Finally, Irressa.

[angels5454]

Hi all, I have had my lastest CT Scan and they say the cancer in my lungs are growing and it's also changed so now they have given me irressa to take last Thursday but I've not plucked up the courage to try it yet. I have been trying to go places and get lots done before I start to take it. I'm also very apprehensive about taking drugs and their side effects. As you may remember that after my last lung biopsy under local anaesthetic I went into cardiac arrest and had a Tia mini stroke so now I'm taking Clopidogral for blood thinning and Roosuvastatin for high high cholesterol, it has taken me a while for my body to get use to these tablets. Anyway I have to try the irressa for my own piece of mind and try to be positive.

Angels cx

[pollyalison]

Hi,

I was on Gefitinnib (Iressa) for 18months and I have an irregular ventricular heartbeat but it didn't affect my heart. It is a fabulous drug with few side effects. I have had to come off it as it has stopped working so I am now on the next line targeted treatment Tagrisso which has hardly any side effects and I will know if they are working when I have a scan in months time.

Alison x

[Newroad in reply to pollyalison]

Thank you, your message gives me hope. Tagrisso sounds like a good one from what I have heard. My fingers and toes are crossed let me know how you get on xxxxxxx

[angels5454 in reply to pollyalison]

Hi Alison, thanks for the info regarding irressa. I think my confidence is low since I had the biopsy go wrong, it's taken it out of myself since having the cardiac arrest and Tia stroke. I will take this irressa. I suppose I always fear the worst as it was bad enough trying to get me on the blood thinner tablet and a statin as they made me itch all over my body, it's calmed down now. Can you still get your hair coloured at the hairdressers? Only I'm due to have my roots done any day now. Let me know how your next ct scan goes. Good luck with the new drug.

Chris x

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear angels5454

So sorry to hear that your cancer is growing. There is great encouragement from polyalison, and everyone does react differently. It is good you have an option of treatment and you may find that you are absolutely fine on Iressa. As you have managed your other medication well , this is worth a try to hopefully slow the growth of your cancer.

It may be worth checking with your lung cancer specialist nurse or doctor on hair dye whilst using Iressa.

Good luck with everything, let us know how it all goes.

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Genie123]

Hi I've been on Irressa for over 4 yrs now, and Had just a few side affects, but they soon passed, but we are all different, so hope you are able to, not have any at all. Good luck.

All the best jean

[angels5454 in reply to Genie123]

Hi Jean, I have been taking irressa now for 4 days but it seems longer. I just had feelings of sickness for first day but now I have mouth ulcers which are painful to drink hot drinks. Also I keep feeling very tired.did you feel like this? Feel very fatigued.

Chris x

[CaroleH1949 in reply to angels5454]

My husband had terrible mouth ulcers and the only thing that hhelped was a mouthwash called Aloclair. His oncologist gave him a prescription but unfortunately it's not available on NHS. It costs about £10 a small bottle but he only uses it once a day and sometimes not even that x he was unable to eat because of the ulcers so well worth paying for it x the stuff available on prescription was a gel but it tasted awful so no help with his appetite x his tumour has shrunk considerably on this medication so worth plodding on x I hope you get the same good news x

[angels5454 in reply to CaroleH1949]

I went to my doctors this evening to see what he could give me for these sore ulcers in my mouth and tongue, he gave me a liquid paracetamol to take, he said he was not sure what to give me as he has never dealt with this drug irressa before. Hopfully these ulcers will pass. My eyes feel sore and extra dry aswel. Will ring my Macmillan nurse tomorrow. Thanks for your support. x

[angels5454 in reply to CaroleH1949]

Hi, I have been on irressa for 9 days now, it's been a struggle though. I had sickness first few days then ulcers and I have terrible gut pain high up, it's unbearable at times and I can not eat as I have no appetite with stomach pains. I have started coming out with spots and a little rash here and there. My stomach bubbles. How is your husband coping with this irressa? x

[pollyalison]

Hi,

I have my hair coloured every five weeks and have had no side effects so far.

Alison x

[angels5454 in reply to pollyalison]

Hi Alison, I have not taken the irressa just yet, I have cystitis at the moment so trying to sort this out now. Was thinking of getting my hair roots done before I take irressa. I know like you it will need doing in another 5weeks. I already have some psoriasis on the back of my neck and in my scalp a little but my hairdresser works around this.

Chris x