I sailed through Carbo/Taxol in 2008, and thought that this combo of drugs for my recurrence was not going to be too bad. Wrong. My body is not liking this at all.
I feel like crap. I had chemo on the 23rd, and again on the 30th (Gemzar only) but by the 28th I was starting to notice kidney area pain-right side only, which got worse as the week progressed. I called Onc on Friday and although he took a quick look, he just sent me to the ER. After blood work, urine analysis, and a CT scan (with no contrast) they said I have an inflamed liver, and a kidney infection. I started on antibiotics on Friday night. Thought I'd be a little better by now but I'm not. I hate pain meds, but have been depending on Percocet all weekend to get through it til I can call Oncology again tomorrow a.m.
This sucks. Anybody else have bad reaction to these 3 drugs?
Jeanie
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My body is not liking Carbo/Gemzar/Avastin
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Taxol Nexium Avastin Weakness Pain Cytoxan Carboplatin Heartburn Acupuncture Percocet
20 replies
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- Newest first
- By koh847
- Posted October 4, 2009 at 8:00 pm
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Gosh Jeanie...I am so sorry...I hate this for you.
I am thinking of you and hoping the best. Love you....
- By Jennali
- Posted October 4, 2009 at 10:08 pm
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I'm so sorry you're in such misery. Here's hoping the antibiotic takes hold and that you get some relief soon.
- By Brown_Eyes
- Posted October 4, 2009 at 10:51 pm
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Man, that sounds miserable!!! I guess you're probably already staying hydrated. I wish I could help take all of this away for you. Please keep us updated. With prayers for fast relief.
- By Terra-87
- Posted October 4, 2009 at 11:18 pm
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I had a horrible reaction to Avastin, had to be taken to the emergency room twice because of internal bleeding.
Now I'm on Gemzar as a single agent, and have pain where the tumors are, rectum and liver, excruciating; at times the pain is so bad that it brings me to my knees.
Believe me I know how you are feeling and I'm so sorry
- By godshome
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 8:10 am
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I am on the clinicial trial using avastin--with gemzar/carbo I also feel like crap--Its all I can do to walk around --everything has a terrible taste and I feel like my stomach all the way to my throat is on fire--I was told if I was getting avastin I would have a sore throat with hoarseness which I do not have--But I sure do stay sick--I am probably now getting a kidney infection also--and the beat goes on------
- By lifeisgrand
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 8:21 am
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I'm so sorry. I hope the pain has eased up some over the weekend. Will keep you in my prayers.
- By lifeisgrand
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 8:21 am
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I'm so sorry. I hope the pain has eased up some over the weekend. Will keep you in my prayers.
- By FavoriteAunt
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 9:33 am
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I'm on Avastin and a daily Cytoxan pill. I've only had 1 treatment, but so far, so good.
Maybe it's that particular combo you are taking that is making you so miserable? I'm sorry you are suffering so much and I hope you get some answers and relief today.
- By Mimi25
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 9:33 am
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I've just started Gemzar/Carbo and hope to add Avastin. My doctor started me on a 1/2 dose of Gemzar so that my counts wouldn't crash. I also receive the drugs EVERY OTHER week. So far I feel great. Tomorrow my Gemzar will be increased. Would your doctor consider giving you the drugs every other week instead of the frequency you are on? That might help????
Mimi
- By Jen457
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 10:54 am
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Jeanie,
I was supposed to take cisplatin, gemzar and Avastin but my body did not like the cisplatin. The gemzar and Avastin really cleaned up the tumors but had to switch to Avastin/taxol in late June. When I was on the Avastin/gemzar, I had the hoarseness, headache and felt weak much of the time. I learned the weakness came from the gemzar when I was switched to the taxol. The headache and flaming left nostril got better after a few months. I have Avastin/taxol every two weeks and really only have one bad day. I did not know someone could have such a bad reaction after one treatment. I hope you are feeling better now, or will feel better very soon. Sending up some prayers for you!
- By gatornp
- Posted October 6, 2009 at 11:07 am
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I'm on Carbo/Gemzar/Avastin since July 15, with full meds day #1 and Gemzar only day #8. I've just had my 5th cycle of (6 total) and have had some reactions, though none as serious as yours. My Onc. has decreased my doses each time I have low couts. He said the Avastin works to make the Carbo/Gemzar more effective.
Yes, I have terrible heartburn which I had a history of but my usual treatments didn't work. What does work is Nexium, Pepcid, Aloe Vera Juice (heals and works as a very mild laxative if you need this), and L-Glutamine powder which I add to hot green tea 2 - 3x per day. Also being very careful not to eat high acidic foods.
My liver enzymes quadrupled, but have now come back down. And I definitely feel tired, but if I notice trouble with a fast paced walk or stairs, I go in to my Onc. and they draw a CBC/platelet count, and I wait 15 min to get results. Three times I had to get blood tranfusions and platelets (I also had nosebleeds). The next day I felt like a new person!
For energy, I found acupunctue and chinese herbs my acupuncture physician gives me really helps. It gets expensive, she says most insurances pay but of course mine doesn't. I'm also doing a restorative yoga class but i'm not great with attendance. When I can drag myself in it does help.
Hope some of this helps you. Continue to be strong and good luck to all.
- By Mimi25
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 10:30 am
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To Favorite Aunt-
Is your Avastin/Cytoxin a maintenance regemin?
How often do you receive Avastin??
- By FavoriteAunt
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 10:50 am
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Mimi25,
No it is not a maintenance regimen. It is to treat a recurrence.
I get Avastin by IV every 3 weeks and take the daily Cytoxan pill.
My fingers and toes are crossed hoping it works!
- By Mimi25
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 10:58 am
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Favorite Aunt:
How long have you been on it? How do you feel...side effects??
Mimi
- By FavoriteAunt
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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Mimi25,
I've been on it for 3 weeks and go for my second treatment on Friday.
I'm trying to find a pattern in how I feel. The first week I was totally wiped out and could hardly get off the chair. The second week (last week) and this week I actually feel pretty good and have much more energy. My appetite has been good but I can't seem to gain any weight (though I'm not a big eater).
I do have a scratchy throat/some hoarsness which I think is an Avastin side effect. I've also had a dry, tickling cough for 2 months (pre-Avastin) and I'm going to ask the doctor if Avastin is making it worse. Lungs are clear, no sign of any congestion or cold, so I can't figure it out and it's annoying. I've had a few mild episodes of indigestion, very mild nausea just a couple of times, and not really diahhrea but borderline (just a few times). My hair is still on my head (always a plus). So far I haven't had any signs of the more serious side effects that are possible. I'm thankful for that, hope I continue to tolerate the treatment well, and hope it works. I'm taking it a day at a time because each regimine is a new adventure!
- By jeaniet
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 9:59 pm
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Update----my pain is better, although not gone. it now includes left side/flank too. Up under my ribs too. At least I am not hunched over like a question mark anymore. My liver function has improved since Friday but still elevated. Creatinine (kidneys) is fine. Onc said ER was blowing smoke about the kidney infection and just wanted me out. CT that was done on Monday was completely normal. Onc is baffled. No idea why I am feeling so crappy. He is suggesting possibly dropping the Avastin, and definitely lowering the doses of Carbo and Gemzar. My platelets are 16,000 and WBC is 0.7. After 1 round of Carbo and Avastin and 2 of Gemzar! In 2008 I didn't get this low until well into chemo--like round 4-5. I am also anemic. I got blood transfusion yesterday. I thought I would feel so much better today, but I don't. And I am supposed to get chemo again in a week!
Oh, and my poop is the color of canned pumpkin.....??
Still having bloody nose from the Avastin, and since my nose is runny, it is constantly running bloody mucous, which runs down the back of my throat.
OK....enough moaning and groaning.
Thanks for listening.
Jeanie
- By Cheryl4Teal
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 10:22 pm
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Jeanie Im sorry your feeling so bad. Just a question about the color of stool , could it be your diet? Im asking cause some foods and drugs and vitimins can cause that color. Iknow if you eat foods rich in beta carotene it can cause it some diabeties drugs can too.
The mucos deff sounds like the Avastin though.
I hope all of you start to feel somewhat better . Your in my thoughts and prayers.
- By Shelter
- Posted October 8, 2009 at 10:31 am
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After Chemo of Carboplatin....
my kidneys hurt
I thought I would breeze thru chemo necause i read of others who did really well, my doctor also said people tolerate it well
well hmm
if that was "well" - im not sure of his word definitions..
I survived it I guess, thats what he meant
all I know is my body also was saying No...
it didnt like what it was experieincing...
maybe your liver alos needs to be detoxed?
have you gone to a natrupath who could help you also through this proces..
as chemo is toxic..
let us know how you are doing
Blessings MA
- By GEPI
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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Hi,
As you may say from a separate post, I am just about to start the same regimen. If you feel up to it I would appreciated an update on how your doing. Side effects and results. I hope it is working for you.
Regards
GEPI
- By gonetothedogs
- Posted November 2, 2009 at 7:16 pm
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sorry to hear of your bad luck. im on my 2nd recurrence and am on the same 3 drugs. had 4 treatments then cat scan showing cancer progression! very disappointing. dr. is guessing what to do next. substituting doxil for the gemzar but asked me if i wanted doxil or taxol? since i have had taxol twice before, i picked the doxil? hope it works, havent had any side effects from the 3 yet, just hope this works cuz i dont know what will be next? good luck:)
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