lisa2012 Irinotacan Question

Nana b
Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hi Lisa, Im Rachel, I read that you are on Irinotacan and wondered how you are doing on that chemo?  I may be starting it soon as my Xeloda. Eribitux and OXY aren't working and CEA is now going up again.  I heard that it's a bit harsher then what I am going through on this chemo cocktail  What are the side affects, other then hair?  Right now with Xeloda my hands turn purple, on OXY it's my hands and feel neuropathy, and Erbitux, its the rash.  My hair has thinned out to about half. 

 

Thanks!

Comments

  • Luckygirl2
    Luckygirl2 Member Posts: 308
    #2
    I'll be starting as well

    I will be starting that next week, as well.  any insight would be great.  My CC returned to my lymph nodes, has my doctors shaking their heads.

    Debbie

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #3
    Hi Nana:

    I assume you want some honest answers.  When George was on this drug, he lost all his hair on his body.  The biggest problem he had was the diarrhea.  Geore had diarrhea pretty bad.  I tried all the diet stuff with mixed success.  I did consult with the dietician at the hospital and there was lots of stuff she said to keep out of his diet like:  no fresh fruits, no fresh vegetables, no tomato based stuff, no salads, potatoes were ok, but not frozen.  He was always hungry so after a while if he wanted something, I made it for him.  Like I said, mixed reviewed from me on the diet stuff.

    Take care - Tina

     

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    #4
    Not really an expert.

    Rachel, I am currently in chemo every Tuesday.  I have Erbitux every week and Irinotacan every other week.   I finished my ninth week this week.    Currently I have the rash, mostly on my forehead and nose but I have found that a clear zinc ointment keeps the rash in check pretty well.  My hair has actually grown back to my normal, it thinned terribly my first 30 rounds of chemo.

     

    As far as side effects, I experience from the irinotacan, I have fatigue, diarrhea (I have a colostomy), and nausea.  Truthfully, this treatment is a walk in the park compared to the FU5.  I think that I am lucky, because I have tolerated everything well.   I hVe a PET scan on Monday so by next Tuesday, I should get the results.   Good luck to you.

     

    Lisa

  • Dyanclark
    Dyanclark Member Posts: 296
    #5
    Irinotecan side affects

    My husband has been on it for about 6 months, and he was on it about a year ago for about 5 months.

    Hair does come out with this one.  Be sure & have Ativan for nausea.  My husband has to use Ativan for about a week after his drip.  He also gets elevated blood pressure first week.  He is able to live pretty normal with it, and he will probably always have to take it.  Fatigue is another side affect.  You may need to take a nap every day. He does drip every 4 weeks.

    Having said that,  it stops the cancer & he has normal CEA, if he stops Irinotecan CEA goes up.   Keeps him alive & stable.  I hope you do well on it.

    Hugs from

    George &  Diane

     

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #6
    geotina said:

    Hi Nana:

    I assume you want some honest answers.  When George was on this drug, he lost all his hair on his body.  The biggest problem he had was the diarrhea.  Geore had diarrhea pretty bad.  I tried all the diet stuff with mixed success.  I did consult with the dietician at the hospital and there was lots of stuff she said to keep out of his diet like:  no fresh fruits, no fresh vegetables, no tomato based stuff, no salads, potatoes were ok, but not frozen.  He was always hungry so after a while if he wanted something, I made it for him.  Like I said, mixed reviewed from me on the diet stuff.

    Take care - Tina

     

    I  know everyone  responds

    I  know everyone  responds differetnly, but the fruits and veggies are all I really eat, yikes!   Thanks

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #7
    Lisa2012 said:

    Not really an expert.

    Rachel, I am currently in chemo every Tuesday.  I have Erbitux every week and Irinotacan every other week.   I finished my ninth week this week.    Currently I have the rash, mostly on my forehead and nose but I have found that a clear zinc ointment keeps the rash in check pretty well.  My hair has actually grown back to my normal, it thinned terribly my first 30 rounds of chemo.

     

    As far as side effects, I experience from the irinotacan, I have fatigue, diarrhea (I have a colostomy), and nausea.  Truthfully, this treatment is a walk in the park compared to the FU5.  I think that I am lucky, because I have tolerated everything well.   I hVe a PET scan on Monday so by next Tuesday, I should get the results.   Good luck to you.

     

    Lisa

    Thank you.  I have the rash

    Thank you.  I have the rash too.  My hair has thinned out not in bunches, but I will probably cut my air short and then go from there.  Good luck on you PET.  I just had my scan yesterday.

     

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #8
    Dyanclark said:

    Irinotecan side affects

    My husband has been on it for about 6 months, and he was on it about a year ago for about 5 months.

    Hair does come out with this one.  Be sure & have Ativan for nausea.  My husband has to use Ativan for about a week after his drip.  He also gets elevated blood pressure first week.  He is able to live pretty normal with it, and he will probably always have to take it.  Fatigue is another side affect.  You may need to take a nap every day. He does drip every 4 weeks.

    Having said that,  it stops the cancer & he has normal CEA, if he stops Irinotecan CEA goes up.   Keeps him alive & stable.  I hope you do well on it.

    Hugs from

    George &  Diane

     

    Thank you, I like hearing the

    Thank you, I like hearing the normal.  As close as to normal as I can get would be nice. 

     

     

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #9
    I did 10 rounds back in

    I did 10 rounds back in 08/09. THen I did 12 rounds in 2012 plus Vectibix and am getting ready to start again. I didn't notice any hair loss back in 08/09 but experienced my hair thinning and breaking off in 2012. My biggest issues were nausea/vomitting and diahrrea. but it was random when the side effects would hit me bad.

  • refusetolose
    refusetolose Member Posts: 10
    #10
    Atropine

    Mike gets Avastin, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, Irinotican, and 5FU pump for 48 hours. He tolerates everything very well. The Irinotican is the only thing that gives him a problem. He starts sweating and his tongue gets thick and he starts talking funny. They give him a shot of Atropine before they start his drip and it seems to really help. He does get a rash, but that usually fades after being unhooked from the pump. He says it just makes him feel very weird. He cannot really explain the feeling. But the shot of Atropine before the drip really helps.

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #11
    refusetolose said:

    Atropine

    Mike gets Avastin, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, Irinotican, and 5FU pump for 48 hours. He tolerates everything very well. The Irinotican is the only thing that gives him a problem. He starts sweating and his tongue gets thick and he starts talking funny. They give him a shot of Atropine before they start his drip and it seems to really help. He does get a rash, but that usually fades after being unhooked from the pump. He says it just makes him feel very weird. He cannot really explain the feeling. But the shot of Atropine before the drip really helps.

    Thanks!

    Thanks!

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