Last Monday, my Mom had her first Alimta chemo treatment. This is her 2nd line treatment. When my Mom was diagnosed in March 2009, she was stage IIIB and had Cisplatin/Etoposide and radiation. The radiation shrunk the tumor and killed the cancer on her lymph nodes but that chemo didn't work and the cancer spread.
In September my Mom was restaged to IV because the cancer is now in her pelvis. Despite the cancer spreading, my Mom was feeling pretty good and our lives were returning to normal.
But, now that my Mom had the Alimta treatment it feels like the downhill of the rollercoaster again ... My Mom is so tired and sleeping a lot. Also, she doesn't have much of an appetite. She is also is complaining of pain in her chest and back more often.
I am so sad ... I cry everyday - usually multiple times - because I miss my Mom already (I want to go shopping together, I want to go out to dinner ... do the things we used to do) ... I'm trying to remain hopeful and have faith in God but it's not easy and I'm just so sad.
Can anyone tell me if they have had success with Alimta as a 2nd line treatment? Also, does the fatigue lessen? My Mom is getting the Altima once every 3 weeks.
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Alimta and Fatigue
- By lovingdaugther
- Posted October 25, 2009 at 10:14 pm · 10 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage IV
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- By cuddles53
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 1:30 am
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Try and get her out and about, and as back to normal as possible. you said you wish she could go shopping, try and talk her into going even if it means in a wheelchair, i went out this way and also for lunches, I didn't eat much, but it does a person a world of good. I also would go and sit on the beach,. i was not in good shape, but i think this is what pulled me through I tried to sit outside daily. My time for chemo was in the spring and summer months, so i could get out easier, if you live in a decent climate, try and get her out, and do the things you would like if she is able at all.. She may fool you, and do better than you think, it is important to keep life going on as normal as it was before cancer. So try not to let it put a damper on all things you held close, and cherished,, explain this to your mom. I am sure she may feel like going out once in a while herself. and please let me know how it worked out for you both.
You are still building memories even if they aren't like the ones you wanted, they are still here for us to see and learn from.
God bless Sandy
- By Guillermo
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 11:08 am
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I just completed a 6 cycles of Alimta, one every 3 weeks. My prior chemo was Cisplatin/Abraxane, hard to handle, tumours progressing and was interrupted.
In 4 years with NSCLC Alimta is the best for me, only the first week in each cycle I had fatigue and nausea and minor pains, OK after and I am stable now on Chemo vacation and going cruising for 1 month.
You are a great lovely daughter.
I feel sad with one that can not face my stage, is not visiting or answering emails.
Can you recommend a treatment for her?
- By staceym
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 4:28 pm
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My husband did experience fatigue/exhaustion while on the alimta. He would be fine until the eve of day 3 - at least we knew he would go to work ok and come home wiped out - and that would last until day 6/7. Then day 8 - 1 week after treatment he would get up and go to work - alittle tired but manageable. When he felt ok he would walk and take care of himself and this helped with the overall treatment when he was sedentary on 'feel good days' that would effect him more negatively on his following treatments. It's so hard bc the patient really has to rest when it hits but also really has to push themself to move when they are feeling ok. It's scary to see them so wiped out!
Hope she feels better,
Stacey
- By Pitrel
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 7:04 pm
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I had my second infusion of alimta/carboplatin. It was easier this time. But it took about a week to gradually feel better. In that week I had coughing, breathing somewhat harder, tired, constapated (stool softener fixed this). As the week passed. Coughing stopped, breathing better and not as tired. One thing I learned, after my first infusion do not lay around the whole week it does get depressing. Get up and get moving, it helped a lot on my second round. Exercise will help, it gives you energy. Get her to go shopping with you if you can.
- By terisa
- Posted October 27, 2009 at 2:19 am
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my first treatment was pretty tough but easier each time. It seems to hit me about one week later.Dr helped by putting me on steroid for little longer but hate how steroid makes me break out. had constipation for 1mth+ but seems to getting more regular.
I feel pretty good concidering that i am on chemo, and dont feel like i am since not losing hair.
good luck and hope feel better
- By 281Dianne
- Posted October 27, 2009 at 6:57 pm
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I was on Alimta for 6 treatments. After the first two treatments I felt find, But then I began to get fatigue, nausea. But I was also taking steroids as a pretreament 3 days before chemo. Of all of the chemo drugs, This was the best in spite of the side effects. My red and white blood count was constantly low, and had to take B12 shots every 8 weeks. I am nsclc 4th stage five years survivor. Alimta kept my cells stable.
- By GitarGrl
- Posted October 27, 2009 at 7:31 pm
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Oh, man. You sound a lot like me. Just going food shopping alone can reduce me to tears! I checked out your post because my Mom is on Alimta/Carboplatin and has been experiencing some incredible fatigue that's scaring the heck outa me.
This is her first line of chemo and she's only had 1 treatment so far, so I can't answer your question except to say that she was fine for about a week and then almost exactly 1 week after the treatment, she started sleeping most of the day. She's been restless at night, though she does sleep in 3-4 hour stretches. She usually wakes up about 3am each night and is up for a few hours, then conks out again until about 6-7am.
She's also lost her appetite. It's all I can do to find foods that will interest her. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks out from the first treatment and we're scheduled to see the oncologist on Thursday. She's been having pains in her shoulderblade, her shoulder, hip and now her thigh - all on the right side, which is where she had the thoracoscapy about 3 weeks ago. I'm not sure what it means or where it's coming from, but it makes her not want to walk much, which makes me worry more.
It's hard to see her this way. She was so active right up 'til she was diagnosed in late August. She was pretty much okay until the surgery (which was really just to get some tissue to test further), but when she came home from the hospital, it was with oxygen and a walker. This for a woman whose nickname is "The Energizer Bunny" because she tires out everyone else in the family! It's just such a shock all the way around and depressing as hell.
I saw your post tonight after having a bit of a meltdown (what I call my daily crying jags) and it reminded me that people can live for a long time with this disease. Some of the people who already replied to your post are inspirational to me. I can't imagine going to work while on chemo. And I'm going to use a lot of the advice you were given on how to deal with this course of treatment, so thank you for posting your question.
I wish all the best for you and your Mom. :)
Cris.
- By lovingdaugther
- Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:29 pm
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Thank you all for your responses.
I was going to see my Mom Tuesday night but she asked me not to come because she is just so tired. Today she sounded a little better but she hasn't been out of the house since last Monday. She said tomorrow she will try to get out. The weather in NY is raining and cool so it is not the happiest weather to be out in.
Thankfully my Mom is still being somewhat active around the house - walking up and down 2 flights a stairs at least once a day and doing laundry. She doesn't have much of an apetitie but eating enough.
281Diane - You have given me more hope ... Thank you!
God bless you all and everyone suffering from this horrible disease.
- By jr1
- Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:58 pm
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I am so glad you wrote this post since I am starting Alimta treatments tomorrow as my second line of treatment. I am now a paraplegic from radiation damage to my spine. So I am apprehensive about more chemo. I already have burning nerve pain in my back, ribs, legs, etc. I can't get out to go for a walk, but hopefully my husband will put me out on the porch every day.
I wish your mother success with her treatments. I, too, have stage iv NSCLC.
Janet
- By 281Dianne
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 1:22 pm
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CRYING IS GOOD. DON'T BE ASHAME OF THAT, WE ALL CRY, IT IS FORM OF RELIEF FOR THAT WE CAN'T CONTROL. I USED TO THINK ABOUT THE WHAT" IF", BUT HAS LEARNED TO GIVE IT TO GOD AND TRY TO MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT. I TRY COOKING WHEN I FEEL UP TO IT. I PRESS WHEN I DON'T FEEL LIKE PRESSING AND FOUND AT THE END, IT WAS A GOAL THAT I SOMETIMES REACH AND SOMETIMES DO NOT.
KEEP A POSTIVE ATTITUDE AND LOOK BEYOND THE WHAT " IF" AND LET YOUR MOM KNOW EVERYDAY YOU LOVE HER. SEND HER CARDS, GIFTS AND LOVE YOU NOTES.. I AM 66 YEARS OLD AND I
KNOW THE LONGEVITY OF LUNG CANCER, BUT I AM LOOKING TO BE HERE A LONG TIME TO ENJOY MYGRANDCHILDREN IN SPITE OF CANCER IN BOTH LUNGS.
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