Gemzar and Cisplatin

MichaelaMarie
MichaelaMarie Member Posts: 163
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello everyone,

I've been wondering how all of you on this regimen are doing? What's happening with your marker, and how are you tolerating this combination now? I still deal with some nausea off and on. I'm getting a lower dose than we started with because of my blood counts. I get an Aranesp shot every other week and that seems to keep my red count up good enough for treatment. My marker hadn't really been working this past year(was going down when the disease was progressing), but it had been going down during this regimen. However, the past couple of times, it has started going back up. I don't know how much stock to put in it with the up and down, but I know that I sure feel lots better when it has gone down (emotionally, I mean). I'm interested in hearing what your markers are doing, and what your doctor says. Other than the nausea, I feel pretty well I guess. I just feel so much anxiety waiting for all of the tests, and then waiting to hear what the doctor has to say. I hope everybody is having success..........Luv and hugs, MM

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  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #2
    where I am
    MM,

    I have had 4 (x A&B=8) of Gemzar/Cisplatin. In May my CA125 went up to 13.2 and my doctor was concerned!! I was not, my sister has a CA125 of 17. Then in June it was up to 113.5 (I got concerned!), week later 193. Started gemzar/cisplatin July 13th (had twice in July). Marker 99.8 August 3rd. Chemo August 10 & 24th, marker 36.3 Sept 1st.

    After that schedule have been off by 1 week each session because of platelets or white count. Taking Neulasta shots for white count, Neumega for platelets and get Procrit for red count after each chemo.

    CA125 in October was 19.2 and November 30th (last Ca125) 12.2! So gemzar/cisplatin is working for me - Praise the Lord! Also, working on my good cells as you can see.

    My dose for next time has been lowered as I did get sick and also b/c of what is happening with my bone marrow. If I get treatment Monday, I will be 2 weeks off (longest so far). I still have 3 treatments to go (6 sessions) and weeks of shots (side effects have been just as bad as chemo). Guess sometimes you need to take the bad with the good.

    Keep us updated. Glad you are feeling pretty good. Praying your markers go down - it sure can be nerve racking!!

    In His Grip,
    Libby
  • carol2dogs
    carol2dogs Member Posts: 132
    #3
    My status
    Hi, MichaelaMarie! I'm glad you're coping with the gemzar and cisplatin, and sorry about having to take shots, but we do what we need to do.
    I just had my 7a treatment last Thursday, and I am very happy to report that my doc is giving me a chemo break! My CA125 numbers went down to 24.7, then 26.2, and that's probably as low as I'll get. Thursday's CA125 was up, to 30.6, but I'm having some seasonal nasal allergies and I suspect that that inflammation caused the rise in the number. I have nausea and the "yucks" after chemo, but the meds are managing it well. I have been very lucky to not need the shots - I took the a and b treatments 2 weeks apart, and that gave my blood counts enough time to recover. I'm sorry I haven't been posting much lately - just very busy teaching and having some intensive physical therapy for lymphodema (which is working for me!).
    Love and hugs, Carol

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