Niraparib (Rejula)

[qlkc]

Hi ladies, my mom started Niraparib since last Thursday. The side effects seem to kicking now. She feels very tired and nausea. She’s taking nausea med every 6 hours now but still feel so bad. Anyone has experiences on this drug? Would the tireness and nausea going down after awhile taking it? Please give me any advices that helps you feel better. Thanks alot!

[Hidden]

I found the side effects were pretty much finished with after about 2 weeks. I don't think I had them as badly as your mum, by the sound of it, and we are all different.

What I did find, but only later (I don't look at side effect lists beforehand, as I think you're more likely to experience them if you expect them) was that I'd sort of had a couple of days on each of a fair few on the list.

I'm coming up to 6 months with it and could easily forget to take it, it's so straightforward now. Good energy levels too.

Encourage her to grit her teeth. It will get better!

[qlkc in reply to Hidden]

It’s great to hear! Thank you so much.

[Pauline14]

I have been on for 3 weeks now I have had a bit of nausea but not as bad as your mum .i have reduced the nausea meds to 2 a day and next week reduce again . When does your mum take them ? I have the mine at night before going to bed with a bit of food and nausea tablet

Half and hour before , as this is what was recommended to me by the Dr .

I don’t think I get anymore tiredness than I did . I do take supplements I told the Dr

And she said they were ok .

But we are all different Tell you mum it does get better , perhaps they could change her nausea meds as they told me that if the one they gave me didn’t work there was more they could try .

Hope this helps

Pauline

[qlkc in reply to Pauline14]

My mom taking them before bed time too. Thanks so much for your advice!

[85live4ever]

Hi there, yes nausea has effected me but not to the point it's stop me from doing anything. As for tiredness its on & off but I do struggle to sleep. If the side effects don't settle I would contact your mums cancer team.

I have been on this for 5 months & the biggest thing is lack of appetite & constipation. My engery comes & goes. If your mum can get over the first few weeks things should start settling but if they don't seek advice. Good luck let's hope she can stay on it & have less side effects. Also hope it keeps this horrible cancer a way. Take care Cindyxx

[qlkc in reply to 85live4ever]

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

[Numi]

Hi. Sorry to hear your mum is suffering. I've been on Zejula since October. My oncologist said to give it 2 months for the worst of the side effects to go, but I found they eased sooner than that. I had nausea first thing in the morning - reminded me of morning sickness, but after a few weeks, I was only having to take medication occasionally, and I can't remember the last time I needed it. My blood pressure has gone up, which gave me headaches, but I have medication for that now and it's improved. I do still get tired from time to time - shattering weariness, where you just have to stop and rest, but I consider it a small price to pay for the fact that the drug is working. My CA125 is the lowest it's ever been and has come down every month since starting. I had a CT scan last week, and the tumour that chemo had only managed to stop growing, is now barely visible. I'm doing exercise classes twice a week at a cancer gym, and adopted a little dog to make sure I get out and walk daily to help my energy levels. I feel I've got a very good quality of life and I'm really thankful to have got this new drug.

Hope your mum's problems ease soon, but it's very early days yet for her and the body takes time to adjust and cope with something new. Encourage her to listen to her body and rest as she needs whilst doing as many 'normal' things she feels able to. Your support and encouragement will be invaluable to her - she's lucky to have you. X

[qlkc in reply to Numi]

Thanks for sharing your great experiences!

[chrissapam]

Hi. I took Niraparib for two months and had to give it up to quite severe blood problems....other side effects were not too bad however.

The ovacome members day yesterday had a research dr. explaining how Parp Inhibitors work, so it will be worth watching that on line that...however, she did not discuss reasons for possible blood effects....try to get her to stick with it!

love Chris x

[qlkc in reply to chrissapam]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, I’ll look for that research.

[chrissapam in reply to qlkc]

suggest you contact ovacome.....I certainly wouldn't want to put anyone off giving it a really good go...C