Today I was told by my Ocologist that Tarceva is not working (I had been taking it for 2 months) as the Scan showed my Adrenal Gland met.had grown from 2m on 1 April to 9 cm on 1 July - scary. He suggests I start Alimta on 15h July after have a B12 injection one week in advance.
The Dr at the Scanner Clinic told me that he saw inflammation on the tumour and I wonder is this the same as a tumour? Sorry if I sound vague but I live in France and only have a limited French - I am from London, and get frustrated not always knowing what is happening although I know I am lucky to be living in a country with exceptional medical facilities, especially when it comes to cancer.
I would be extremely grateful if anybody could throw any light on my situation. My original tumour which was 10cm was exterminated with Taxotere and Radio 3 months ago leaving a malignant lymph gland and right adrenal gland.
Kind regards
Jenni J.
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HAS ANYONE TRIED ALIMTA
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 3:05 pm · 31 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage IV
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Surgery Acid reflux Avastin Meditation Taxotere Constipation Tarceva Carboplatin Lung cancer Diarrhea Folic acid
31 replies
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- By john230sky
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 4:41 pm
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my wife has been on Alimta for five months, she had four round of cisblation before and has done very well, her tumors have all stop growing and have stayed the same size. Very little side effects,
it has give us new hope and a good quility of life back.
- By NikkiF
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 5:00 pm
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Hi Jenny,
My mom (NSCLC Stage IV) was on Alimta for around 8 months and had great results from it. Nothing she'd tried prior to Alimta had worked so we were very thankful for this chemo. Everybody's different but she had very little side effects except for constipation. She didn't get nauseous, no fatigue and didn't lose her hair. She's currently on a break from all chemo, but I am hoping that her oncologist will put her back on Alimta when the time comes.
Take care and good luck,
Nikki
- By Granny888
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 11:25 pm
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A lot of us have started Alimta in the past couple weeks.
I had my first a week ago last Monday -- I would guess I'm about half through? I go a week from this Monday. Maybe that's why I'm a little tired today.
This is my second round -- just under 6 months to they didn't return to my first round treatment which worked great.
Alimta if it works sounds great. To me, I know the side effects accumulate but the worst of it is the side effect of the steroid -- I tend to crash (just lay in bed sleeping) after about 3 days, which is all you are on it anyway. So I talk my head off for 3 days, (steroids tend to make you manic-like not that bad for most) then lose 3-4 days to sleeping a lot. Not bad when you consider the rest of the time you might tire a little more easily but pretty much life goes on. This has been great for me, so far.
My first round was carbo/taxol which made me a little sick and a little tired, but all the time -- it worked great but aggravated my IBS. It still wasn't bad, but in comparison Alimta has been great.
Others have said their side effects have been very minimal. Close to 90%, according to 'them', do report some fatigue.
- By byHISgrace
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 12:29 am
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My husband tried Alimta last year. He took it once every 3 weeks, for a total of 33 weeks. It worked well, keeping his cancer stable, but he decided to stop due to the side effects were taking too much of a toll on his body. He had severe fatigue that instead of lasting just a couple of days, it would last the entire 3 weeks. He was then put on Tarceva, but it did nothing for his cancer. Just gave him more fatigue and a severe rash. I hope this helps you, and you have much success with Alimta! God be with you!
- By mcb
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 10:47 am
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Jeni,
Many people on this site have maintained disease stability with Alimta. I have been on it for 18 months and would urge you to try it. Is it possible to have an interpreter for your onc appointments? I know it's important to understand and comprehend everything our doctors say. Good luck.
Marcia
- By Truelove71
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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My daughter Haley has had 6 rounds of Cisplatin and Alimta which gave us some shrinkage and now she is on Alimta as a maintenance program every 3 weeks and has remained stable with no new growth for 6 months. Our oncologist told us that there are a lot of great publications on Alitma working.
So I would say give it a try.The side effects so far aren't too bad.About a week after treatment she gets really fatigued and nauseous but it usually only last a couple if days.
I hope this helps some.
God Bless,
Deanna
- By lsmr
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 8:31 pm
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My Mom was given Tarceva for stage IV NSCLC, which was very effective for about 4 months. The last CAT scan showed some tumor growth so her oncologist suggested Alitma. She's had a really hard time with the side effects of Tarceva--especially the fatigue. I realize everyone is different, but is anyone in a similiar situation as far as Tarceva then Alitma? I would like to give her some kind of reassurance.
Thanks to all of you,
Lynne
- By Rockaway
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 7:47 am
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JeniJ,
I was Dx 8/2008 stage 4. . Was on Carbo, Alimta and Avastin for 3 months and since then on Alimta and Avastin only.
Biggest complaint is the fatigue...usually for 7-8 days or so after getting treatment. However, for me the Carbo was so much harder to handle - I like the Alimta and credit it for keeping me "stable" which is great news.
I hope you too have good results with Alimta.
Adrian
- By claires
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 9:52 am
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Alimta has kept me stable for roughly a year and a half. Side effects vary, fatigue, constipation, but usually give me about 10 days of relatively normal functioning. Worth a try!
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:43 pm
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Thank you everybody for taking the time to give me your comments/feedback on Alimta which I found reassuring and comforting and has urged me to stay "on top" of the situation and fight on, Having been off Tarceca for just 2 days has made me feel emotionally and physically stronger, obviously it wasn't for me.
Let's hope they come up with some wonder drug that will save us all!
In the meanwhile take good care of yourselves, family and friends.
With kind regards
JenniJ
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:46 pm
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Deanne - Your message helped a great deal.
Thank you so very much, and I hope your daughter stays well and is able to enjoy life.
Kind regards
Jenni
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:47 pm
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Thanks John for this encouraging news, I hope your wife remains well and you can both enjoy life together.
Kind regards
Jenni
PS Sometimes this illness gets in between my husband and I - we are like two lost souls.
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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Thanks for the "good news" Nikki - its been a tremendous help to me. I hope things remain stable.
Best wishes
Jenni
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:52 pm
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Thanks so much for the information, sounds like a bumpy road, and I now have an idea what to expect but all in all sounds like Alimta very much worth a try.
Take good care of yourself.
Jenni
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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Thanks so much for responding to my plea, I do hope your husband remains well, and I can understand what relief it must be to be off the chemo, just having 2 days free of Tarceva has made me remember what it is to be "normal".
May God be with both of you.
Jenni
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 2:59 pm
- Report post
It really seems that Alimta is the drug to take. When I see the Oncologist, my husband, who speaks fluent French comes with me but we still come away feeling bewildered and unsure of what is happening, all the internal organs have different names as well as the general termonology. That God for this site which has been such a great "insight" for me.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Kind regars
Jenni
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 3:01 pm
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Thanks Adrian, I hope the same happens to me.
Really appreciate your input.
Regards
Jenni
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 3:02 pm
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Thanks Claires - hope I am as lucky as you.
Kind regards
Jenni
- By Mike39
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 10:13 pm
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Hi JenniJ
After takeing 3 differance Chmo. & Rad. my lung cancer was still growing, I then was put on Alimta
I had 6 rounds one ever 3 weeks. That was 4 1/2 years ago since I finisked . It did me good I hope
that it will work will for you also.
Have a good day
Mike
- By JenniJ
- Posted July 5, 2009 at 5:10 am
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Wow Mike, you have just MADE my Sunday morning when I was thinking a little negatively although the sky is blue, the sun shining and the birds singing.
Thanks so very much for responding, Did you do anything else apart taking the Alimta? eg diet, exercise, etc?
Once again thank you for the uplifting news and I wish you all the very best.
Kind regards
Jenni
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