Gemzar side effects

[tjr24682]

My wife at age 65 was diagnosed ovarian 3C, 3 years ago. BRCA negative. Had debulking then several types of chemo. Lost hair. Emotionally hard for her. Eventually grew back in but completely different texture & thickness.

Changed chemo infusion drugs each time CA125 went too high. Developed mild shortness of breath, low energy, joint pain, nausea, & lots of intestinal & sleeping issues.

Most recently used Gemzar on a 3 week cycle. Initially side effects were worsened low energy, tiredness, joint pain, mild nausea. Slept a lot. But Gemzar brought ca125 to below 30. Seemed like it was working well.

However, after 4 cycles developed terrible side effects shortness of breath (prevented walking more than a few steps) and 60+ tender / bruised looking bumps just under the skin, mostly in torso and upper arms. Each the size of a marble, hard as a rock, very tender. Bumps diagnosed as panniculitis - inflammation of fatty tissue. Gained lots of fluid weight, swollen feet. Shortness of breath required a week of hospitalization. Medical team stopped gemzar, but found no literature about the bumps, relation to chemo, or any possible treatment. FDA has no relevant info or suggestions.

3 months later, now on avastin infusion every 3 weeks, plus a daily chemo pill, extreme shortness of breath, low energy, & bumps / panniculitis are unchanged. Lost 20+ pounds, all fluid. Swelling most back to pre.gemzar levels . Can't be too far from a bathroom. Nausea, low appetite, & intestional issues troublesome, but tolerable. Oncology team uncertain if tender bumps or extreme shortness of breath will ever resolve.

Shortness of breath restricts almost any walking. Going up a flight of steps requires several stops & rest to catch breath.

Would love to know, if others on Gemzar have seen treatment for panniculitis and / or extreme shortness of breath, or are these side effects that may never go away.

Husband of patti.

[Caleda4]

Hi Patti's husband, I am sorry to hear that your wife has suffered so much on gemsar. I have been on carbo/gemsar and I am due to have my 5th cycle this week. Before I started I was given a list of side effects by my Oncologist, which lists the things that you mention. I have slight shortness of breath,swelling if feet, neuropathy,but no bruising yet. I am hoping to continue the six treatments,but will be having a Consultation with my Oncologist on Tuesday,so will mention side effects. With the nausea there is more than one drug you can be prescribed. I hope that your wife improves shortly. Take care.

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