Side effects,Cisplatin,etoposide and radiation

cabbee
cabbee Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Husband recently started treatment for large cell cancer,left lung and lymph nodes-already has had problems with low sodium,now low potassium,sodium and WBC at0.5-has been in treatment for 2 weeks with radiation daily and cysplatin days 1 and 8,etoposide days 1-5;We did not expect problems so soon !

Anyone else had this set of side effects ? Need some encouragement please.

Comments

  • Miracle Mama
    Miracle Mama Member Posts: 3
    Cisplatin and Etopicide
    Certainly powerful drugs...but very good ones for what hubby...
    I just finished 4 rounds of it..same protocol, and also did 7 weeks of radiation...
    what had the dr said about the blood tests??
    Blood counts will change..lower...its normal...but if dr isnt concerned, relax...I had one transfusion..no big deal....and I'm done..just waiting to go for my Pet scan in a few weeks....
    AS told by leading hospital...this protocol can 'cure'....keep mental set positive...the mind does have control of the body..mind body connection...what you think, connects to your cells...
    I worked on getting my imune system as high and strong as possible...I think that really made a difference for me...I"m just amazed that I had virtually NO side effects....now just waiting to see what all this did to rid me of it...
  • mercey
    mercey Member Posts: 33
    side effects from cisplatin and etoposide
    Hi there..i was diagnosed with terminal stage 111 lung cancer /lymphnodes involved on April 14th 2008.I had the same chemo your husband is having and I did radiation on the same days as chemo.I had alot of stomach problems after the first eight day round,` and esophagus burn by the end of my treatments and a pint of blood.It is an aggrssive treatment but as you can see..I am still here..Feb 2010..alomost two years after they gave me two months to live.I have had a hard time getting strength back but they did give me a different chemo treatment at the end of the other as an insurance policy.That one made me have so much pain I refused any more treatments.I have been cancer free since my first PET scan in Aug.2008.Drs are amazed..I give Drs thanks and much gratitude but mostly I thank God I am still here.I believed I was going to live..I still believe I am here for a reason.Now not to scare you, I had open heart surgery 5 weeks ago from a main artery in the left side of my heart 95% blocked but once again drs are surprised I had a heart attack with such a blockage and survived to have the surgery and after lung cancer...they feel the aggressive radiation may be to blame so keep an eye on his heart.But the BIG picture here is yes side effects can start early on some people and some people have few.Your husbands regimen sounds like he is getting a good dose like me but I am cancer FREE and watching my grandchildren grow up and be born.I am 54 now.Just had a grand daughter born last week and have one due in three weeks.and one due in four months.Three allready were here.5, 6, and 10.Don't give up..It is all a battle but miracles and good stuff are still happening.It is scary but my heart attack has taken preference for now..ha lots of love and prayers, Jill
  • sendnsmiles315
    sendnsmiles315 Member Posts: 1
    cisplatin and 5 FU
    My mom is 64. She underwent high dose cisplatin and 5 FU along with concurrent radiation treatment for small cell Lung ca that was caught early - expecting a cure . The doctors told her that aggressive tx was her only option for a potential cure or that she could opt for treatment to just shrink the tumor and lessen the symptoms. She opted for teh cure.
    We are very lucky to have her with us still almost 1 yr later ( March 23 was first tx) but still suffering from severe wt loss and no appetite
    I can advise you to be very careful and her symtoms developed quickly after her 3 rd treatment and became very severe.
    Severely low sodium ( 110) and potassium levels as low as 1.9. and platelets down to about 10,000 and a WBC count < 1 for over 2 weeks . She developed pneumonia complicated by aspergillis which is uncommon ( except for in leukemic patients ). She didnt want to go to teh hospital despite sever weakness and shortness of breath ( but we promised her we wouldnt force any treatment she didnt want. By teh time we got her into teh hospital she was abou 6- 8 liters of fluid behind with early sepsis which developed into severe sepsis
    It took about 30 days of hospitalization to correct her multiple states of infection, low potassium and sodium as well as her very severe neutropenia. During this treatment she required 6 units of packed red blood cells and many many units of platelets and ongoing aggressive potassium supplementation - which complicated by her low protein levels from malnutrition was a downward spiral. Secondary to aggressive tx she lost her appetite and her ability to speak ( damage from radiation on her vocal cords)

    ADVICE: If he becomes unable to drink at least 4 liters of fluid daily and has lost his appetite suggest IV hydration at the hospital in the early stages.
    With Lung cancer you can develop an acute pericardial effusion ( you can look this up on the internet) so watch for sudden onset of shortness of breat or hoarseness - mom developed this too. The zofran worked great for her nausea but she debveloped open ulcers on the roof of her mouth and esophagus

    Have Faith. I am very hopeful. Mom may require a temporary PEG /feeding tube to help her malnutrition ( if she will) .. I know she needs it . I can only offer her my encouragement and support her decisions.
    You are in my prayers
  • sandrawall
    sandrawall Member Posts: 2
    Etoposide
    Was your husband on Etoposide tablets or injections?

    Recently I have seen vials also sold online. I am fine with vials, I got it online at International Drug Mart.
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member

    Etoposide
    Was your husband on Etoposide tablets or injections?

    Recently I have seen vials also sold online. I am fine with vials, I got it online at International Drug Mart.

    ?
    Self medication? With that stuff? No-no.
    Medi
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member

    cisplatin and 5 FU
    My mom is 64. She underwent high dose cisplatin and 5 FU along with concurrent radiation treatment for small cell Lung ca that was caught early - expecting a cure . The doctors told her that aggressive tx was her only option for a potential cure or that she could opt for treatment to just shrink the tumor and lessen the symptoms. She opted for teh cure.
    We are very lucky to have her with us still almost 1 yr later ( March 23 was first tx) but still suffering from severe wt loss and no appetite
    I can advise you to be very careful and her symtoms developed quickly after her 3 rd treatment and became very severe.
    Severely low sodium ( 110) and potassium levels as low as 1.9. and platelets down to about 10,000 and a WBC count < 1 for over 2 weeks . She developed pneumonia complicated by aspergillis which is uncommon ( except for in leukemic patients ). She didnt want to go to teh hospital despite sever weakness and shortness of breath ( but we promised her we wouldnt force any treatment she didnt want. By teh time we got her into teh hospital she was abou 6- 8 liters of fluid behind with early sepsis which developed into severe sepsis
    It took about 30 days of hospitalization to correct her multiple states of infection, low potassium and sodium as well as her very severe neutropenia. During this treatment she required 6 units of packed red blood cells and many many units of platelets and ongoing aggressive potassium supplementation - which complicated by her low protein levels from malnutrition was a downward spiral. Secondary to aggressive tx she lost her appetite and her ability to speak ( damage from radiation on her vocal cords)

    ADVICE: If he becomes unable to drink at least 4 liters of fluid daily and has lost his appetite suggest IV hydration at the hospital in the early stages.
    With Lung cancer you can develop an acute pericardial effusion ( you can look this up on the internet) so watch for sudden onset of shortness of breat or hoarseness - mom developed this too. The zofran worked great for her nausea but she debveloped open ulcers on the roof of her mouth and esophagus

    Have Faith. I am very hopeful. Mom may require a temporary PEG /feeding tube to help her malnutrition ( if she will) .. I know she needs it . I can only offer her my encouragement and support her decisions.
    You are in my prayers

    Hullo!
    I had very aggresive treatment also. The tumor had not spread so the Doc wanted to get right on it. They gave me the cisplatin/epo/radiation treatment and while it did result in my being fatigued and dizzy sometimes, I did pretty well. My Radiation doc told me that the treatment I had put some people in the hospital because their bodies couldn't handle it. They are super-strong drugs. Hope your Mom will pass this phase soon; I know it seems like forever but it is not...
    Cheers
    Medi
  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    medi_2 said:

    ?
    Self medication? With that stuff? No-no.
    Medi

    Online Chemo Drugs???
    Chemo drugs can be VERY dangerous when handled by anyone who is not specifically trained to do so. I had a break through with one of my veins and a tiny drop of my medication got on my skin and burned me like I had been burned with a cigarette! From that point onward my chemo was given to me through a PICC line so there would be no chance of that happening again. Please reconsider ordering these drugs online.
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    mamacita5 said:

    Online Chemo Drugs???
    Chemo drugs can be VERY dangerous when handled by anyone who is not specifically trained to do so. I had a break through with one of my veins and a tiny drop of my medication got on my skin and burned me like I had been burned with a cigarette! From that point onward my chemo was given to me through a PICC line so there would be no chance of that happening again. Please reconsider ordering these drugs online.

    cisplatin,etopicide,radiation
    I had that same treatment in the beginning. all went well at first. constant labs were done to monitor all blood counts. normal depletions took place. got an extra qt. of fluids every day. really got dizzy, sometimes had to stop and lean on a wall. fainted one day in the elevator. heard the call on pa for fast response team. was an overnight inpatient for the first time. I was determined to finish the plotted plan and did. Seems like I couldn't get enough liquid so I went to infusion every day just for liquid. Whoever tries to self treat with these drugs is crazy.
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member

    cisplatin,etopicide,radiation
    I had that same treatment in the beginning. all went well at first. constant labs were done to monitor all blood counts. normal depletions took place. got an extra qt. of fluids every day. really got dizzy, sometimes had to stop and lean on a wall. fainted one day in the elevator. heard the call on pa for fast response team. was an overnight inpatient for the first time. I was determined to finish the plotted plan and did. Seems like I couldn't get enough liquid so I went to infusion every day just for liquid. Whoever tries to self treat with these drugs is crazy.

    Cisplatin+Etoposide+Radio+ ??? self-medicating ???
    Yikes, yeah. Never heard of such a thing as on-line or self-medicating with that kind of stuff.

    I had that same treatment about a year ago, and really had no problem, other than a fried esophagus from the radiation, and fatigue. No dizziness or anything like that, to speak of. I took one fluid infusion near the end because swallowing was getting to be the opposite of a day at the beach.
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121

    Cisplatin+Etoposide+Radio+ ??? self-medicating ???
    Yikes, yeah. Never heard of such a thing as on-line or self-medicating with that kind of stuff.

    I had that same treatment about a year ago, and really had no problem, other than a fried esophagus from the radiation, and fatigue. No dizziness or anything like that, to speak of. I took one fluid infusion near the end because swallowing was getting to be the opposite of a day at the beach.

    stratocaster?
    You look more like a current rock-n-roller. I got a Godin solid body about a year ago. I love it. has a great fingerboard. Glad you're doing well.Self meds should require MD status. My throat got fried too. then one of the guys in the waiting room gave me a tip about a tbspn of honey first. wish i got that tip before my first, not my 15th or so. oh well, live and learn.
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member

    stratocaster?
    You look more like a current rock-n-roller. I got a Godin solid body about a year ago. I love it. has a great fingerboard. Glad you're doing well.Self meds should require MD status. My throat got fried too. then one of the guys in the waiting room gave me a tip about a tbspn of honey first. wish i got that tip before my first, not my 15th or so. oh well, live and learn.

    Are we allowed to do guitar shop talk here?
    Actually, that shot was taken at almost four weeks into my treatments last year. When I asked my nurse navigator whether I could do the gig, she said not only could I, but I should. It was a goal to shoot for. She cemented the deal by showing up with her hubby and kid, either to cheer me on or to scrape my sad self off the pavement, I'm not sure which. It went well, but I have to admit to having a chair on stage, and definitely not being ready to run a mile when it was done. I pretty much crashed in the car (which I was NOT driving) on the way home. We actually have a repeat at that venue coming up in about two months, which is probably even a bigger milestone for me.

    "Ex:" Well you never really are, right? The band has officially dissolved, but the personalities are such that everybody likes the old crew better than they like anybody they're with now, so if something comes up, we take it. Bands in which everybody loves each other are about as common as effort-free lung cancer cures. You kinda don't really ever disband when you find one.

    Tech talk: It's a Frankenstrat: 1999 AmDeluxe body and hardware, Warmoth short-scale neck (we arthritic small-handed guys need every advantage), Duncan Little '59s. Nice unit.
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    rock + roll
    Sorry about the shift in thought. I've played guitar for many years. The hobby sort of got away from me during the last few years. career got in the way of so many things. I got lung cancer at the same time i was trying to retire. After 6 months of treatment and getting into remission, tried to bring back some things in my life that brought happiness before. Music is a good start. I never played in a band or anything and probably couldn't. probably won't go skydiving either. Bless everyone in this fight Alan
  • Ex_Rock_n_Roller
    Ex_Rock_n_Roller Member Posts: 281 Member

    rock + roll
    Sorry about the shift in thought. I've played guitar for many years. The hobby sort of got away from me during the last few years. career got in the way of so many things. I got lung cancer at the same time i was trying to retire. After 6 months of treatment and getting into remission, tried to bring back some things in my life that brought happiness before. Music is a good start. I never played in a band or anything and probably couldn't. probably won't go skydiving either. Bless everyone in this fight Alan

    Bringing back happiness
    Well said, Alan, and it's never too late to try some of the fun stuff. All the best,
    Steve