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how long can a person take tarceva

po
  • By po
  • Posted August 2, 2009 at 12:15 pm · 13 replies
  • In Treatment options
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

Hi everyone!
my dad is 85 years old, he was diagnosed with stage II NSCLC in march 2008, since then, he has been taking Tarceva for over a year, the tumor shank first then growing again. last month, he finished 18 days radiation therapy, CT scan shown lymph nodes and tumor are both reduced in size, what make me warry about is he started diarrhea alone with rash aroud his body recently, does anybody know the cause and the treatment? also any idea about immunotherapy?
Thanks!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Valtrex Tarceva Burns Radiation therapy Diarrhea

13 replies

bayrealtor

Cathy is taking Tarceva and doing well now for 6 months. I have heard of folks on Tarceva for 4-5 years+. It has only been around that amount of time I guess.
Go to the Tarceva web site and read about the rash and how to keep it under control. Also, many of us here have posted what we did and the results. Just search Tarceva at top of page. If your Dads rash is not the same as he most likely got when he started Tarceva, Id get into the doctor right away and find out what the cause may be.

Bill & Cathyy

cards7up

Just something I thought I read, once it stops working they take you off it. What does the doctor say? How is your father feeling? Have you checked out the immunotherapy? Good luck and take care, JC

Marylou1

Hi,
Diarrhea and the rash are typical Tarceva side effects along with quite a few others. If it's shrinking dad's tumors, then it's working, Thank God.

Once one starts Tarceva, they are usually on it for the rest of their life unless it stops working for them and the Oncologist recommends something else.

I have been on Tarceva for 18 months now and side effects come and go, but if you follow a good skin regimine, it can be much more tolerable. If you have any other questions about side effects please ask. I will help in any way I can. I am sure others will as well.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Marylou

po

Hi! Marylou, JC, Bill & Cathyy:
Thanks for the information you provided. My dad will have a doctor appointment tomorrow, doctor said he can stop taking tarceva when immunotherapy start, so far, his blood test is still not qualified for immunotherapy, I will let you know what is going on later.
lela

po

Hi! Bill and Cathyy:
Thank you for the information. My dad will talk to doctor about his rash and diarrhea tomorrow, doctor told us before that he can stop taking tarceva when immunotherapy start, but the blood test has shown he is not a good candidate for immnotherapy. He will still take tarceva as long as the condition not getting worse. He has gotten rash and diarrhea twice during tarceva treatment, the first time was one year ago when he just started it, his tumor shrunk after three month tarceva taking, then came back again, he kept taking it even though the resistance had been shown (some doctor told him to stop tarceva), now he get second round of rash and diarrhea, somebody said it is a good sign because tarceva works again. I am glad it can be taking for a longer time.

Best wishes!

po

Hi! JC:
Thank you for the information. My dad will talk to doctor about his rash and diarrhea tomorrow, doctor told us before that he can stop taking tarceva when immunotherapy start, but the blood test has shown he is not a good candidate for immnotherapy. He will still take tarceva as long as the condition not getting worse. He has gotten rash and diarrhea twice during tarceva treatment, the first time was one year ago when he just started it, his tumor shrunk after three month tarceva taking, then came back again, he kept taking it even though the resistance had been shown (some doctor told him to stop tarceva), now he get second round of rash and diarrhea, somebody said it is a good sign because tarceva works again. I am glad it can be taking for a longer time.

Best wishes!

po

Hi! Marylou:
Thank you for the information. My dad will talk to doctor about his rash and diarrhea tomorrow, doctor told us before that he can stop taking tarceva when immunotherapy start, but the blood test has shown he is not a good candidate for immnotherapy. He will still take tarceva as long as the condition not getting worse. He has gotten rash and diarrhea twice during tarceva treatment, the first time was one year ago when he just started it, his tumor shrunk after three month tarceva taking, then came back again, he kept taking it even though the resistance had been shown (some doctor told him to stop tarceva), now he get second round of rash and diarrhea, somebody said it is a good sign because tarceva works again. I am glad it can be taking for a longer time.

Best wishes!

sheilake

Chances are very likely that the Tarceva is still working...but some mutant cells have managed their way around it. The fact that he has a rash is probably a good sign. I have also seen Tarceva work; then stop; then start again.

The magic is starting to wear off on my Tarceva so I am in hot pursuit of acquired resistance clinical trails/alternatives.

Neither of my oncologists wants me to get off of Tarceva because part of it is still working. It has now been 10 months. It is time to look for ways to augment it, though.

The one's that are on my short list are BIBW 2992; rapamycin; XL 184 and PF299. Go to www.clinicaltrials.gov for more information of each.
Let me know if you have any questions.

Best wishes,
Sheila

Marylou1

Hi Shelia:

By any chance are you taking Vitamin D and an Immune Support capsule?

Because of Tarceva making us so photosensitive, I found my vitamin D level a little low, so my Onc has asked me to take 1000 mg of Vitamin D since I am not out in the sun.

Also, My daughter sent me some Immune Support capsules from Fresh Life, and they seem to be doing ok. Thought I'd pass this on. I'm sure you are protecting your face and skin from the sun's rays, so your vitamin D may be low.
Much Love to all,
Marylou

turtlemom

I'm not sure how to put a question out there other than to click on reply while reading a relevant message. I am new to this site. I am wondering what kinds of remedies worked for side effects of Tarceva - particularly skin rash and nail problems. I want to know about things other than the prescription stuff. Any particular skin/nail care products, or homemade remedies that you found provided some relief???

kinzie

HI! My husband is taking Tarceva and wanted me to ask you if the side affects especially the mouth sores,go away or do they stay as long as you are on Tarceva. Thankyou very much! I appreciate your time on this!!! Sincerely,Kinzie

Marylou1

Hi Kinzie:

Oh gosh Kinzie, I have had some bouts with mouth sores from Tarceva but nothing like the ones I have had during the month of October.

I have seen my Primary Care Physician and of course he knows that I have Sinus trouble. He seems to think this time, my mouth sores are viral, so he put me on Valtrex, and asked me to back off of the Tarceva for a few days.

Well, I did that and and took a 7 day course of Valtrex. My mouth healed just fine, but as soon as I started back on the Tarceva, my mouth just broke out with terrible sores. I mean, blue cheese salad dressing burns !!

Well this evening, I saw my PCP again and he is scheduling me for a cat scan of my sinuses. I will see my Oncologist on Wednesday, and I know the 2 doctors will have their heads together before I see them.

My previous mouth sores did not last long, maybe 5 days and I used a mixture of Lidocaine liquid 2% (a prescription from my Oncologist) liquid benedryl, and baking soda. I use a tablespoon of liquid Lidocaine, a tablespoon of liquid Benedryl (the pink stuff) and a teaspoon of baking soda, into an 8 oz. cup of water. This is a mouth wash and it helps more than you can imagine.

However, if your hubby has had a history of sinus infections as I do, his mouth sores could be viral. You really should speak to his doctors about this.

As I said normally, any mouth sores I got prior to this month, did not last long and was easily treated. I hope this helps you a bit.

kinzie

OH THANKYOU MARYLOU! THIS INFORMATION IS SO VERY HELPFUL!! GOD BLESS YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER ME SO QUICKLY!!! WEDNESDAY HE WILL TALK TO THE DR. ABOUT THE VALTREX! HE DOES HAVE THE MOUTH RINSE THAT YOU MENTIONED> AGAIN I THANKYOU FOR YOUR HELP! SINCERELY KINSEY

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