Any experience w/carbo/avastin/alimta

jkrook
jkrook Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
My dad started chemo on Tues. consisting of carboplatin/avastin + alimta (he is 56 years old). He is so, so sick. He won't eat anything b/c it just comes back up. He is experiencing severe headaches as well. He is staying hydrated w/ginger ale. He has been so positive throughout this whole ordeal but I am now seeing his spirits diminishing. Which I certainly can't blame him.

If anyone has any experience w/these drugs any adice would be great. Thanks so much!

Comments

  • ARobben
    ARobben Member Posts: 46
    #2
    I just finished my first
    I just finished my first wave of chemo (six rounds) on the very similar combination of Cisplatin/Alimta/Avastin. Now, I got fatigued and had some problem keeping some food down, but probably due to the fact that I am young (26), this did not seem to hit me as hard as most people. It is important to keep your spirits up!

    I suggest trying smoothies and things like that which tend to be easier on the stomach. You can get a lot of good nutrients in a smoothie, whether you buy one or make your own at home with a blender. Whenever I am having trouble with food, I always go for a smoothie.

    Also, is he on any sort of anti-nausea medications? I took a drug called Emend, which I only discovered after the second round of chemo and it helped immensely. In addition, I was on a regimen of Zofran and Decadron, which I took twice a day for five days after each round. In addition, I had Compazine for any additional bouts of nausea I felt. These seemed to work pretty well for me. If you have trouble obtaining these medications (Emend and Zofran are expensive!), you can look into patient assistance programs provided by the company. That's what I did and I can look up the information, if you like.

    Best of luck, and hope this helps!
  • Sistersue2
    Sistersue2 Member Posts: 3
    #3
    First round of carbo/alimta plus avastin
    I am 55 and am on the same regimen. Did they give your dad the anti-nausea infusion before the chemo? They give me dexamethazone via IV first to help with nausea. After my first round, I had a very bad time with being wakeful all night, and headache. After that, my nurse (who is also my neighbor and friend of 25 years) advised me to take Ativan at bedtime the first night. I did that the second time, and it made a world of difference. Try to impress upon your dad to take the anti-nausea meds (I have a prescription for Compazine) the minute he starts feeling queasy and lie down for at least 1/2 hour.

    All the best to you and your dad.
  • jkrook
    jkrook Member Posts: 8
    #4
    ARobben said:

    I just finished my first
    I just finished my first wave of chemo (six rounds) on the very similar combination of Cisplatin/Alimta/Avastin. Now, I got fatigued and had some problem keeping some food down, but probably due to the fact that I am young (26), this did not seem to hit me as hard as most people. It is important to keep your spirits up!

    I suggest trying smoothies and things like that which tend to be easier on the stomach. You can get a lot of good nutrients in a smoothie, whether you buy one or make your own at home with a blender. Whenever I am having trouble with food, I always go for a smoothie.

    Also, is he on any sort of anti-nausea medications? I took a drug called Emend, which I only discovered after the second round of chemo and it helped immensely. In addition, I was on a regimen of Zofran and Decadron, which I took twice a day for five days after each round. In addition, I had Compazine for any additional bouts of nausea I felt. These seemed to work pretty well for me. If you have trouble obtaining these medications (Emend and Zofran are expensive!), you can look into patient assistance programs provided by the company. That's what I did and I can look up the information, if you like.

    Best of luck, and hope this helps!

    Thanks!
    I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this at such a young age. I am 30 and I certainly can't imagine what you are going through.

    Thanks so much for the advice I am def. going to pass this along to my dad. He started feeling better yesterday (about 10 days after his treatment). He will be going for his treatment every 3 weeks. He is on some anti-nausea meds (not sure of the names) but they didn't seem to be helping.

    Hopefully he can talk to his Dr. about these meds. you suggested before his next chemo appt.

    Thanks so much for responding to my post. Stay strong! Stay positive! Best of luck to you!
  • jkrook
    jkrook Member Posts: 8
    #5
    Sistersue2 said:

    First round of carbo/alimta plus avastin
    I am 55 and am on the same regimen. Did they give your dad the anti-nausea infusion before the chemo? They give me dexamethazone via IV first to help with nausea. After my first round, I had a very bad time with being wakeful all night, and headache. After that, my nurse (who is also my neighbor and friend of 25 years) advised me to take Ativan at bedtime the first night. I did that the second time, and it made a world of difference. Try to impress upon your dad to take the anti-nausea meds (I have a prescription for Compazine) the minute he starts feeling queasy and lie down for at least 1/2 hour.

    All the best to you and your dad.

    Thanks!
    Thanks so much for the advice. I am going to pass this info along to my dad.

    You are the same age as my dad! Stay strong! Stay positive! All the best to you!
  • Sistersue2
    Sistersue2 Member Posts: 3
    #6
    jkrook said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks so much for the advice. I am going to pass this info along to my dad.

    You are the same age as my dad! Stay strong! Stay positive! All the best to you!

    Me again
    I had my third round yesterday, and I realized I missed one ingredient in the prep. There is also an anti-nausea called Aloxi along with the Dexamethazone, which is a steroid.

    Tell your dad to hang in there. I had a chest xray this week before my treatment, and my doctor reviewed it with me, I hauled my IV back to one of the exam rooms to meet with him. It was fabulous news! The xrays showed a lot of progress, there is a huge difference between the xray on Feb. 10 and now. I am also feeling a lot of relief from the shrinkage, so even before the xray I knew it was working, but the xray was proof. Like I mentioned, I had only had 2 treatments at that point, so after 4 or 6, whichever they decide, I am very hopeful for even better results.

    Remind him to drink lots of water/liquids (I like grape juice), and don't let the fatigue get to him. I find I feel much better if I meet the fatigue head-on, I don't lay around a lot. If I get really bushed, then I will lie down for 20-30 minutes, but that's it.

    Miracles do happen.
  • ARobben
    ARobben Member Posts: 46
    #7
    Sistersue2 said:

    Me again
    I had my third round yesterday, and I realized I missed one ingredient in the prep. There is also an anti-nausea called Aloxi along with the Dexamethazone, which is a steroid.

    Tell your dad to hang in there. I had a chest xray this week before my treatment, and my doctor reviewed it with me, I hauled my IV back to one of the exam rooms to meet with him. It was fabulous news! The xrays showed a lot of progress, there is a huge difference between the xray on Feb. 10 and now. I am also feeling a lot of relief from the shrinkage, so even before the xray I knew it was working, but the xray was proof. Like I mentioned, I had only had 2 treatments at that point, so after 4 or 6, whichever they decide, I am very hopeful for even better results.

    Remind him to drink lots of water/liquids (I like grape juice), and don't let the fatigue get to him. I find I feel much better if I meet the fatigue head-on, I don't lay around a lot. If I get really bushed, then I will lie down for 20-30 minutes, but that's it.

    Miracles do happen.

    Great to hear
    Great to hear the new, Sistersue2! Glad things are looking much better for you! Best of luck with your continued progress!
  • jkrook
    jkrook Member Posts: 8
    #8
    Sistersue2 said:

    Me again
    I had my third round yesterday, and I realized I missed one ingredient in the prep. There is also an anti-nausea called Aloxi along with the Dexamethazone, which is a steroid.

    Tell your dad to hang in there. I had a chest xray this week before my treatment, and my doctor reviewed it with me, I hauled my IV back to one of the exam rooms to meet with him. It was fabulous news! The xrays showed a lot of progress, there is a huge difference between the xray on Feb. 10 and now. I am also feeling a lot of relief from the shrinkage, so even before the xray I knew it was working, but the xray was proof. Like I mentioned, I had only had 2 treatments at that point, so after 4 or 6, whichever they decide, I am very hopeful for even better results.

    Remind him to drink lots of water/liquids (I like grape juice), and don't let the fatigue get to him. I find I feel much better if I meet the fatigue head-on, I don't lay around a lot. If I get really bushed, then I will lie down for 20-30 minutes, but that's it.

    Miracles do happen.

    Awesome news!!
    Awesome news sistersue2!!! What a great relief!! I hope this treatment continues to go well for you! Also thanks for the info about anti-nausea meds I'll be sure to pass this along.

    I agree with you~ miracles DO happen!

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