Treanda side effects

Rocquie

BB_guy_2014 said:

Treanda (Rituxan) side effects

Hi All,

I hope you're all doing well.

I was started on the new chemo regimen last Tuesday – Treanda with Rituxan. I got through the first all-day session ok, but a little while after completion, I had an adverse reaction - the chills. This was unusual in that it started afterwards, and lasted a whole hour.

My oncologist was alarmed, and concluded that my chemical port must have harbored a lingering infection. He contacted my surgeon, and I was wheeled to the nearby surgeon's office (that was very convenient) who removed the port & catheter in his office within the hour. Then on their direction I was driven by my wife to the local hospital and admitted to ER. I was given antibiotics, 2 chest x-rays, and blood & platelet tranfusions. I was released on Friday afternoon.

It's anticipated that I will resume the treatments next week.

The Treanda was administered first, so it might point to my chills resulting from the Rituxan - which is what you've been telling me.

Alan

Chills

Alan,

As I understand it, chills are a common side effect of Rituxan--during the infusion. Usually, the infusion will be stopped and the chills resolve. Medicines may be given and the infusion restarted at a slower rate. Chills which occur later are more indicative of bacterial infection, as you have learned. It sounds like you have a very good doctor who correctly diagnosed the problem.

I also had an infection in my port and had to have it removed. Two weeks later, I got another one and haven't had any problems with it. And that was two years ago. 

I feel very cold during my Rituxan infusions, but not the shaking chills I've seen some people get. I just dress very warmly and I even take my fleece-lined house shoes for my feet. Also I get at least 2 of the warm blankets provided. 

I hope your next infusion goes smoothly. Let us know?

Hugs,

Rocquie

 

Unknown

BB_guy_2014 said:

Treanda side effects

Hi Becky,

Thanks also for your rapid response. I was started in the RCHOP regimen, so got the other 4 drugs (Cyclophosphamide / Hydoxydaunorubicin (doxorubicin) / Oncovin (vincristine) / Prednisone) after the Rituxan. I had no problems with Cyclophosphamide / Hydoxydaunorubicin / Oncovin, but 4 days of Prednisone (oral) is a challenge. It chases away sleep at night for me, and leaves me feeling antsy (like 10 cups of coffee) for the four days while taking it.

Thanks for the notice about Dr. Kahl's presentation - I'll be sure & check out the site.

I look forward (well, somewhat) to the Treanda/Rituxan regimen, as I have frequent skin flashes - only once did I have the "night sweats," and that wasn't at night. But sporadically various parts of my body (arms, legs, head & neck) turn pink like a sunburn and get hot & prickly. This lasts 15-20 minutes. During this time my blood temp does not go feverish (my oncologist would have me report to the ER with a fever of 100.5 or above).

Also, I've added 2-3 extra meals per day, but don't seem to be able to regain the weight I lost initially. Since even when not experiencing the skin flashes my skin often feels warmer than normal, I'm sure that I'm burning off all the extra calories that I'm consuming. The enlarged spleen llimits how much I can eat. So I'm constantly feeling weak.

Note that in March-April before all this, I was running and doing many physical activities. I considered myself a lifelong athelete.

 

Another thing - when first diagnosed with MCL, my wife & I checked into the Gerson Clinic for 2 weeks, focusing on nutrition: alternative medicine. After a few days of blood work the Drs. there asked for my approval to bring in a consultant who had experience with several past MCL patients. After a week with some natural treatments he recommended my returning home for chemo. But we did gain a leg up on nutrition. We're still juicing.

However, I beefed up my supplements with daily megadoses of anti-oxidants (C, D3, etc). This might represent a problem as I recently received a forwarded email originally from a homeopathic Dr. who suggested thatt such might interfere with the chemo. So I've temporarily stopped the high doses of anti-oxidants in anticipation of the chemo starting tomorrow. The thought is that I need to let the chemo do it's deadly work without a buffer.

 

I hope I wasn't rambling on too much, and that this was useful. Perhaps it will be for the next person joining this forum. I'll add more as available.

Regards,

Alan

Vitamins

please be very cautious with vitamins, especially megadoses. There is strong evidence that in some cases supplements, especially pill or liquid synthetic ones, may actually aggravate or even cause some forms of cancer. Max - green tea is not an antioxidant. It is a beverage that contains antioxidant, primarily vitamin K, which can cause blood to clot. The synthetic form is called Beta Carotene. Green tea is very high in caffeine too. Antioxidants are in most fresh foods And that is the best source for them. It appears to be the concentrated and purified forms in supplements that cause problems. One antioxidant pill may contain several hundred times as much of a given antioxidant compound and probably from a synthetic source, as say an orange or a cup of tea. More is not necessarily better. Plus food supplements are unregulated and not inspected. Who knows what is really in them?

 

"these claims have not been investigated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or other medical condition". This statement, or something like it, always comes right after the outrageous product claims. Hmmmm. Wonder why?