Rising CA125 while on chemo.

[Suzanne333]

Hi lovely ladies. I’m sat having my taxol.

I saw the doctor beforehand and he told me my CA125 is 4,000. Before treatment it was 3,400. Then it dropped to 3,000 but it’s shot up to 4,000.

Doctor has booked me in for an ultrasound. Not sure why really.

I’ll speak to my CNS when she’s back from annual leave day after tomorrow. I need my tummy drained. Probably need a CT scan too. My tumours must be getting bigger if my numbers are rising.

Why am I having this chemo if it’s not working?

Love and hugs to you all. Xxxxx

[Hidden]

Hello Suzanne - cancer is not the only reason CA125 rises, it can also be due to infections. My Ca dropped from 1400 to 800 after having the Ascites drained, it wont be Tumors growing at all. Good Luck

Lyn x

[Suzanne333 in reply to Hidden]

Awwthank you Lyn. That has made me feel better as I’m worried sick.

I hope you are ok. Hugs xxxxx

[Seasun36-uk]

Hi Suzanne,

Did you get any answers about your gastric problems?

What was your Oncologist’s advice/attitude about all your symptoms and CA125 result? Rooting for you Suzanne! Linda xoxo

[Suzanne333 in reply to Seasun36-uk]

Hi Linda. The doctor at chemo said to try gaviscon along with the lanzoprazole. He did say the ascites is pushing the acid up more so that’s why I’m being sick.

He said to carry on with the taxol. I need to see my consultant though. He needs to be aware as he’s the one who makes the decisions.

I hope you are ok.

Hugs xxxxx

[Lizz49]

Hi Suzanne,

Sorry to hear you’re worried about your ca125, and hoping you get some answers after your ultrasound. I’m sure ive read somewhere that for some chemo regimes, you can expect to see a rise in the numbers before a drop, and this may well be the case for weekly taxol as it’s a more diluted dose (am I right in thinking you’re on weekly taxol?) and slow and steady wins the race sometimes...the tumours might not necessarily be getting bigger, and it may be inflammation caused by the ascites that is giving you a high reading.

Try not to worry and I know it is hard especially if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Chemo is tough! But so are you and you’ll get through this, I’m hoping you have good news in a few days and things settle down for you and that you feel better once your tummy is drained.

Sending big hugs,

Liz Xx 💖

[Suzanne333 in reply to Lizz49]

Hi Liz.

Yes someone else said the same. Maybe I’ve just got to persevere and having a drain of the fluid will help me physically and maybe my numbers will start going down. I hope so. I’m worried. Yes I’m on weekly taxol.

I hope everything is good with you. Hugs xxx

[Hidden]

I agree some chemos do make a rise before they come down, it is hard to say really, maybe a call to the Ovacome Helpline might help to allay your worries, all the very best

[Suzanne333 in reply to Hidden]

Hi and thank you. I didn’t think of calling them. Maybe I should. They could shed some light.

Hoping you are doing ok.

Big hugs xxxx

[Yoshbosh]

Aw, Suzanne - I totally understand why you are worried. I hope you are able to get some answers very soon, as the uncertainty is bound to make things feel worse. Vicki xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Yoshbosh]

Thank you Vicki. I wasn’t surprised really as I feel unwell. I know it’s ascites in my tummy. I’ve had it a few Times before. It seems to like me.

Hoping it can be sorted soon and everything might improve.

I hope you’re doing ok.

Big hugs xxxx

[Welshandproud]

Mine went up from 9600 to 10400 when I first started chemo. My onc said that this was perfectly normal once you got cancer on the run. It came down afterwards. Try not to worry too much until you can talk to your team or the ovacome nurse.

[Suzanne333 in reply to Welshandproud]

Ahh thank you for that. It does make me feel a bit better. I was just thinking the worse but I’m hoping for the best now.

I hope you’re doing ok now.

Big hugs xxxx

[Maus123]

Hi Suzanne. Was the ca125 taken in the same lab / by the same doctor every time? I've been told that's better as the number might vary between labs. I agree with your thoughts... talk to your oncologist first (also about stopping or continuing Taxol) and see if your ascites can be drained soon'ish. Hopefully you will feel better afterwards.

I'd take any scan as well, as that might put the ca number into perspective or in its place.

Counting on you to head to the nearest yummy food place after the relief from the drain sets in, eat to your hearts content and regain strength.

Hugs, Maus

[Suzanne333 in reply to Maus123]

Hi Maus. I don’t know if it’s taken by the same lab and doctor. Maybe I’ll ask that question.

Yes I need to speak to my oncologist. He’s pretty good. I’ve got upset tummy now the other end. Whatever next. I’m

Either sitting on the toilet or hunched over the bloody thing.

I can’t wait to eat a proper plate of food. Isn’t it funny how we take things for granted. I’m looking forward to drinking s glass of wine too. Not had any for ages. Gone right off it.

Sending you big big hugs. Hope you’re doing ok xxxxx

[Maxjor]

So sorry Suzanne. Mostly about how worried I know you are. Best thing is to speak to your onc and ask why the ultrasound— what do they see or know from it. Then ask plan of action based on different results you might get. I think you’re like me in knowing options helps me cope with the current state of things so I have a plan moving forward even if the plan is to keep doing what you’re doing. Hope you get some comfort soon— physically and mentally. Sending hugs. Xoxo

[Suzanne333 in reply to Maxjor]

Aww thank you. Yes it’s worrying. The Doctor said something about the ultrasound to look at my liver. Maybe it’s to see where the fluid is too. I asked if it could see if my tumours had grown. He said it wouldn’t show up. I guess he’s not my oncologist so doesn’t really know too much about me.

I’ll speak to my CNS. Tomorrow. She’s on annual leave till then. She’s works alongside my oncologist and speaks to him often. She’s very good.

I hope you are doing ok. Big hugs xxxxx

[Hidden]

ignore my previous question. I should have worked down not up.There's just too much to worry about, isn't there. I keep getting all sorts of odd feelings and don't know whether to put them down to the cancer, the chemo or the heat. I recommend in Gaviscon end of things Rapidol express.