Good CA125 result - am now on celecoxib, another anti-inflammatory drug.

[drdu]

Just heard yesterday that my CA125 was 6. Very pleased, to say the least. As you will see from my updated profile, I have had my ups and downs in the last 4 months. Had stupidly added in aspirin 75mg daily after Christmas, to my ibuprofen and omeprazole regime, and developed an inflamed stomach in March, due to the aspirin I am sure, as had been ok on ibuprofen for 20 months.

Had to stop aspirin and ibuprofen, and take higher dose of omeprazole. Now, for the last 4 weeks, on a different anti-inflammatory, celecoxib, which may be slightly safer on the stomach than ibuprofen, though I think it was the aspirin (added to ibuprofen) that did the damage. I had even tried 150mg aspirin at the start, but had quickly found that upset my stomach.

Very relieved to have got away with being off an anti-inflammatory for 2.5 months. It was a stupid idea to add in aspirin anyway. Not to be recommended. I had read one paper only, from 7 years ago, that suggested more than one anti-inflammatory might give better results, but no-one else thinks that.

I just thought I should highlight that no drug is without side-effects, and great care is needed when trying things out. I knew I didn't have the best of stomachs, and my father had a massive bleed from a stomach ulcer in his 40s. Needless to say, I am still taking omeprazole to protect my stomach - this is vital, if taking an anti-inflammatory (nsaid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). My GP (female) has been a great support.

For those of you who don't know, I am a retired GP with primary peritoneal cancer, a variant of ovarian cancer. See my previous blogs to see why I am taking an anti-inflammatory drug to try to prevent recurrence of cancer. There is some evidence that such drugs, ie aspirin or other NSAIDs, may help some people with cancer.

By the way, I am going away for an 8 day break in North Uist (Outer Hebrides or Western Isles) from tomorrow afternoon, and will not be looking at emails when I am away.

Best wishes.

Eileen xx

[Hidden]

Hi Eileen,

Have a great time away we will all miss you, good news about your CA125 love x G x

[drdu in reply to Hidden]

Thanks v much, Gwyn.

Love,

E xx

[Hidden]

Hi Eileen

What a wonderful result.I am still taking the aspirin and am apparently doing much better than expected.Who knows?

Have a wonderful holiday-I hope the weather is kind.

I visit Scotland quite frequently as my husbands parents were both Scottish

Love Anne x

[drdu in reply to Hidden]

Very glad you are doing well on aspirin, Anne. Yes, we are very fond of Scotland, and have a lot of holidays here. That is nice you visit often. We should meet up some time.

Love,

Eileen xx

[Whippit]

Dear Eileen

Thanks so much for your post. I hadn't understood the ramifications of PPI but understand it a little better now and I realise it's absolutely amazing you've managed to control it with anti-inflammatory drugs. I'll look into celecoxib though my cancer is slightly different to yours.

I just hope your blog is read by other women with the same condition.

Enjoy your much-deserved holiday and break from internet access. I'm sure it will be a tonic.

Loads of love xxx Annie

[drdu in reply to Whippit]

In principle anti-inflammatories should help in a lot of different types of cancer, if the cancer can be attacked when it is at a low ebb. It is not a magic cure, but I believe it can help some people, deducing from the evidence I have read. Cancer research uk are certainly looking into celecoxib and also into aspirin in trials of various cancers including bladder, colon, breast and prostate. It is just all so slow.

Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I will really enjoy a break.

All the best, and lots of love,

Eileen xxx

[drdu in reply to Whippit]

PS I think you mean PPC, not PPI!

E xxx

[iamstillme]

Hi glad to hear your results are good. Have a lovely break

Love

Ally

[drdu in reply to iamstillme]

Thanks, Ally.

Love,

Eileen xx

[Hidden]

You are a pioneer Eileen, so glad to hear the CA125 is so good. A bit unfortunate about the aspirin... evidently a small step too far! Have a lovely relaxing time away

Love

Sue xxx

[drdu in reply to Hidden]

Thanks v much, Sue.

Love,

Eileen xxx

[citrine]

Very interesting blog. Good to hear that your CA125 is so low. Have a wonderful holiday.

Love Mary xx

[drdu in reply to citrine]

Yes, I don't really like blogging about my good fortune with CA125, when others are not so lucky, but I think what I have found is useful for people to know.

Love,

Eileen xx

[charlie12]

This is fantastic needs Eileen , delighted fir you.

I think that posting positive news appropriately and sensitively ( as you have always done) is really important .

Take care of yourself

Love and hugs

Charlie xxx

[drdu in reply to charlie12]

Thanks v much, Charlie.

Lots of love,

Eileen xxx

[Hidden]

So glad to read your post. It must be so frustrating when the NSAIDs are medicines and not supplements. Have a wonderful time - the Uists are one of my favourite places in the entire world. Say hello - or should I say Halò to Lochmaddy for me. Congrats on the wonderful numbers. Cx

[drdu in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Chrystyn. Yes, have been to South Uist before. The Western Isles are beautiful for flowers, birds and scenery. We just started going a few years ago - amazing.

Thanks again, and all best wishes.

Eileen xx

[Hidden]

Your results are great Eileen. What a lovely way to start a holiday. Have a wonderful timexx

[drdu in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, soapsuds. Am just looking at old emails as I have taken ages to get myself on to this new Health Unlocked system!!

Best wishes.

Eileen x

[dawnieg]

I find your posts really interesting and will be discussing with my onc after chemo. Could be good for me as I also have slow A.F. Have a great holiday I have always wanted to visit Scotland. Best wishes, Dawn x

[drdu in reply to dawnieg]

Thanks, Dawn. Good luck with discussing with your onc. He/she may be more amenable to trying aspirin than celecoxib, and that would be ok. Am replying to stuff a month ago, as just got back on this website yesterday, after a lot of difficulty!

Best wishes.

Eileen x

[wendydee]

This is a really good result for you, Eileen, but also a really interesting bit of information on one of the newer theories about treatment. Your sharing this info is really helpful I am sure. Hope you have a wonderful break. It sounds really special and very restful. Enjoy!

Love Wendy xx

[drdu in reply to wendydee]

Thank you. Yes, had a great hol. Heading to Skye for a week on Saturday, then on to Lewis. Don't know if you have seen the series "Hebrides" on BBC2 I think? The last episode is on tonight, and it is a series worth watching. We saw it first on BBC Scotland. It is on at 9pm tonight, and well worth watching. Ewan McGregor is the commentator.

Sorry to take so long to reply, but have been grappling with the new system, and finally got on to it yesterday, and so catching up on old messages!

Love,

Eileen xx

[Sunfleury-UK in reply to drdu]

It is a fabulous series with beautiful photography- we have been watching it too and are really looking forward to a return trip to Islay in the Autumn. Have a wondeful trip, Sxx

[drdu in reply to Sunfleury-UK]

Thanks, Sunfleury. Have a good time in Islay.

Eileen xx

[Hilsuk in reply to drdu]

Hi eIleen, now signed up . Just sent you a message through inspire. Thanks for the tv info too - just turned on, love the series, and the Scottish coast. Great news about the ca125 ! Hilaryx

[drdu in reply to Hilsuk]

Glad you got signed up. You will really like this website, as members are very supportive and have useful info too. Yes, good tv series.

Eileen xx