HD IL2 Treatmeant Question

Letac13
Letac13 Member Posts: 2
in Kidney Cancer #1

Can anyone tell me if waiting two weeks between HD IL2 treatments will have any negative effects on the treatment outcome?

Everything I have read seems to state waiting only one week between every 5 days of treatment.

 

Thanks

Comments

  • NanaLou
    NanaLou Member Posts: 71
    #2
    Should be just fine.

    Mine were scheduled two weeks apart. Which made it about a week and a half between treatments. You will need the break between. My out come so far has been great.  I went trough three rounds. The first in Sep-Oct 2012. Again in Jan 2013 and the final round in Apr-May of 2013.  My scans are stable I have a small spot in my lung and one where my Kidney used to be. They have not changed since scans in April of 2013. I go back in October for more scans. I have had no treatments of any kind since May 2013.

  • Ed Brabant
    Ed Brabant Member Posts: 61
    #3
    HD IL2

    I had to wait on creatin level. aka kidney function. Took me 5 weeks.

  • BDS
    BDS Member Posts: 172
    #4
    Time Between infusions

     

    My Doctor wanted to only give me a one week between infusions but my ankles and feet were still too swollen. My toes looked like sausages, so I had to wait two weeks between infusions. - BDS

     

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #5
    Why a negative effect?

    Il-2 can be almost inhuman in it's side effects. I wonder if I could have survived without a weeks break. That being said, if the Il-2 is going to work, it works for a long time. I have had only zometa infusions since last years Il-2 treatments. It seems to still be working for me. I was in the nivolumab trial for 18 months until new tumors appeared. I had the Il-2 in july and october 2013. Curently only 2 slightly enlarged nodes. Far cry from the 20+ tumors I had.

  • thaxter
    thaxter Member Posts: 124
    #6
    Probably depends on your

    Probably depends on your reaction to the first week.  I had one week Feb 28, home a week, and then another week Mar 10.  Only got 6 of 12 doses week 1 and 3 of 12 week 2 because of high creatinine.   No treatments between 3/15 and 7/28 but scans showed stability or a little growth in my lung mets.  I did another week 7/28 (only 4 doses and creatinine of 5 to 6) and will get a scan on 9/3.  I may or may not do another week but the doc said he would allow at least four weeks so I might tolerate it better.  IL-2 can work for a long time according to my doc so he has no problem doing longer waits.

  • Letac13
    Letac13 Member Posts: 2
    #7

    Second day home after first round of HD IL2 treament. Feeling unwell as expected but was'nt prepared for skin itching. Can anyone advise on remedies for this and also dry mouth?

    How long does water retention take to disperse?

    THANKS

  • BDS
    BDS Member Posts: 172
    #8
    Letac13 said:

    Second day home after first round of HD IL2 treament. Feeling unwell as expected but was'nt prepared for skin itching. Can anyone advise on remedies for this and also dry mouth?

    How long does water retention take to disperse?

    THANKS

    IL-2 Question

    It took about a week and a half after all the retained fluid left my body. The doctors advised me to walk as much as possible and keep my feet elevated. Hope that helps - BDS

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #9
    BDS said:

    IL-2 Question

    It took about a week and a half after all the retained fluid left my body. The doctors advised me to walk as much as possible and keep my feet elevated. Hope that helps - BDS

    I was

    put on a diuretic for a week or so to get rid of the fluid. If you think you are itchey now, just wait till your stretched skin (from all the fluid) is gone and the skin retracts. Then the itching really starts. Many others bathe in body lotion every day. It is very helpful. It was the peeling that I found to be worse. But here is the good news......My last Il-2 treatment will have been a YEAR ago in october. So far, so good! Just hang in there. I'm supposed to be a tough biker type guy but the treatments were very difficult fo me. Go back to last july '13 when I began documenting my sessions in this forum. Honestly, I would go back for another series if recommended. It is a trip you won't soon forget.

  • thaxter
    thaxter Member Posts: 124
    #10
    Both times I got out of IL-2

    Both times I got out of IL-2 they prescribed three Lasix pills which took care of the water weight in a couple of days.  Didn't gain as much weight this last time (got out 8/4) but the second night home I lost 11 lbs overnight.  With only four doses and no second week of IL-2 this time I thought maybe the itching and peeling were not going to happen but they did show up--not as bad as last Spring, but my hands are peeling and my skin is dry all over with minor itching.  Last time it took three refills of an Atarax prescription just to be able to stop the itching at night.  This time I filled the scrip, but haven't taken any yet.

  • NanaLou
    NanaLou Member Posts: 71
    #11
    thaxter said:

    Both times I got out of IL-2

    Both times I got out of IL-2 they prescribed three Lasix pills which took care of the water weight in a couple of days.  Didn't gain as much weight this last time (got out 8/4) but the second night home I lost 11 lbs overnight.  With only four doses and no second week of IL-2 this time I thought maybe the itching and peeling were not going to happen but they did show up--not as bad as last Spring, but my hands are peeling and my skin is dry all over with minor itching.  Last time it took three refills of an Atarax prescription just to be able to stop the itching at night.  This time I filled the scrip, but haven't taken any yet.

    Lots and Lots of Lotion

    I used alot of lotion. They had given me some in the hospital. It worked but burned a little. I used udder cream most of the time. You can use Benedryl if you need to get some rest. I know I had a hard time sleeping. My husband woke me up one night. I was clawing my neck and chest to death in my sleep. It is a good sign through. Your immune system has awakened!!

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