lacking enzmyes to metabolize...

Well, I know this can happen with 5-FU.

What chemo drug are you on?

You should probably see another oncologist for a second opinion.

Yes I'm taking that drug. First round by infussion and now in the pill Xeloda. I did get them to agree this afternoon to do a test for MTHFR. A nurse called back just before I got this post. And offered a reason not to do the other enzyme test, but I couldn't keep up with her. So requested she email it to me.

The symptoms I've been experiencing are what I've seen posted other places...severe abdominal tightening. During the first round of infussion I had to keep heavily medicated to keep the gut pain under control. I switched to the pill for the second round and had gotten off of all narcotics. After 1 week of the 2 week cycle, I developed sever abdominal tightening...thought I was going to die. Took 1 dose of a strong narcotic and got through it. But have been excreeted the chemo odor in the urine & bowel for the rest of the week. Last night, 9 days later, my wife could smell it coming out of my skin. Problem is this chemo drug is supose to metabolize within 72 hours. Yikes...I'm stuck in an HMO, but do have excellent coverage. Thanks for your reply!

I

Yes I'm taking that drug. First round by infussion and now in the pill Xeloda. I did get them to agree this afternoon to do a test for MTHFR. A nurse called back just before I got this post. And offered a reason not to do the other enzyme test, but I couldn't keep up with her. So requested she email it to me.

The symptoms I've been experiencing are what I've seen posted other places...severe abdominal tightening. During the first round of infussion I had to keep heavily medicated to keep the gut pain under control. I switched to the pill for the second round and had gotten off of all narcotics. After 1 week of the 2 week cycle, I developed sever abdominal tightening...thought I was going to die. Took 1 dose of a strong narcotic and got through it. But have been excreeted the chemo odor in the urine & bowel for the rest of the week. Last night, 9 days later, my wife could smell it coming out of my skin. Problem is this chemo drug is supose to metabolize within 72 hours. Yikes...I'm stuck in an HMO, but do have excellent coverage. Thanks for your reply!

I

Shop for another oncologist and get a second opinion.

   My spouse (doing follow-up chemo for colon cancer after surgery) is doing only Xeloda, but he was feeling extremely run down, insisted on last appointment w/hid oncologist that several blood tests be added to their nromal test list. Doc was a bit annoyed but added them - testosterone, a couple of enzymes, etc. Tests came back - way low on testosterone (normal range 30-80 or somethign, he registered at 7!). So doc finally paying more attention to looking outside the box on his chemo treatments and patient monitoring, and prescribed accordingly. He's listening to my spouse, who's been doing a lot of homework on all this.

   You are your own best advocate. If you can tell something's wrong, follow up until you get a doc who listens and responds.  

There is a blood test that confirms you are getting the correct amount of 5-FU.  It is take 18 hours after starting the infustion.  My Oncologist did this 2 times to make sure I was getting the correct dosage.  My be worth looking into.  I know I excrete the drugs for a couple days after my infusions.  I'm going on cycle 11 of 12.