Gemo/ carbo

[Duskygem]

Hi ladies I had my scan result today which showed progression of the disease. I had been taking Olaparib as part of the Icon 9 trial, this has now stopped and I am to commence chemo for the third time - carboplatin and gemcitabine.

Have any of you lovely ladies had this treatment and how did you find it?

Warm regards

Christine

[Mossey]

Hi Christine. I had my scan 3 weeks ago. Olaprib stop working for me too. Growth eveywhere. I 2 start chemo again next week carb-caelyx. With a trail potentially mid way through.I'm sorry things have changed. Wish you well next chemo.

Kindness

Amy xxx

[Duskygem in reply to Mossey]

Hi Amy sorry that you are having chemo again, Olaparib is successful treatment for some ladies but not all of us. How long were you on Olaparib? I finished second line chemo, carbo caelyx in September last year and started Olaparib six weeks late, so since mid November 2021 for me. It is what it is Amy. I am grateful that I feel so well and long may it last.I managed ok with carbo caelyx, I felt a bit out of sorts for two or three days after treatment and looked and felt bloated. It was short lived thankfully and it passed. Hopefully you will tolerate it well. Btw, I did not have any hair loss, always a plus !!

Wish you well

Kind regards

Christine

[Mossey in reply to Duskygem]

That's my saying it is what it is. Lol I can not change things just keep on going. I did 7mths on olaparib.

I feel fine at moment to looking forward to seeing the sun as I've got some plans for garden.

Yes Dr said no hair loss this time thou it didn't bother me last time. I had very long hair b4 and donated it.

I wish you well with next chemo.

Amy

[organicinna in reply to Duskygem]

I am about to start Caelyx on its own because recurred just after 6 month of carbo platin. Happy to hear about hair not falling )))

[Tulips66]

Hi Christine, sorry the Olaparib hasn't worked for you but as my daughter says "as long as they keep offering you treatments that's what you want to hear". I started Carbo/Gemcitabine for a recurrence in March 2021 . The plan was to have both chemo's on week 1 & then 2 weeks later to just have the Gemcitabine. Unfortunately it played havoc with my white blood cells which were too low to have the chemo so a couple of times I came home disappointed . My oncologist decided to just give me Carbo/Gem every 3 weeks instead so that it would give my white blood cells a chance to recover & I also had to get my husband (I am a bit of a wimp so couldn't do it myself😂) to give me a Neulasta injection into my stomach to boost the blood cells. This thankfully worked & after 6 cycles I am now on Gemcibtabine only & a recent Ct scan has showed remaining node has decreased even further. Everyone reacts differently to chemo so this regime might not cause you any trouble & if it does your team will sort it out . I also didn't find this combination as harsh as frontline Carbo/Taxol so hopefully you will find it tolerable too & it brings you good results. All the best & let me know how your getting on Xx

[Duskygem in reply to Tulips66]

Hi TulipsThanks for your reply. Yes It is great that treatment is still on offer, I feel lucky that I still have options- long may it last! I am aware that gemcitabine can play havoc on white blood cells so fingers crossed it won’t be the case for me. I am really pleased to hear that the treatment is working for you and after some trial and error you are tolerating it.

Take care

Christine

[Purple_hat]

HiI am on Gem/carbo with Avastin. I have just had my third cycle. It is definitely easier than Carbo/taxol. I have had very little nausea and no hair loss. I have found it very hard to sleep for the first few days so am perhaps more tired than on first line treatment in those days. The administration of the gemcitabine through a canula was.quite painful but very much easier now I have a port. I hope it goes well for you.

Best wishes

Fiona

[Duskygem in reply to Purple_hat]

Thank you for taking the time to reply Purple _hat. Pleased to hear no hair loss.Take care

Christine

[Ruebacelle]

Hi. Watch your bloods. In france white count booster shots are in the protocol. It's the only chemo where I had to get 2 bags of red transfused. It's important to stay on top of this if you have the gemzar carbo pattern carbo every 3 wks gemzar 2 weeks on one off to keep to the timing of treatment. Good luck from paris linda

[Duskygem in reply to Ruebacelle]

Hi RuebacelleThank you for your reply. The onc mentioned the possibility of gem/carbo reducing white blood cells. She said it will be closely monitored but didn’t mention booster shots as being routinely given. I will check when I see her next. I am having a three weekly cycle of gem/ carbo, then gem only and week off.

Take care too

Best wishes

Christine

[Ruebacelle in reply to Duskygem]

Well...what I learned was to be proactive and don't forget you are the client They work for you

[Iwillbeatit]

My Niraparib stopped working after 7 months. Now cancer has gone from slightly shrinking to growing.Good luck

[Duskygem in reply to Iwillbeatit]

Thank you, and good luck to youTake care

Christine

[pants22]

Hi DuskygemI am on cycle 4 of my 6 cycles of gem/carbo as my CA125 had shot back up at crazy speed to over 7000. My maintenence Avastin stopped working obviously.

Apart from nausea/sickness from day 4 onwards (after the 3 day oral dexamethasone stops) the rest is tolerable. After a particularly nasty vomiting bout and a night in hospital to rehydrate I now get the capsule Akynzeo one hour pre chemo and am nausea free throughout. It is amazing. But bowels need managing as it constipates you.

The gem/carbo is do-able and my ca125 is now a third so it's doing its thing.

All chemo is vicious but life can go on throughout it and despite it.

Good luck to you.

[Duskygem in reply to pants22]

Hi PantsThank you for your reply , it is heartening to hear that gem/carbo is tolerable and that is working well for you. I hope this continues and also hope that my experience is similar to yours.

Take care

Christine