Alimta Successes

kosby
0 Recommendations

Well I have tried to get through the holiday season without too much stress so I decided that for a week I was going to have no cancer and enjoy my holiday. I did quite well.

Now, it's back to reality and the fact that the Tarceva trial I was on kicked me off because I had disease progession and was of no continued value to the study. So, it is on to the next phase - which is now considered 3rd line treatment - I start Alimta on Friday and naturally I will be striving for the best results.

I have been fortunate since my dx in that I have had no real complications in my daily life - I have no symptoms of recurrent IIIB NSCLC - it drives me nuts to grasp that I have an incurable disease. People think I am dying - well yes I am, but so are they. I am just blessed that I can live my life at this point feeling good. I don't think I will feel as well as I do once I start the Alimta - it is a chemo just like all the rest - carbo/taxol at the end knocked me down - the weekly infusions were fine while I was getting radiation - but the last 2, whew - I do not look forward to that feeling again.

Anyway, I will not go on and on as my real question to all of you is who has been on Alimta, for how long, with what kinds of success, etc.? And, what kinds of side effects?

Wishing everyone a great 2008, blessed with peace and good health.

Miracles and blessings . . .

Kathy

27 replies

mariareyes

Hi Kathy,

I'm starting Alimta on Friday too, so I can't help you with that information. But I read in another thread that it can work very well. You just need to eat and drink (dehydration can be dangerous). So I can't wait to get started.

The main reason I wanted to comment to your post is to thank you for your attitude towards life: a cancer free Holiday time is fantastic. I think it is good to separate yourself from the disease and make your life happy and complete.

Love,
Maria.

Jolene

Kathy!
Sorry that the Tarceva didn't work out for you, but, there are always other options. Praying for that miracle you so deserve for 2008! Hang tough, keep that chin up, march on..march on... one day at a time. Jolene

allenminker

I have done six cycles of Alimta for this, my second recurrence. The last PET/CT scan showed marked improvement. This is the first chemo drug I have taken that has given this result.
On the negative side, I have experienced fatigue and long hours sleeping; lack of appetitie, weight loss and nausea (for which my doc prescribed Marinol). I am also now having shortness of breath and rapid pulse, but I can't say for certain they are caused by Alimta.

prem

Kathy,

I have had four cycles of Alimta while continuing with Tarceva. I did well on Tarceva for three years before progression was noticed. We decided to stay with Tarceva but added Alimta on a monthly cycle. It has helped reduce progression symptoms. I find Alimta adds to several uncomfortable days between days 3 to 8 after infusion. The side-effects are some nausea, fatigue, minor rash and itching and a runny nose - all are mangeable with proper medications. Other than that, I remain healthy, active and happy continuing with Tarceva/Alimta combo

If you were on Tarceva for a while or if you are EGFR positive, you may want to discuss staying with Tarceva and adding Alimta. It has been reported in studies at Sloan Kettering Institute that progression while on Tarceva is usually slow. Sudden withdrawal of Tarceva can result in faster progression.

Best wishes and happy New Year!

Prem

www.hope-now-awards.org

pkitts

Hi Kathy,
Sorry to hear the tarceva didn't work. As far as Alimta.....I tolerated it very well. I had a couple of days of feeling tired and a little yucky. Had some low counts, but not enough for Neulasta or Aranesp shots. Unfortunately it didn't stop my cancer from growing. But keep hope, because there are others on this site who are on Alimta with good success and few side effects.
Wishing you much hope and success with it!!

Pat K

SaltyDog

Kathy

I have been on ALIMTA for 17 months, 25 cycles, and have never been bothered by side effects. It is not me: had a HUGE rash when I was Tarceva and I had neuropathy , hearing loss and fatigue on Cabro Taxol. Alimta has a more benign prole for most patients, but not all. it has been a walk in the park for me.

I have experienced shortness of breath while I have been on Alimta but I am not sure that it is the culprit. ( I also have some pulmonary fibrosis) And the good news is that it has been successful in holding my disease pretty much stable. I have been stage IV for two years and still live a very normal life.

Phil C

Chanwit

Hi Pat, hope you get to qualify for the clinical trial. Alimta didn't work for Lisa either.


I don't know if you read the reply to your earlier post andI was wondering what you and your doctor thought of this new testing procedure. I repeat it here:


Peace, Chanwit


This article in the November issue of LifeExtension magazine was interresting and maybe there is something there you could ask your doctor about. The article is about " A new organization called the International Strategic Cancer Alliance (ISCA) has been formed to unite patients with oncologists who will integrate a vast array of synergistic therapies into customized treatment programs to provide the best scientific opportunity of eradicating the malignancy."
Here is the link to the November issue:


"ISCA has a contract with a European laboratory, which performs DNA analysis of circulating tumor cells. Numerous molecular markers are available for the detection of circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream. If circulating tumor cells are detected, then a chemosensitivity test is performed, which provides a list of both chemo drugs and nutraceutical agents that can be applied against those cells." See the Nov. Issue for the sample report.



http://lef.org/magazine/mag2007/nov2007_cover_cancerpatients_01.htm

kosby

Hi Maria -

We'll need to compare notes after our initial Alimta experiecnes - and keep in touch as well as to our progress and success. - because there is nothing else to look to tomorrow for but progress of arresting this nasty disease and having success at keeping it in check.

when I was on taxol/carboplatin w/daily radiation I drank so much water with Gookenaid in it I thought I would float away. Dehydration is something I do not ever want to experience. Before I ever started my initial treatment I was in the onc's office and a woman was in the process of being admitted to the hospital for dehydration - it left a vivid impact on my mind.

I too look forward to starting this new treatment and having 2008 be a great year for all of us and expecially research and new treatments.

Mirqcles & blessings . . .

Kathy

kosby

Jolene -

Thank you for your encouragement - we all need it. I know there are other options available should I need them - I just don;t want them to be needed in the near future.

Happy New Year -

Miracles & blessings . . .

Kathy

kosby

Hi Allen -

You live in my favorite part of the country; beautiful California. Having lived in So Cal most of my adult life and always residing near a beach - Malibu, Redondo and Newport, I miss the weather but nothing else. I now live in cold Minneapolis.

Your "marked improvement" from Alimta are the words I like to hear. Of course, the fatigue, lack of appetite, weight loss and nausea are side effects I guess we learn to deal with. When I was on Taxol/Carboplatin I experienced the same types of side effects and my greatest relief came from Anzemet for nausea and Gookenaid, a sports drink electrolyte replacement drink for dehydration and strange as it may sound, it did make me feel better. It is a powder with mild lemon or fruit flavors. It was created by a chemist and you can read about it at:

http://lifewithease.com/gookinaid.html

I wish you good health in the New Year and will keep my eyes open for postings from you.

Miracles & blessings . . .

Kathy

kosby

Hi Pat -

Sorry to hear that Alimta was not beneficial for you - what followed for you? I like to see the big picture and be prepared for the worst while I look for the best.

Miracles & blessings . . .

Kathy

kosby

Hi Phil -

Wow - 17 cycles of Alimta - now that's what I want to experience. Carbo/Taxol side effects were similar to yours, but I tolerated very well. I am a firm believe that we have the ability to make the best of a lousy situation. I am fortunate that I have an active life and experience no symptoms from my recurrent IIIb. I look to Alimta as being the stablizing chemo for me.

Miracles & blessings . . .

Kathy

pkitts

Hi Kathy,
I understand about wanting to know what's next. I'm having a folate scan tomorrow to see if I'm eligible for a clinical trial called EC-145. It's like a targeted therapy and works with folate. If I light up like a Christmas tree with the folate, then I'm in. If I don't do this trial, it looks like possibly Gemzar with Avastin. The EC-145 is for ovarian and lung cancer. My mom had ovarian cancer, so I'm curious if there is a correlation.
Hope you have good results from the Alimta.

With HOPE,
Pat

kosby

Pat -

Thank you for the info. I wish you success in whatever your treatment end up to be.

Yes, with hope to you as well . . .

Kathy

garyo

My name is Gary, have been on Alimta with Cisplatin for 2 treatments 3 weeks apart, and have 3 more, next one Jan. 11th. I as well am terminal, inoperable and have been dealing with this since last Dec. 18th....

I was stage IV at diagnosis and have mets to bone in various places but like you, keep working, golfing and I will never give up. I do get tired, I had 4 months early last year with carbo/taxol combo and radiation....

You sound great, keep it up if you ever want to talk write me as I can relate it is wierd knowing you have a terminal disease with no cure....

Regards,

Gary

mariareyes

Hi again, Kathy.

I did yesterday my first alimta. My doctor decided that I take also carboplatin with it because my lymph nodes are growing big and fast and it will help controling them.

So far, so good. Last night I had restless legs, but thats the cabo.

This morning, my husband is making breakfast and we will go fishing.

Good luck to you.

Oh! I wanted to tell you that I consider "life as a terminal disease": it is inoperable and everybody, sooner or later, will eventually die.

Love to all,

Maria.

SaltyDog

Maria


Welcome to the Alimta club.

You have a great attitude. My saying about life and death is similar to yours: Hey, nobody gets out of here alive.

Phil C

spirit1125

Hello Maria, happy to hear your first alimta is done and your husband is making breakfast and you both are going fishing...!

Love and a prayer your way....Maryanne

susie2

Hi i just read this discussion today and want you to know i am on my 4th cycle (tomorrow) and so far i have had shrinkage and tumours disappear, doctors say they are all breaking down. Good luck and let us know how you do.
Susie

meadowbreeze

Dear Kathy,

It seems as if I am going to be following you in your footsteps. I went to my oncologist yesterday and I am still on Tarceva but no longer on the clinical trial. I had some disease progression so they took me off, the same as you. I actually thought I was reading my own posting.

I am going to stay on the Tarceva for 2 months and then take a ct scan and if there is disease progression again, then he is going to put me on Alimta.

You have helped me with the Tarceva and I may be reaching out to you in two months. I do hope the Tarceva does work. I am finally adjusting to the side effects.

Good luck
God Bless,

Fondly,
Linda

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