Gem/ carbo

[Barmycharm]

Hi Ladies

I started first cycle of gem/ carbo mid September but haven’t been doing too well on it. I was pretty rough after both day 1 and day 8 infusion was even worse even though I’d fully expected it to be be ok. I’m now in hospital with pneumonia so have had day 1 of cycle 2 postponed twice.

I’d heard from several ladies that this chemo combo was very doable yet I seem to be struggling from the word go!?! Just wondering if any other ladies on here have actually found it a difficult regime? We all react differently obviously but I’m normally pretty strong during my treatment and this has really floored me.

It’s my first recurrence but after 18 months on watch and wait the beast suddenly put itself in gear and has spread in many different places pretty fast so my oncologist put me straight onto this rather than Caleyx but I’m wondering now if that wouldve suited me better.

I had PICC line fitted which worked well at first but now seems to be infected so that’s got to come out too.

Must admit I’m worried now about carrying on further but what’s the alternative?!!

Hugs to you all

Claire xx

[BeliGolub]

I have responded badly to it too but am continuing now. I had to cancel first Day8 as First Day 1 was terrible. After a break I went back on it and though it is not as bad as after the first one, I am still quite ill. I also start feeling ill as soon as I get home after the chemo. I have extra sickness meds but first two day-three days are quite rough. I am half way, had three cycles, three more to go (but 6 visits to hospital). I am considering changing or stopping if my CT scan shows no improvements.

[Barmycharm in reply to BeliGolub]

I’m glad I am not alone but also sorry to hear you’ve been very ill with it. I have been the same, immediately feeling dreadful. I’m going to discuss with my oncologist next week whether to continue on it or consider whether a change is possible now. You’re half way there so I really hope that your scan results show your suffering has been worthwhile. All the best for the rest of your treatment xx

[delia2]

Hi. It sounds like you’re going through a really rough patch. I have not had the carbo gem combination but assume it will be next. Maybe you could switch to carbo caelyx. It has four week cycles so there’s plenty of time to feel decent after the initial week. I don’t know which is more effective. I hope you get better from the pneumonia and infection in your arm soon. Xx

[WorriedHusband]

My wife started this combo 4 days ago for her second recurrence. Before starting she asked the oncologist for a reduced dosage for gem, she received 800mg/m2 as opposed to full dose of 1000mg/m2. Carbo is full dose.

So far she finds it a lot easier than previous chemos. She didn’t even need to take Zofran or steroids post infusion.

You may ask your oncologist for a dosage adjustment for the next cycle.

I hope you feel better.

Good luck.

[Barmycharm in reply to WorriedHusband]

Thank you that’s a good idea. I’m seeing oncologist on Tuesday so I’ll raise that with her.

[Lizchips]

I did great on paxiltaxol and carboplaten mix , I've had no reoccurring sign of disease. I had 18 rounds in 14 weeks. I also had interperitinel chemotherapy. I've been cancer free 9 yrs. I had stage 3c2 clear cell carcinoma. Best wishes. Also I have been on nothing since. 💜 Liz

[Barmycharm in reply to Lizchips]

That’s great that you’ve done so well with no recurrence and long may that continue for you. I had carbo/taxol first time but recurrence started back after less than a year.

[SKpaints1]

I’m so sorry to read this, I’m starting this regime on Tuesday🤦‍♀️ do you think it was the chemo that caused the pneumonia?? I’m sorry i can’t answer your question but hope that your oncologist can give you an alternative, i really hope you pick up soon, take care x

[Barmycharm in reply to SKpaints1]

Hi hopefully you will be fine with this combo most ladies seem to be. My bloods were very low after first day1 infusion so I think my immunity was so low that I picked up germs easily. They’re not sure as yet whether the picc line is connected to the same infection or not, still waiting for cultures results to come back, still in hospital 😳

Best wishes starting your chemo tomorrow, let me know how you get on xx

[Summergold2]

instead of picc line ask for a port a cath to be inserted much easier to manage and to distribute chemo . If it has come back in a year you will most likely have more chemo along the way. I have had 4 different combo of chemos in less than 4 years only ned for 5 months. Still fighting and will continue to fight. Traveling, riding horses and taking the boat out too in between chemo and drainage for ascites ! Was in wheelchair in June of this year changed chemo and doing better. Initial numbers 1240 now 345 hoping for continuous drop. Chemo is Abraxane I am platinum resistant and it appears to be slowly working

Good luck and get better soon

[Laz66]

Hi, sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I am on this regime and have just finished cycle 3. I feel very very vile! Spending many days in bed, which is so unlike me. The nausea ( and actually vomiting yesterday) is the worst for me along with some deafness and tinnitus. I am on 2 different anti emetics… not really helping. My blood counts have dropped but have been within treatment range. I was awful on carbo/ taxol and carbo /caelyx but I think the persistent nausea and weakness on this lot has been worse. It’s punishing and toxic stuff. You have the added complication of pneumonia etc so you must be feeling very low. Maybe you have a scan soon and your ca125 is going down? Best wishes xx

[Barmycharm in reply to Laz66]

Thank you for your message. I’ve home now with oral anti biotics and picking up gradually. Chemo is postponed for yet another week although I can’t say I’m not relieved about that! I normally push myself to get up and on with things but the pneumonia on top of chemo has floored me this time.

I’m sorry that you are struggling with the gem/carbo too. I agree it makes you feel vile!!

You are halfway through so keep going and hopefully it is working for you,

Very best wishes ongoing with your treatment xx