CEA steadily rising, new chemo Irinotecan

smokeyjoe said:

Winter,  are you getting

Winter,  are you getting Folfiri with avastin ..... or irinotican with avastin?   Are they leaving the 5FU out of the mix.   I did folfiri and tolerated it quite well,  had fatigue mostly as the side effect.     Make sure you have loperamide on hand just in case you need it.   I've heard you can get early onset of diarrhea   or  a late onset after a few days it hits....as we all know everyone is different  and you'll just have to see how your tummy responds.    Hope you have minimal side effects and tolerate it well.   I'll be back on it in Jan. as far as I know......I got a calendar with my appt.s from onc. and I have a treatment scheduled on it.

I just read your story, and

I just read your story, and you are an inspiration. I am sure you're going to kick cancer's **** again!!!

 

Judy

herdizziness said:

Thank you all

For your words of encouragement.   

So far I had diarhea right after getting home, then it went away within an hour.  This is day 4 and am as of last night the second bout of diarhea, but not bad at all.  I feel no different, not tired or anything.  Hopefully this will keep up and I will do well on this new chemo.

Presently I am just on Irinotecan for the time being, I'm worried about hair loss, but if it goes, it goes, as long as I stay!!  LOL.

Winter Marie

sorry winter hope everything

sorry winter hope everything will be back too normal real soon

Hi Winter Marie,
I just

Hi Winter Marie,

I just wanted to say that you're in my thoughts, and I'm hoping for good results with the new chemo.

Hugs (()),

Cynthia

geotina said:

Marie:

George was on this drug (no 5FU) for more much more than a year.   It worked very well for him.  His CEA went down, down, down.  He did get horrible diarrhea so heads up on that one.  Put a towel under the sheet on your side of the bed just in case it comes on suddenly at night.  Craig had told me that this drug was very hard on the kidneys and in the end George had  renal failure so heads up on that one.  If you notice your urine output drops even though you try and stay hydrated,  mention it to your docs.  I wish George had known this sooner.  He also experienced complete hair loss, legs, head, eyebrows, all of it and it came out as soon as he started this drug.   I don't wish to scare you but you are one tough lady and I feel you would want to know what may or may not happen.  This is also the drug that Cliff (Buzz) started and then quit after one or two treatments, he just could not do it.  Most people handle this drug quite well but George would say Folfox was a walk in the park compared to this one.   He didn't have nausea.  He was able to work while taking this drug but would experience fatigue.   If you want to know anything else, send me a pm.

Love and Hugs - Tina

Wishing he best for you
Hoping you are feeling ok and this treatment helps you.
I will be dealing with radiation next and possibly chemo for the liver after brain treatment. Of all the surguries it was a walk in the park.
I'be been an emotional mess all week. Trying to accept what's to come and the fact not another surgery (have had 4) this year.
Anyways, this is about you and you are in my prayers and I know a strong fighter.
Keep us posted! We need you!
Barb

me too!

I've aso had some deterioration and moving to a new chemo -- irinotecan plus Avastin plus Xeloda. I've actually been on all 3 before. But I'm on a higher dose of Irinotecan this time. Had a bit of a rough time with my first cycle (diarrhea, vomiting - lost 5 lbs!) but my onc is going to up my antiemetics and is giving me an appetite stimulant. I'm optimistic. I'll prob loose my hair (again) but I don't care. 

Tara