Blotchy legs

[Cheryl4677]

I was wondering if anyone is suffering blotchy patches on both legs and ankles. I’m currently on olaparib and Cediranib. I have been taking them since June 2019. I’ve had raised blotches since the beginning but feel they are worse. Sometimes the raised areas are tender to touch. Also feel my feet and especially under my heels are sore. Much worse at night. I’ve used emollient creams and oils as my skin is dry and flaky.

I have a small recurrence so looking likely that I am to start more chemo. I’m concerned if this is neuropathic that it could become worse and affect my balance. If anyone has had experience of the same do you have any suggestions to improve it? Cheryl x

[LittleMissStubborn]

Hi Cheryl

Sorry to hear about the blotchyness on your legs. You are the first person I've come across that is on the olaparib and cediranib. I have been on them for 6 months. They are quite a strong combination. I don't have blotchyness in the way you describe, but little round patches of dry skin on my arms, legs and body. I use creams to help but surprisingly a little bit of sun in the garden seemed to improve them. They started a few weeks after starting these two drugs.

If you are on a trial I would phone your trial team to see what they say about it. They may be able to suggest something or the chemo unit should be able to give advice.

I hope you can find some help from somewhere and would be interested in it too.

Apart from this how have you found the combination of tablets?

Sending a hug.

Nicola x

[Cheryl4677 in reply to LittleMissStubborn]

Hi Nicola.

I’m on the ICON9 trial. Grade 111. Stage 4 HGS. Since March 2017. Had carbo/taxol post debulking. Avastin 1 year. Heart issue 2018. Recurrence Jan 2019. Carbo/Gem then ICON9 trial from June.

Generally been fairly ok. Do get some gastric issues. Bloating and intermittent diarrhoea. My team have been aware of the blotchy skin but haven’t suggested anything at this stage. I’ve had dose reduction as my haemoglobin seems to drop but other bloods have been ok. Ca125 has been slowly rising and CT shows a small area of recurrence. I’m likely to come off the trial as need further chemo but I’ve had heart issues so waiting for the ok from cardiologist.

Recent Ovacome research news on Facebook suggest that taking both isn’t really of any benefit. A bit disappointing to say the least but it’s not the trial I’m on so maybe interpretation is different.

How about you? Have you had side effects from treatment?

Wishing you all the best.

Cheryl

[LittleMissStubborn in reply to Cheryl4677]

Hi Cheryl

I'm sorry about the recurrence and having to come off the trial.

I'm on the ICON9 too. Pretty much same journey as you. I have just had a dose reduction of the cediranib as the diarrhoea was becoming intolerable. Apart from that I have regular headaches, aches in bones all over and palpitations. I've had an ECG and am waiting on an echo cardio gram. However the last scan in March showed a 15% reduction in the disease in all areas (liver, bowel, top of bladder etc etc). CA125 went down to 9 after a couple of cycles. It's 10 at the moment but that is nothing to worry about.

Are your heart issues related to the treatment?

It's good to hear about someone else's experience on this trial.

I wish you all the best with your next treatment. Keep in touch.

Nicola x

[Cheryl4677 in reply to LittleMissStubborn]

It is good to hear from someone on the same pathway! Hope the diarrhoea sorts itself out. Quite debilitating at times. My appetite isn’t great either. Amazingly my weight is stable.

My heart issues are probably related but it’s not clear. I was on Avastin at that time. Had a clot in my heart and heart failure. Could have been viral related-not Covid!

It’s mostly resolved but one of the chemo drugs they would like to put me on could affect my heart. I’ll let you know. Take care.