Hello all,
Had my review with my Oncologist today and he said that my tumours had shrunk by two thirds ( so happy) He has offered me Avastin. After reading about the side effects, I'm wondering is it worth it. What do you guys think? Sorry should have said this is third cycle and on carboplatin/ paclitaxel.
As I understand it Avastin works to combat recurrence by targeting any blood supply to tumours in waiting. I've just had my first dose and like you I read a lot about side effects but decided to go for it. I'm thinking that I could always stop it if the side effects are terrible but many seem to tolerate it quite well..so why not me? 😊
Hi I've just finished 18 rounds of Avastin. The side effects were not to bad but bad enough that there is side effects but nothing like when I was on chemo which was the same as yours. I suffered with sinus issues which could be quite painful and give me headaches and a constant runny nose, occassional nose bleeding which at times was quite heavy. Along with some additional aches and pains. I found it manageable. Good luck with it if you proceed x
Avast in has worked for me - I've had continued, continual slight shrinkage of the remaining tumour (am now nearly 10 months from last dose of gem/carbo for 1st recurrence).
The closest I can say my side effects have been is that it's like having a constant mild cold with laryngitis. ie. Fatigue, runny nose and aches. I also had migraines which are now under control with beta blockers.
Good luck. X x
I had Avastin like the other ladies, I actually had it every three weeks for two years, I had sinus issues, runny nose, hoarse voice and tiredness but nothing major. My bp stayed static and the most important thing is that it did work. There are side effects listed but that is not to say we will get all of them. My feet did complain but that is gone since I stopped. I am glad I had the opportunity to have it.
I will have my eighteenth cycle of Avastin this Thursday. Overall it has been easier to cope with than the carbo and taxol. The main bug bear has been symptoms of laryngitis with sore throat, lost voice, vomiting and cough since November. I cannot deny that has been pretty miserable but not enough for me not to take the Avastin. My blood pressure did go a bit crazy at one point but that settled. Overall it has been ok and I would definitely do it again. You will never know till you try!
I am on avastin, like the two other ladies I have not had too many side effects. Mainly runny nose and a bit tired but nothing major. I would definitely go for it. I am on it for eighteen months and am on my fourth I go every three weeks. Good luck. Xx
Is avastin covered by Canadian medical?
Hi. I am on Avastin. For 6 months it was in conjunction with Carbo/Caelyx. When I finished those, I've had Avastin infusions every 3 weeks for approx. 15 times now, (following 1st recurrence, initial diagnosis 3C) . It works by reducing the size of the blood vessels that can feed the cancer. Therefore it has the tendency to raise your blood pressure. I'd never had raised blood pressure in the past but now I have to take 1/2 a tablet per day to keep it below 140. The trial requires your blood pressure to be below 140. If it is above that on the day of the infusion, and relaxation etc won't get it down, they can't give you the infusion.
I recall a huge list of possible side effects, including sudden death, when I signed up for the trial; I think they'd included everything that could possibly happen to cover themselves. Truth is, I've had very few side effects.
As mentioned above, I have 'hayfever' basically every day, some days worse than others - sneezing & blowing - mainly in the morning & it clears up as the day progresses but still the occasional sneeze & blow. I get a husky voice from time to time - not often. I know people have suffered aches & pains but not me. I don't know I've had it - I get up the next day & can do whatever needs doing. One thing I would say is to drink good amounts of water on the day following the infusion, to flush it thru. If you don't, I think you may get headaches & tiredness.
I know some people say it affects their feet and I must admit that the corns on my left foot have become sore (never have been previously) but I have no idea if there's any connection to Avastin - my onc says he's never heard of that one.
I'm on it indefinitely, as long as it continues to work. It's not a chemo drug &, for me at least, it's been a wonder drug. I whole-heartedly recommend it.
Best wishes - Pauline
I am taking a break for 3 months I’m going to take capsules from the morangy tree they crush the leaves and put them in capsule form got them from a nurse from the phillipenes she said they use them for all kinds of health problems and they work good for cancer I turned down the avastin as my body needs to rebuild itself.
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