Depression and Fatigue a Tarceva Side Effect?

• By texatl
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 2:15 am

A rash is very much normal. Then there are a host of secondary side effects that really do reflect an individualized nature to Tarceva.

I'm like your mom, I have the rash and also have been placed on an antidepressant. The fatigue I also had, as well as shortness of breath which they really were worried the most about.

The fatigue, shortness of breath, and the anxiety have all gotten much better, but the rash has worsened. But I only have 7 more months to take Tarceva as part of a clinical trial so I'm determined to hang in there and that would be my advice to you anf your mom.

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• By Don_M
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 7:12 am

I have found the fatigue from taxotere easier to deal with than the fatigue form tarceva.

Don M

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• By gonehiking
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 7:33 am

Is your mother currently on any kind of pain med? I ask this because my husband started Tarceva several weeks ago and was already on pain meds as he has some bone mets that have not responded to other chemo. After a couple of weeks on being on Tarceva, I found that he seemed extremely tired much of the time. I was puzzled about this, but then suddenly got the idea that maybe he didn't need as much pain medication anymore due to possible changes in his bone mets. We tried tapering back on the pain meds and soon found that he almost didn't need any. He hasn't had his first scan yet, but we're guessing that the Tarceva has been clearing up some of the bone mets. That left him over-medicated, which was making him feel pretty knocked out. Since cutting back on the pain meds, he's not nearly so fatigued.

I wouldn't be surprised if this kind of thing happens to a lot of people doing other kinds of chemo or also those who have had radiation. I think we have to be very aware of possible changes in pain levels and adjust pain meds as the pain is reduced. If you don't have sufficient pain to balance the amount of pain medication you're taking, it can really wipe you out.

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• By ericnilson
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 10:20 am

My wife has been taking tarceva since January. Spells of fatigue come and go for her just as the severity of the rashes come and go.

Tarceva tends to dehydrate a person also. It may help reduce fatigue by drinking a lot of fluids.

Eric

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• By MarciaGreer
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 11:26 am

The fatigue may well have a physical source but it is also a symptom of depression. If she is severely depressed it may be that going on medication for that may help with the fatigue.

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• By Pbishop619
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 2:53 pm

I was on Tarceva for 18 months and found that I had to change my antidepressant due to lack of energy. I think that I was bothered by my appearance since my skin was a mess too so that didn't help - so I am sure that is probably a similar feeling your Mom is feeling. If she is not on an antidepressant you may encourage her to ask her doctor about getting on one or she just may need to change what she is on like I did - it made a world of difference.

Pamee

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• By pambolek
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 9:33 pm

I had fatigue with tarceva. In our situation who would not be depressed!! I think not be depressed would be the excetion.
Pam

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• By invictus
• Posted August 31, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Thank you all so much for the extremely helpful replies!
gonehiking, what you are saying makes absolute sense. my mother has been taking oxycontin twice a day (day and night) regardless of her pain level. she no longer has as much body pain as she used to, but we are still giving her the same amount of pain medication. I spoke to my parents and i think we are going to cut down to once a day starting tomorrow to see what happens. she doesn't even need it; i can't believe i didn't realize that earlier! Again, thank you so much for all the information. This really is a great place for support and useful information!
Best wishes to everyone.

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