Well, we went to get round 2 of cisplaton and etopiside yesterday....when we got there, the doctor said he was changing the chemo to carboplatin and etopiside since my dad wound up in the hospital for 4 days after last treatment with dehydration....however, after the blood work came back he could not get tx because his counts were only .6 and needed to be at least 1.5......is anyone familiar with this? is this common? This is somewhat disappointing because the first round did wonders for him overall...But the doctor changed his pain meds to 20mg oxycontin twice daily with 500mgs Naproxen twice daily and my papa is finally pain free today....He said this morning it almost scares him he feels so good....I told him, don't question it just enjoy the day......Sending love, Michelle
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Unable to do chemo?
- By firelady1968
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 9:39 am · 10 replies
- In Small cell lung cancer
- Shared with the public
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Dehydration Cancer Pain Carboplatin Naproxen Fever Oxycontin
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- By mcbriz
- Posted July 11, 2009 at 9:14 am
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My mother is having a similar experience to SCLCFighter - Carbo/Etop and the Neulasta shot the day following each chemo cycle. The shot has really boosted her WBC count and she's been on schedule with chemo. Her onc was saying that the insurance companies are realizing that it's better to pay for the shot ($5400) than to pay for the 30-35% of patients who have to be hospitalized for a few days when they present with low WBC counts and fever. I would ask about it... Best wishes that he can keep on schedule!
- By mcbriz
- Posted July 11, 2009 at 9:14 am
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My mother is having a similar experience to SCLCFighter - Carbo/Etop and the Neulasta shot the day following each chemo cycle. The shot has really boosted her WBC count and she's been on schedule with chemo. Her onc was saying that the insurance companies are realizing that it's better to pay for the shot ($5400) than to pay for the 30-35% of patients who have to be hospitalized for a few days when they present with low WBC counts and fever. I would ask about it... Best wishes that he can keep on schedule!
- By mcbriz
- Posted July 11, 2009 at 8:40 am
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My mother is having a similar experience to SCLCFighter - Carbo/Etop and the Neulasta shot the day following each chemo cycle. The shot has really boosted her WBC count and she's been on schedule with chemo. Her onc was saying that the insurance companies are realizing that it's better to pay for the shot ($5400) than to pay for the 30-35% of patients who have to be hospitalized for a few days when they present with low WBC counts and fever. I would ask about it... Best wishes that he can keep on schedule!
- By firelady1968
- Posted July 8, 2009 at 9:57 am
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MicheleL, my dad has extremely low bp 98/43 yesterday.......The IV fluids will make a big difference. Dehydration is a big problem.....If he is unable to drink fluids have him sip all day. After round 1, my dad actually wound up in the hospital for 3 days for fluids and his potassium and magnesium were very low.....hope this helps.........Sending love, Michelle
- By MicheleL
- Posted July 7, 2009 at 7:32 pm
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My dad is approaching his second round of carboplatin/etoposide next week. In the last week and a half, he has been experiencing low blood pressure possible from too much blood pressure meds or dehydration??? not sure. he ended up in the onc's office with IV fluids to help him feel better. Seems to be happening again....is there something in the chemo regimen that makes them prone to dehydration?
- By SCLCFighter
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 5:17 pm
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I would add that I too am on Carbo/Etop and I was told by my Onc that he chose Carbo over Cisplatin because Carbo is easier to handle. I have not had even an upset stomach, so he was right when it came to me. As far as blood counts, that is common but I get a shot of neulasta after chemo and my blood work as been great and actually the numbers have improved every time from the last. I also drink the heck out of ensure and boost (the formula that helps build up the immune system). Not sure if it is the just me, the shots, the drinks or all of it, but its working and I won't change the routine unless it stops working. I got my mid-way CT scan results back and everything reduced in size and quantity, so for me, Carbo/Etop is working so far.
- By DWSC
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 9:50 pm
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My mom was on cisplatin and VP-16 initially, but was switched to carboplatin/VP-16 for the last 2 rounds of chemo. The rationale was that carboplatin was easier on the kidneys. She also had to sit out a round after her WBC count was too low - very frustrating! But we came back the next week and her levels were high enough again. Good luck with your dad - I'll be thinking of you all.
- By A_D_L
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 8:48 pm
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My understanding was that carboplatin was a newer chemo with less side effects than cisplatin. From what I've seen on this board, they seem to be used equally.
- By StacieK
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 10:02 pm
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I remember a couple different times my Dad had to hold off treatment a week because of his counts, it is so frustrating because you just want to keep killing that damn cancer! hang in there...hopefully it will get back up soon...
Stacie
- By Granny888
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 9:56 pm
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Actually it's pretty common, I know it's frustrating but he'll feel better having a chance to raise his blood counts on his own. In some cases they give blood or a shot to boost WBCs, but that's one of the things chemo drugs are notorious for -- reducing red and white blood cells. So we work with it. Sometimes we're hospitalized for it. Sometimes they adjust the meds, sometimes they put things off, it just depends. This is why we do bloodwork every time we go. So be glad, and enjoy the good days.
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