Recurrence of Ovarian IIIC, Doxil Now

This is my first time on forum.  The comments from all of you are so helpful--very friendly support.  I was diagnosed in Dec. 2004, had surgery in January, 2005:  Ovarian Cancer IIIc.  First chemo was six rounds of carboplatin/taxol.  I was then in remission for 10 months.  After recurrence in 2006, I had treatment with an experimental drug and then last fall back to carboplatin/taxol.  Those were too hard on my system (low blood counts) so started Doxil in January, 2007.  I just had third treatment two weeks ago.  Am wondering about side effects that I am experiencing (no problem with hand/feet blisters--but I have very poor appetite and am fatigued all the time).  I have ascites and have had the fluid tapped five times; did the Doxil help with that problem?  I understand that some of the benefit does not occur until 3rd or 4th treatment.  I think that the Doxil seems easier to tolerate than the others I've had.

[Helmar]

Hello...Doxil generally takes 3-4 treatments before it works. The CA.125 quite often goes up first, before it falls. I had 4 treatments and got good results after the 3rd... and it kept working for 3 months after I finished. The only side affect I had were many large, sore mouth ulcers, so if you don't get those, you are very lucky. I thought it was an easy chemo to tolerate with good results.
I was also dx in '04 and only had a short remission of just over 9 months. I've been on different chemos since then, but feeling well, so I guess that's a bonus.
I hope you continue to do well with the Doxil too. Best wishes...Helen...

[stephers]

I too am on doxil, I just had my third treatment yesterday. Feel a little yucky today. It  gives me a headache. Since starting doxil back in January I have so far gotten mouth sores, my skin turned brown all over my body, some blisters on my feet, depression, loss of appitite for a few days - however I have not been following the rules, I find that a few days after chemo my energy returned in leeps and I just want to go for a long walk  which causes the blisters. Also I have been unable to give up my tub for relaxing, and I refuse to take a cold bath.
I don't know if its working yet I have a CT scan on March 29. Ca125 is not a marker for me.
Also, due to my side effects the Dr. has decided to half my dose and give it to me every two weeks, seems to help.

[LidoGal]

Yes, I've had the mouth sores too--but just some of the time.  I forgot to ask oncologist about toothpaste (my regular kind would sting something awful).  I asked pharmacist and she suggested children's toothpaste (I didn't know there was special kids' toothpaste).  So I got Kids Colgate--strawberry flavor.  That's great--no minty component, so no sting!  My CA 125 has come down a little (it is fairly low anyway--maybe went from 89 to 74) on the Doxil.
     My prayers to you--and thanks for responding.

[LidoGal]

I don't blame you about no cold bath!  I tried to follow the "rules" too, but didn't like less than warm coffee, so I was just careful.  I hope that your CT-scan gives you very good results.  I had my 3rd Doxil treatment a couple of weeks ago and will get my second Muga scan at end of this week.  Oh how we wait for these test results, huh??  
     I am interested to hear that the CA 125 is not a marker for you.  It isn't for me, either.  They check it and watch the trend, I think (is it going up or down etc.).  Before the surgery in January 2005, my CA 125 was just a shade above the normal range (but a CT scan had shown some of extent of the cancer).  They redid the CA 125 and it was in the normal range (before the surgery!!)  Of course, when surgery took place, the cancer was in various places in the peritoneal area.  So if anyone had relied on that test alone, they would not have had much help.   ------Also, I was interested to hear that your oncologist changed the dose of the Doxil when your side effects were too severe--and also had you get it every two weeks.  I had not thought of that--although my dosage was changed on different chemos previously (not Doxil).

[pjet]

My CA125 was 25 before surgery and I was staged 3C.  I am on doxil too, so I am now used to lukewarm coffee, cool meals and tepid baths.  How I miss the hot bath but I found I don't blister as much on my feet and can "save" them for a little more walking.  My body is very dry and I am always itching and shedding, it seems.  There is a limit on a lot of the things I like to do but it beats the alternative!  Wishing all of you good results...