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Starting olaparib parp inhibitor in month. Anyone else taking this.

Beachperson profile image
11 Replies

Just finished with month eighth of carbo and doxil. Second cycle of chemo after coming out of remission last July. Stage 4 diagnosed nov 2016.

Is anyone else on this drug? Oncologist wants to start me at highest 300 dose. I have no side effects with chemo other than moderate fatigue and low platelets but I worry about the nausea and reduced quality of life. I dont have brca mutation but doctor says I am still a candidate for this. First some reason I am more concerned about this drug than chemo. I am 66 and treated at city of hope in Los Angeles. Thanks all

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Beachperson
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11 Replies
Lind58 profile image
Lind58

Best of luck, I hope this brings you in remission for a long time.

Beachperson profile image
Beachperson in reply to Lind58

Thank you. Hoping for a wonderful California summer

SurvivorSusan profile image
SurvivorSusan

Hi, I am taking Olaparib, 300 mg. Have been for 5 months. I had stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2012, treated with chemo and surgery. In remission for 5.5 years. It came back this year and I went on Olaparib. I am on a clinical trial for those who have BRCA, which I do. After 4 months the tumors had shrunk by 60% and my CA 125 is normal. I am so deliriously happy that I don't have to do chemo!

Side effects from Olaparib: In the beginning I was very tired, took a nap every day and had a lot of gas and intestinal upset - not nausea, just discomfort. My sweat smelled really bad. My taste is off. There are many things I don't want to eat and lots of things don't taste as good as they used to. So I'm eating a lot of the wrong things and gaining weight. Now, 5 months in, I have much more energy. Only take a nap about once a week (or twice); the gas is gone, sweat is normal, but my taste is still depressed. I'm going to have to figure out an eating plan that I can manage.

Long and short of it: I wouldn't be afraid of this drug. You can always stop it, if the side effects are too bad. They should follow you closely. I had weekly blood tests for the first 6 weeks or so, and now monthly.

Beachperson profile image
Beachperson in reply to SurvivorSusan

Thank you so much for replying. Yes my appetite for food has changed so well. I'll be aware of that.

SurvivorSusan profile image
SurvivorSusan in reply to Beachperson

You're welcome.

Archeveritas profile image
Archeveritas

How did you realize your cancer had returned?

Beachperson profile image
Beachperson in reply to Archeveritas

I w as s being monitored and the ca125 increased

jloreth profile image
jloreth

Hello,

I have been on it for 16 months, I am BRCA negatitive. My side effects have been minimal, I have an increased sensitivity to certain food; the first 1-2 weeks felt a little bit nauseous. I would not be afraid of this drug. I was monitored weekly at first, then monthly and now bi-monthly.

Keep us posted.

Beachperson profile image
Beachperson in reply to jloreth

Thank you so much. So happy for your progress with it

KCWM profile image
KCWM

Hi I too was very afraid of the side affects. Two months ago I was started on 100 mg for the first month now I am in the middle of the second month on 200 MG. My doctor wants to up it to 300 in a month. I have only had a little nauseous feeling in the morning for a few minutes until I would eat something. Also I am constipated, but I can deal with that.

I just hope that it will keep the cancer away. So I would not worry about taking it. I don’t think that you get that many side effects from it.

Beachperson profile image
Beachperson in reply to KCWM

Thank you so much!

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