Erbitux and side effects

Mary5777
Mary5777 Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I just started on my new protocol. Little history. Routine colonoscopy nov 2006. Transverse colon tumor found.(previous colonscopy was 3 years prior and clear) 8/23 nodes positive. Did Folfox 6 months, followup shows ovary cyst (actually turned out to be colon cancer mets. So jumped to Stage 4, then thought i had liver tumors, had liver resection in Pittsburgh UPMC. LIver was benign, but peritoneal mets found. (98% removed) but one left down in lower abdomen.So last year after liver surgery, I started Folfiri with Avastin, great response, dropped Irrinotican after 6 months and continued on 5fu and Avstin. NOw showing minimal growth again. So he started me back on Folfiri and Erbutux. Sorry so wordy. Anyway. Made it throguth my first treatment..no reaction. My questions..What other side effects have you had from Erbutix besides rash....diarrhea, fatique, severe mouth sores. Or are these still the irrinotican? Having Erbutix every week, does it knock you down everyweek like the full chemo does. Any help would be great. REally fatiqued this week and i am due for Erbitux tomorrow...Thanks Mary

Comments

  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #2
    Erbitux
    I am on erbitux and the off weeks where i only get it don`t effect me nearly as much as the weeks when I get the full treatment. Besides the unpleasant rash the erbitux side effects are pretty mild compared to other drugs. I am usually on the bounce back on the weeks when I just do erbitux. I feel my best about 3 - 4 days before my full treatment week and my worst 3 - 4 days after. There are other people here who can give you input too. From what I have read on here my symptoms are not as bad as some others but I can only draw from my own experience.

    Eric
  • AnneS
    AnneS Member Posts: 27
    #3
    My mum is on Erbitux monotx
    My mum is on Erbitux monotx and has severe skin rash. However, I am also wondering if anyone has had any problems with bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. It could be coincidental, but I swear this all started when Erbitux was started.

    Thanks
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #4
    AnneS said:

    My mum is on Erbitux monotx
    My mum is on Erbitux monotx and has severe skin rash. However, I am also wondering if anyone has had any problems with bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. It could be coincidental, but I swear this all started when Erbitux was started.

    Thanks

    AnneS
    Is your mum on Avastin? That is the drug usually associated with bleeding issues. Just a thought.

    Kimby
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 555 Member
    #5
    I used Biotene mouthwash
    I used Biotene mouthwash extensively and rined with a mix of warm water, baking soda and salt and mouth sores were never a problem. I did use an oralantibiotic and topical antibiotic for the rash as well as some creams. Good luck and let use know the good news
    Chip
  • AnneS
    AnneS Member Posts: 27
    #6
    kimby said:

    AnneS
    Is your mum on Avastin? That is the drug usually associated with bleeding issues. Just a thought.

    Kimby

    Hi Kimby,
    No she is only on
    Hi Kimby,

    No she is only on Cetuximab (Erbitux). Yes, you are right: Avastin is usually the mononclonal antibody associated with bleeding, bowel perforation. She was on Avastin previously (as in last year).

    Thanks.

    Anne
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #7
    Erbitux Rash and other side effects
    Hi Mary,
    As far as Erbitux goes, the main issue is the rash which is lessened by minocyclin (an oral antibiotic) I've been on it for 3 years and the side effects lessen over time. Other things I get are split fingertips and sometimes this ulcer type thing by my toenails that hurt like hell. They are not quite sure how to deal with them but I hear one Doc works on this sort of stuff so I may have to go see him.
    As far as the stuff we take, this is one of the lesser ones but the rash can get bad with the summer heat and sun.
    -phil
  • christellabelle
    christellabelle Member Posts: 24
    #8
    Erbitux too
    Hi Mary,
    My story is pretty much same as yours. i'm on erbitux/irronotican and i'm experiencing the severe wash too. Doc recommended me clindamycin which seems to be working cause it's drying out. Beside that nasty wash, i feel way better than when i take it with irronotican. I mean i rather Erbitux than any other drugs i've been, but that's just one man opinion. The most common side effect for Erbitux is the rash, fever, mouth sore and a bit of fatigue (i don't feel fatigue). Is the irronotican that gave diarrhea (i don't have it), fatigue, nausea, heavy tuonge and twischy muscles( i'm experiencing all that).
    good luck
    christelle

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