Gemzar alone?

nancy591
nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Since I had an allergic reaction to the carboplatinum my oncologist wants to keep me on Gemzar alone. I am so disappointed! Has anyone heard of someone being on Gemzar alone?

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #2
    My oncologist believes in sequential single agent chemos for me.
    My chemo oncologist believes in sequential single agent chemos for the 1st few recurrences, as long as they show ability to knock back cancer progression. His strategy is to make the various options last as long as possible, and to be able to attribute any success to a specific drug so that we'll know whether to try and come back to it later. I imagine when Gemzar gets to the top of the list that I will take it with no other chemo added. But, truly, we'll be making this up as we go along. My bone marrow hasn't bouced back completely, so the fractionated weekly doses and single agent chemo is much easier for me to tolerate.
  • arbor3
    arbor3 Member Posts: 103
    #3
    GEMZAR
    I was on Gemzar alone because I had a reaction to the Carbo. It did not do me any good I was switched to another Chemo after 3 rounds.

    Dinora
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #4
    thanks
    Thanks for the input.

    Dinora, were you switched to Topo? What meds have been used for you and what success?
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #5
    yes
    hi Nancy, I have been on gemzar as single agent, the gemzar was pretty hard on me. If I remember correctly we used it 3 omnths and went to something else. But each person is different in what works for them, praying this works for you. Hugs Bonnie
  • Mawty
    Mawty Member Posts: 133
    #6
    BonnieR said:

    yes
    hi Nancy, I have been on gemzar as single agent, the gemzar was pretty hard on me. If I remember correctly we used it 3 omnths and went to something else. But each person is different in what works for them, praying this works for you. Hugs Bonnie

    So we're being treated differently
    Hi,

    Our treatments have been the same this whole time and now I'm back on Taxol and Avastin and you're on Gemzar. I know my oncologist was trying to decide between the two, but since Taxol and Avastin worked so well the first time, she felt that's the way she wanted to go. But this time it's 3 weeks in a row with one week off. I asked why we couldn't go back to just once a month and she said because this protocol seems to work better. So here I am stuck at the hospital once a week instead of once a month. Makes it hard to get any time to feel well before the next chemo. It seems to come around so fast! Is your Gemzar just once a month?

    I pray it will work for you beautifully.

    Blessings,


    Marty
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #7
    Mawty said:

    So we're being treated differently
    Hi,

    Our treatments have been the same this whole time and now I'm back on Taxol and Avastin and you're on Gemzar. I know my oncologist was trying to decide between the two, but since Taxol and Avastin worked so well the first time, she felt that's the way she wanted to go. But this time it's 3 weeks in a row with one week off. I asked why we couldn't go back to just once a month and she said because this protocol seems to work better. So here I am stuck at the hospital once a week instead of once a month. Makes it hard to get any time to feel well before the next chemo. It seems to come around so fast! Is your Gemzar just once a month?

    I pray it will work for you beautifully.

    Blessings,


    Marty

    thanks
    Thanks everyone for the input.

    Gemzar was day 1 then carbo/gem on day 14 then one week off. So, it was carbo every 21 days. Now I will only be on the Gemzar.

    Given my history of bowel obstruction and temporary illeostomy my Onc is not recommending Avastin for me at this time. He said he'd like to save it for down the line.

    Thanks, again.
  • arbor3
    arbor3 Member Posts: 103
    #8
    GEMZAR
    Hi Nancy

    Yes, i was on topo but it did not bring my numbers down so I was put on Alimta, 3 treatments and numbers did not come down. Now I am on Navelbein, going for third round Mon. Since being dx in Aug 2006, I have been on Taxol/Carbo, Abraxane/Carbo, Abraxane then Gemzar. My Cancer is becoming resistant to Chemo. Hope the Navelbein brings down my numbers. I also had an allergic reaction to Platium based Chemo.

    HUGS!!!!!Dinora
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #9
    I've been thru 3 cycles of
    I've been thru 3 cycles of Gemzar as a single agent. My gyn-onc says he uses it this way routinely with success. In my case, he is concerned with having to postpone treatments due to bone marrow suppression problems. I'm waiting to see my most recent CA 125 - after 2 cycles I had a significant reduction, 658 to 104. It had risen from 250s to the 650s over 3 months while on Doxil. Also hoping we can do a repeat CT soon.
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #10
    upsofloating said:

    I've been thru 3 cycles of
    I've been thru 3 cycles of Gemzar as a single agent. My gyn-onc says he uses it this way routinely with success. In my case, he is concerned with having to postpone treatments due to bone marrow suppression problems. I'm waiting to see my most recent CA 125 - after 2 cycles I had a significant reduction, 658 to 104. It had risen from 250s to the 650s over 3 months while on Doxil. Also hoping we can do a repeat CT soon.

    Just got June ca125 results
    Just got June ca125 results -- 31!!!
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #11
    Hi, Nancy,
    Yes, I had Gemzar alone. It was "my idea"; because I didn't want to lose my hair. Looking back, and learning, I should have had the doctor decide on my treatment. I completed 6 rounds of Gemzar. It knocked me down good... and didn't drop my CA into the normal range, ever.

    But what works for some may not work for others, so give it a chance. I just know it did nothing but kill my bone marrow and make me very sick. I ended up hospitalized and full of fluid; then immediately placed on Taxol/Carbo + Avastin.

    Has your doctor mentioned Avastin at all?

    Wishing you blessings & healing~
    ~Susan xoxo
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #12
    Gemzar
    Hi Nancy, do you start the gemzar after your cruise? I have heard of it being used alone, but can't recall off the top of my head, of anyone having smashing success with gemzar alone. I know it did help me with my gem/cis cocktail, my numbers didn't come down with just the cisplatin, I'm sure.
    But you never know until you try it for yourself.
    You must be leaving soon!
    kathleen

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