tumor marker up and reaction to Carbo

misspokey
misspokey Member Posts: 25
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Thought all going well again, spoke too soon. Had my 4th gemzar/carbo on Mon. After carbo got going my through started to feel like a big clog in in, port felt a little odd, then palms started to itch. Finally decided wasn't just me and to mention to nurse. They all came to check, checked my vitals, all fine. Onc dr came back and said would have to keep eye on it, sounds like allergic reaction. Always have a dexamethasone and kytril (sp?)premeds with them. Also said could take benedryl pill if still acted up. Did start to itch a little where elastic touched body but fine. Next afternoon my face started to turn red but not other symtoms. Did take a benedryl that eve and ok then. Then on Wed. got my CA125 number-up from 46 to 100. Not what I wanted to hear. Mentioned to he nurse about the allergic reaction. She said sounded like would have to stop the carbo, with the allergeric reaction and the number coming up. Said 'I am doing so good' and 'will find something else' or something to that effect. Anyway not sure what will happen when see him next Wed. If have to go with a different one, start the cycles all over to go more into spring instead of being half way done or what. Also my back has hurt some. Last week figured out was because had worked too long on the Wii board, a couple days and was fine. I haven't now, just minor things around house, but did have the pain in neck and shoulder, upper chest area that did with taxol and do with the neulasta shot. Like the saying 'two steps forward, one step back' or is it one forward and one back??? Wanda

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #2
    My chemo-onc wants TWO consecutive CA-125 rises, before switch.
    My last 2 pre-chemo CA-125 labs showed only very very modest drops, and in discussing this with my chemo-onc, he said that he wouldn't change chemos unless I had TWO consecutive CA-125 increased counts. And then he'd want to do a CT/PET scan to see why my numbers were going up before he changed my chemo regime. So if your next pre-chemo CA-125 is back down, maybe you can stay on the gemzar/carbo awhile longer. Maybe this one rise was just a blip in the process.

    Could the red face just have been from your pre-chemo steroids? I often get the rosy red face 1 or 2 days after my chemo. I get a mild skin rash from my Neupogen shot, but it's not a bad enough allergic reaction to keep me from getting the shots. Your allergic reaction may not be severe enough to stop your gemzar/carbo, although if your CA-125 goes up again, you'll want to move on to something that works better anyway, right. ((((((hugs))))) The uncertainty is so hard, isn't it?
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
    lindaprocopio said:

    My chemo-onc wants TWO consecutive CA-125 rises, before switch.
    My last 2 pre-chemo CA-125 labs showed only very very modest drops, and in discussing this with my chemo-onc, he said that he wouldn't change chemos unless I had TWO consecutive CA-125 increased counts. And then he'd want to do a CT/PET scan to see why my numbers were going up before he changed my chemo regime. So if your next pre-chemo CA-125 is back down, maybe you can stay on the gemzar/carbo awhile longer. Maybe this one rise was just a blip in the process.

    Could the red face just have been from your pre-chemo steroids? I often get the rosy red face 1 or 2 days after my chemo. I get a mild skin rash from my Neupogen shot, but it's not a bad enough allergic reaction to keep me from getting the shots. Your allergic reaction may not be severe enough to stop your gemzar/carbo, although if your CA-125 goes up again, you'll want to move on to something that works better anyway, right. ((((((hugs))))) The uncertainty is so hard, isn't it?

    mine too
    My gyn/onc always does two also and glad he sticks with that as many times it has taken at least two to start it going down or stop it from increasing. Also I get the bright bright red face from steriods. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • MichaelaMarie
    MichaelaMarie Member Posts: 163
    #4
    BonnieR said:

    mine too
    My gyn/onc always does two also and glad he sticks with that as many times it has taken at least two to start it going down or stop it from increasing. Also I get the bright bright red face from steriods. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    On to the next chemo
    Hello Wanda,

    I'm sorry to hear that you have probably become resistant to your chemo regimen, but remember that there is a long list of chemotherapys to try. Maybe the next one will do the trick for you!!! I've become resistant to Cisplatin and Gemzar, and will be starting a new drug very soon. I knew it was coming because my marker has been going up for the past six to eight weeks, but still it is a shock. Just keep up the positive thinking and stay as hopeful as you can! Hugs, MM
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #5
    MichaelaMarie said:

    On to the next chemo
    Hello Wanda,

    I'm sorry to hear that you have probably become resistant to your chemo regimen, but remember that there is a long list of chemotherapys to try. Maybe the next one will do the trick for you!!! I've become resistant to Cisplatin and Gemzar, and will be starting a new drug very soon. I knew it was coming because my marker has been going up for the past six to eight weeks, but still it is a shock. Just keep up the positive thinking and stay as hopeful as you can! Hugs, MM

    MM
    Michaela, so good to see a post from you ... I have wondered how you are doing. So please an update from you. Happy New Year with an extra Hug Bonnie
  • misspokey
    misspokey Member Posts: 25
    #6
    thanks for the imput
    Thank you for all your imput. That helps. I am anxious to see what the dr actually says as this is what the nurse told me. She might know more than me but then again the dr makes the final decesion. (sp???doesn't look right and can't think what it is). I'll find out on Wed. When had a reaction to Doxil, they started with Benedryl and was fine. And I thought before he said the CA could rise and lower, flucuate some, just with it last fall it was always down so wasn't a question then. As for my red face, could be the steriods, just hadn't had before. Gets kind of confusing when get new reactions to what have been taking, but that's the body I guess. Like seasonal allergies, person can be fine for years then all of a sudden are allergic to them. Will keep you posted what find out on Wed. Wanda
  • misspokey
    misspokey Member Posts: 25
    #7
    misspokey said:

    thanks for the imput
    Thank you for all your imput. That helps. I am anxious to see what the dr actually says as this is what the nurse told me. She might know more than me but then again the dr makes the final decesion. (sp???doesn't look right and can't think what it is). I'll find out on Wed. When had a reaction to Doxil, they started with Benedryl and was fine. And I thought before he said the CA could rise and lower, flucuate some, just with it last fall it was always down so wasn't a question then. As for my red face, could be the steriods, just hadn't had before. Gets kind of confusing when get new reactions to what have been taking, but that's the body I guess. Like seasonal allergies, person can be fine for years then all of a sudden are allergic to them. Will keep you posted what find out on Wed. Wanda

    going ahead so far
    So I had my gemzar today and talked of what doing in future. He said he didn't go with I believe his term 'one value', meaning we'll see what the next CA is which will get the report on Feb. 3. He agreed they can change and didn't know if would believe this one but time will tell. Me hemo was down more but got another aranesp shot so hopefully will build up and with me week off next week-plus the family is hoping to go to the coast for 4 nights! Whites down some, ok, but will get a neulasta shot tomorrow to keep them up. I will start out with the carbo and gemzar on the first (my 5th cycle so hope can hold it out and finish), and if have a reaction then said could have any more. Didn't ask if was going to give as slower drip or with benedryl, will wait until then. The one nurse was already 'heads up' and asking what there for, the carbo. Said no, just gemzar and she said when had the other then to sit up closer so could keep closer eye on me. Which if I know, I will just get them ahead of time but since was first and I'd consider mild, didn't know what was. I mentioned on red face and right away she said the dexamethasone steriod. That's good to know but like I mentioned before, never had that. Some time it made me hard to get to sleep so took something for that but other times not. So that's the latest for this round, will check in after the report comes back in Feb. Wanda

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