My wife at age 65 was diagnosed ovarian 3C, 3 years ago. BRCA negative. Had debulking then several types of chemo. Lost hair. Emotionally hard for her. Eventually grew back in but completely different texture & thickness.
Changed chemo infusion drugs each time CA125 went too high. Developed mild shortness of breath, low energy, joint pain, nausea, & lots of intestinal & sleeping issues.
Most recently used Gemzar on a 3 week cycle. Initially side effects were worsened low energy, tiredness, joint pain, mild nausea. Slept a lot. But Gemzar brought ca125 to below 30. Seemed like it was working well.
However, after 4 cycles developed terrible side effects shortness of breath (prevented walking more than a few steps) and 60+ tender / bruised looking bumps just under the skin, mostly in torso and upper arms. Each the size of a marble, hard as a rock, very tender. Bumps diagnosed as panniculitis - inflammation of fatty tissue. Gained lots of fluid weight, swollen feet. Shortness of breath required a week of hospitalization. Medical team stopped gemzar, but found no literature about the bumps, relation to chemo, or any possible treatment. FDA has no relevant info or suggestions.
3 months later, now on avastin infusion every 3 weeks, plus a daily chemo pill, extreme shortness of breath, low energy, & bumps / panniculitis are unchanged. Lost 20+ pounds, all fluid. Swelling most back to pre.gemzar levels . Can't be too far from a bathroom. Nausea, low appetite, & intestional issues troublesome, but tolerable. Oncology team uncertain if tender bumps or extreme shortness of breath will ever resolve.
Shortness of breath restricts almost any walking. Going up a flight of steps requires several stops & rest to catch breath.
Would love to know, if others on Gemzar have seen treatment for panniculitis and / or extreme shortness of breath, or are these side effects that may never go away.
Husband of patti.