Need your coments mates!

pepebcn
pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
Since I'm on Xeloda and Avastin I got some undesired symptoms .Did any of you ever had any experience on it?
Headache I think nose and sinus are involved, is more at the level of my eyes and Eyebrows .
Deafness and pain in left ear.
Very tired, short of breath wen walking and feeling like heavy and painful legs.
Some back pain .Very low near my bottom!
Loose some balance specially when is dark!
Thanks in advance for your response mates!
( not vey worrisome since all started at the same time as chemo. , I hope! )

Comments

  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    Tell your docs
    All sorts of little niggling symptoms can occur with both of these and they are usually not a problem but the deafness and unsteadiness does sound more worrying. There is a rare side effect of avastin (<0.1%get it) called REversible Posterior Leukencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) where the symptoms are mainly neurological with confusion and lethargy often with it.It probably isn't that but enough of your symptoms go beyond just the minor to warrant a conversation today with your docs. It is reversible even if it is that.

    Never had these problems myself- bit tired some days. Get it checked

    steve
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Hey Man...
    I've suffered hearing loss back about 8-years ago after I had done some 5fu chemo, radiation, and my original resect surgery. For a long time I was almost completely deaf in one ear - over time, I recovered though there is noticable tone difference.

    As for tired and shortness of breath...I want you to think Avastin.

    People tout it here as a wonder drug - and it does outline some benefits from its approach with regards to cutting off blood flow to viable, physical tumors.

    However, Avastin comes with a very dark side...what they don't tell you - and what you don't think to ask them is this...

    Avastin can cause congestive heart failure over prolonged period of use. The makers of Avastin do not give a timetable for when that might occur.

    I was on that drug for about 8-9 months...I had no breathing or heart issues prior to this. After discontinuing that drug with my onc's approval and supposed supervision, I began to develop issues with catching my breath in between heartbeats.

    It was pretty scary...like all the wind had been knocked out of you and you could not breathe back in rhythm to get a fresh draw....it happened 100's of times a day.

    I don't notice it as frequently now, but I still catch myself sometimes...the damage has already been done - the issue for any of us, is are we affected by it or not.

    From what you are describing, I would say you are beginning to fit the profile for someone who may be suffering heart issues from that drug - thus, the shortness of breath and heavy, painful legs.

    If your legs and ankles were to get swollen, this would be a further indication, but would probably mean it would be at a later stage...perhaps, these are just the initial, early warning signs.

    I'd check with a cardio as a precaution...one of these days, I'm going to follow suit.

    Back pain? Yeah...hip pain too....too much radiation to my hips and up my tailpipe, including going up the small of the back. Most days it is hard to bend over to tie your shoes. Picking something up off the floor can be agonizing. Just can't bend without pain.

    Lose balance? Sure. Last year with Folfiri, I fell several times with no warning. I could turn around and just fall into the wall and couln't stop it.

    Balance was horrendous and I felt like my wheels were just shot. Balance is better now since chemo ended, but if I turn the wrong way, I can still find myself 'leaning' to one side trying to catch myself.

    So, chemo and Avastin - you've answered your own question:)

    Good luck, mate!

    -Craig
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Hey Man...
    I've suffered hearing loss back about 8-years ago after I had done some 5fu chemo, radiation, and my original resect surgery. For a long time I was almost completely deaf in one ear - over time, I recovered though there is noticable tone difference.

    As for tired and shortness of breath...I want you to think Avastin.

    People tout it here as a wonder drug - and it does outline some benefits from its approach with regards to cutting off blood flow to viable, physical tumors.

    However, Avastin comes with a very dark side...what they don't tell you - and what you don't think to ask them is this...

    Avastin can cause congestive heart failure over prolonged period of use. The makers of Avastin do not give a timetable for when that might occur.

    I was on that drug for about 8-9 months...I had no breathing or heart issues prior to this. After discontinuing that drug with my onc's approval and supposed supervision, I began to develop issues with catching my breath in between heartbeats.

    It was pretty scary...like all the wind had been knocked out of you and you could not breathe back in rhythm to get a fresh draw....it happened 100's of times a day.

    I don't notice it as frequently now, but I still catch myself sometimes...the damage has already been done - the issue for any of us, is are we affected by it or not.

    From what you are describing, I would say you are beginning to fit the profile for someone who may be suffering heart issues from that drug - thus, the shortness of breath and heavy, painful legs.

    If your legs and ankles were to get swollen, this would be a further indication, but would probably mean it would be at a later stage...perhaps, these are just the initial, early warning signs.

    I'd check with a cardio as a precaution...one of these days, I'm going to follow suit.

    Back pain? Yeah...hip pain too....too much radiation to my hips and up my tailpipe, including going up the small of the back. Most days it is hard to bend over to tie your shoes. Picking something up off the floor can be agonizing. Just can't bend without pain.

    Lose balance? Sure. Last year with Folfiri, I fell several times with no warning. I could turn around and just fall into the wall and couln't stop it.

    Balance was horrendous and I felt like my wheels were just shot. Balance is better now since chemo ended, but if I turn the wrong way, I can still find myself 'leaning' to one side trying to catch myself.

    So, chemo and Avastin - you've answered your own question:)

    Good luck, mate!

    -Craig

    Steve & Dr.Graig!
    Thank you for ur wise coments, Craig will check about hart with my onc next Monday and will ask for an electro.
    Hugs to both!
  • luvinlife2
    luvinlife2 Member Posts: 172 Member
    pepebcn said:

    Steve & Dr.Graig!
    Thank you for ur wise coments, Craig will check about hart with my onc next Monday and will ask for an electro.
    Hugs to both!

    Hey Pepe :)
    I agree....I think it's the Avastin.

    I'm almost 4 years on it with no similar issues (touch wood).

    Get it checked!!! :)
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Balance
    The balance issue was a slight problem but it didn't happen often. Let your doctor know what you are experiencing because those sound like it could be a side affect of the drugs. Hoping you are feeling better soon. Enjoy the beach and relax.

    Kim
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    I did 12 rounds of FOLFOX
    I did 12 rounds of FOLFOX plus Avastin
    10 rounds of FOLFIRI plus Avasrin
    12 rounds of FOLFIRI plus Vectibix

    I think at one time or another I experienced all of those symptoms.

    Jeff
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402

    I did 12 rounds of FOLFOX
    I did 12 rounds of FOLFOX plus Avastin
    10 rounds of FOLFIRI plus Avasrin
    12 rounds of FOLFIRI plus Vectibix

    I think at one time or another I experienced all of those symptoms.

    Jeff

    Robert is receiving
    Avastin along with the study drug, and has had issues with shortness of breath, and dizziness...one night he lost his balance and fell, injuring his foot. Avastin can cause blood pressure problems, along with the heart risks.

    Robert has had these problems ever since he started chemo back in Feb 09, and the docs pooh phooed that it was the chemo causing these symptoms. The chemo wasn't responsible for his itching, and hoarse voice either...yeah, right, whatever.

    Talk to your docs

    Hope you get to feeling better!
    Angela
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    Could be many things
    Please talk to your doctor about all of these. I know everyone is quick to blame chemo or Avastin in particular, but you don't want to be overlooking another medical issue either - caused by cancer or not.

    It may be worth taking a break from Avastin to find out if that is causing the issues - but you need to have all other options checked out too.

    I hope this is all nothing serious.
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    pepe!
    dont make me come over to spain and drag you to your.onc! speak to them tomorrow!
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Sonia32 said:

    pepe!
    dont make me come over to spain and drag you to your.onc! speak to them tomorrow!

    LOL will do it after tomorrow but im sure it's chemo. I'm
    Feeling much better now that I'm off chemo!
  • joemetz
    joemetz Member Posts: 493
    how long
    pepe

    thanks for sharing and for your post.

    I've had 24 weeks of Folfox6 + Erbitux (Erbitux is Avastin's competitor)

    but by Mid September I am to begin Xeloda + Avastin as "maintenance chemo".

    my question is this...

    How long have you been on this combination of drugs?

    I have read that Xeloda is a pill form and my doc said i will take 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills in the evening. Is this the case for you?

    If yes, can you share what size of pills you are taking?

    also... is or has your cancer reduced since being on this combination? or are you on maintenance ?

    thanks for sharing

    hugs

    Joe
  • Connie43
    Connie43 Member Posts: 44
    Yes, tell your dr. NOW
    I had 1 treatment of Avastin and had serious bad side effects and can never have it again. I thought it was muscle pain from moving the couch and didn't call the dr. for 10 days. I'm glad it has been good for many, but it is a bad word in our house.
  • Connie43
    Connie43 Member Posts: 44
    Tell your dr. NOW
    I had 1 treatment of avastin and had serious bad side effects, but did not call the dr. for 10 days as I thought I had muscle pain from moving the couch. Avastin is now a bad word in our house, though it has helped many others.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    smile mate
    you will find away.

    you are as tough as nails.

    hugs,
    pete
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member

    smile mate
    you will find away.

    you are as tough as nails.

    hugs,
    pete

    Tank you for your comments my friends!
    Joe I'm having 2 pils in the morning and 2 in the night , it's 2000 mg a day .
    For the moment is working quite well ( dropping CEA every time ) ?
    Hugs friends!
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    pepebcn said:

    Tank you for your comments my friends!
    Joe I'm having 2 pils in the morning and 2 in the night , it's 2000 mg a day .
    For the moment is working quite well ( dropping CEA every time ) ?
    Hugs friends!

    hearing loss & balance
    hi pepe,
    is your hearing better? how about the balance? if not better please get it checked out with an ent doc. i had been having very slight hearing loss in my right ear before i was dx with cancer in dec 2010. i thought it was age related (i am now 64) but when it got worse when i did chemo i blamed chemo. i finally went to an ent for a hearing aid in dec 2011. (i completed folfox6 july 2011) he sent me for a brain mri which i thought was crazy but it turned out he was a very smart doc. i had a 3cm acoustic neuroma. this is on the 8th cranial nerve. it was compressing the brain stem & other parts of the brain & the docs said it would kill me in 3 years. when in surg they found a 2 1/2 cm tumor on my 7th crainal nerve which is the facial nerve. my docs, an ent & neuro surg, did a fantastic 11 1/2 hrs surg & today i have NO visable effects. my balance is now normal & to look at me you would never know. i am totally deaf in the rt ear because of surg but i do not need a cochlear implant as left side hearing is normal & i do real good. they are rare benign brain tumors so i doubt that is what is causing the balance & hearing problems for you. (chemo did not make the hearing worse it was the tumor) 1 in 300,000 people get it but hey that means someone has it. i had surg feb 8th 2012. so i thought i was medically clean but nooooo. got the news in june about the metastatic colon cancer. my onc wants at some time to have genetic tests to see if my dna/genes cause me to develop tumors. best of luck to & please let us know what happens. sorry this is so long. i do know we all are at risk of perm hearing loss due to chemo so i hope my good ear will not have any loss!
    hugs
    judy
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    k44454445 said:

    hearing loss & balance
    hi pepe,
    is your hearing better? how about the balance? if not better please get it checked out with an ent doc. i had been having very slight hearing loss in my right ear before i was dx with cancer in dec 2010. i thought it was age related (i am now 64) but when it got worse when i did chemo i blamed chemo. i finally went to an ent for a hearing aid in dec 2011. (i completed folfox6 july 2011) he sent me for a brain mri which i thought was crazy but it turned out he was a very smart doc. i had a 3cm acoustic neuroma. this is on the 8th cranial nerve. it was compressing the brain stem & other parts of the brain & the docs said it would kill me in 3 years. when in surg they found a 2 1/2 cm tumor on my 7th crainal nerve which is the facial nerve. my docs, an ent & neuro surg, did a fantastic 11 1/2 hrs surg & today i have NO visable effects. my balance is now normal & to look at me you would never know. i am totally deaf in the rt ear because of surg but i do not need a cochlear implant as left side hearing is normal & i do real good. they are rare benign brain tumors so i doubt that is what is causing the balance & hearing problems for you. (chemo did not make the hearing worse it was the tumor) 1 in 300,000 people get it but hey that means someone has it. i had surg feb 8th 2012. so i thought i was medically clean but nooooo. got the news in june about the metastatic colon cancer. my onc wants at some time to have genetic tests to see if my dna/genes cause me to develop tumors. best of luck to & please let us know what happens. sorry this is so long. i do know we all are at risk of perm hearing loss due to chemo so i hope my good ear will not have any loss!
    hugs
    judy

    Hi Judy just come from the once now, not worried about since
    l always been dealing with sinusitis problems ant both xeloda and avastin may aggravate the sinusitis.
    Despite that he will wait the results as i'm having a pet in a week!
    Thank you every body!
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    pepebcn said:

    Hi Judy just come from the once now, not worried about since
    l always been dealing with sinusitis problems ant both xeloda and avastin may aggravate the sinusitis.
    Despite that he will wait the results as i'm having a pet in a week!
    Thank you every body!

    good luck
    good luck on your pet scan. praying for a good report! hey i wish i was at the ocean today as here in indiana it was 96! spent alot of time in our pool but that is not the same!!!
    hang in there!
    hugs
    judy