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Gemzar Is New To Me

JTM
  • By JTM
  • Posted October 1, 2009 at 2:21 am · 21 replies
  • In Recurrence
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

I am in the midst of my 2nd recurrence of mbc. I was being treated with Abraxane but after 3 infusions (9 weeks) the doc said it wasn't being effective; my tumor in my neck grew by 5mm and my blood tumor markers were up significantly. After doing "protocol" he called and said he wanted me to start on Gemzar. I hadn't heard of this chemo and wondered if any of you all had any experience with it? Abraxane was really hard on me - a real whammy. I'm pretty sure Gemzar isn't as hard but what would be the point if Abraxane couldn't stop or slow it down? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Cancer Dry mouth Avastin Fever Breast cancer Beta blockers Taxotere Cytoxan Pain Weakness Heart attack Carboplatin Adriamycin

21 replies

JudyV

I had a couple rounds of Gemzar and it worked wonders with the cancer. My doctor was very excited about it. Then we found out it was being toxic to my liver and had to discontinue it. I think if I could have stayed on it, I would be a lot better today. Just be sure they watch your liver function. I can't remember if it made me sick, I don't think so.

tzlzzw

Most people seem to find Gemzar pretty tolerable. I did not like it at all. It just made me feel miserable, extra tired, loss of appetite, mouth sores etc. On the other hand I found Abraxane not to be as bad. Was not on it long as it was not working.

maxnan

I'm sorry as I don't have any info on Gemzar. But I noted that you said, "tumor on your neck". I as well have a tumor on my neck - MRI showed it as on the parotid gland. My Onc has been basically ignoring it and she has been infuriating me about it. Her rational is that if anything, it is likely breast cancer and I'm already being treated for breast cancer. OK but HOW do we know it's breast cancer? She doesn't want me to pursue that. They've also ignored the mouth sores assuming they were from chemo, the incredibly dry mouth, and the congestion. Now the congestion is horrendous, but xray showed as negative, so she put me on an inhaler and otc cough syrup and sudafed. I'm a wreck about this. Meanwhile, I've done some research and it is extremely rare that breast cancer goes to the neck. Have you had any tests/biopsies that confirmed that it's breast cancer in your neck?

IWILLBEATTHIS

Hi Jtm,

I was on Gemzar for 16 months. Just found out it isn't working anymore. I tolerated it quite well. Can't even think of any side effects and worked everyday. I am going to miss it and as you can see it worked for a long time.

Good Luck with Gemzar

gasketman

Debi does not handle Gemzar real well but I know that they do alot of doubling up with calplatin. The research is very positive (Gemzar and Platinium) in combination. Ask your ONC and see what they say I can get you the research information if you need it.


Scott

mlm

I am currently on gemzar but in combination with carboplatin-9 mos. Before this I was on abaxane and avastin. I can tell you that I am much better. I have a few days of not feeling up to par then two weeks of back to normal before the next round. Please remember my gemzar treatment is with carboplatin. Everyone reacts differently with these drugs. Let us know how it goes.
mlm

LesaK

I am Triple Negative and I am on Taxotere and Cytoxan it is working ok for now. I had a Pet/Scan and it came back negative for Mets......Thank God....My CT/Scan came back positive for Mets in the lungs......My DR. did not change it. He said,"I am sorry." I was told that he was a good DR. and I am sure he is,However, I do not want him to drop the ball on me......K....We have to make sure that we are our own advocates....And are here for each other.....I am here if you need to talk ....Alabama

JTM

Maxnan: Yes - I had my tumor biopsied and yes it was the b.c. My onc won't have it removed as he uses it as a "marker" to determine whether or not a chemo is effective. It does work; it will shrink when the chemo is effective and it'll grow when not! The horse is already out of the barn, so to speak, so it's another good way to watch the symptoms as you can't constantly have body scans, pet scans, etc. My research indicated that it is typical for these tumors to show up in the neck, usually on the side the cancer was initially located. Good luck and thanks for y our response!

JTM

Thanks to you all who responded. It all has been a big help. I haven't been on the site very much this past year when I've probably needed you all the most - but it is so comforting to know you are here - we, the ones who know what cancer "survival" is truly all about. It's a very lonely journey when the people who love and care about you don't begin to have a clue as to what you're going through - but that's where you all come in. God bless and my prayers to you all. JTM

violetsrblue

E+ P- HER+
I was given Gemszar alone last year for 2 weeks on, one week off for several months, but it got to the point where I was sick and weak most of the time, so I was taken off. Now the Herceptin has damaged the heart for the second time and is not responding to treatment so no more Herceptin. SO....back on Gemzar again. This time the side affects are much worse with chills, fever, weakness, no appetite, bone pain etc. The've started spacing the treatments farther apart, but I seem to be sick most of the time. I'm scheduled for a pet scan in a few weeks and am anxious to see if this is working or not....I can put up with anything if I know it's working, but I's hate to think that I'm having to go through al this and it might not be working.

JTM

Went for the 2nd infusion of Gemzar today and I was amazed! The tumor in my neck shrank in one week from 2.5mm to 1.9mm! My onc was so thrilled he was like a giddy school girl! My blood stats were all perfect so I could have the full dose. One more infusion next week and then a week off. This will continue for at least six months. I have tolerated it well. What I don't tolerate well is the Aredia I take with it once a month. That stuff makes my life hell but it's only once a month. I can live with it.
Just wanted to share the good news! I only hope it keeps up!

Saraj

Dr. Jean-Bernard Durand, a cardiologist at M.D. Anderson, works closely with the oncology team and breast cancer patients . He spoke at the ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium last week in San Francisco. Dr. Durand often treats women who have had some heart damage from either Adriamycin or Herceptin, using Beta Blockers. Often these women are able to continue with their treatments with Herceptin. Dr. Durand said it was very important to have a 3-D echocardiogram image done, which would be a better predictor than the simpler ejectin faction. I would strongly encourage you to do some research on Dr. Durand's research to see if there is application for you. Good luck.

Stubborn

I did Avastin & Abraxene and my lung mets shrunk at the first scan but increased at the next. I am on Gemzar and Carboplatin now and have had fatigue and low blood counts.

beachgirl6

Violetsrblue-

Glad to hear another one of gemzar has had success. What was the extent of your side effects? My counts have gone low especially my platlets. Had to switch from 2 weeks on/1 week off to 2 on/2 off. Now after 4 cycles it has been switched to 1 on/1 off for maintenance. My last scan showed all clear. My fatigue level has increased. I just can't seem to get moving especially after a long week at work. I am now dealing with hair loss. Not sure if its the combo of gemzar/carbo. Not sure why it has taken 4 cycles over 4 months to start happening. After my last scan I was able to take a few weeks off and then start up again. The hair loss started a week before going back on. This Th it will be 3 weeks since the thinning has started. Did you have issues with hair on just gemzar?I will keep you in my thoughts as you go for your PET. I hope all goes well.

beachgirl

JTM

Started 2nd session of Gemzar last Thursday. So far all blood counts good; t-markers down and tumor in neck continuing to reduce in size. On top of all this - my hair is coming back from having Abraxane take it away! I must say that my fatigue is worse than it's ever been - I just can't get going. I can sleep 14 hours a day and often do. I shouldn't - but I have no motivation around me. Other than the fatigue and bone pain - I'm doing pretty good. Better than I thought I'd be! Thanks for all the good thoughts!

suzibell

I have been on Gemzar since June (right after Taxol/Avastin failed me). I too have a tumor that is palpable just above my collar bone. By the end of my 2nd tx, we could no longer feel the tumor, and it has stayed down since then. In a way we are lucky to have these tumors that are palpable when our tx stops working as we don't always have to depend on the scans. I still have a scan every 6 months to see what is happening inside with the tumors we can't feel. I find that Gemzar is a "gentle" chemo. I have good QOL while on it. I started out 3 weeks on, 1 week off, but never had the 3rd week dose because my platelets dropped very low. Now I just do 2 weeks on, 1 week off. I have some fatigue usually the 3rd day after my tx, but my energy rebounds after that and I feel good just in time for me next tx. I hope that Gemzar works for a very long time as I hate the thought of having to go on to a chemo with worse s/e's. I hope it works well for you.

beachgirl6

I'm another one with the palpable tumor in the neck. I too after the second gemzar felt the "blob" go down dramatically. A week later, the off week, couldn't feel it at all. Did 4 cycles of gemzar/carbo. Was suppose to be 2 weeks on/1 week off but platelets didn't cooperate. Went to 2 on/2 off. Much better but by cycle 4 platelets went to 16 and almost had a transfusion but the next day they bounced back to 35 and no transfusion. PET scan was clear. Had about 4 weeks off for a breather. Sloan recommended going until end of the year. Sloan also recommended no radiation because this would be a good way to watch and see if it comes back again. My NJ docs recommended radiation but talked to sloan after the PET and now its just more g/c until the end of the year.

Fatigue is starting to hit me. Wsn't a problem until cycle 4. Not my butt drags by the end of the day. Exercise does help. Believe it or not. My only real issue is the hair all of a sudden has started to thin. Just started using a silk pillow case and that seems to help a bit. Didn't expect any hairloss and definately was not prepared for it by the doctors. Very upset and disappointed.

As chemos go...gemzar/carbo combo is not bad. But for the hair issues would recommend it. Just prepared for the possibility.

violetsrblue

beachgirl6
My side affects can vary significantly, from mild to full blown flu symptoms. Chills fever etc. A few weeks ago they were so bad that I thought I might have to go off treatment, but had two blood transfusions and returned the following day for another round of Gemszar. Tests this week were all good!! The heart function has improved and is almost back to the normal range. The pet scan showed no new cancer areas and reduced size of most of the cancers in the bones (spine,ribs,femor, hips and pelvis). Plan is to continue with the Gemszar chemo and check with another muggascan in about 3 months to check the hearts progression. They will continue with the chemo 2 weeks on, one week off until it no longer works before they switch to another one or back to Herceptin. They know now that the Herceptin quickly kills the heart function and don't want to use it unless thay have to....

beachgirl6

Violetsrblue-
So glad to hear your most recent tests are good. Its such a relief to hear the good news when it comes!!! Sorry to hear about the chills, fevers, flu like symptoms. I heard about those and go hit with it once. My biggest problem seems to be the platlets. How long to the flu like symptoms last for you? If there anything you can take or do you just have to wait it out? I hope that sleep and aspirin/advil can help. I'll keep my fingers crossed that all continues to go well for you.

Best wishes.
beachgirl

violetsrblue

beachgirl6
I didn't have much hairloss at the beginning but it did catch up with me. Never lost ALL the hair but it was so thin and wispy that I was ready to do the "buzz" thing, but then, I was off for a few months and the hair came in again. I had problems with the blood as well. Gemzar is really a blood gobbler! The first treatments they would schedule a shot of Nuelasta the day after chemo. Then they switched to Procrit. They last three months I've had only 2 blood transfusions and no mention of either the Nuelasta or Procrit. I wasn't too unhappy about that as I didn't like the long list of side affects with either. I'm in Maryland for 7-8 months and in Florida for 4-5 months in the Winter, so it's interesting to have two oncologists that work together. Often they have differences of opinions as to the best way to proceed....
The pet scan showed decreases in the bone mets sizes and no new mets! The mugga scan showed the heart function that was critical from the Herceptin is almost back to normal.YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was going through a rough time when I was told that I had lost about 60% of the ejection fraction with the Herceptin and my heart was like someone's heart after a massive heart attack and the mets to the bones had increased in size, so I would now have to go back on Gemzar. Now 5 months later, things are looking up again! What a roller coaster ride we metsers have to deal with.Whew!

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