Carboplatin?

Yup
carbo is easier than cis on kidney and nerve problems. But they can still occur. I had three cycles of carbo/taxotere combined with erbitux. I had no significant problems. Blood counts stayed normal. No neuropathy, renal or other problems of significance. Queasy stomach and low apetite were a problem with each treatment for me, getting worse somewhat with each course. Oh, and my hair fell out. Just starting to see stubble on my head now over 2 months later.

Others have posted about neuropathy on this board. We'll see what they have to say.

Best.

pat

Skiffin16 said:

Cisplatin/Carboplatin...
Hi Marty, I had both actually....no significant problems.

I had the nine weeks (three week cycles) of Cisplation, Taxotere and 5FU. Then similar to you and additonal seven weeks of weekly Carboplatin and 35 daily rads sessions.

The Carboplatin didn't give me any complications and was very tolerable actually concerning any nausea, etc....

It's supposed to aid the effectiveness of the radiation (or vice versa)....

You should be good to go, with minimal side effects (from the chemo anyways..), radiation will more than likely put a hurting on you for awhile.

For me, I only loss hair and such with the Cisplatin, nothing from the Carboplatin. I'd also lose taste during the initial nine weeks of chemo, but it would come back inbetween.

With the Carboplatiin, I lost taste and saliva, but that was mainly from the rads. It took close to two plus years to get all of the taste and nearly all of the saliva back.

Best,
John

wow, dude
your hair didn't fall out on carboplatin? Can I have some of it?

Marty36 said:

Thanks, that's helpful.
I
Thanks, that's helpful.

I actually did OK with the cisplatin (minor ringing in the ears and a persistent queasiness for about a week) but they were the roughest weeks (only did two rounds during the 9 weeks of rads. My onc said that is now becoming the standard instead of three). My onc said the Carboplatin was easier for most people. THe fact it only take 1.5 hours instead of that 8 hour marathon for Cisplatin has to mean something.

Time...
Marty - You're right...on the time difference. Like you, the bigger doses during the nine weeks took anywhere from 6 - 8+ hours with all of the additional solutions and only one chemo at a time.

The Carboplatin usually only took an hour or so. The day I had chemo, I'd also go down and do the rads after.

Well, I'd get the Amifostine injection in the tummy first, then rads. Amifostine injection and rads every day for seven weeks....uggg.

Pat - about the only side effect I did have during the Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU was I lost my hair (all hair) around week 3 - 4, then it starting growing back within a few weeks.

When I started the Carboplatin, the hair was already back, though really fine an just like first hair...LOL, it was kind of humorous.

Well, thinking back, I did also lose all of my toe nails (a little weird) my finger nails became really brittle also.

I also initially had hiccups frequently, and my potassium dropped, had to have extra for 10 days once.

JG

My experience
I've had Carbo. First for 6 weeks each week and now every 3 weeks. I take anti-nausea meds right after delivery. I was fine after the first 3 days during the 6 week period. Now I have lots of nausea. I think it's from other drugs besides carbo. Still have my hair (Probably not for too much longer). I was able to take short walks during the first 6 week cycle. Hope your side effects are light!

Marty36 said:

First round down
So far, pretty good. Can't believe how short the infusion appointment was, compared to Cisplatin. I hadn't even finished reading my New York TImes when I was done. Minor nausea, but nothing bad at all. Took a Zofran this morning, but otherwise fine. It was depressing being back in the infusion center, but beyond that it was okay and now I'm ready for the rest.

so far, so good
I got emend the day of carbo infusion, then zophran tid for three days. I always felt fine, good apetite and everything, during those three. It was day four I had problems. Just queasy, no apetite or energy. No vomiting. Glad you're doing ok. BTW, I'm just now sprouting hair. It's been 10 weeks since my last Carbo. Happy about this, my head has been cold!

Skiffin16 said:

EMEND
Great stuff for sure...like you Marty, I had Zofran for the Carboplatin (when needed)....

The big three Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU, like Pat, I had the EMEND for the first three days.

Same on the time frame, I ha Carboplatin concurrent with daily rads. The seven weekly doses of Carboplatin, I'd go in about 90 minutes or so before the rads session. I'd get the Carboplatin, the Amifostine Injection and then to rads for another 15 - 20minutes.

JG

Carboplatin, Taxal and Erbitux
I have had Cisplatin, Taxotere & 5FU during my first round of Squamus.
I was diagnosed with Head & Neck (Base of tongue). We did 5 rounds for Chemo
with 35 Rounds of radiation to the base of my tongue.
Good result, however there was a very small spot on my Left Lung upper lobe
that showed up on the PET Scan. This spot did not respond to the Chemo so my
doctors decided to watch it.
Well 2 years later that spot turned into two spots and a mass in the bottom of my
left lung. To say the least - NEW DOCTOR!!!!
We treated with Carboplatin, Taxal and Erbitux. Great stuff!! Very minimal side effects
if any. I worked two jobs during treatment with no real problems.
Erbitux does present minor issues with Achne but very manageable. The biggest issue
I have is with very dry skin on my hands and feet. Cracking around my fingers which
can be very painful.

We have just completed our 3rd successful treatment series for Squamus Cell Carcenoma
in the last 4 years. So we are 3 for 3 and still kicking.
Carbo is great stuff, but good relationship with your doctor and faith are even more
Important!
Possitive attitude can be your best medicine!!!!!