Maintenance

[Cindy809]

Hello, I'm about to start my last treatment for recurrence.  I'm doing gemzar/carbo.  I have both on day 1 and then day 8 I have gemzar.  My CA125 went from 1440 after first treatment down to 13.9 after third treatment.  I had a secondary cytorductive surgery.  I recurred about 7 months post chemo.  That was carbo/taxol, 6 treatments.  Question.  Should I consider maintenance therapy?  Should it be chemotherapy.  I do not want to go on Avistan due to bowel involvement.  Has anyone had success with maintenance.  My doctors are considering it.  One says he doesn't object.   The other one said that it can harm my body while off chemo.  Is maintenance always chemotherapy?  Are there any good drugs out there?  Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Cindy809]

Jan and Judie ... thank you very much for your responses.  Part of me wants someone else to make this decision.  It is so frustrating that everyone is so different when it comes to ovca.  Jan..sorry you couldn't make it to 6.  Hopefully the chemo is still working and your number will decline again.  I have the fear that I won't make it to this last treatement #6.  Gemzar is doing a job on me!  Building up strength again is a main concern of mine.  Chemo free months.  Judie ... great news!  may you dance with ned forever!  Month by month attitude sounds like something I'd like.  If it starts taking a toll on the body I could stop.  This decision is very hard.  My biggest fear is that it will come back like the last time.  It came back very bad.  When I get the chance I'll explain in my journal.  It's a long story.  Thank you again ladies!!  ((HUGS)) and Blessings...Cindy

[mrsbaguba]

The maintenance "debate" is always a hot one on the oncology floors.  I  finished my maintenance in Ocotober, 2007 for a Stage 1C recurrence (I was cancer free almost 5 yrs. prior to that) I think the decision to take maintenance in purely a personal one. If your doctor has recommended it and thinks it will be beneficial, then it is up to you to do what you think is best for you. It is not for everyone, nor does eneyone handle it the same way. I approached it with a month-at-a-time attitude. If at any time I thought it was too much for me, I would stop.  Fortunately I made it though all 12 rounds, my CA 125 hovers in the 4 to 6 range, my scans are clean, and aside from regular magnesium infusions (which Taxol has depleted from me), I feel very, very good. I'm sure you will do what is best, and Iwish you healthy days ahead.  Keep us posted.  Godd luck. Judie :)

[Jan214]

I recurred 4 mths after my last carbo taxol round.  My CA 125 was 8.5 when I finished.  It started rising steadily at 4 mths out so I did Gemzar for 3, 2 part treatments, and 1/2 or 4 and 5 and couldn't do 6 because it made me to sick.  My onc has me waiting now.  My CA125 came down considerably with the Gemzar, but still isn't what it should be.  (32) My onc prefers to keep me off maintenance chemo when my numbers are low so that I can build back some strength for when/if  I need aggressive treatment again.  I had my CA125 done Wed and I am afraid to call and ask.  If it hits 50 again I go back on chemo.  I don't think I would do maintenance chemo if I didn't have to.  There are pros and cons to all of these choices, but I would like to get as much of this stuff out of me as I possibly can before I put anymore in.  Good luck to you and congrats!!! 13.9 is a great number.

[Cindy809]

Susie ... thanks for your response.  I'm going to ask my doctor about Aromasin.  Cindy

[survivor_susie]

Donna,
A friend of mine was dx with OVCA 3c.  She decided to take maintenance.  One year of monthly taxol.  She has now survived, completely cancer free, for 8 years. Maybe the maintenance is a good idea!

There's another drug for estrogen-dependent cancers:  Aromasin.  I'm on it, having had three different cancers, all estrogen receptive.  The side effects are the pits, but I take meds and acupuncture, ultrasound, etc for them. Aromasin is the latest in the Tamoxifen/Arimidex family.  It's supposed to reduce estrogen by nearly 95%.
I haven't grown facial hair or anything, but I've stopped asking for directions when I'm lost.  Just kidding!
Best of luck to you.

[Cindy809]

Hi Donna ... thank you for your response.  My last treatement will be in the middle of March.  I was hoping for more of a response because it is so important to hear from the ladies who have been there.  I'm new to this forum.  I will talk to my doctor about it.   Thanks again!  Cindy

[msjazz]

If your cancer is estrogen receptive (estrogen fed), there are two drugs being used orally, Arimidex and Tamoxifen. I took Arimidex for about a month, but the bone pain side effect was bad for me. I think there are ladies on here that take tamoxifen, it seems to be used more.I don't know what else is available for recurrence, maybe someone else does.  Donna