I was wondering.....

[Peg8080]

Hi Everyone! I just completed my 4th round of Taxol Carboplatin. I also receive Avastin and immunotherapy/placebo. This was more difficult side effects than before. I was more nauseated and the body aches were worse and lasted longer as well. I am a very positive person and the treatment is working so please do not take it at a complaint. I am wondering is it normal for it to worsen as time goes on? I have 2 more treatments with the taxol carboplatin then I will be getting just Avastin and immunotherapy/placebo for 18 more treatments. I did take the Claritin as suggested. It helped for the first 2 days after chemo. Then it made no difference. I get chemo every 3 weeks. I am thankful my cat scan 2 weeks ago was good. My CA-125 is now 24. I am learning as I go and all of you ladies are a wealth of knowledge to me. If anyone has any insight or similar experience please let me know. Btw I am better today. It will be a week tmr from chemo. I do drink plenty of fluids too. ❤️ Peg

[Janet235]

Hi Peg...

I am amazed why the doctors don't seem to explain how chemotherapy effects are cumulative. I thought I was "getting away with it" at first but by the 3rd or 4 th treatment the side effects are really kicking in / get more difficult to deal with.

I was on this regime ( (ICON 8B trial) last year but not the additional immunotherapy/ placebo ( is this also infusion or tablet?). Like a lot of women on this site, I had standard but varying symptoms which were at their worst a few days after treatment, then gradually began to subside. SO by the third week when you feel back on track you are in again for the next lot...😳

Longer term side effects should start to resolve when chemo finishes but again everyone is different. For myself I am back into reduced dose weekly taxol due to scan showing return of disease and very high CA 125, ( yours is good and low). This time no clear window of even keel... but bearable.

Do ask at your next consult the specific after effects which are the hardest for you and how they can help you further.

Good luck Janet x🌈

[Peg8080 in reply to Janet235]

Thank you so much Janet. Everything is an infusion for me. That is great advise, I will ask when I met my physician before next chemo. I am sorry to hear about your scan and CA-125 results. Hopefully your weekly taxol is effective. We just take one day at a time. I am sending you a big grateful hug! Peg Xx

[Welshandproud]

Hi Peg

Yes the effects of chemo and avastin are cumulative. Try to rest more and take it easy on the days you feel most affected. Do not try to push yourself too hard. You will feel much better when you are only taking the avastin and the chemo stops. I took Paramax for the nausea and pain which I found helpful. It might be worth asking your doctor. It contains paracetamol and metaclopramide which kept things at bay for me. By the way congratulations on your Ca125 score. Well within the normal range.

Good luck with your last two chemos xx

[Peg8080 in reply to Welshandproud]

Thank you so much! Such great and helpful information. I will ask about Paramax. That is great news that it is much better when just Avastin and immunotherapy/placebo. Again thank you so much! Peg Xx

[Katsmum]

Hi Peg

I have just completed another round of six chemo and both times session no4 seemed to be as bad as it got cumulative wise so although you know what side effects to expect I am keeping my fingers crossed that your body copes better with 5 and 6. I also followed on from my first line treatment with avastin and the side effects were not too bad at all. Wishing you all the best

Jane x

[Peg8080 in reply to Katsmum]

Thank you Jane! This sounds promising. Your information is so helpful. Wishing you all the best as well. Peg Xx

[Kryssy]

Hi Peg

Great CA125 result. Long may it continue to drop. What was the start figure?

I was told from the start that each chemo would be harder to deal with as it went on so expect the worst but no-one predicated my reaction. A few days after first taxol I was hospitalized with severe neuropathy and was partially paralysed. No use of legs, right arm and both hands. I still cannot feel my fingers or toes over two months later but I don't shuffle so much now. Changed to taxotere for second dose but again hospitalised with severe vomiting and eczema of all things. Lost almost a stone in a week. All the anti sickness drugs were making it worse too. So now having weekly carbo and avastin only and no bad effects except tiredness but I'm a bit worried as without the baddie the chemo isn't as effective, I was told. So when I go this morning I would have missed the doctor's round but will make an appointment to see him as this latest bit of news is worrying me.

I really hope you don't suffer as I did but don't be scared. I'm told constantly that I'm not normal. They are amazed that my reactions were so severe and came on so quickly.

Keep us posted.

Love Kryssy xx

[Peg8080 in reply to Kryssy]

Hi Kryssy,

I am sorry you had such a bad reaction. That must have been horrible to go through. My Ca-125 was originally 976 when I was first diagnosed. Try not to worry Kryssy, although easier said than done, and cross that road if you need to.

Keep us updated.

Love Peggy Xx

[Kryssy in reply to Peg8080]

Thank you Peggy.

Just got back from chemo and wouldn't you know it - my onc is on holiday this week but I am in early next week and the secretary will ask him on Monday for an appointment and let me know toute suite. One of the lovely chemo nurses sat with me today for a while as she said I looked sad. I had my own room today as going in later meant that the recliners were all taken and they know I can't sit in a chair for hours because of my back. I was pleased to have my own room as I got a bit tearful with the nurse, mainly because I was telling her about our beloved dog, Alfie, who passed away 3 days after I was diagnosed. Not a good week that week. I am a bit more upbeat now as I know I've asked and will get an appointment. Perhaps I'll sleep a bit better now.

You have had an amazing drop in your CA in such a short time. Mine went from a relatively low 385 to 152 in two months - the two months I had taxol or taxotere - but I do know the numbers are not relevant to the amount of cancer but merely and indication that things are going in the right direction. My next test is in December - such a long time to wait. I wonder if I can be cheeky and ask the chemo department to add it to my list of tests I have each week before chemo. Perhaps I'll speak to Dr Onc first before making up my own rules.

So, another week of R and R before the next session. I don't mind it weekly as the nasty side effects don't come and I can lead a reasonable life provided I don't do too much. Got a bit of a worry in my blood test but I will post separately about that.

Take care Peggy and continue to get those numbers crunched.

Love Kryssy xxx

[Peg8080 in reply to Kryssy]

I am so glad you got your own room. It is so good to cry when you feel like crying Kryssy. I am so sorry of the loss of your dog. I know it hurts so bad to lose your family pet. So much to deal with at once. You seem like a very strong woman with great reasoning skills. I know Chemo creates havoc within our bodies in so many ways. You seem to know rest is the best thing for you. I often have to remind myself of that.

Please keep us updated Kryssy and get some wonderful rest.

Love Peggy xx

[ellseybellsey]

Peg,

I had the same problem with severe muscle pain mine seemed to get worse after my 3rd Carbo/ Taxol.

When I explained to onc that the muscle pain was getting worse with each line, I was advised chemotherapy was cumulative and was prescribed Naproxen .Hugs Ellsey xx

[Peg8080 in reply to ellseybellsey]

Thank you Ellsey. It so good to hear I am not alone with these cumulative symptoms. Everyone is helpful and I appreciate each one of you. Hugs Peggy xx