Gemzar Side Effects

[DHope]

I would love to know anyone's experience with Gemzar and any side effects involved. Thank you!

[Cjbloomq]

Hi DHope, I have been on Gymzar on and off for 5 years. I just finished my last treatment in April. My side effects were low blood counts, alittle hair loss,not completely lost like with carboplatium/Taxol and cisplatin/gymzar.

I faired well with Gymzar on its own.I know everyone has different reactions to treatment. Ask your doctor about the effects.

I wish you success with this journey we share.

Caroline

[Alicel]

Took gemzar in combination with other drugs and then alone

Same side effects

[Nancy222]

I'm taking it with carboplatin, and the following week, I take it on its on. I'm on my 2nd cycle.

There's fatigue, and lately, I've been experiencing breathlessness. I'm also coughing a lot, but that could be from a blood thinner I'm on. Will follow up with the oncologist next visit.

What are your side effects?

[eberhips]

sucks, causes my platelets to tank, md is looking into a parp inhibitor for treatment instead of carbo or gemzar ,latest is liver enzymes are being affected

[CALENA]

I had very little side effects for my 12 treatments. One week it was with carboplatin and gemzar, the next two weeks later was gemzar alone. A bit tired but that was all for me. However at last treatment (Feb 15 2018( my counts were at 27. In next check in April, up to 438. Steadily increasing with my "aggressive" cancer. Yesterday did first dose of Doxil (Caelyx in UK) so far so good and I am now deemed "platinum resistant." I hope you do well on Gemzar, I was able to drive my self to and from the times when that was given alone.

[GwenHP]

I had carbo/gemzar when I recurred and found it a lot easier than the first line treatment of carbo/taxol. While it did give me loose bowels a day after getting treatment, it was a very tolerable line of treatment for me. But as with all drugs, we all have our own experiences. Best wishes. - Gwen

[MaryRay]

I finished 6 rounds of Gemzar/Carbo and then the following week I had Gemzar on its own at the end of March. It caused extreme fatigue, low blood and platelet counts, and nausea. I needed an extra week between treatments to recover.

[Freedomgpho]

Had six of carboplatin and gemsar after 21 of carbo and taxol then taxotere. Symptoms were WAY better than with the taxol/taxotere. Diarrhea, skin issues, nausea and hot flashes most common. Nails fell off too... but I had a total of 27 Chemo so far so it is also a platinum resistant issue.

[carolleigh]

I had about 7 months of carbo gemzar. Every other week. At first it was 2 weeks consecutive, skip one, then two weeks consecutive. My hair thinned eventually. I just finished my treatment.

I had a tumor that wouldn't go away (well, my CA125 wouldn't budge) but my doc added avastin and my numbers started dropping (up and down a little, actually) Now I am way down, back to my normal... well below since I am taking some Motrin for a tooth issue. The doc took the chemo drugs away slowly, one at a time. Now I will stay on Avastin, every other week, they every three weeks, then every four.

I don't think I had any other symptoms besides the thinning hair. I think my exercise program helps... Nia dancing 4x a week, swimming once, weights at the YMCA, and walks a few days a week. I take lots of supplements, but I have a suspicion the exercise is what mostly keeps the symptoms in check. I use cannabis sometimes, but not sure it helps. I did go through 2-3 weeks of mild occasional nausea in the beginning but that went away. Good health, luck and love to you!