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I am thinking of stopping Doxil after the fourth round. The Doxil webpage says we should do at least four rounds. My hands, mouth and feet are sore. What has your experience been. Did you switch to another drug?
Cancer Burns Hormone therapy Avastin Brushing Blisters Rashes Cytoxan Prednisone
I did 5 rounds of Doxil before my gyn/onc pulled the trigger. I tolerated it well, but it didn't seem to be working. My CA125 climbed steadily throughout the course of treatment.
I was switched to Topotecan.
Hi,
I guess it depends whether you are tolerating and responding. My understanding is that they do 2-4 (my doctor said 3) treatments and if you tolerate and respond then they decide how many more. Responds means a steady or lower CA. I think you need to talk to your doctor about this
GEPI
I had to stop after 3 treatments. The doxil was to toxic for me. I stopped producing hemoglobin, so had to have a blood transfusion. And my stomach has broke out in a rash. I have my daughter massage my feet and hands periodically with lotion so burning and peeling hasn't been an issue there.
That really is up to your oncologist, and whether or not the Doxil is working for you. If it is, you could get a chemo break for a couple of weeks and take care of the mouth sores and skin issues. By the way, at one point they gave me an RX for Gelclair Gel to use on the mouthsores and it worked right away. Unlike the Magic Mouthwash, which numbs everything, this actually heals them.
I had 8 months of Doxil earlier this year. My numbers dropped up until around the 6th month when they stayed steady. My doctor had to give me a 2-week chemo break because the skin on the back heels of my feet was red, burning and peeling. We did 2 more treatments to see if we could get the numbers back down but they started creeping up. I was then switched to Topotecan (every week for 3 weeks in a row, with 1 week off) and did that for 2 months but it did nothing and we stopped. I'm now on Avastin every 3 weeks and take a daily Cytoxan pill.
I too tolerated Doxil very well, but it didn't work for me and I was switched to Topotecan as well.
Good luck!
Did anyone lose their hair on Doxil, or have other serious side effects besides burning? Thank you.
Thanks to all who replied. Thanks especially for the Gelclair Gell tip.
And no, I did not lose hair. I have sore hands, mouth and feet. Luckily, the feet are not as bad as the hands and mouth.
I has 8 rounds which did not work for my Borderline serus cancer.
No side effect s or hair loss during that time.
I am now doing Hormone therapy since chemo is not effective and may be worse for me than the hormones
Carol
Hi PSHAN, did you have blisters on your fingers? i'm worried about playing my harp....if I'll be able. I had neuropathy before (tingling in fingers and feet) and that was bad. I start my treatment next week; Doxil/Avastin....I'm kind of nervous about it, because I have harp performances during Xmas season.
My mom switched to Topetecan after 2 round of doxil since it wasn't working and the cancer marker soared. She has doe Topetecan for going on 3 rounds and is soooo wiped out can hardly walk. Anyone else experiencing that on Topetecan??
xx Dunya
I am told it will take 4 tx to know if Doxil is working or not. My CA went up 100pts. after round 1 .. just finished round 2. MD not concerned with the # until round 4.
I spend 3 days just lazing around the house with ice packs on and off my hands and feet (heals actually .. pressure points). I chew on ice chips also and avoid hot and spicy foods/drinks. I do not do anything that applies pressure to my hands (sweeping, etc.). This laptop is sitting on a pillow to avoid heat to my legs. Warm showers. No cooking, baking for a few days.
I have Miracle mouthwash if needed for mouthwash and am getting Gellclair? also.
I hate sitting around for 3 days .. but it worked well the first time. Just a shift .. nothing binding around the waist. No bra! Gentle brushing of teeth.
Yes, I had horrible problems with Doxil....rashes on arms, thighs and stomach so bad they were like burns. Hands and fingers swollen and red. Fingers like hot dogs almost. Mouth sores so painful I couldn't eat.
After about 4 rounds, when the burny rashes turned up on stomach they changed me to Gemzar which worked very well. Don't push the Doxil on yourself. You are correct to stop it.
I've had one treatment of Doxil, and I was completely knocked out....so nauseated, in bed for about 3 days, and it felt like a bullet went through my stomach...wondered if anybody had that reaction? Today I will get my blood work and see if the CA 125 went down. My next treatment is this Monday. I hope I can 'stomach' it.....no blisters or sores yet.
I did 4 rounds of Doxil; my numbers continued to climb, I developed asites, which was drained 2 weeks ago and I need to have it drained again. I also broke out in a rash that started at my ankles and rose to my thighs. It was so bad at one point I had to take prednisone to calm it down. I also had mouth sores after the last treament. My doctor switched me to Vinorelbine this last week (I've already done Topotecan).
Just had my fourth round of Doxil. The Onc reduced it to 75% and put me on a five week schedule. I've never heard of Vinorelbine. what do you know about it? Hope it works.
PEGGY
I have had 6 treatments of Doxil and carbo and now have had 4 more of just Doxil with 2 more to go. The side effects of the Doxil have decreased as the months went by. That is the burning of hands and feet and the mouth sores which I know can be bad. It has kept my CA125 down between 5 and 10. Anxious to see what happens after the treatments are stopped. My Dr. said that if it should come back he will pput me on Avastin. I get the Doxil every 28 days.
I say do whatever your Dr. tells you to do as long as you can tolerate the side effect. God Bless Ruth
Hi Pshan,
I'm 10 year survivor of OV. I had Doxel 2 years ago. It was the red one...wasn't it?
Anyway, I didn't have any luck with it either. My CA-125 counts never went down and they did cause hand and foot syndrome. I don't remember if it caused mouth sores. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more info. but I wish you the best.
God will open another door for you! Take care
Sandylee
Hi Quilter,
Sounds like you have good luck on Doxil. Do you remember how long it took to get your CA 125 down? I've only had 2 treatments and the numbers arent' going down. Thank you!
Celestdragon, It wasn't until after the 3rd treatment that the CA125 started to go down and the acities with it. Hang in there.
God Bless Ruth
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