Doxil not working, Gemzar next-and now bleeding?

[carolleigh]

I have been on Doxil since August 10th. Starting CA-125 was 20 then went to 12 after a month or so, then has been creeping up, last 13.2. I have Endometrial cancer, but my doc explained that what I have can also be referred to as Ovarian cancer, which I don't understand. I was diagnosed Jan 2016, remission for about a year then recurrence in July 2017. I also use Cannabis RSO. Anyway...

My doc says I should switch to Carbo Gemzar. (We used Caris Molecular Intelligence.com to determine the best and the results just arrived as Carbo-Gemzar). I have been tolerating Doxil perfectly, no hand mouth syndrome or anything. No side effects. (I also had a pretty easy time with the taxo-carboplatin I had last year.) But I had dental work (3 weeks after chemo injection as instructed) then took penicillin, then got a yeast infection I guess... as I always do from penicillin. Today my doc gave me some Fluconazole pills (I just took the first) and I noticed some vaginal bleeding...worried me. Maybe folks here have some comforting words or similar experiences? Thanks so much if anyone wants to comment or share something like this.

I am feeling sad and worried, which is rare for me. I don't feel any pain or discomfort except for a little itch from the yeast infection, so that's good. I am well connected, have a therapist, social worker and she's even getting me a medical social worker.

Thanks so much if you can write...

[malka210]

I have cancer for three years what I noticed is the cscan seems to determine what my next

Treatment will be, now on avastin still working. So please hang in because

Sometimes they have to keep changing meds to see if your body is responding. I’m glad you have a support team and hope your body heals

My friend we are all warriors in this battle. Stay strong.

[carolleigh in reply to malka210]

I really appreciate your reply. My doc hasn't returned my call. So are you saying that it could be that Doxil doesn't work, but maybe another one will work? Yes, I am trying to stay strong and I am so strong, but this has me a little nervous. Thanks!!!

[Mamaw1 in reply to carolleigh]

I am also on Doxil. Have had 4 rounds. Numbers are still climbing. I cannot have anything with platin in it, makes my chest heavy and I itch. I have a CT scan next week. Kind of worried. I feel ok. Not myself but ok

[malka210 in reply to malka210]

Make whom ever answers the phone at the doctors office aware

Of the bleeding and you want to be sweezed in immediately for

An appointment to see her immediately. It’s important to do what’s best for you and not to be intimidated.

If she has an assistant ask for her also, that’s what I do, my doctor

Also doesn’t get back to.me, it’s the nurse practitioner. Please let me know if you get through. I also email.

[carolleigh in reply to malka210]

I was away for a bit but ultimately the doctor told me a little bleeding is normal. I think my doctor is usually very responsive, and I saw him a few days later. Thanks very very very much for emailing your concern. It made me feel good.

[carolleigh]

Thanks!!! Well, I told her already, but I have a doctor's appt Wednesday Nov 8, when we are switching chemo. I just emailed to the receptionist again. Thanks so muh.

I have CA 125 to look at, then he does a CT scan to confirm. Did you try Doxil and it didn't work? I noticed a lot of people here didn't respond to Doxil... I think.

[malka210]

I did have doxil worked for a while but when the cscan showed it wasn’t

Working they changed Chemo on avastin so for its doing the job.

Millie

[carolleigh]

Thanks so much! I spoke to my doctor and he said my bleeding just comes along with the infection. I see him Wednesday anyway. I hope you are doing well. Thanks again!

[GwenHP]

Just to give you some hope, I was diagnosed in 2005 and after a year+ remission I had a recurrence. Carbo/Gemzar was the combo we used when I recurred and I'm still hear to tell you about it in 2017 with no further recurrences. There is no guarantee that someone will respond to a particular chemo, but hopefully you have the edge since you had the molecular profiling done. Regardless, there are a number of drugs out there, so if one combo doesn't work, there are others out there to try.

Best wishes,

Gwen

[carolleigh in reply to GwenHP]

What stage were you? I am stage 4 but I don't know what that means. My doc said we caught it early because my tumor was only the size of 5 grains of rice. The Carbo-Gemzar makes me a wee bit nauseous, sporadically. I take lorazepam, a half a dose, when I feel something. I have about 4 or 5 different nausea medicines and I like that because it relaxes me too.

[Belsie]

I have had them all. You tolerate chemo well. I bleed for years before being diagnosed. My PCP didn’t catch it. With CA125 numbers like yours I believe you are doing quite well. Pain is usually rare unless you have pain from surgery. Keep up the good fight trust in God. And remember he is the real doctor. Lovingly, Belsie

[carolleigh in reply to Belsie]

Thanks so much for responding, Belsie! My doc said I would live a long time because there are so many chemos or something like that. I don't know what to think. He said I could go into remission and stay there. Now I am on Carbo Gemzar and it seems like some people here had good luck with it. At this point I am trying to figure out how to stay/get motivated and happy. I do a lot of healing things all the time and eat a cancer diet, and exercise almost every day.