Hi Mick

Sorry to hear you have oesophageal cancer and you are having palliative chemo
I have the same condition, stage 4, and am about to have my 8th cycle of EOX, I have been on it since July. For me, to start with, the muscle cramps and  tingling fingers went away about a week after the infusion. The more cycles you have the longer it takes to improve as the effects are cumulative. Out of all the EOX side effects I have been told this one may be permanent but often improves with time after chemo ends. You may find your toes are affected too after 3 or 4 cycles. I find wearing gloves and thick socks is helpful when outdoors. You may improve more quickly as everyone is different. The side effects are unpleasant, EOX is a powerful mix, but to me worth it as it reduced the size of my tumour by 50% after 3 cycles. Best of luck with your treatment.

Cheers, Andrew

Dear Mick, 

I am so sorry to read you’re having to deal with this and I just had to respond and say hello because what you have just described about your current situation / diagnosis, is exactly what my Dad went through in every detail you noted. He had acid reflux which progressed to barrett’s esophagus, and then unbeknownst to any of us it turned into OC. At diagnosis he had a 5cm turnour about a third of the way down the esophagus and another small spot right at the bottom of it at the top of his stomach. He also had swollen lymph glands on both sides of his neck. Not a single symptom until he couldn’t swallow. His esophagus was 2/3 blocked by the 5 cm tumour. My Dad’s tumour was also inoperable like yours. He was 60 years old when diagnosed and didn’t drink at all, never. Since then I have known two other men with the same cancer. Let me just say the journey was in many ways different for all three of them. I am guessing treatment is even much better today than it was in 2000 when my dad was diagnosed. Wishing you all the best, Mick. Keep us posted on how you’re getting on. Take each day as it comes and treasure it. God bless. 

— Kristin 

Hi Mick,

Welcome to Cancer Chat and to the wonderful world of EOX.

I'm just another OC patient not a doctor but my own case was similar to hammer6580's. I was diagosed at stage 4 in late 2013 with liver mets and lung nodules. The side effects were cumulative and by the final cycle I was very cold sensitive in all my extremities and there was some minor nerve damage which made my fingers and toes feel frozen all the time. Immediately after the infusions I was extremely sensitive to cold air - it felt like I was being strangled and it didn't help that there was a blizzard on the day of my final infusions! Both these side effects faded after 2 or 3 days. The capecitabine tablets made me feel pretty cr@ppy over time too.

The good news is that all symptoms of nerve damage had faded to nothing by about six weeks after finishing chemo. It may have helped that I flew out to India shortly after taking my last chemo tablet and sat on a beach in the sun while waiting for my end of treatment CT scan results. 

I was lucky enough to respond well to the EOX and 5 years later I'm still around to tell my story.

Good luck!
Dave 

Thanks Dave

 Hello, I just wanted to chip in and say good luck, I am with you in spirit and sending you lots of luck for the weeks and months ahead. 

Xxx

Thanks Susan Ruth. Its a scary trip into the unknown x

 It is scary – very.  But your medical team will have your best interests at heart, they will guide you through the various procedures and treatment options.  My advice is to take someone with you when you go for appointments – four ears are better than two. And also to make sure you understand and are really clear with what you are being told– Don’t be afraid to ask questions even if they seem stupid.  If side-effects increase there is a wealth of information from your friends on this forum  on how to cope with them. 

 Take care and be kind to yourself. 

 I love hearing your success story Dave – it always makes me smile. Sending you a virtual high-five Xx

Hi Mick.

Just thought I would reply and say sorry to hear you about your diagnosis. My mum has just been diagnosed with stomach cancer and a similar situation seems problems are associated with acid reflux. Doesn't seem to be much information about the association of acid reflux/inflammation with cancer. She is also 55 and in otherwise good health. Please let me know if you have any tips and good luck with treatment. X