My Doxil (Caelyx) Results

JulieL
JulieL Member Posts: 141
in Peritoneal Cancer #1
Hi All

I saw my Oncologist yesterday having completed 3 rounds of this chemo. I was to have had Round 4 today but as my CA125 jumped up from 322 to 425 over this last month it is now off for me. I am quietly relieved as side effects were so awful! Burning hands and feet which blistered terribly and required me to visit my general practitioner every 2-3 days to have them dressed, chemical burns to my skin on various parts of my body - I have not been able to wear garments with sleeves or arm holes for the last month, could only wear a kaftan and no bra. Burning was terribly painful requiring painkillers.

Next Tuesday I start on Gemzar. Hoping this will be the chemo for me and get on top of this wretched disease! Does has anyone have experience of this chemo please?

I have just had my first anniversary of diagnosis and have been on chemo constantly apart from a brief 2 months at the end of carbo/taxol and going onto Doxil.

I wish you all as merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2013.

Love, Julie

Comments

  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #2
    GEMZAR
    Hi Julie: I am so sorry you are going through this. I had some neuropathy on my hands and feet but nothing like what you are experiencing. I'd want off of it too! If I'm correct, GEMZAR is same as gemcitibine + cisplatin? I had 12 treatments of that at the beginning of my chemo after being diagnosed with gallbladder cancer with mets to the peritoneum and liver. I had absolutely no problems with it except some constipation. I could even drive myself to and from treatment. I didn't do much for my liver met but did seem to keep the peritoneum mets in line - didn't shrink them but kept them stable. Keep us posted. I wish you luck!
    Cheryl
  • dorothymarion
    dorothymarion Member Posts: 28
    #3
    Dear Julie
    I too am sorry to hear about your bad experience on Doxil. I received 6 rounds of this particular chemotherapy, and apart from some severe skin discoloration on my feet and ankles I did not suffer from the blistering of the hands and feet which my doctors had warned me could happen. Unfortunately for me, the Doxil did not produce the results we had hoped for and so I am now on Topotecan. Blood work is scheduled for the first week of the New Year, so I'm hoping that my CA125 levels will be going down.

    You also asked about Gemzar. This was another chemotherapy that my doctors put me on earlier this year. Again, it didn't have the desired results, and it also pushed my red and white blood counts down to very low levels, so I felt exhausted for most of the time. However, please remember Julie, that all of us experience different side effects and results. What works for one patient may not work for another.

    My current chemo is the fifth different therapy I've been on, so I'm really hoping that things will look up for me soon.

    I'd also like to take this opportunity of wishing everyone a very happy Christmas, and here's to a healthy 2013!

    Love, Dorothy

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