Sutent 2 weeks on 1 week off

Nimie said:

RCC

Hi, I had radical nephrectomy and I am on Sutent after finding mets in lungs and liver.  My doctor has recommended 2/1 cycle.  I am going to start on my second session this week.  I had some side effects.  I have been asked to come back after 3 months for a check up.  I live in India and the medical process is not the same as in US. Is the 3 month period normal to wait for the next check up? Reading the posts it seems the case with some of you.  Do we have to wait for 3 months of Sutent treatment to do another CT scan to check on the growths? thank you for any information.

Nimie;

For me, scans have been on 3-month intervals.  Whether that's just my oncologist's usual approach or if there are some definite reasons for not going sooner, I don't know.  I am very comfortable with that, even when new mets show up.

I wish you well.

Dutch

highwaydave66 said:

question about how your suppose to feel during your 1 week off

Hi Im Dave I just joined today.Long story short on my situation.Back in early Nov i went to Med Express to check on if i had pnemonia, cause at the time  i was dealing with a cold and i was having shortness of breath. They ended up finding a mass on my kidney, sent me to hospital to get a CT scan.   They confrmed the mass on my kidneys and saw polups in my lungs, A few days later i have stage 4 Renal  cancer. My question is about this Sutent tat i am on. im one day away from starting my new cycleof pills but this past week has been hell.Breathing has been terrible, i walk 10 feet i lose my breath, my feet are swollen, big time sleep deprived vause when i lay down  i cant get comfortable or i lose my breath laying dow. This new cycyle starting tomorrow will be my 3rd  so ive gone thru theweel pff plan 3 times.. Isthis something i just gotta accept , that the week off from pills is  gonna be a walk thru hell for a solid week, cause right now im hating this bigtime Thank You

While I don't have experience with Sutent, have you talked to your doctor about what you're dealing with? If the side effects are becoming hell, there are things that can be done - such as reducing the dosage or modifying the schedule. But don't do these things without discussing with your doctor first. 

Welcome to the board. Sorry you had to join us, but this is a great group. A tip - consider filling out your About Me page with your details.

Also, if you haven't already, consider joining the SmartPatients board - many Sutent users there who could share their firsthand experience. 

I just finished up my second round of Sutent...I'm on a 4 week on two week off schedule.  The side effects have been tolerable for me.  There is the lack of taste that starts in week 2 and continues through my first week off.  By the end of the first week off, I feel pretty good.  Just have to start again though.  The second week off and the first week back on have been the easist for me.  My first round, I caught a bad cold which wrecked me.  The second round, I got a bad virus which landed me in the hospital for a bag and a half of fluids.  Have to be careful with my hands and feet.  Have another set of scans on Monday 3/4 so we'll see if these first two rounds were effective...if so, I'll start my third round on the 6th.  Good luck all.