to shortening the recovery time?

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Lee | @leeb123 | Aug 16 8:07am

I had 8 cycles of folfox.
Hand and foot neuropathy is a significant side effect.
More feet than hand.
Otherwise, rest after treatment and plenty, and I mean plenty, of fluids.

susanafc | @susanafc | Aug 17 3:46pm

I had Folfox for 8 cycles, stopped the oxaliplatin, and did the remainder for 4 more cycles because I started to have some neuropathy. I had about the same recovery times as you did. It took me 1 week from the first infusion to feel better. I was still very tired but took naps when needed and watched lots of "junk" TV, as my husbanded branded it. I tried to walk every day even if only for 10-15 minutes at a time. I ate whatever sounded good whenever it sounded good. I used Vit. D and B12 and Magnesium every day.
Good luck!

girafe | @girafe | Aug 18 2:26pm

I am not sure what the side effect you are having. For me it is the feeling I am going to throw up at any moment. I followed a direction from one of the medical website I read and it helped me a lot. That feeling slowly vanished.
Fresh ginger root tea 1/2 liter that I drank throughout the day, lots of water (2 liters a day), small snacks throughout the day, deep breathing and gentle acupressure on my wrist.
I hope that helps, wish you the best.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 31 5:54pm

@wku, I hope you saw the helpful posts from fellow colorectal cancer members. How are you doing now? Have you had the next infusion?

katieparkin | @katieparkin | Aug 31 6:22pm

I’m in the middle of 8 cycles folfox, 48 hr infusions, every two weeks.
I am absolutely exhausted and feeling so weak and generally just ill for 3 days after. Then bounce back fast. And aside from abdominal pain periodically (that I take a mild painkiller/anti spasm for, I gradually get energy back enough to go sbout life normally. I don’t experience any nausea, yet.
Hope this helps. And please feel free to share any of your other details. Im on here to gain as much knowledge from people who understand what all this is like. And also give support if I can.

wku | @wku | Sep 1 7:01am

Thanks everyone. I agree that drinking A LOT of fluids is essential. Just hard to drink that much water. Been lucky so far and no neuropathy.

115 | @115 | Sep 1 1:06pm

I find everyone’s comments helpful as I’ll be starting Folfox soon.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 12 2:34pm

In reply to @115 "I find everyone’s comments helpful as I’ll be starting Folfox soon." + (show)

@115, how are you doing? Have you started Folfox now or soon?

wku | @wku | Sep 12 8:31pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "@wku, I hope you saw the helpful posts from fellow colorectal cancer members. How are you..." + (show)

@colleenyoung I had a PET/MRI this week. It indicates that the activity in the lymph nodes has decreased substantially but the three liver tumors remain active. My CEA numbers have dropped a little. Next Folfox is next Tuesday. I’m currently awaiting word on whether I’ll qualify for a clinical trial using ARTO380. Not sure if I will qualify but fingers are crossed.
Recovery from Folfox seems to take up to 7-8 days. Leaves about 6 before you start over. Sure hope they develop a magic bullet.