avastin

[melenzbee83]

Hi ladies,
please forgive me as this treatment part and chemo is all new to me, i realise i have a lot of research to get through, but just wanted to get in touch with anyone on Phenoxodiol? or OVATURE? AVASTIN- was the main one my specialist was talking about saying it would be expensive but that i could use it as part of my chemo cycles?

Thanks
Mel

[lvfrogs]

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and you will be in my prayers. I hope that this combination will work for you and that you will have few side effects! Hugs, Colleen

[melenzbee83]

Thanks ladies,
That was lucky Chris, My doc reckons its $2000 each time, $20,000 for whole treatment even with top private cover? Anyway will see what happens.

[crecco]

Mel,
   I am on avastin for the second time. The first time it was used with abraxane and this time with cisplatin. I have had a few side effects from it, the worst being blood pressure problems. It can cause high blood pressure and it did with me. But once we found the right combination of BP medication, then I had no more problems with it. The only other problem was fatigue, but then I have had fatigue for so long, that I cannot really say if it was from the avastin or not.
  My Dr is getting ready to chamge my chemo drug again so I don't know if he will keep me on the avastin or not. He may put me on something else for awhile and give me a break from it. We did that the last time and it worked again when we started it back up. I don;t know, I will just have to wait and see.
  As far as expense, that I really do not know. I did not have health insurance when I was diagnosed, so my Dr got me set up with public aid (Dept of Human Resourses). I am just thankful that they approve most everything my Dr decides on.
  I hope that it works just as well for you.
   Chris

[butterflytc]

Just want to wish you all the best in whatever treatment you decide on Mel. We are all here for you, and hope all goes well with your treatments.
butterflyTc

[westajul]

Mel,
Avastin also was one of the drug in my chemo regime. I did not have the other drugs you mentioned...I had oxilaplatin...5-fu and leucorvin in addition to avastin. There others who visit this message board who are also on avastin and I am sure when they feel up to it they will add to your post. My understanding is avastin inhibits the development of new blood vessels which in effect inhibits tumor growth. Yes avastin is expensive....here in the USA some health insurance covers it...luckily for me mine did.  I did not have really side effects except feeling tired...but I know high blood pressure is the most common side effect. Also bowel perforations can occur but this side effect is not common. Take care Julie

[melenzbee83]

Hey Chris,
So you are taking avastin as well as chemo? Have you had any side effects from it? Also is it correct that it is being used to prevent resistance to the chemo drugs? You would also be in the same boat as me then with cost for the drug?

Mel

[crecco]

  Mel,
   This is my understanding of avastin. It is not an actual chemo drug but a drug that works with the chemo drugs to help kill the cancer cells. I have never been on ovature but I am on my second round of chemo using avastin with it and it seems to help a lot. If nothing else it has kept everything stable.
  Let us know which drug they decide on for you and how it goes.
      Chris