Avastin advice

[Kissmeonce1939]

After finishing the hard chemo for ovarian cancer (which is now in my liver ), I continued to have severe diarrhea for 6 months. Nothing I did helped it. I started seeing an acupuncturist. Within 2 weeks the diarrhea decreased and my life has been given back to me. I am now back on Avastin as a maintenance treatment and the side effects have hit again.

Are there other gals out there that are on this maintenance treatment

How do you handle it, what side effects do you have, how long have you been on it?

I appreciate any advice that can be given to me.

Kissmeonce1939= Amy Pierson now age 82 and still a feisty lady

[Greytmom]

Hi , I've been on taxotere for several years and a year ago added avastin at a maintenance dosage along with changing my taxotere to a maintenance dosage. I too benefit greatly from acupuncture and from Qigong. I still suffer occasionally with the diarrhea but usually after I've had some other tests or treatment and it's just too much for me to handle. Both my acupuncturist and Qigong practitioner help me through it. Stay feisty and keep your spirit strong.

[Wicomico]

Hi. I was on the same regimen as you are. I finished Avastin in Feb 2021. I still have exhaustion, aches and pains, chemo brain, etc. I'm not trying to be discouraging to you, but my docs didn't level with me about the side effects, or that they could/would last long after treatment. All I have ever wanted is for the docs to be honest and open, and let me make choices based on full information. I am 62 and have Fibromyalgia, so my side effects are prob exacerbated by those two factors. I have also come to realize that each of us has our own versions of side effects-not everyone has the same thing. I wish you the very best of luck, and minimal side effects!!!!

[Salavie in reply to Wicomico]

Avastin Put me in the hospital for a week with enteritis

[Wicomico]

Hi, I was on Avastin maintenance for 1 year. (Finished in Feb 2021). My side effects have been - and continue to be!: exhaustion, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea (managed by Zofran), depressed mood (probably cause by the physical side effects). I would not advise you, since we all handle things differently, both physically and emotionally. I am deeply hopeful that my clear cell OC will not return; however, if it does, I will do much deeper introspection on whether I am willing, or even able, to put my body through it again. I am 62, haven kids, and feel like I want to enjoy all of the time that I have left--whether it is 1 year or 20. I know that what I have said sounds negative, but one thing I love about this site is the honesty. You may have a ton more resilience than I do... I hope you do, and that everything goes successfully for you!