I am confused.....Help....

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Robkel7
Robkel7 Member Posts: 68
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Should I ask my doctor to put me on Avistan after my chemo is done? I am heading to my 6th and last round of traditional chemo and wonder if I should do that to stay in remission. What do you all think? My current CA 125 is 19.

Thanks. Robin

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  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #2
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    Are you currently taking Avastin as a part of your chemo combo?
    Usually avastin is given as a maintenance drug only after it has been proven to work on the patient. So if you've already been getting avastin & it lowered your CA125, you may be a candidate for it. I could be wrong, but I don't know anyone that took avastin as a maintenance drug that hadn't already taken it with chemo with success.

    Avastin didn't work for me at all when I took it with Cytoxin. But when it DOES work for you, it can be wonderful.
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
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    Avastin
    I was on Avastin for maintenance, but as Linda says, I'm not aware of anyone who was not on it along with first line chemo that was on it for maintenance. You could certainly ask your doctor about it. It almost assuredly will raise your blood pressure, in which case you would have to discontinue it or take blood pressure meds. There are potential side effects, but your oncologist will monitor them. The research has indicated those patients receiving Avastin with first line chemo, followed by a year of maintenance Avastin have had slightly more than a 4 month increase in progression-free survival. I've also heard of people going on maintenance Taxol for a year.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #4
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    it's worth asking
    I am taking Avistan with my taxol/carbo and I have one more traditional treatment my numbers are at 5 right now and my doctor is going to keep me on Avistan for around two years as a maintance chemo to keep me in remission. Check and see if your insurance will cover it I am in a study that is paying for the Avistan other wise I could not afford it because it cost 10,000.00 a treatment so while I am in the study the drug company is paying for it.

    Anne

    GO FOR IT
  • Robkel7
    Robkel7 Member Posts: 68
    #5
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    lindaprocopio said:

    Are you currently taking Avastin as a part of your chemo combo?
    Usually avastin is given as a maintenance drug only after it has been proven to work on the patient. So if you've already been getting avastin & it lowered your CA125, you may be a candidate for it. I could be wrong, but I don't know anyone that took avastin as a maintenance drug that hadn't already taken it with chemo with success.

    Avastin didn't work for me at all when I took it with Cytoxin. But when it DOES work for you, it can be wonderful.

    thanks
    for all your replies. no, i am not taking it now. they plan to just release me and check me every 3 months. i guess i find the idea of that frightening.
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #6
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    Robkel7 said:

    thanks
    for all your replies. no, i am not taking it now. they plan to just release me and check me every 3 months. i guess i find the idea of that frightening.

    As much as we hate it
    As much as we hate chemo, it is a security blanket. I would be surprised if nearly everyone here hasn't gone through the same feeling at the end of their chemo. Just take a deep breath; do things to take care of your body; and rejoice in the fact that you are cancer and chemo-free!!!
  • cfont11
    cfont11 Member Posts: 115
    #7
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    Robkel7 said:

    thanks
    for all your replies. no, i am not taking it now. they plan to just release me and check me every 3 months. i guess i find the idea of that frightening.

    Confused
    I was also confused about maintenance chemo. My medical oncologist does not believe in it. I was on taxol/carbo for 6 treatments last year and 2 this year. I had a clear CT scan and the plan was to monitor me every 3 months but my dr. did a CA125 before the scan and it was not in the normal range. She did 2 more and the numbers went up so in 2 months, my cancer came back. I was having some pain and had a feeling something was wrong.

    I am not saying this will happen to you; I pray it does not happen to anyone but be happy that you are done with treatment and listen to your body. If you have any pain or something does not feel right, tell your doctor immediately!

    Best of luck.

    Chris
  • Barneygirl
    Barneygirl Member Posts: 90
    #8
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    Chemo is a security blanket
    Chemo is a security blanket and I went through the same thoughts when I was finished with chemo the first time. I asked to do 12 months of Taxol maintenance which was the thing in 2004, but my doc said too much taxol and I could end up in a wheelchair as chemo is cumulative. I decided not to do anything and give my body a break and resort to chemo when I absolutely needed it. I know it's hard to let go of the chemo security blanket.
  • Susan53
    Susan53 Member Posts: 178
    #9
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    Robkel7 said:

    thanks
    for all your replies. no, i am not taking it now. they plan to just release me and check me every 3 months. i guess i find the idea of that frightening.

    feeling
    We do know that feeling , after being monitored so close for so long, I feel like I was sent out to pasture. Not a good feeling at all. I guess they are right that most of us go through those scary times. Sure dosen't mean that we like it at all. Hugs to you Sharon
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #10
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    Barneygirl said:

    Chemo is a security blanket
    Chemo is a security blanket and I went through the same thoughts when I was finished with chemo the first time. I asked to do 12 months of Taxol maintenance which was the thing in 2004, but my doc said too much taxol and I could end up in a wheelchair as chemo is cumulative. I decided not to do anything and give my body a break and resort to chemo when I absolutely needed it. I know it's hard to let go of the chemo security blanket.

    Do not understand
    how come some are put on it and some aren't
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270
    #11
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    lindaprocopio said:

    Are you currently taking Avastin as a part of your chemo combo?
    Usually avastin is given as a maintenance drug only after it has been proven to work on the patient. So if you've already been getting avastin & it lowered your CA125, you may be a candidate for it. I could be wrong, but I don't know anyone that took avastin as a maintenance drug that hadn't already taken it with chemo with success.

    Avastin didn't work for me at all when I took it with Cytoxin. But when it DOES work for you, it can be wonderful.

    Avastin
    When I received Avastin it was along with Cytoxan. The Avastin didn't work for me after 6 months so it was stopped but I have read posts here where people have gotten good results. I'm not sure why it works on some and not on others but you should see what your dr. says.

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