High CA-125

• By ohmama123
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 8:37 pm
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Shari - I am so sorry to hear that your numbers have gone up so quickly and in such a short time. When did your number go from 1800 to 6070 (over what period of time)? When was the last time you had a scan? Do you have any symptoms in your abdomen - swelling or pain? Sorry for all of the questions, but this has not happened to me but with more information I am sure that there is someone on here who can offer some insight. It would seem to me that a scan of some type should be ordered at the very least. And if you were declared NED at a CA125 level of 1800 (were you?) then I would say your CA125 is not a good marker for you, but again, without more info its hard to say what to say! Good luck to you - I hope this mixture of drugs knocks your numbers down quickly and that you find the answers you are looking for!! All my best to you--

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• By Rose2
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 8:41 pm
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I am praying for you. It can be a difficult journey. My CA125 does not rise like most ladies' . I am praying this new mixture of drugs works for you. Keep us posted. Love and ((HUGS)) are sent your way.

I have another chemo treatment in the morning. My husband had his chemo yesterday.

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• By Shar123
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 8:59 pm
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Hi OhMama123,
When I done the 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol my number was 1800, and in 7 weeks it went to 6070. I started Doxil and Advastin Oct 13th, I go back tommorrow for the 2nd round of Advastin. My scan in July showed NED. My scan in September showed a few enlarged lymp nodes in the pelvic area, this was before I started on Doxil and Advastin. My doctor is telling me my disease is persistant, and somewhat platinum resistant. Then today my family doctor started me on Synthroid, because he said my Thyroid pretty much does not exist. Has any one had this happen. I am assuming its because of the chemo.

Thank you so Much,
Shari

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• By Shar123
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:01 pm
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Thank you Rose. I will also keep you and your husband in my prayers.

Shari

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• By pat813
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:03 pm
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Shari,
Sorry to hear numbers are still rising, maybe it is due to thyroid and not those pesky lymph nodes. Call me if you feel like talking.
Good Luck tomorrow.
Pat

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• By lifeisgrand
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:06 pm
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I was just diagnosed with a thyroid disorder after I completed chemo. But mine leveled off after first going up and then down so I don't need the synthroid. It's hard to recognize the symptoms as they are very similar to both menopause and side effects of chemo. Be glad they recognized it and treated you. Of course it sounds like it might be the least of your problems. Good luck with the new combo, I hope it works and I will definately keep you in my prayers.

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• By Shar123
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:10 pm
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Lifeisgrand.

Thank you so much. I just keep telling myself. even though the numbers are high, does not mean there is alot of cancer. I am glad your Thyroid corrected itself. I was only off chemo 7 weeks, so that might be the reason mine is all messed up.

Thanks Again,
Shari

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• By lifeisgrand
• Posted October 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm
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My CA125 did go up when my thyroid was up but then came back down when it came down. That is the only thing I can contribute to the change as I wasn't sick in any other way. I guess time will tell. Mine is an autoimmune thing as in my own immune system attacking my thyroid gland. Makes me wonder about my immune system overall like my own body is a trader :).

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• By SONGBIRD49
• Posted October 28, 2009 at 5:12 pm
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Hi Ladies:) I also have a thyroid issue to add to Stage IV OVAC .. never is one disease enough (I also have diabetes.) Anyway, I have a nodule on my thyroid which does need attention, so being on Avastin .. when I get raspy voiced or elmo voiced (I don't even get to choose) alot of that is coming from my thyroid problem and all the harder when I have swallowing issues. My sister died from thyroid cancer so you know I have had an MRI and need to get it taken care of but being on Avastin am told it HAS to be on the second burner for whenever. I NEED the Avastin which is working and you have to be off it for 30 days to have surgery. I am having my first scan after 4 months of Avastin so HOPING/PRAYING it is better than the last 5 and that the word "progressive" comes out of the report. Ha Ha. My CA went up to 208 instead of coming down to 100 I was looking for but I knew when they took the test I had a viral infection (which came out into a horrible coughing cold later that week and now I am hitting with addl antibiotics) so expected it to contribute to that #. My doc (not knowing that) expects that maybe I am done with the Taxol chemo with the Avastin and plans to change the scheme to Gemzar if any of you Avastin-Ladies have anything to share. For you, Shari, it was while I was on a 7 week drug break then taking Doxil that my #'s went from a slim 200 to 4 digits and I was having fluid drawn off every couple weeks with the acietes out of control. No matter what the docs say, I KNEW it was the 7 week break without any chemo that caused the issue. I believe that the Avastin will bring you back your lower #'s given the timing.

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• By quacker
• Posted October 28, 2009 at 11:32 pm
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I became resistant to taxol and carboplatin, but Gemzar and carbo worked great. (for a while) You might talk to your doctor about that combo. The fact that your numbers are increasing so rapidly suggests a rapid growing tumor. This would make it more sensitive to new chemo.

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• By LynleeA
• Posted November 1, 2009 at 5:12 pm
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My chemo nurse warned me that my CA 125 numbers will rise while taking doxil for the first three months. My numbers dropped dramatically within a few treatments with the carbo/taxol, then the carbo/gemsar protocols. It will be hard to adjust to because how do they know if the numbers aren't coming down?

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• By sharonfm
• Posted November 2, 2009 at 3:24 pm
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Hi Shari,

You are right. A high number does not mean that you have more cancer than someone with a CA 125 of a 100. My number started at 19,000 and I was a stage 3C. It is now down to 1183 and you can't see the cancer on the cat skan but I do have some enlarged lymph nodes. It is a good marker because it goes up and down so you will be able to tell if the cancer is decreasing. Keep positive. There are many drugs for you to try. If one doesn't work, your doctor will try another. I am on Topotecan and Avastin. My doctor just added Xeloda. Has anyone been on Xeloda. So far I don't have side effects.

Take care,
Sharon

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• By Shar123
• Posted November 2, 2009 at 5:24 pm
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I want to Thank everyone of you for your replies. They are all so helpful. Sharon is that the lowest your numbers got?. Mine got to 1840 after six rounds of carbo/taxol. My Dr took me off of the carbo/taxol saying I was somewhat plantinum resistant. Therefore I have not seen remission yet. I wonder if you can hit remission on the 2nd line treatment.

God Bless,
Shari

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