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i just recieved a call from my oncologist office my insurance has just approved the avastin i will start on oct 1 with my 2cd round of chemo. thanks everyone for your suggestions re: getting ins to approve. God Bless us all in this fight .
Great! Since we couldn't get my insurance to approve the avastin, I'm applying for a clinical trial that will administer it if I qualify for the trial. I will know either this week or next if i qualify, if not, return to currrent oncologist and try something else. This is why it is the practice of medicine, they practice 'till they find something that works. This cancer treatment is right now such a crap shoot and yet we're on the cutting edge of such revolutionary treatment that might help us all stay around much longer than our sisters who preceeded us in this nasty journey. Hope, however, springs eternal!
I just got approved too and had my first treatment on Friday, along with a daily Cytoxan pill.
Wishing you the best.
i was toldby someone that the pharm. co. that makes avastin has some type of assistance program maybe you can look into that or your oncologist can inquire.it bothers me so much that we are at the mercy of someone who looks at some criteria and decides whether or not we get the meds that our oncologists want to put us on.
to favorite aunt
i am so happy you also were approved for avastin how did your 1st treatment go ? i will get my 1st tx. on oct 1 with my next chemo.
Glad to hear you were approved for the avastin. I have just started on it. I have had 2 treatments so far. I am also taking a cytoxin pill everyday. So far I've had zero side effects. I hope it goes well for you!
mimmy and kayakala,
First treatment went fine. They said the first time it takes 1 1/2 hours, the second time it will take 1 hr. and after that it will take 1/2 hr. There was only one prep bag of benedryl.
For the first time I was able to sleep on a chemo night. Usually the steroids (Decadron) keep me awake. But I did wake up during the night in a complete sweat. My doctor said it could be related to the Avastin. It only happened that first night.
Also, I've had slight chills and body aches the first 2 days, but they are gone now. Saw the doctor yesterday because I have a low-grade fever now but he didn't say it was related to the Avastin. No nausea to speak of, but very tired. I also take a daily Cytoxan pill - can't pinpoint any side effects to that. The nurse told me my hair could thin from Cytoxan, but it doesn't have to happen. I've read that the IV version has more side effects than the daily pill.
So far, so good. All the best to you.
I am doing the clinical trial using avastin--I am really happy that you got approved by your insurance company for avastin--I have heard nothing but good things--With this clinical trial I am on I will not know for sure I am getting the real thing until after 6 treatments--I have had 2 treatments one being yesterday--My counts were low after my first treatment on August 25 so after several weeks they started giving me a shot for 2 days to build it back up. This worked but painful shots--Lots of back pain--I am getting gemzar and something else beside the avastin--With my chemo brian I do tend to forget things. Side effects this time is not so bad--Just the old tired feeling--I make my self eat--I even gained 2 pounds--God gives me strength each day. We must continue to pray for a cure.
Some really good news to share about Avastin and VP-16 (etoposide) I have been on almost every drug out there and this one took my CA125 from 2100 clear down to 99 what a joy that was, the sad news is that after six months like most drugs I've been on my CA125 started rising again it's now back up to 399 and we are having to look into other options, not much left for me to take, if anyone has any ideas, please share. Best of luck to you and your treatments.
Kathy
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