Avastin infusion

[Erebuni]

Hi ladies.I have a question.Avastin infusion every 3 weeks I gonna have chemo side effects all 3 weeks or less ? I am worried,soon my first granddaughter gonna borne . I want to help my son to tech care of my little girl.

[Hidden]

Hi Erebuni. I began Avastin 5.5 years ago. I give thanks for it every day. I suspect I won't be on it much longer but I'm sure I wouldn't be in such a good place if I hadn't been. The only side effects I get from Avastin is a runny nose, mainly in the morning or when I eat; sneezing; raised blood pressure for which I take BP pills - but I didn't need the BP pills for quite a long time.

Avastin is not chemo : chemo makes you feel ill & listless and many other possibilities while it kills off the cancer growths, whereas Avastin is just a maintenance drug. The intention is that the chemo is the tough-stuff and gets you into remission, then the Avastin is the maintenance drug that works to keep you in remission.

I go to the hospital for the Avastin infusion & go home & resume my life - no side effects that I'm aware of, other than those mentioned.

I was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer stage 3c 8 years ago. I was worried too that I wouldn't see my children settle with partners. Our son & daughter have both since married just the best partners, Our daughter now has a delightful, cheeky 1 year old and our son's wife is pregnant. I feel blessed. I'm certain I couldn't have done it without Avastin.

Don't shy away from Avastin. If it doesn't work so well for you, you can stop taking it.

I belong to a small local OC Support group. Another member has been on Avastin for 4 years & she too thinks it wonderful. I've asked the nurses at the hospital I go to. They tell me they have many patients on Avastin & they don't hear many complaints. I also knew a patient who came off it as it hurt her feet. All these things affect people differently.

Best wishes. Pauline.

[Iwillbeatit]

Hi Pauline I have been on avastin for one year coming to the end of this treatment due to UK funding. It has kept my oc4b cancer stable during that year. The only side effects have had are dry snuffly nose which I have to blow a lot and is sore inside and aching joints. Plus tiredness so much better than chemo.

[27-359]

Hi. Avastin is not a chemotherapy drug, and the side effects for me were not as bad. I had aching joints and a bloody nose. I think your oncologist should be able to help with the joint pain and I have heard that some hydrocortisone drugs are helpful, but always check with your oncologist. If you have already had chemo, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by Avastin. Good luck with the new baby.

Jenny

[Erebuni in reply to 27-359]

Hi Jenny . Thanks for advice and good luck with new baby It’s tach my hart .❤️❤️Emma

[Erebuni]

Thanks pauline66 -Australia you give me a hope.

[Twinning]

Hi Erebuni,

I started my Avastin maintenance in September. As others have stated, runny nose, bloody nose (I now put Neosporin in my nose to help with scabbing) and joint pain are what I have experienced. Annoying, not debilitating. I have 3 grandchildren and can keep up with them. Enjoy every moment when that granddaughter arrives!!

[Erebuni in reply to Twinning]

Hi Twinning . Thanks , I am soo emotional now about baby.I cry reading your words.Whit love ❤️ Emma

[Atherton51]

I had 18 Avastin apart from aching bones and feeling tired which with paracetimol was all I needed. Your hair will start growing back and I didnt feel sick with it I had two with my chemo then 16 on its own I even had a holiday. We are all different so i hope it goes well for you.

[Erebuni in reply to Atherton51]

Thanks Atherton51 for hope, you guys give hope.I am now not afraid of Avastin.😘 Emma

[Iwillbeatit in reply to Atherton51]

Reading your reply to Emma can I ask what has happened to you since avastin 18as I have been good in it and am up to 15 and wondering what happens after 18.