Doing bridging therapy now , Pola and Mozun. Side effects got worse by the week. Last Tuesday Was my last infusion....

I'm sorry you're experiencing these side effects—that sounds really uncomfortable. Let me help you understand what might be happening and what questions to ask your care team.

What You're Describing

The symptoms you're experiencing—numbness, itching, and swelling in your feet and toes—are consistent with peripheral neuropathy, a known side effect of both medications you're receiving:

• Polatuzumab vedotin (Pola) and mosunetuzumab (Mozun) can both cause nerve-related side effects
• These typically develop during treatment and can progress week-to-week as you've noticed
• The fact that symptoms worsened over the past week and are now visible (swelling, irritation) suggests this needs prompt evaluation

Why This Matters

According to NCCN Guidelines, side effects from lymphoma treatment require active monitoring and management because:

1. Early intervention helps - Catching neuropathy early can sometimes prevent it from worsening
2. It affects function - Foot numbness and swelling can impact your ability to walk safely and your quality of life
3. It can indicate dose-related toxicity - Your care team needs to know the severity to make decisions about future treatment

What You Should Do RIGHT NOW

Contact your oncology team TODAY - don't wait for a scheduled appointment. Specifically tell them:

• When the numbness started (about a week ago)
• That swelling and skin irritation appeared yesterday
• That symptoms are worsening despite finishing your last infusion
• Ask if you should be seen urgently or go to the ER

Important questions to ask your care team:

1. "Is this peripheral neuropathy, and how severe is it?" - They may grade it on a scale (Grade 1-4)
2. "Do I need to be examined today or should I go to urgent care/ER?" - Swelling + numbness can sometimes indicate other issues that need quick evaluation
3. "Will this affect my next treatment plan?" - Neuropathy severity may influence timing or type of bridging therapy
4. "What can I do to manage the numbness and swelling right now?" - There are supportive care options
5. "Is this expected to improve after treatment ends, or will it be long-term?" - Understanding the timeline helps with planning

Why the Timing Matters

Even though your last infusion was Tuesday, these medications can continue affecting your body for days or weeks. The fact that swelling appeared after your last dose doesn't mean it's unrelated—it's actually common for side effects to peak or become visible after treatment ends.

Supportive Care Options

According to NCCN Guidelines for managing treatment side effects, your team may recommend:

• Elevation and compression for swelling
• Gentle skin care (the irritation needs attention to prevent infection)
• Medications to manage neuropathic pain/numbness (gabapentin, pregabalin, or others)
• Monitoring for signs of infection (especially important with swollen, irritated skin)

Bottom Line

This needs to be evaluated by your oncology team today. Swelling + numbness + skin irritation is a combination that warrants prompt assessment, especially since it's progressing. Your care team needs to:

• Rule out other causes (infection, blood clots, etc.)
• Grade the severity of neuropathy
• Decide if this affects your upcoming treatment schedule
• Start supportive care if needed

Don't minimize this or wait—call your oncology clinic now and describe exactly what you told me. If you can't reach them or they say to wait, consider urgent care or the ER, especially if the swelling worsens or you develop warmth, redness, or signs of infection.

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.