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Erbitux and Eye Sight

newbride
newbride CSN Member Posts: 142
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Anyone know if Erbitux can have any effect on the eyes? My husband was starting to get crustiness in his eyes and 2 weeks ago was given an rx for drops for "conjunctivitis" however it hasn't gotten better and his eyes are very dry now and stick together when he sleeps - almost has to pry them open when he wakes up. Also when he looks down his eyes are blurry. They brought in an optomistrist today who scheduled him for a CT scan for tomorrow and said that they think it might be the Erbitux and took him off it.

However, I am suspicious in that I have found nothing on line about Erbitux and eyesight and am almost afraid to ask the doctor if they think the tumor has been growing during the treatments and is now affecting his eyes.

Anyone got thoughts here?
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Comments

  • carolinagirl67
    carolinagirl67 CSN Member Posts: 153
    #2
    Eye
    Hey Newbride,

    I can't find out anything either. Maybe he is having an allergic reaction. I know you are worried but don't think the worst. Since your husbands cancer is rare maybe they just don't know.

    Keep the faith.
    Donna
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  • Bonj
    Bonj CSN Member Posts: 17
    #3
    Hi newbride,
    My husband has
    Hi newbride,

    My husband has been on Erb for 3 years on and off now and has had that conjunctivitis around his eyes. Erb also irritates his tongue, the roof of his mouth, as well as the typical rash that comes along with it.

    Given the nasty side affects that come with it, Erb proved to be the most effective portion of his cocktail and always worked to shrink his tumor.

    Jess
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  • newbride
    newbride CSN Member Posts: 142
    #4
    Bonj said:

    Hi newbride,
    My husband has
    Hi newbride,

    My husband has been on Erb for 3 years on and off now and has had that conjunctivitis around his eyes. Erb also irritates his tongue, the roof of his mouth, as well as the typical rash that comes along with it.

    Given the nasty side affects that come with it, Erb proved to be the most effective portion of his cocktail and always worked to shrink his tumor.

    Jess

    Jess
    Thanks for the info - it made me feel much better (not better that your husband had to endure that) but better knowing that what my husband is experiencing someone else has as well. Whew....I was really getting nervous that the tumor may have spread. I'm also glad to hear that the Erb working for your husband. Yeah the rash really sucks, I feel so bad for him. What type of cancer was your husband diagnosed with - just curious.
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  • Bonj
    Bonj CSN Member Posts: 17
    #5
    newbride said:

    Jess
    Thanks for the info - it made me feel much better (not better that your husband had to endure that) but better knowing that what my husband is experiencing someone else has as well. Whew....I was really getting nervous that the tumor may have spread. I'm also glad to hear that the Erb working for your husband. Yeah the rash really sucks, I feel so bad for him. What type of cancer was your husband diagnosed with - just curious.

    Newbride
    My husband has a tumor in his nasal pharynx (in his sinuses) that moved to his lymphnodes. Trust me when I say the Erb works. Is your husband receiving it weekly? Another side effect to watch out for too is tingling or numbness in the finger tips and feet.
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  • newbride
    newbride CSN Member Posts: 142
    #6
    Bonj said:

    Newbride
    My husband has a tumor in his nasal pharynx (in his sinuses) that moved to his lymphnodes. Trust me when I say the Erb works. Is your husband receiving it weekly? Another side effect to watch out for too is tingling or numbness in the finger tips and feet.

    Jess
    I know I am reaching for straws here -- but do you know the actual "type" of cancer?? My husband's also first appeared in his sinus cavity -- then reappeared in his nasal cavity. Did your husband also have surgery? Sorry for all the questions -- just trying to find similarities (and more positive comments I can show my husband).
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  • Bonj
    Bonj CSN Member Posts: 17
    #7
    newbride said:

    Jess
    I know I am reaching for straws here -- but do you know the actual "type" of cancer?? My husband's also first appeared in his sinus cavity -- then reappeared in his nasal cavity. Did your husband also have surgery? Sorry for all the questions -- just trying to find similarities (and more positive comments I can show my husband).

    Newbride
    Officially he was diagnosed as stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal pharynx. He has had surgery to remove the lymphnodes on the right side of his neck, as well as chemo, radiation and cyberknife treatment.
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