Gemzar Side Effects

[TealBlooms]

Does anyone else experience any extreme back pain and/or pain under the breast bone with Gemzar?

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Dear TealBlooms

Thank you for your post. I was very sorry to hear that you have been experiencing extreme pain in your back and under your breast bone whilst on gemcitabine (Gemzar).

I’m sure the forum community will be along to share their experiences with you soon but I wanted to ask whether you have spoken to your clinical team about this? It’s really important that the cause of this change is identified so you can access any appropriate treatment. Your clinical team should be able to provide you with personalised advice and help to alleviate the pain you are in. The 24/7 oncology helpline should be able to advise, as should your clinical nurse specialist or GP. We are also here to help you plan or prepare for any appointments if you think this could be useful?

Cancer Research UK list back or muscle pain as an occasional side effect (happening in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people), with more information available through this link: cancerresearchuk.org/about-... . Macmillan also have some guidance about this chemotherapy drug and possible side effects here: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf... .

I hope this information is helpful and that speaking with a member of your clinical team can identify the cause of your pain and ease your symptoms. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if there’s anything you would like to talk through or anything we may be able to support you with. You can send us a message directly through this forum, email us via [e-mail] or call us on ([phone], Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm (U.K time).

Best wishes

Annie – Ovacome Support

[TealBlooms in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Thanks for the information, Annie! I’m off of Gemzar as of last week. My care team couldn’t give me an absolute diagnosis for the pain I was experiencing, but suggested it was most likely Gemzar and/or the shots I had to take to help increase my WBC which targeted my bone marrow, and ultimately causing bone pain.

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to TealBlooms]

Hi there TealBlooms

Thank you for your reply and update. It's good to hear that you have had a conversation with your clinical team. I very much hope that your pain resolves following their suggestions.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if there's anything else we can support with or any information we can provide.

Best wishes

Annie - Ovacome Support

[Leniko]

yes Gemzar was very tough (and I’ve had lots of chemo!) my lower back had a lot of pain Advil and heat helped

[TealBlooms in reply to Leniko]

I’m sorry you experienced the pain too. I wasn’t sure if it was the Gemzar or a shot I had to take for my low WBC. As of last week, I’m finally off of Gemzar. Back pain decreasing, so hopefully nothing more like it in the future.

Sending love your way!