Worried chemo will not be strong enough.

[marn]

I started Cisplatin and Gemzar in August for disease in liver and peritoneum but have suffered with severe nausea and constipation since. When I went for chemo this week I was informed that I will only receive Cisplatin on its own every two weeks from now on as I am not tolerating the two drugs.Knew there would be some change to regime but did not expect to be having only Cisplatin.Very worried now that this will not be enough to fight disease.Anyone on site received Cisplatin only and how did you get on with it.Would appreciate any thoughts.Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hi Marn sorry you are back on treatment again and that now you find your drug is cut. On my last regime, I have Gem/Avastin, I did react very badly to the first infusion of theGem and the second, then my white cells did a runner. However they adjusted the dose and my 125 came down just the same. I missed two Gems one because of white cells and one because of Xmas and I hadnt to do catch up at the end. I am still on Avastin, last scan stable, bloods ok but lymph nodes in tummy up a little so am due a scan next week to see how things are doing. Sometimes the Gem can be rough on the body as I found too, others can tolerate it better. Could they reduce the strength of dose of Gem is that a possibility at all ? Can they add Avastin ? So far have not been on cistplatin, I know constipation is a big issue for most of us on here. Prunes, eating a kiwi half an hour before food, milled flaxseed and the senokot or ducolax or whatever they prescribe in the oncology unit helps a little. For me the anti nausea drug maxalon also helps to fast track the digestive process, wishing you well.

[daisies]

marn, sorry to read your post. It must be difficult to hear that your system cannot tolerate a particular drug regime ... just having the beginning of the 'wilt' following my treatment yesterday, so have to sign off. WIll follow up again in a day or 2, but don't worry about change in drug regime.

love, daisies

[Missfitz]

Dear Marn. I'm sorry to hear how difficult this treatment has been so far. I just finished 6 cycles of Gem/Cis/Avastin. It was tough going. I think it was the fact that I had 2 weeks on 1 week off. There was very little recovery time. Re the nausea (which I found much harder than Carbo/Taxol) I ended up taking low dose steroids 4mg more or less daily. Re the constipation - I relied on very regular duphlac most days. I took 5 mls every 4 hours. My nurses advised me that it's gentle enough for babies and like paracetamol it is only effective if you take it regularly rather than a big dose on occasion.

Cisplatin is a very effective drug - I believe it was one of the first chemo agents used in ovarian cancer and has more research behind it than all the others.

If things settle down for you in the comming weeks and you start feeling a bit better perhaps you could ask them to reintroduce a second agent again??

I hope the next few weeks go better for you and please keep us updated. You'll be in my thoughts. X

[marn]

Thanks so much to everyone for the support and helpful information.Will keep ye posted on how I am doing.X

[daisies]

Marn,

do keep us posted on how you are doing. But I know lots of women who have their drug regime amended mid-treatment - and are still doing well. At times our poor battered bodies can only take so much. I am beginning to come out from the dreaded wilt after treatment - but you all know that we have to be kind to ourselves when it happens and rest, rest, rest. Managing the constipation OK and hoping no more obstructions.

lots of love, and take care, Daisies