I just received a letter from insurance company approving a chemotherapy medication called Halaven. Has anyone heard of it?
Treatment is 21 days two weeks on one week off. I guess this is what my new oncologist is going to try.
Will let you know how I do.
I am having a port put in Wednesday and first chemotherapy on following Monday.
Barbara
Hey Barbara, I have no info for you. I just wanted to wish you the best with your treatment! I hope all goes well and you get great results!!
Let us know how it goes!
Andi
HI Barbara; Halavan (aka Eribulin) is on my list of future meds too. Seems like it's commonly used on folks like us who have had previous chemos, including a taxane. I think it's been out almost 10 years. Sounds like the infusion is quick, around 5 minutes! Similar side effects to other chemos. Personally I try not to look at those side effect lists much so I don't think myself into them!
Really hope you do well on this, and thanks for keeping us posted.
Patty
Thanks Patty I don't like reading side effects either. They all seem to have the same ones. We are all different when it comes to side effects.
Well I hope this one works with few side effects.
Barbara
Depending on the outcome of my liver biopsy this is the drug that the oncologist is considering next for me. I’d not heard of it either.
Hi Barbara
Don’t know much about the treatment but wanted to wish the best possible outcome♥️
Thank you so much 💕
I haven’t heard of Halaven but then there are many treatments out there and many on the horizon. Sorry that was not helpful to you right now but I’m glad your new Onc is on the ball! Keep us posted on how it’s working. ❤️
Maura
Hi, Barbara! I have thought of you so often and wondered how you were doing. I hadn't been on this site for a while and was worried when I didn't see your name pop up. How are you doing? How is your CA 15-3 tumor marker? The last I remember, which was a while ago now, it was ca. 1100.
Thank you for thinking of me. Mya new oncologist does not do markers. I have been on Halaven about three months now. Will have pet scan in Feb. so will s ee then.
I feel good, she works on each side effect as it comes. She said they are not caused by cancer or chemo. Like magnesium took away the three day leg pain I was having.
Probiotics is helping with diarrhea and vomiting. Have not had it in months. Vitamin C calcium d will help my bones.
She cut the dose oh Halaven and it is 2 weeks on one off. My white count is too low so I need to stay in and no people. I get chantis injection twice a week. It sounds like a lot but I was spending weeks in bed with vomiting and diarrhea mouth sores lost 30 lbs.
Did not want to wake up at all when I met this doctor. I do not feel sick all day now. She is in much y town and I see her three times a week.
I fell in hall leaving her office last week. Just small scrape. Bled led like crazy. She gave me antibiotic for three days. It looked good. To day I woke up all red and Cushing pus. She said that why I keep antibiotics on hand. Anything can give me an infection.
Well that was a long story sorry. Hope I continue to have good days. I watch my two yers old granddaughter a few hours a day and it makes my day. Would be so lonely with out her.
Well I will say good by for nice hope my next news is good and I am still feelin well.
Barbara
Hi, Barbara! Thank you for getting back to me and for filling me in on your new regimen. I'm glad things are better for you and that you have taking care of your granddaughter to fill your days.
Thank you for remembering me. I hope your treatment is going well.
Yes I love having her everyday she keeps us laughing.
Barbara
Hi Barbara, I’ve been on Halaven since May 1 2020. After 3 months, scans show decrease in lesion: lungs & liver. Bone Mets are stable. My 27/29 marker is also decreasing. From 80.9 to 47.6. I had larger drops with Ibrance/Faslodex and then. Taxol. However, if the marker hover around 40ish, I’ll be happy. The biggest side effect is fatigue for a few days after infusion. After that, I’m generally tired, but I still manage to exercise in the pool and swim at least 3x week. I must take Rutilio for energy, but when it wears off, I tired. The week off is great. I’m still tired, but I can be more active and happy. The other side effect is neuropathy. I’m controlling that somewhat with Gabapentin. I also get Xgeva shots every 4 weeks. I hate it. For about 4 days, all my limbs hurt, including my finger joints. After being Dx with BC 25 yrs ago, and MBC 7 years ago, I’m still alive & kicking. I’m 72 and can’t be as athletic as I used to be. It’s sad, but I can still stretch and swim. I wish you great luck on Halaven. Stay strong. Bless you.
Thank you so much for the info. I hope I get the same results. Did not no start yet due to my insurance, but should be receiving this week. New doctor does not use tumor markers but as good scan is more important.
I also have neuropathy in hands and feet.
My Xgeva should be in this week too. Been going crazy getting meds since I switched doctors, hope this is it.
Will keep you posted.
Barbara
I have never heard of this chemo drug. Do you mean you go and have this IV everyday for 2 weeks? That’s a lot of trips back and forth to the hospital.
No it’s once a week for two weeks and then one week off.
I still did not get the Halavan something with private doctor over cancer center.
I did have a treatment last week with another one. Had to skip this week as I came down with a bacterial infection in stomach. I am taking antibiotics for it then we will continue. My immune system is so bad I get everything.
Will keep you posted.
Barbara
I would take any kind of decrease and be happy right now.
I love the new doctor. Since she is only 20 blocks from me travel is easy. I had my first chemo. Last Monday, I saw her again Thursday and she told me to get magnesium for leg pain. I started having vomiting and stomach pain on Saturday. I called her on Monday to cancel chemo, but she told me to come in. She gave my IV fluids and said it was not from chemo but an infection. She gave me two antibiotics and I see her again tomorrow.
With my other doctor I probably would have thought it was from chemo and wait until I was sick enough for the hospital. But she caught it and treated it right away.
It seems like when you go to a cancer center getting medication is a little different than a private doctor. Still working it out.
Barbara
Hello. I am due to start this treatment next week and wondered how you got on with it
Can you believe I still have not received the Halaven due to insurance. It is coming tomorrow. So I will start next week as my white cells are low.
Doctor did find out I have a stomach condition called mucosa. So she thinks all of the diarrhea and vomiting was caused by this. She said I have it a very long time. We probably stopped a lot of different Cemo and it was my stomach.
She has my taking probiotics for my stomach. This caused mouth sores couldn’t open my eyes dehydration vomiting diarrhea etc. I am still recovering from the mucosa.
So I think you will be starting Halaven the same time as me. My doctor thinks it is a great medication and can’t wait for me to start.
Good luck and please keep me posted on how you are doing.
Barbara
Same here. Still no treatment after 4 weeks .I have been enrolled into clinical trial called tropic 2. Will find out Monday if I get new drug or Halaven. I was due to start this week but spent 5 days on hospital last week with terrible pain ( liver mets). Have you started yours yet?
Yes I started last week. Monday will be second then one week off. I felt good all week no side effects at all YaY! Hope it continues. Hope you get your meds soon.
Let me know.
Barbara
So glad you finally started and glad to hear limited side effects.... I was a bit worried that after some weeks off a new chemo treatment will be hard on the system but I suppose may be our body welcomed the break!
That’s how I feel. We need a break once in a while. I hope my next pet scan shows improvement or at least no progression.
Yes that good old 3 monthly PET... One of the down side of clinical trial was that I am moving from PET to CT... Having had a PET showinh progression every 3 months since 18 months I was reluctant to trust CT to show detailed anyway I had to compromise... Let's hope the new drugs hold it in check for a bit so it becomes a moot point... Have you been on any trial yet? This is the only one I was eligible to do as I don't have any of the fancy mutation needed for pikray and Co
No I have never been in a trial. And I don’t have any of the pikray mutations either. Just hope the Halaven works.
Barbara
I’m now on my second cycle of Halaven.
With the first cycle the worst side effect was sore mouth and tongue and an unpleasant taste.
I’ve found that this cycle I’ve had mild nausea and I’m tired but that might be because I’m busy at work. My hair has been shedding quite seriously though which I wasn’t really expecting.
Thank you for letting me know. My doctor just ordered me nistatin swish and swallow in case I get mouth sores. I am still wearing wigs from other chemo. Kind of like not fussing with my hair.
Please keep me posted and I will do the same.
Barbara
I’m still on Halaven since May 1st. Doing ok, except for being tired. Regarding the mouth sores, since being on various chemos throughout the years, I have had less than a handful of mouth sores. My cancer center recommended I make a mouth wash. It entails 2 cups of water, 1/4 tsps baking soda & 1/8 tsp salt. I rise/gargle with this 2x a day after brushing my teeth & flossing. In addition, I use Act 1 non-alcohol fluoride mouthwash at night. This combination has kept the mouth sores at bay. Hope this helps. Let me know when you get the Halaven. Hope you do well.
I started Halaven last week Mon will be second treatment. No side effects so far but I do notice I am a little tired. So glad to hear you are doing well on it. Have you had any scans yet since in it?
Barbara
Hi Jersey, I once saw a young woman on tv, so happy with her outcome from Halaven,she got a tattoo of the name and formula on herself!
I hope it goes well for you !
That really makes me hopeful. I just want a chemo that keeps it under control and I am not sick all the time.
Thank you for the info I will let you know.
Barbara
Jerseygirl, how is your treatment plan doing with Halaven, or are you on something new now? How about with the new inc? Elaine
Doing good on Halaven 2wks on 1 off. No side effects except maybe a little fatigue. I take magnesium for the leg pain I used to have two days after chemo. I take valtrex to prevent shingles. I use mistaken mouth was to prevent mouth sores. She seems to work on every side effect that she says is not associated with the cancer. It works I feel better. I do get a little unsteady on my walking.
I will have a pet scan in Feb so we will see then if it is helping. I sure hope so.
What treatment are you on now?
Barbara
Xeloda 3000mg/day due to new mets to liver. Too early to tell if it will work. Will be getting pet and CT scans next week. Markers have gone up yo 4,500.
Treatment 
Bone Metastatic cancer treatment
