COVID while on targeted therapy

[Uniquem]

Hello ladies,

My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 4 in December 2019. She had debulking surgery and chemotherapy and is currently on Lynparza. She feels good with no side effects.

Yesterday she took a COVID test, which came out positive. The thing is, when she was firstly diagnosed, she had malignant pleural effusion. They drained it and I think they put some medicine there (sorry for my lack of knowledge on this topic). Several months later, they said that the malignant cells in her lung had capsulated and the cancer is no longer active.

Now, when she's with COVID, our whole family is very scared for her. She's not even vaccinated (her doctor used to advise her not to have the vaccine while on Lynparza).

Please, if someone have had COVID while on therapy or a similar situation, reply to this post.

Thank you and wish you all good health!

[Lyndy]

Hello, I think your Mum may have had pleurodesis ( to dry up the effusion) and if her chemo was effective…which it sounds like it was, then her lungs should be good again. Pleural effusion is in the space between the lungs and the pleural membrane, whereas Covid is infection in the lungs…I hope that she will get the treatment they now use for it such as dexamethasone if she needs it. Fingers crossed for your both xx

[Lyndy in reply to Lyndy]

Meant to add, please consider vaccination when she is well again. I had Covid jab on chemo and will have a booster on Parp inhibitors xx

[mrstadpole]

Hope your mum will feel better soon. I'm really surprised that her doctor advised against a vaccination whilst on Lynparza. I have been taking it now for 16 months and was actively encouraged to have both vaccines by my oncologist which I did with no side effects. Also I will be having a flu jab.

[RoseMS]

I was also diagnosed Dec 2019 had chemo and debulking. Been on Olaparib as maintenance also. Covid vaccine was greatly encouraged, Ive never heard of any Dr or Onc recommending avoiding to PARP patients. Where are you based Uniquem? I am awaiting my booster now and will accept it. I had no real issues with it.

[K95m]

Good morning

I’m stage 3c diagnosed in 2016 with a recurrence in 2017. I’m on Niraparib for over 3 years now. I caught Covid in December 2020 . I was unwell with it but monitored myself with a thermometer and a pulse oximetry machine. (I’m an ex nurse). I didn’t call my Oncologist and carried on taking the Niraparib. At my routine check up my Oncologist was horrified that I hadn’t contacted him saying that he would have stopped the Niraparib !!

However there are some reports now that people on chemo/Parps did well when they got Covid as the meds dampen down your immune system. The main danger with Covid is the period between day 5 and day 10. That’s when the immune system can go into overdrive and that’s when people get very sick.

Please please talk to your mothers Oncologist for advice ASAP. In the meantime watch her temperature closely .

Good luck

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello UniqueM,

As K95m has suggested, I would encourage your Mum to contact her clinical team as soon as possible to make them aware that she has had a positive test for COVID 19 if you haven’t already done so. This is so that they can give her the most appropriate advice for her own individual situation. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Ovacome support team if you would like to talk anything through. Our support line is available Monday- Friday 10am- 5pm on 0800 008 7054 or you can contact us by emailing [e-mail].

Best wishes,

Cathryn

Support Services

[Golfjazz]

My last chemo was june 18 2021 and not in remission for peritoneal cancer. Was put on letrozole. Got Covid July 20 and took HYDROXYCLORIQUIN, ZPAC,and 50,000 mg VITAMINS D3 (0ne pill each day for 3 days) prescribed by my homeopathic docAnd I beat covid in 1 week!

IT WORKS AND NO SIDE EFFECTS!!

[Panther17]

Hi! Its not easy. I hope all goes well. Ive been on Lynparza for a year and a half But, I take a lot of other meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol etc. The medicine coctails Lynparza and Metoporol the most exhaust me. I cant sleep. Tired from the neck down. I had my debulking and 3 more surgeries of removing fluid from my stomach. Im in physical therapy a few times a week. Im overweight. I think of all you ladies and what we have been thru and going thru. Mentally too. I had Covid 19 a year and a half ago on Lynparza. My oncologist took me right off of the Lynparza till I was free and clear for a while. I pray and hope all gets better.🌹❤❤🌹

[Uniquem]

Hello everyone, thank you for your replies. I'm here with an update - my mother beat COVID. She was in a hospital for two weeks and the doctors made her take a break from Lynparza during that time. She is at home now and feels good. Just wanted to share the good news!