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1st day after CPT-11 + Erbitux

rthornton
rthornton CSN Member Posts: 346 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I just started my new treatment yesterday. CPT-11 + Erbutix. It wasn't so bad, but today I feel worse than yesterday. Frequent hiccups, gas, diarrhea (mildly burning sensation), profound lack of appetitie and a slight nauseous feel, lots of fatigue, but no rash that people had warned me about. I have heard that the rash indicate the drug is working. Does lack of rash mean it's ineffective? Or (even better) there is no more cancer to eradicate? Any words of advice will be apperciated.

Many thank yous and best wishes to everyone,
Rodney
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Comments

  • deneenb
    deneenb CSN Member Posts: 130 Member
    #2
    Hi Rodney,
    My dad is getting the same treatment. It took about 3-4 weeks before he started developing the rash. He definitely has it now. On his arms and back primarily and some on his face. He had a tremendous amount of diarhhea and nausea with his 1st treatment and determined it was because he did not eat the way the Dr. suggested. He was to stay away from fried, greasy, spicy food and he didn't. With all treatments after that he strictly ate bland food for a couple days before treatment and a couple days following treatment. He hasn't had a problem since then.

    Best Wishes,
    Deneen
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  • joanneire
    joanneire CSN Member Posts: 75 Member
    #3
    Hi Rodney
    My boyfriend developed a rash about 5 days after starting treatment. It was very severe initially but calmed down following antibiotics. He was initially getting Erbitux every week and CPT 11 every second week. His last scans were clear and he's now getting Erbitux every two weeks and taking Xeloda tablets (tablet form of 5FU). He's in great form and apart from occassional tiredness and a slight rash he's perfect! Hopefully he'll have another clear scan in January. Good luck with your treatment. Joanne
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  • optimist
    optimist CSN Member Posts: 51
    #4
    I take erbitux every week and CPT-11 every other week for the past 6 weeks. My rash developed on week two and has been calming down every week. I feel slightly nauseous and very tired on the CPT-11 and Erbitux weeks. I feel much better on the Erbitux only weeks.

    My CEA went from 22 to 11 in three weeks of therapy. I'll be taking a new CEA soon, I hope it continues to go down.

    Good luck with this therapy. As far as this therapy goes, the side effects are not that bad.
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