topotecon and ascites

[ashk2009]

My mom was diagnosed with ovca stage 3c about two years back. She has had a lot of rounds of chemo done including carbo/taxol. She had a lot of ascites right now which had initially dried up with carbo/taxol but it has unfortunately come back again. She has become resistant to carbo/taxol so she is not on topotecon. I was wondering if any one has had experience with it and if it would help in drying up the ascites - just carbo/taxol initially had. Thanks!

[ashk2009]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really hope that I can convince my mom to stay positive. She has finally taken the decision to get the fluid tapped. I hope it provides her some relief even if it for a very short period of time

[bohan54]

I have had 2 complete Topotecan treatments, ascites is still a big issue for me.  I also have pleural effusion which will be drained next Monday.  Key word is in Hazel's reply - if it's the chemo is working our issues should be resolved.
Sharon

[Hazel30]

Hi I think any chemo that is working will dry up the ascites.  If its too bothersome she can have it drained.  My Mom was on topo for several months worked at first and stopped working after a short period of time.   Very tolerable drug and hope your Mom has a good response to it like Jane did.
take care
Fiana

[jane65]

Hi,
I was diagnosed with stage 4B OVCA about 2 years ago, I had 16 weeks of carbo/txol and a short remission of 4 months. My next chemo was Topotecan which I was on for 10 months. My CA125 decreased steadily and my last scan was clear, it's not as bad a chemo as carbo/taxol was, but my blood values did drop after each chemo treatment and occasionally I needed an Aranesp shot to get the bone marrow  to produce RBC and hemoglobin. Fatigue was a problem, but also not as bad as carbo/taxol, my hair thinned but didn't fall out.
Constipation can be dealt with by taking Miralax, Colace and prune juice daily, if Mom has that problem,but have Mom check with her doctor.
I've never had ascites, so I can't help you with that, but I'm sure other ladies on this forum can.
Good luck to your Mom,
Jane