Does anyone have experience with the chemo IV Gemzar?

[Kellyonekanobe]

Hi I have stage 4 MBC with Mets to bones and liver. Mets to liver have been enlarging and spreading for several months. Now the cancer has spread to my stomach and the opening from my stomach to my intestines is blocked due to thickening of this opening due to cancer. It has been quite painful. I’m trying to get an appointment with a GI Dr to have an upper GI probe to see what is going on and what can be done about it. Monday morning I have an appointment to have a port installed. Tuesday morning I will start an IV Gemzar. The oral meds have quit working and my oncologist says there are no more that will work for me now. Does anyone have experience with Gemzar that they can share with me?

[blms]

Where are you being treated? I am wondering why yo have not been on chemo so far.Bonnie

[Ursula_I]

Good luck, Kelly. Sending you love and positive vibes. I am sorry but I can't help with your Gemzar question. But I wanted you to know I am rooting for you xx

(I do hope that you will be ok using the port one day after it has been inserted... you will be very sore and the wound will be fresh. Mine took a week to start healing).

[ndastrogal]

I was on gemzar for about 3-4 months. It was very tolerable regarding side effects although I was extremely fatigued. Unfortunately I had progression on this drug and went on to Xeloda. Best of luck.

[Lnlc]

Hi Kellyonekanobe! I was just recently treated with Gemzar. Unfortunately, after three months, we found it wasn't working but I can tell you that I thought it was fairly easily tolerated in that I had no nausea (I take OTC prilosec every morning) and limited fatigue. As I understand, it is one of the more caustic chemos and hurt my veins during the 20 minute infusion so I think it's great you're getting a port. I wish you every success with this treatment! xoxo Ellen