#88511 01-20-2009 01:13 PM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 114 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 114 | I'm on Carboplatin, Erbitux, and 5-FU. This time like previous chemo rounds, I am FREEZING all the time!! Anybody else experience this? I don't see it listed as one of the typical symptoms of chemo but I find it very hard to keep myself warm. Granted it's cold here in Boise but I'm wearing about double the amount of layers of everybody else. I have to sleep with an electric blanket now. Getting out of the hot shower is torture until I can get warmed up again. I wear underarmor under my dress shirts to go to work!! I've lost weight but not so much that I'm at a low body fat percentage - if that has anything to do with it. Am I alone on this one or has anybody else experienced this? If this is 'normal' does anyone know what causes it? Maybe I'm just getting whimpy in my old age.... Brrrrrr Steve
Last edited by Steve J.; 01-20-2009 02:15 PM.
Age 41 - Stage 2 SCC tongue Dx 2/06. Cisplatin x3, IMRT x35. Mets to neck node discovered 7/07. RND 40 nodes removed, margins not clear. Cisplatin, Taxotere, 5-FU Fall 07, then IMXT/Erbitux for 7 wks. Inoperable mets to both lungs and pleura Dx Oct'08. 4 cycles Carboplatin, Erbitux, 5-FU so far.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hi steve
rob never had chemo but he was so cold all the time it drove me nuts.It was spring/summer and we had to have the central heating on all the time.I think a lot of people suffer with this problem.
its freezing here too and i havent got anything wrong with me apart from a thermometer reading 0.
cuddle up and keep warm
love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | How much weight have you lost? That may have some bearing.
Also how's your thyroid? Mine crapped out Post Tx.
I was cold a lot post Tx and it was Oct/Nov here in Fl which is like summertime to most of the U.S. Heck I'm still cold but now it's F-F-F-F-reeeezing here anyway.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 | Hey Steve Sounds like me.. I still have a portable heater in my office and yes it runs during the summer  This from the kid that used to like it @ 68�F year round..... Kevin
18 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Steve
Brings back bad memories of shivering in the shower and as soon as I got out I had to have the space heater running full blast in the bathroom. 14 months out and I still wear triple layers of t shirt, long underwear top, and shirt. This for a guy who loved the winter freezes and was never cold. Best find was "shirt jackets" that are microfleeced lined and look like the old cpo jackets. So you are not alone.
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Steve,
I had no chemo, only radiation and froze the entire time. It was a beautiful autumn and I was in a flannel nightgown, under a down quilt rated for Halifax Newfoundland, a wool afghan and fox fur coat, plus two cats curled up with me and I STILL couldn't get warm. The only time I thawed out was when my husband climbed into bed with me. My thyroid was fine and I only lost 5 lbs the entire time. Unfortunately noone had an explanation. I suggest some exercise like walking might help if it is warm outside, rather than hiding in the bed like I did. It's not good for the muscles.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Its winter and its a pretty darn cold one this year. The freezing can be due to your blood levels not being where they should be. I can never keep it straight if its the white or red ones that cause anemia. That can be a result from the chemo. When your immune system gets compromised its not unusual to feel the cold much more intensely.
I keep telling myself, only a few months til spring. Sure cant wait to be driving on paved roads instead of ice covered ones. Sat. morning was -10 and that was before the wind chill, it was so cold that on Sun when it was 18 it felt warm outside. I completely understand your freezing. Im always cold too, did you lose alot of weight? That can be another thing contributing to your coldness.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 40 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 40 | [quote=Eileen]
under a down quilt rated for Halifax Newfoundland
[/quote]
That must be just north of Baltimore New Jersey:-) | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 489 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 489 | [quote=Steve J.] I've lost weight but not so much that I'm at a low body fat percentage - [/quote]
Steve have you had your body fat checked. If you have retained muscle, but lost weight possibly you have lost what your body had in reserve which would be your body fat. Just a thought - I have been freezing since I started chemo in July and just recently found out that I have pretty much no body fat. The weight that I lost during radiation was all body fat because that is what went down. There may be no answer other than bundle up more and keep using that electric blanket.
Patty
48
SCC Floor of Mouth 7/06
9/06 Surgery, bilateral neck dissection, 58 nodes clear PT2pN0pMx
35 rad 2006
Recurred 6/08, 1 Carboplatin, 1 Cisplatin
Surgery 9/08 - Total glossectomy, free flap from pectoral muscle, left mandible replaced using fibula
35 IMRT & Erbitux 11/08
4/15/09 recurrence
6/1/09 passed away, rest in peace
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 67 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 67 | Recently purchased a new pair of lined Justin boots, silk top and bottoms from REI, wool socks, glove liners etc. I'm several months out and I live in California! They are still testing my thyroid and the iron in my blood (I've had some post treatment anemia.) Drives my wife crazy now because she is getting hotter and I am seemingly getting colder. Oh well, bundle up!
Frank
SCC Right Tonsil Dx 2/25/2008 at age 43
T1N2B M0,Stage IVa
8mm primary removed 3/5/08
4cm lymph node removed 2/22/08
2 additional sub cm nodes
Tx at Stanford: 30 x IMRT, 2 x Cisplatin,
Started radiation 3/27/08, Completed 5/7/08
p16+, HPV 16+
2 Year Post-TX PET CT 5/10 - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Originally Posted By: Eileen
under a down quilt rated for Halifax Newfoundland
Eileen [quote=Mike T][quote=Eileen]
under a down quilt rated for Halifax Newfoundland
[/quote]
That must be just north of Baltimore New Jersey:-)[/quote]
You're right Mr. Mike. That error hit me about 3:00am this morning. It's Gander Newfoundland and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Don't remember which one quilt is rated for, but it is a mighty warm one.
And no I wans't anemic either. Just cold.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 40 "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 40 | [quote=Eileen]Originally Posted By: Eileen
under a down quilt rated for Halifax Newfoundland
Eileen [quote=Mike T][quote=Eileen]
under a down quilt rated for Halifax Newfoundland
[/quote]
That must be just north of Baltimore New Jersey:-)[/quote]
You're right Mr. Mike. That error hit me about 3:00am this morning. It's Gander Newfoundland and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Don't remember which one quilt is rated for, but it is a mighty warm one.
And no I wans't anemic either. Just cold.
Take care,
Eileen
[/quote]
Gander would generally be colder so that's the one you want:-) | | |
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