Avastin+ Chemotherapy

[sara_mamani96]

Hello,

Has anybody used the combination of carbo/taxol and avastin after surgery? If so, I would appreciate share your experience regarding its side effect.

Thanks,

Sara

[Hibernia]

I was on this combination before and after surgery and then I was on avastin alone for one year. The side effects I experienced were bloody and runny nose. A kind of burning feeling in my nose and joint pain. That's all . Wishing you all the best. Xx

[sara_mamani96 in reply to Hibernia]

Thanks for your reply. I was wondering if your oncologist put you on anther medication after Avastin. Also, would be appretiated if let me know what was your stage and if any of your lymphs were involved. As my concern is about some of my mom’s lymphs and stomach washing fluid which shows positive. Then, her oncologist suggests the combination of Avastin with taxol and platinum. In the meantime, my mom have 4 chemo before surgery and 3 planned after and Avastin will be used for n6 and n7.

Thanks,

[Hibernia in reply to sara_mamani96]

No, I wasn't put on anything else after the year of maintenance avastin. I am stage 4 with no lymph involvement.

[sara_mamani96 in reply to Hibernia]

Can I ask you how far you are now from the last Avastin. I wish you the best and long remission.

Thanks-Sara

[lesleysage]

Hello Sara,

I had carbo + taxol as a 'dose dense' regime plus Avastin after my second surgery; that was between March to end August 2013. My oncologist was sure that, although 'dose dense' regime means the total amount of carbo + taxol put into your body is one-and-a-half times the ordinary 21 day doses, the fact that this volume is split into 3xone weekly infusions means your body has to cope with less at each 'hit'. The Avastin was administered fortnightly.

The usual side effects of carbo & taxol and with Avastin I was similar to Hibernia but also had an elevated blood pressure (but not so bad I needed tablets) plus bad mouth ulcers; these we managed with me brushing my teeth after eating, gargling with dissolvable aspirin (not swollowing it, just gargling and spitting it out but it's job was to reduce inflammation in my mouth, and finally dabbing each mouth ulcer with a prescribed lotion from the oncologist of a steroid + local anesthetic. A dietician also helped me find foods which I liked, which were gentle on my mouth and tummy and packed a high nutritional punch into a small quantity of food as, like most of us on chemo, eating wasn't always easy....ok in the 'respite week' but not to easy in the chemo weeks.

I did complete the whole lot, but was pretty 'wrung out' for the last three cycles and reckon the blood pressure took about two years to return to its previous steady, reliable self. The mouth ulcers reduced within a couple to four weeks of finishing the Avastin.

Hope all the above helps; do ask again if I've not answered you properly.

Warm wishes for a good day. Lesley

[sara_mamani96]

Hello Lesley,

Thanks a lot for your fully response. The only thing that I would need to know is telling me about what you or other use usually after Avastin cycles ( not combo with carbo/taxol) finised. Also, Please tell me if you did BRCA tests and if Avastin works for all BRCA positive and negative.

Thanks again and best wishes-Sara

[GwenHP in reply to sara_mamani96]

Avastin can work for either BRCA positive or negative. But understand that not everyone responds. In breast cancer they usually give it only to those with BRCA mutations, but in ovarian cancer there are many of use who are negative for the mutations but still respond.

[sara_mamani96 in reply to GwenHP]

Dear Gwen, I want to know what is Avastin dose ususally during a year after Chemo. I talked with my mom’s oncologist today and asked for BRCAs tests. Also, I asked about Olaparib and Niraparib. He told me in the case of BRCA mutation, these drugs could be an option. While I am not sure after the first line treatment if they go with these options in any other countries. If I rememeber well, I heard they will be used after recurrence. Thanks again- best wishes

[MarieRB]

I was on Avastin for year after surgery and chemo - like 'Hibernia' a runny nose was an irritating side effect! And bloody as well, but not too much. Everybody's side effects can be so different. I understand there's a rule of thumb that states that for every hour you're under an anaesthetic, your body needs one month to recover, so for those of use who launched straight into chemo after surgery it's a bit of a double whammy, but often a necessary progression.

[sara_mamani96 in reply to MarieRB]

Thank you Marie. Can you please let me know what was the Avastin dose after surgery and chemo. I was wondering if they start the low dose after surgery then increase after chemo.

Thanks

[carolleigh]

I have been on Avastin with Carbo-Gemzar for about 5 months. I got some blood in my nose, but not really a bloody nose. It didn't bother me. My blood pressure whent up maybe 5 points at the most. My doc said it would be 10, but I have pretty low blood pressure anyway. Generally I feel like Avastin was easy. I am in remission for now, but the doctor says I will be staying on for a while.

[sara_mamani96 in reply to carolleigh]

Thank you carolleigh for your response. Wish you the long remission

[carolleigh]

Thanks, Sara! Yes... I am trying to find a balance between enjoying the hope and positive, and being ready for things that can happen. I guess I won't know how I am doing until the next bad news... if that happens. The main thing I don't like about Avastin is having the infusion every two weeks, but he says we can do it once a month eventually. Now my doc has me on Gemzar and Avastin every other week. He says we will take the two chemo drugs away one at a time and look at my CA 125. I like that idea. Good luck!

[sara_mamani96 in reply to carolleigh]

Hopefully, you will get a good result from his new plan and your CA125 stay in the normal range for a long time. Wish the best!