Is doxil a better drug?
Comments
-
Doxil
Hi,
I have had first-hand experience with doxil.
After my first round of 8 cycles of chemo (carbo/taxol); about 1year and 1month out my ovarian cancer recurred.
My oncologist put me on Doxil, Carbo and Avastin. It was very intense treatments but they are also the reason I am still here.
The doxil had the most resounding side-effects on me. They were; palms of hands and feet turned very dark and somewhat tender. There is also the possibility of the heart being affected, because they had me to take muga-scans periodically to make sure no damage was occurring. All checked out for me there.
My hands and feet returned to there normal color after about 2and 1/2 months finished with the doxil.
Since I was a stage 4, my oncologist opted to leave my port in in the event the cancer would return, which in turn it did. Initially I was upset she would not remove it immediately after I went into remission the first time; however, I see how wise she was to leave it in because I could'nt imagine having to have it re-implanted everytime the cancer returned. Now I can't imagine life without it, because it is my lifeline.
I have had my port now since 2007 and have not had a problem with it to date. I go in about every 1 to 2 months to have it flushed. And knowing how insidious cancers can be in returning, from my experience it just makes sense to leave it in unless you are absolutely cancer-free, or have problems with it.
I do know when they re-implant the port, it will not be in the exact same spot, but very near the same location (due to infection issues if re-implanted in the same place).
Take a deep breath and once it is implanted; the next time the issue to have it removed comes up, if it bothers you have a heart to heart discussion with your oncologist about your concerns and have them be honest with you as well as to any possibility of the cancer returning, if they even hint yes, I would then suggest you ask them of your options to leave it in for a while until you are comfortable to have it removed.
You do have the options and do not have to have the port removed right at that moment just because it is recommended.
Oh yes also I had none of the low wbc or rbc when I was on the doxil. Actually the taxol and carbo were harder on my system and blood counts as well, to me the doxil,carbo and avastin were a breeze.
Good luck to you and many blessings.
Sharon0 -
Doxil
Hi,
I have had first-hand experience with doxil.
After my first round of 8 cycles of chemo (carbo/taxol); about 1year and 1month out my ovarian cancer recurred.
My oncologist put me on Doxil, Carbo and Avastin. It was very intense treatments but they are also the reason I am still here.
The doxil had the most resounding side-effects on me. They were; palms of hands and feet turned very dark and somewhat tender. There is also the possibility of the heart being affected, because they had me to take muga-scans periodically to make sure no damage was occurring. All checked out for me there.
My hands and feet returned to there normal color after about 2and 1/2 months finished with the doxil.
Since I was a stage 4, my oncologist opted to leave my port in in the event the cancer would return, which in turn it did. Initially I was upset she would not remove it immediately after I went into remission the first time; however, I see how wise she was to leave it in because I could'nt imagine having to have it re-implanted everytime the cancer returned. Now I can't imagine life without it, because it is my lifeline.
I have had my port now since 2007 and have not had a problem with it to date. I go in about every 1 to 2 months to have it flushed. And knowing how insidious cancers can be in returning, from my experience it just makes sense to leave it in unless you are absolutely cancer-free, or have problems with it.
I do know when they re-implant the port, it will not be in the exact same spot, but very near the same location (due to infection issues if re-implanted in the same place).
Take a deep breath and once it is implanted; the next time the issue to have it removed comes up, if it bothers you have a heart to heart discussion with your oncologist about your concerns and have them be honest with you as well as to any possibility of the cancer returning, if they even hint yes, I would then suggest you ask them of your options to leave it in for a while until you are comfortable to have it removed.
You do have the options and do not have to have the port removed right at that moment just because it is recommended.
Good luck to you and may you receive many blessings.
Sharon0 -
Doxil / Portmsfanciful said:Doxil
Hi,
I have had first-hand experience with doxil.
After my first round of 8 cycles of chemo (carbo/taxol); about 1year and 1month out my ovarian cancer recurred.
My oncologist put me on Doxil, Carbo and Avastin. It was very intense treatments but they are also the reason I am still here.
The doxil had the most resounding side-effects on me. They were; palms of hands and feet turned very dark and somewhat tender. There is also the possibility of the heart being affected, because they had me to take muga-scans periodically to make sure no damage was occurring. All checked out for me there.
My hands and feet returned to there normal color after about 2and 1/2 months finished with the doxil.
Since I was a stage 4, my oncologist opted to leave my port in in the event the cancer would return, which in turn it did. Initially I was upset she would not remove it immediately after I went into remission the first time; however, I see how wise she was to leave it in because I could'nt imagine having to have it re-implanted everytime the cancer returned. Now I can't imagine life without it, because it is my lifeline.
I have had my port now since 2007 and have not had a problem with it to date. I go in about every 1 to 2 months to have it flushed. And knowing how insidious cancers can be in returning, from my experience it just makes sense to leave it in unless you are absolutely cancer-free, or have problems with it.
I do know when they re-implant the port, it will not be in the exact same spot, but very near the same location (due to infection issues if re-implanted in the same place).
Take a deep breath and once it is implanted; the next time the issue to have it removed comes up, if it bothers you have a heart to heart discussion with your oncologist about your concerns and have them be honest with you as well as to any possibility of the cancer returning, if they even hint yes, I would then suggest you ask them of your options to leave it in for a while until you are comfortable to have it removed.
You do have the options and do not have to have the port removed right at that moment just because it is recommended.
Good luck to you and may you receive many blessings.
Sharon
Hi, Sharon:
Thank you very much for the information and your sharing. It sounds like doxil is a terrible drug? It's very good to know that you have successfully completed all the treatments. I hope you'll have a long remission. Because mine was an early stage cancer, both me and my oncologists thought I'll be fine after the initial treatments. I thought I'll at least have a long remission! That is why after 4 months of being cancer free, my oncologists let me have the port taken out. To my great dismay, my cancer came back in no time! I was devastated.
I asked about the port because last time when I had it taken out, the port got stuck inside me. The 5-mins surgery turned into a half hour one. The surgeon had to cut another opening in order to to get the port out. He called me 'special' because he said it is pretty rare for that to happen. It took me months before the incisions were completely healed. This made me very worried about having the port again! Anyway, thanks again! It feels good to talk to someone who understands. Hugs.
Grace0 -
follow the do's and don'ts
I was on doxil back in 2005 and it brought my tumor markers down adn gave me a 3month break from chemo. I know that doesn't sound like much but for me it is huge. Just make sure you follow all the do's and don'ts and then you won't have as bad of side affects. They have been posted a lot and I actually followed them starting a day or so before treatment, ate ice during treatment and stayed on course for a week.
As for the port, some people have to have them put in again and I haven't heard it to be any more painful. I have had mine since for many years, knock on wood.
Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie0 -
Doxil/Porrcutebaggins said:Doxil / Port
Hi, Sharon:
Thank you very much for the information and your sharing. It sounds like doxil is a terrible drug? It's very good to know that you have successfully completed all the treatments. I hope you'll have a long remission. Because mine was an early stage cancer, both me and my oncologists thought I'll be fine after the initial treatments. I thought I'll at least have a long remission! That is why after 4 months of being cancer free, my oncologists let me have the port taken out. To my great dismay, my cancer came back in no time! I was devastated.
I asked about the port because last time when I had it taken out, the port got stuck inside me. The 5-mins surgery turned into a half hour one. The surgeon had to cut another opening in order to to get the port out. He called me 'special' because he said it is pretty rare for that to happen. It took me months before the incisions were completely healed. This made me very worried about having the port again! Anyway, thanks again! It feels good to talk to someone who understands. Hugs.
Grace
Hi Grace,
I had an infection and had to have my port removed before my eighth infusion of carbo/Taxol/Avastin. This was in June that I ended up in the hospital with the port infection. I had planned on keeping it in in case of a recurrence. Well, 7 months later the recurrence happened so I had a port put back in yesterday. The surgeon put it on the other side, and there was very little pain. Just another scar, no big deal. Most of my clothes whon[t show it.
Then today I started a new regimen with Doxil/carbo. So far, so fine. I plan on being very careful about the hand-foot syndrome. That seems to biggest con about this regimen. Nausea shouldn't be bad, and pain shouldn't be bad in the muscles. The other thing they warned me about is possibly worsening of neuropathy, which I have pretty bad in one foot.
But other than that and the possible low blood counts, my nurse seemed to tell me that Doxilisnot that bad.
I hope this helps.
Blessings!
Marty0 -
doxil
Hi, I am new to posting so bear with me.
I completed 6 cycles of doxil in November and had almost no side effects at all. The hand foot syndrome is a side effect you need to watch out for, but what I did was have ice packs placed on my palms and bottom of my feet while the doxil was being administered and this made a big difference. Not once did the redness or tenderness appear.
Hope this helps.0 -
DoxilBailey37 said:doxil
Hi, I am new to posting so bear with me.
I completed 6 cycles of doxil in November and had almost no side effects at all. The hand foot syndrome is a side effect you need to watch out for, but what I did was have ice packs placed on my palms and bottom of my feet while the doxil was being administered and this made a big difference. Not once did the redness or tenderness appear.
Hope this helps.
My first infusion of Doxil has been very hard on me. My oncologist nurse said I shouldn't have nausea, but she was wrong. I've been very nauseated and hardly able to eat. I haven't been able to go to work all week, but, of course, I had the port put in, so between the surgery and the chemo, I guess it just took a lot out of me.
Bailey, I'm so glad you had very few side effects. I'm hoping for that. BTW, your photo is beautiful.
Marty0 -
The part is huge for me...BonnieR said:follow the do's and don'ts
I was on doxil back in 2005 and it brought my tumor markers down adn gave me a 3month break from chemo. I know that doesn't sound like much but for me it is huge. Just make sure you follow all the do's and don'ts and then you won't have as bad of side affects. They have been posted a lot and I actually followed them starting a day or so before treatment, ate ice during treatment and stayed on course for a week.
As for the port, some people have to have them put in again and I haven't heard it to be any more painful. I have had mine since for many years, knock on wood.
Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
Bonnie,
You mentioned that "that doesn't sound like much," in your post. Well, let me tell you, for those of us who have been newly diagnosed, to read that you were on doxil "back in 2005" is GIGANORMOUS!
Just wanted to let you know that!
Giganormous Hugs to you!
Leesa
0 -
Started DoxilMawty said:Doxil
My first infusion of Doxil has been very hard on me. My oncologist nurse said I shouldn't have nausea, but she was wrong. I've been very nauseated and hardly able to eat. I haven't been able to go to work all week, but, of course, I had the port put in, so between the surgery and the chemo, I guess it just took a lot out of me.
Bailey, I'm so glad you had very few side effects. I'm hoping for that. BTW, your photo is beautiful.
Marty
I had my first Doxil infusion on Wednesday. The compazine prior to starting inf seemed to handle any inital nausea problems and so far I haven't needed any more. I didn't notice any foot/hand issues till last nite as I was going to bed. That's when I realized the decadron I also received prior probably held off any reaction for a while - soles of feet started burning. So I'm off to get some gel packs now that I didn't have time for prior to inf. Duh! And although my local CVS is 24 hrs., I refused to get out of bed at 11 pm last nite!
I hope your nausea subsides Marty - and also, often the first treatment with a new drug is the hardest as your body gets used to it. This is my third trip thru chemo so a little past experience.
Annette0 -
what kind of icepacks?Bailey37 said:doxil
Hi, I am new to posting so bear with me.
I completed 6 cycles of doxil in November and had almost no side effects at all. The hand foot syndrome is a side effect you need to watch out for, but what I did was have ice packs placed on my palms and bottom of my feet while the doxil was being administered and this made a big difference. Not once did the redness or tenderness appear.
Hope this helps.
What kind of icepacks did you use? How did you secure them to your hands/feet?0 -
doxil
Hi cutebaggins, and welcome to the board. I'm so sorry you are recurring!
My doctor said that only 10% or so of patients have the foot/hand thing, so hopefully you are one of the lucky ones. I just finished my 5th infusion, and had to lower the dose due to blisters on my feet, after the 4th one. I was very careful the first 3 cycles, and frankly got a little careless after the 4th infusion and climbed on an airplane the next day.
Anyway the blisters were bad, and painful, I will not lie, but chemo was delayed for 2 weeks, I am all healed up and after a lower dose of doxil, I am just fine. The good news is that the CA125 is being held at bay, and my white/red blood counts have not been affected.
Do follow all the do's and don's listed on the archives here.
Wishing you the best,
Kathleen:)0 -
ice packsnancy591 said:what kind of icepacks?
What kind of icepacks did you use? How did you secure them to your hands/feet?
I'm keeping it simple - I just got a couple of the gel 'frozen peas' from CVS. They are 10 in X 6 in fairly flat bags of gel 'peas.' I keep in freezer and just pull and set my feet on them for 15 -20 min to cool, and lay my palms on same way. Don't need them for long, just to cool temp. I played a short round of golf yesterday, wore sandals, lol, but still got a bit of the hot foot after, so just plopped down in the recliner with my iced peas!0 -
good ideasaundra said:Rice Bags
I keep a large sack of rice in my freezer for my hot feet. It stays in place and doesn't have to be wrapped in a towel because it isn't too cold. Cheap too... Doesn't hurt to freeze and refreeze. Saundra
Saundra, freezing rice bags are a good idea!
I use large gel packs when they first t come out of the freezer are not flexible. I eventually was soaking in ice water with epsom salts, but for the initial hot feet, I like the frozen rice idea.
kathleen0 -
Nauseaupsofloating said:Started Doxil
I had my first Doxil infusion on Wednesday. The compazine prior to starting inf seemed to handle any inital nausea problems and so far I haven't needed any more. I didn't notice any foot/hand issues till last nite as I was going to bed. That's when I realized the decadron I also received prior probably held off any reaction for a while - soles of feet started burning. So I'm off to get some gel packs now that I didn't have time for prior to inf. Duh! And although my local CVS is 24 hrs., I refused to get out of bed at 11 pm last nite!
I hope your nausea subsides Marty - and also, often the first treatment with a new drug is the hardest as your body gets used to it. This is my third trip thru chemo so a little past experience.
Annette
Thanks, Annette. The nausea still hits me, but it's only been 5 days. It seems to be worst in the morning, so I'm taking a compazine first thing in the morning and that helps. I looked up the side effects, and it said only up to 29% get the nausea, guess I'm just lucky. :-)
My oncology nurse said most people don't get the hand-foot syndrome, but it seems most everyone on this board has had a problem with it. I tend to listen to you ladies more than the nurse regarding this, so I'm going to be vewy, vewy careful.
Blessings,
Marty0
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