carboplatin and erbutux - Cancer: Lung Message Board

mabegb · 11-17-2006, 04:37 PM

has anyone used carboplatin or erbutux in their treatments?if so what type of side effects and results did you get. any info would be great i start this in 2 weeks.

conan1017 · 11-17-2006, 11:20 PM

mabegb-

As you may know, side effects will vary from person to person. Patsy is on carboplatin/gemcitabine which is commomn chemo for stage 4 NSCLC. If I my memory serves me right, Carboplatin developed from Cisplatin which has harsher side effects. Carboplatin typicall doesn't cause hair loss, but will likely cause some degree of nausea, fatigue and/or flu-like symptoms ....and could cause an number of other side effects. Before you sign-off on treatment, you will get a briefing on what "could" happen. They will aslo pre-med you for nausea which may hold for a couple days. After that, they will probably prescribe Zofran (under the toungue) ...we have swithched to Emmend which is even more expensive, but works great. Most drugs on my plan don't exceed $10, but this cost me $50 for 2 pills (ouch!). Decadron, asteroid, helps with both nausea and fatugue ....but you can't take too much.

Most importantly, you husband needs to be informed as well as he needs to minister to you needs as you could be down. If it is too hard on you they may adjust the dosges ....it just depends. Patsy had chemo on Wed. and is doing extremely well, so it is a matter of monitoring and managing it as you respond. To be sure, its not a turn key plan. I'm sure you will have to make certian adjustments.

But be of good cheer ...they give this stuff to patients in their 80's. It your system will tolerate, it will probably go well you. And believe it or not, it should at a minmum make you feel better. Or at least that is the goal.

I'll be praying for you as well as your husband,

conan

Kimslos · 11-18-2006, 11:04 AM

Hi-
My husband is currently on Carboplatinum and Taxotere. I think Conan covered it quite well in what he shared with you. Also, I would like to add that you can get online and type in those types of chemo and you can get side effects and what to expect. It does cause severe fatigue. As far as the nausea they give my husband Emend before chemo and for 2 days after and then he is on decadron(steroid) but we have had to reduce the dosage in 1/2 due to aggressive/dangerous behavior it caused. He is still mean while he takes 1/2 the dosage, but nothing like the aggressiveness he was experiencing before. I have a friend who is taking chemo and takes decadron and she said her mood/personality is fine, but for the week of chemo she cannot sleep well at night and is restless. You may get none of these side effects as everyone is so different. Just get on line and look up side effects, just to be prepared. Conan mentioned Zofran and those work for Stan too. I hope you have good insurance because one time they did not run the Zofran thru our ins. in error and asked me to pay (are you sitting down?) 474.99 for 12 pills! Amazing, isn't it?!
I wish you a smooth chemo with no side effects.
Prayers,
Kim

mabegb · 11-18-2006, 05:43 PM

conan and kim - thank you so much for the info and well wishes. i really appreciate it. i hope you and your families are able to have a great weekend!thanks-melissa

conan1017 · 11-19-2006, 09:01 AM

mabegb-

Just a quick comment about Zofran ...it is ideally used to prevent nausea rather than remedy it. Zofran interfers with the chemical process that signals nausea ...so taking Zofran in advance of nausea blocks those receptors. When Patsy was taking her first cycle in the hospital, we wound up chasing nausea. At that point, the Zofran became ineffective and they gave her Ativan which just knocked her out.

Not trying to scare you, I just want you to have the best chance of avoiding nausea so you don't lose weight -because it is no easy to gain back.

Kim-

I didn't know that decadron could effect one's mood. I'm sorry to hear that. I haven't noticed a change in Patsy's mood from decadron -but when she is feeling bad she is moody anyway. I remember when my MIL complained to me about Patsy's mood and I told her if it offends you that much you need to keep your distance in those times. But that is my MIL ...its always about her. While its no fun, I don't get offended by Patsy's mood swings. I can't imagine the emotional battle Patsy and Stan are going through. The best we can do is be patient and supportive (and protect them from those who are not so).

I hope you are enjoying the weekend. Does Stan like football? Great weekend for watching games (that is if you have the time

) take care.

conan