Back in March I asked for opinions on Gemzar vs Doxil as my 2nd treatment choice after my CA 125 started upwards only 9 months after initial Tax/Carbo. You are all correct-everyone reacts differently and it's like throwing a dart and that's the drug you use next.
I choose the Gemzar and took 5 treatments into June when I took a 2 week trip to Ireland with my son. That break saw my CA125 doubling every week and the Gemzar stopped. Next I picked Doxil. Remember, no platins as I had that scary reaction on the at the end of my initial treatment back in Jan.2007. I tolerated Gemzar well with only one episode of blood platlet issues. Doxil I had more issues with pain,fatigue, and then hand-foot syndrome that cleared up in a month. Also my skin discolored--particularly in "warm" spots-around my waist,my crouch,under-arms. That hasn't gone away yet.
Doxil also stopped working at #5 as CA125 kept doubling again. Plus speck of cancer on my liver grew to a 2.5cm turmor and seems lymph nodes in my peritonial area are enlarged. Now my onc. was ready to go to Avastin and Cytoxin. This is the first combo treatment this year. Too soon to report any reactions, but I do have more energy. I have been taking Healing Touch session a couple times a month as a complementary treatment, Curcumin and Resveratrol herbal capsules and last week dropped the Curcumin for and started a natural tea called Chaga, made from the fungis that grows on white and yellow birch trees in the northern most part of the northeast US, Russia and China.So is it the new treatment or the new tea that is allowing me to "feel better"?
Wow, I thought I answered this post already. How many have there been? We should do a chemo FAQ in the Health Pages.
Having said that, I was on Gemzar until 3 wks ago. I couldn't finish because each 2 part round, after the 3rd put me in the hospital with dehydration from severe nausea/heaving. I am still sick, but everybody is different and you should just keep an idea of what we have all said in the back of your mind and watch carefully how the chemo is going. I was to sick to think. Had i not been I would have halted the Gemzar way before my onc cried uncle. Good luck to you. I know these are hard choices. I don't know what I'll do for my next chemo, probably Doxil.
I have just finished my second treatment with DOXIL. No side effects so far. I will need to be careful as we go along since all the drugs seem a little more intense with multiple dosing. The problem I'm having is feeling so good I want to do more than I'm supposed to do. There's very little nausea for me and I've been very vigilante with the skin precautions and avoid any hot , spicy foods. It thins your hair a little but it doesn't fall out. I'm not sure if it's working yet, too soon to tell. The initial dosing actually makes the CA 125 go up and mine went from 260 to 375.
I''m sorry to hear that this horrible disease came back after three months! My treatment is for a recurrence. I recurred approximately 7 months after my 1st treatment carbo/taxol. I'm on the same schedule as onniebay. I'm on gemzar/carbo. I was offered avistan along with the treatment but turned it down due to bowel involvement. I'm about to start my 6th and last treatment. My Ca125 went from 1440 to 13.9 after my 4th treatment. It's working!!! Unfortunately my bloodwork is a mess at times. I've had shots for the red counts and one shot for the white. Constipation has been an issue. Changed my diet for that and take Senokot when needed. Currently I'm dealing with low platelets. I hope they've gone up for my treatement this Thursday. Good luck with the treatment and I hope it works for you!
I'm so sorry that you only got a 3 month break from fighting this monster! You have got such a great attitude. First I want to say like all the wonderful ladies here have said it is really a matter of finding what you respond well to. I read here or on another forum about someone who got a longer remission on her 2nd line of treatment than her 1st! Her body must have not like carbo/taxol much. Mine certainly did not.
My treatment schedule was 1st week carbo/gemzar, 2nd week gemzar, and 3rd week off. My blood levels were so low that only time did I even qualify to get that 2nd week of gemzar. The one time I did get the 2nd week of gemzar it was hell! The gemzar was not strong enough to counter the effects of the steroids and I did not sleep all night. I had all this energy, but could not focus enough to get anything done. I did not sleep and just walked around the house all night.
My nurse told me to stop taking the sterioids. The next morning I still had a ton of energy, but was finally able to focus on tasks. That was the first and only time I cleaned my house while I was going through chemo.
After my 5th chemo treatment I ended up sleeping 18 hours a day. I did have to get a booster shot after that treatment. The reduced my dosage on the 6th treatment so I did not need a booster.
I did not have mouth sores, but I did get throat sores. Mine were easily controlled when I used magic mouth wash and gargled with salt water. I never had diahrrea. I did have nausea, but I have a very weak stomach.
I hope this new treatment goes well for you!
Since I just started carbo/gemzar for my first recurrence exactly 3 months from finishing my last treatment, I am interested in anything you can tell me about this combo. What was your treatment schedule? I read about the blood count issues, but did you have any nausea or vomiting or mouth sores or diahrrea? So far, just two days out from my first treatment, I am just extremely sleepy, but they have me on zofran and phenigren. Hey, I can live with (and maybe learn to like) this side effect, and it sure beats the N/V. Any experences would be great. Paula
I have had thre treatments of gemzar/carbo. I have not had to have transusions of red blood or platelets. I have take shots for white and red blood counts each round. My platelets have gotten low but not under the borderline for a transfusion. My ca 125 is down to 23 from 265. I think there have been good results for both of these drugs. People react differently to them of course, so you have to try and see what they for for you. Good luck & good results. Donna
Leslee has been on Doxil for 9 infusions so far, appears to be keeping her cancer stable, the main thing with Doxil is to read the web site and follow the guidelines for managing the side affects. They don't usually start until after the 2nd infusion, but it is very important to keep on top of them. The cooling and the COQ10 , hot and cold things, diet restrictions, loose clothing. Leslee does do some suppliments, it keeps her energy level up and gives her the feeling that she is helping the chemo work. so far, so good.
I had carbo and gemzar for first line because I'm allergic to taxol. I found it easier to tolerate than taxol, but it played havoc with my blood counts. I was supposed to get Gemzar two weeks in a row and usually only got it the first week. 10 months NED, but that could be more from the carbo. Good Luck with whatever you choose.
My mother has tried both Doxil and Gemzar for treatment of recurrences. The Doxil kept her stable for 9 months and the Gemzar for 2 months. She was lucky and had neither mouth sores nor problems with her hands and feet on the Doxil, which seemed relatively more mile. The Gemzar was really harsh on the blood counts. My mom was receiving platelet infusions and WBC shots before and after every chemo treatment.
I hope this information helps; everyone is so different in how they are affected. I have my fingers crossed that whatever you choose will show good results...
Hello... Just my personal thoughts on Doxil/Gemzar, as I've not had Avastin, but my Oncol. is keen for me to try that sometime in the near future. Doxil worked well for me, although it took 3 treatments before the CA.1325 came down, but it did continue to work for 3 months after my last treatment. My Oncol. took me off this one because of the many large and very sore mouth ulcers... the only side affect I had. Gemzar was the worst for blood problems... the only time I needed transfusions (red cells and platelets) and it didn't work that well for me, although some ladies have success with both of these drugs.We are all different so therefore what works for me, may not work for you. I guess it's 'trial and error' with most of the chemos. My Oncol. says that there are good reports for Avastin. I hope you have good results with whatever you decide to go with. Wishing you all the best...hugs...Helen...