Gemzar Side Effects? 5FU Side Effects?

Anyone have any side effects to Gemzar that left you unable to use this medication?  What were other options you tried?

Dad had a rare lung reaction to Gemzar they were able to reverse with steriods, but wont allow re-use due to this.

He also had a side effect of 5-FU resulting in blood loss to colon - this too was reversed.

megomego

My worst side effect was that the linings of my lungs were filling up with fluid and they had to stop the chemo, lucky for me it was near the end of the cycle so I can't have gemzar every treatment they would have to cut the strength so I could have it

bushy

I've read that a certain percentage of 5-FU users have a genetic inability to metabolize it and that a diet high in folic acid may amplify the desired action and the toxicity of 5-FU.  Studies have shown that people in the U.S. where they mandate adding folic acid to some foods sometimes require a lower dose of this drug as compared to people in Europe where they do not mandate adding folic acid to foods.

maxxschiken

Interesting piece of information regarding folic acid thanks

bushy