avaston

[Chele21]

Is there anyone else on this chemo, and how many cycles have they had?

[Hidden]

Hi Chele, I have been on Avastin for twenty months now. I have sinus issues and a few aches but nothing major. My blood pressure didnt go up so I have tolerated it fairly okay. The tiredness hits you out of the blue. In reality you need to rest up a bit but I dont do resting until I get this bolt of tiredness, Hope that helps you

[daisies]

Had over 30 treatments of avastin , and while a few side effects, it did work.

Best of luck with it.

[Alikay]

Hi Chele

I was started on Avastin in conjunction with chemo when I had my first relapse in January. I had to miss a couple of infusions as I needed dental treatment, but back on it now and had about 7 or 8 treatments in total so far. Am hoping it keeps the beast at bay for a long time and so far, so good. Like Suzuki, I haven't had much in the way of side effects except joint aches and pains, but have noticed the tiredness which seems to hit me the day after treatment. A small price to pay though in the greater scheme of things.

I do hope that you don't find the treatment too gruelling and that it has the desired effects for you. Please let us know how you are getting on with it.

Take care. Ali x

[Chele21]

Thank you for your comments, all very helpful especially the fact that one of you has been on it for 20 months. I have had 26 cycles and was told most people only have 20 so that is great news there are others who have had a lot more and it is still working. I thought the aches were because of my age, but may be not and I have to take blood pressure tablets as the Avastin made it rocket but now under control. I have a few other side effects that I can put up with as at least I'm still here! Thanks

[linja]

I have been on it and I found it wonderful no awful after effects that chemo can bring BUT after a few months of finishing it my scan revealed some of the growths had become bigger so had to go back on chemo. But I met plenty of people who were on Avistan and they were doing very well.

I'm off chemo for a while, dr will next see me in October and my bloods will be monitored. So don't worry. x

[fluffycloud]

Hi Chelle 21, I have been on Avastin 6 with combination carbo\gem and have just had number 8 as a single agent, as Susuki said I also have few issues with this drug, more or less the same, sinus problems, achy joints time to time and a little bit of tiredness, but it is all very tolerable. Take care Pam x

[Hidden]

I have had 19 single after having it with Gem/Carbo and a Gem top up the following week. I am toying with the idea of coming off it due to the side effects ie joint pains, sinus, balance/dizzynes, sore gums, joint pains especially in the ankles and takes me a while to get going. Weight gain is annoying - I take it you all are the same?

[Chele21]

I have had the same as you, but would rather put up with all these symptoms as I'm frightened if I stop Avastin tumour will start growing again as my cancer is very aggressive, this is my third lot of cancer and this is the first treatment that has kept it at bay the longest, plus if I come off it for more than 6 weeks I'm not allowed to come back on it because of NICE have stopped funding it.

[giovannabett]

I am one of the unlucky ones then! I had profuse nose bleeding, didn't affect the platelet count but it was spontaneous, unpredictable and my onc and the RM said I must come off it. There is no substitute available as Avastin is the only drug licensed in the UK so for better or worse I am on no drugs at all. Looked into intraperitoneal chemo, had a lovely letter from the Royal Marsden but I have to wait until another trial is being done. The results of the trials that they have done show that IP may not be any better than conventional chemo but I would be interested in anybody else's experience.

Gio

[Thorntke]

My wife is on avastin as first line maint and kt makes her very tired and lots of aches and pains, it seems to make it worst. She as now 6 cycles, but she sees it better than major operation which she would have and being very poorly. It is all about quality of life on lifes journey. All the very best