Change of Chemo

• By sr2603
• Posted September 23, 2009 at 9:24 am
• Report post

I am triple negative. Was on Avastin/Abraxane for a year with stable disease. Xeloda - just finished 5 months of that but tumors are growing again, so my oncologist has suggested Navelbine and Avastin. It is pretty amazing that Gemzar worked so long, I may ask my consultant to look into that for me. There are a few treatments out there.

• Reply

• By IWILLBEATTHIS
• Posted September 23, 2009 at 5:30 pm
• Report post

Hi sr2603,

Thanks for your response. Definietly ask about the Gemzar. I tolerated it very well. I never missed a day of work and kept my hair.(Thinned a little).
Can You tell me a little about the Avastin/Abraxane and Navelbine.

Thanks

• Reply

• By sr2603
• Posted September 24, 2009 at 10:55 am
• Report post

The Avastin/Abraxane worked well for me. Lost hair. Main problems were neuropathy/discomfort in hands and feet, very small nose bleeds in am (not too bad). Dry eyes which I needed drops for. Fatigue which got progressively worse as time went, however note I never lost a day off working full time. Also just rested at week-ends. No loss of appetite or change in food taste with this combo which was good and I maintained my weight. Better than Adriamycin and Taxol, thats for sure.
Good luck with your next option!

• Reply

• By JTM
• Posted September 25, 2009 at 6:36 am
• Report post

I had Taxol last fall and then my 2nd recurrence came about this past June. I started Abraxane in July and had 3 sessions; unfortunately it's failing so the doc stopped it and I start Gemzar soon. Out of Cytoxin/Adriamicin, Tamoxifen, Taxol & Abraxane - Abraxane has been the absolute worse for me. The bone/muscle pain was the most excruciating pain I've had. The doc doesn't seem to know if the Gemzar will work, but we're gonna try it. I, too, am running out of options. My cancer is getting more aggressive. I'll be interested in hearing what they go for after your Gemzar. Keep us posted! God bless & good luck! JTM

• Reply

• By ious1Tjed6247
• Posted September 26, 2009 at 11:47 am
• Report post

Have been down this same road with you as my daughter. Ask about the chemo Ixempra. Get as much info as possible. Some metzers here have had great results. My daughter initially responded to it.
In her case however, she could only tolerate 1 cycle before tanking and then we went onto Avastin - which wasn't working. Her disease progressed and she is now walking on streets paved with gold. I see it as - - "Her Last breath on Earth; was her First breath in Heaven".....
BUT ...I am her "alligator" now .....and must continue to be vigilant and keep this disease in the fore front of my "Mission to Understand, Communicate and Accomplish" all because of her.
Good luck with your treatment and remember there is only one STAT crasher ......God! Keep a Positive Outlook. (((Prayers for You )))

• Reply

• By ious1Tjed6247
• Posted September 26, 2009 at 11:48 am
• Report post

CORRECTION: To prior post ....I meant Abaxane - not Avastin.

• Reply

• By beachgirl6
• Posted October 31, 2009 at 10:35 pm
• Report post

Dear Iwillbeatthis.

16 months on gemzar. you must be a wealth of knowledge. How did you handle it with the platelets? Any hair loss? How much?

I'm doing gemzar/carbo right now. I have done 4 cycles over 4 months due to low platelets I was 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Scans show NED. Doc wants to continue combo until the end of the year. No side effects for the 4 cycles (June-Sept). Now my hair is starting to fall out. At least strands are coming out. More and more each day.

What about ringing in the ears? Any issues with that and hearing?

Thank so much. Glad to hear it worked for 16 months. Hope the new cocktail works as long and as well.

• Reply

Add to the discussion