IV and IP Chemo

[WorrieddaughterNJ]

My mom was diagnosed with Ovarian 4 years ago and just had a reoccurence in her omentum.  She is recovering from surgry to remove omentum.  My question is the dr. mentioned IV and IP chemo has anyone had this combo and if so how is administered.  IS it day 1 IV then day 2 IP? Are you hospitalized for treatment? How are the side effects...
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[WorrieddaughterNJ]

To all of you for your support. Thanks to you I received first hand information as to what to expect.  She is still recovering from a 10 inch cut to remove most of the omentum. She will meet with her oncologist this week to get the suggested treatment plan.  I am sure I will be asking more questions after that.  
God Bless all of you for your strength, your courange, and your willingness to help others.

[Dee09]

I just finished 6 cycles of IP Cisplatin/Taxol and IV Taxol.  Everything was done on an outpatient basis:
Day 1 - IV Taxol over three hours (with lots of pre-meds for nausea and to prevent allergic reactions which can happen with Taxol)
Day 2 - IP Cisplatin over 2-3 hours (plus pre-meds)
Day 8 - IP Taxol over 2-3 hours (plus pre-meds)

The cycles were three weeks so I had two weeks between the Day 8 treatment and the next Day 1 treatment.

Everyone responds differently but the side effects I found worst were nausea (which there are meds for), loss of appetite, flu-like symptoms (joint and muscle pains) and fatigue.  Also, the bloating from all the fluid that goes into your abdomen with the IP chemo can be uncomfortable.  I found the side-effects to be cumulative - i.e. the last couple of cycles were the hardest.  What I needed most was for someone to bring me ginger ale and ice chips and go out and get me whatever odd thing I felt like eating.  Also, just to listen and give me encouragement when I felt like I couldn't go to one more treatment.   This is rough, but studies show it is effective and your mom can get through it with help and support.

All the best to both of you.

[Conquerer]

i had my ip and iv in the doctors office on the same day  i was there for about 8-10 hours.  It all depends on the doctors comfort and the strength of the patient  good luck

[bcppc]

I too send my well wishes to your mom...don't worry too much ok?
I'm sure as long as your mom is strong willed and has alot of support & love, she can get through this treatment...
many of us have gone thru it, and completed it....I had a rough time with it, and didnt think I would complete all 6 cycles, but I did!
  i am here 2 1/2 yrs later to be able to share my story!

back here  in California in 2006 at UCSF Medical center in San Francisco I had
IP chemo....I had to be admitted to the hospital. and I would stay for 2 nights and go home on the 3rd day.
  The first day I was hooked up to an IV via my chest port....Taxol was given over a 24 hour period...I was given lots of fluids as well as anti nausea and meds for allergic reactions...I would notice alot of fluid retention and I usually had a puffy face from the steriods, anti nausea meds...it went away after chemo was completed.
  
After the 24 hours was up, the IV was removed from my chest port and then my IP port was hooked up and for about 2 hours I was given the Cisplatin...
  I would have to lay in bed and change my position every 15 minutes, lay on left side, then on back, then on the right side and so on.....so the chemo could get every space in the belly/peritoneum...
   Then I would be monitored for the second night and went home on the 3rd day by the afternoon...

  7 days later I would return to the Infusion clinic at UCSF to do an outpatient chemo treatment of Taxol in my IP port....it would be dripped slowly and I was only there for about 5 to 7 hours depending on my reaction.
   Ativan was my saving grace!  usually on my ride home I was sooooo sleepy I dont remember the ride home! LOL!

make sure your mom lets the doctor know if she has numbness or tingling in legs and feet during both of these chemo.....
It was my experience that my feet got really cold and the tops of my legs hurt...that is a reaction from the chemo...it could be that the chemo dosage is too strong...it can cause nerve damage...
  I heard that it helps to take L-Glutamine, a tasteless powder that can be mixed w/juice or water and it is available at many vitamin stores ....
  it supposedly helps minimize the "neuropathy" ....
to this day I still have numbness in my feet...my legs are better

Also, its important to stay on top of the anti nausea meds at home so you dont get nauseated or vomiting...I had to stay on top for 5 to 6 days or else I'd get sick...

Please keep us posted and my prayers are with you and your mom!
  Blessings to you and Your Mom,
Ana


  

[junamgen]

I have done all 6 cycles of Taxel ( IPand IV) and Carboplatin (IP only). The way I was giving is Taxel (IV) which was given about 24hrs(in hospital) to minimis the side efferct of neurorophy then followed by Carboplatin (IP) on day 1 to day2 ( also called week1), Taxel (IP) on day 8 (week2), weeke 3 is a break, week1+ week2 + week3 is called a cycle. I finished 6 cyles of that. This protocol is called GOG 172. It was not easy to finish all of them, the most difficult period for me of each cyle is week 1, I would just rest in bed about 18hrs a day and small meals plus a lot of liquids to flush out the chemo toxicity and to keep kidney function well.  I was mentally well prepared to finish them all which I think is very importsant for me.  I was in hospital for the first 3 cyle of week1 then I ask dr to giving it faster so I can finished in a day of Taxel IV, they agreed since I was toterate it pretty well, so the next 3 was done in the day clinic which is much better than hospital. About side effect, nausea and constipation are the most serious for me. You do need to get medicine for both, usually drs start with most common anti nausea med such as Zofran, Raglen (spell), then Emend. Hope it helps.
Thank you for taking care of your Mom!!!

Peace and Love

jun

[Cindy809]

two day period in the office...iv was done at home.

[Cindy809]

Hello...I'm originally from NJ too!  I now live in VA.  I've seen other patients do this type of treatment, but not during a two day period.  From what I remember the IP was given in the office (probably the platinum drug) then the patient was sent home with a black leather case to finish the IV treatment at home (I assume it was the taxol).  Now this was offered to me for my last treatment.  I was doing cisplatin/taxol and it was over a six hour period due to all the fluids that were given for the cisplatin. Cisplatin is hard on the kidneys.  They were both IV.  What kind of chemo is she going to get?  3 years ago both drugs were given at the same time using the IP method.  I guess it all depends on the patient and what type of treatment.  I know the only reason why they wanted to send me home with the taxol was the time frame.  Needless to say I said no.  I didn't want to do chemo without a doctor or a nurse supervising.  Maybe someone here will jump in that has done both IP and IV.  Sorry about your Mom recurrence!!  But a 4 year remission is great!  She'll do fine!!  Please keep us posted...Cindy