Irinotecan & CEA

For s, don't follow directions, per my onc and papers I'm told to take two every two hours til it clears up.

there is a prescription that onc's also can give (the ones that had the prescription will chime in, I'm sure), that helps, don't hesitate to call your onc's office on Satruday for it, not worth a hospital stay instead.

Also BRAT diet helps, bananna's, rice, applesauce and toast.

hope he does better soon!

Winter Marie

herdizziness said:

Yikes

I just looked at my blog and I started Irinotecan on December 21st and Friday was my fourth dose, talk about a poor memory, glad I've got my blog to go back to and remind myself of what is really what!

 

I didn't know every three weeks was an option ......  great news on the CEA

herdizziness said:

Yikes

I just looked at my blog and I started Irinotecan on December 21st and Friday was my fourth dose, talk about a poor memory, glad I've got my blog to go back to and remind myself of what is really what!

 

Onc gave me choice of every three weeks on Irinotitecan, but said I had to do Erbritux every week.

Winter Marie

Chelsea71 said:

Hmmm
I don't remember hearing
Hmmm

I don't remember hearing anything about a three week option. Maybe it's a US thing.

I have irinotecan/avastin every 3 weeks because I am taking Xeloda (referred to as capecitabine in Canada) instead of the 5fu IV bolus and bottle.  The pill form is 14 days on 1 week off..thus the 3 weeks.  The dosages of irinotecan and avastin are adjusted accordingly.  In BC the 5fu bolus iv and pump are automatically given because it is much cheaper than the pill form unless medical issues interfere with that type of delivery.  The onc must file a request with BC Cancer and give the reason why the patient required the xeloda and I'm told by the staff that most requests are denied (so stupid IMO).  So, don't know about Ontario but my guess is probably you aren't offered a choice for the same reasons.

I personally, can't see how a disposable bottle, the tubing, chemo, saline, heparin, the iv bolus and everything else associated with the delivery of the 5fu to the patient can possibly be so much cheaper than the pills but that apparently is the excuse.  I think it's such a shame because the quality of my life increased big time once I was on xeloda.  Going for infusions every 3 weeks is so much better.

I should add that it seems that if a patient is on irinotecan only, some are on a 2 week sched and some a 3 week.  Guess it depends on the patient's medical situation.  I've met a few at chemo who do this.

luvinlife2 said:

Xeloda

Are you still on Xeloda as well Winter Marie?

I had been on Oxyplatinin/Xeloda/Avastin as of December but they quit working for me, so went to Irinotecan every two weeks and just had Erbritux added every week this past Friday, so just on Irinotecan and Erbritux right now.

Winter Marie