Cognitive side effects from Eloxatin?

My father has stage III colon cancer, had a surgery for removal of the tumor and 1 out of 19 lymph nodes tested positive for adenocarcinoma cells. (All of ohis other organs are clean as far as we know).

He just completed his third cycle of chemo with Eloxatin on Tuesday (8/24) and he has been experiencing extreme fatigue with some scary alternative behaviors. His memory has not been up to par. He seems to be confused  most of the time and cannot remember simple tasks or things I or other family members have told him. This happened two days after his treatment. Before this, he was okay.

Have any of you (or your family members) experienced this side effect from the chemo? Any information will be helpful.

Thank you. 

Hi there,

Yes, this is a common side effect, called Chemo-Fog.  You must remember that Xeloda is a form of poison.  All chemo is a form of poison, one that's designed to "eliminate" fast growing cells.  Your hair is a fast growing cell, so it will thin or be lost on may types of chemo treatment.  Your nails will become more brittle, your mouth could develop sores.  And your brain cells will be impacted.  Luckily, it's temporary.  Your hair will grow back, your nails will become strong again, and your mouth will heal.  Your father's mind will become less foggy in the coming days after he finishes with the Xeloda. 

My husband is Stage IV and on Xeloda.  He often very fuzzy, but then he clears up and is pretty normal, then he starts the chemo and he gets fuzzy again.

Hopefully this answers your question?  Let me know if you need more info. That's why we're here and that's why this board exists.

Good luck and we'll be praying for your Dad.

Paula Jean 

Hi there,

Yes, this is a common side effect, called Chemo-Fog.  You must remember that Xeloda and Elxatin and Oxyplatium are forms of poison.  All chemo is a form of poison, one that's designed to "eliminate" fast growing cells.  Your hair is a fast growing cell, so it will thin or be lost on may types of chemo treatment.  Your nails will become more brittle, your mouth could develop sores.  And your brain cells will be impacted.  Luckily, it's temporary.  Your hair will grow back, your nails will become strong again, and your mouth will heal.  Your father's mind will become less foggy in the coming days after he finishes with the Xeloda. 

My husband is Stage IV.  He often very fuzzy right after chemo, but then his mind clears up and is pretty normal ... then he starts the next round of chemo and he gets fuzzy all over again.

Hopefully this answers your question?  Let me know if you need more info. That's why we're here and that's why this board exists.

Good luck and we'll be praying for your Dad.

Paula Jean 

Thank you for your reply. However, I wanted to know if Xeloda and Eloxatin are the same medication. If not, then my father is not in Xeloda, but Eloxatin or Oxaliplatin.

I am happy to hear that this effect is normal after chemo regardless of the drug that was used.

Thanks again for your advice and your kind wishes.  

Xeloda is not Eloxatin.  Eloxatin is Oxaliplatin.   Xeloda is the oral form of 5-FU.  Hopefully this clears up what you are looking for.

Jack