Folfiri w/Erbitux starts Monday 6/7

Geetar_Dave
Geetar_Dave Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey, guys and gals. I've been hanging out here for a while, I've learned a lot, much to put me at ease. Here's my story:

http://geetar-dave.livejournal.com/

For those who don't want to read that whole long-winded thing, diagnosed 1/09, large tumor in colon, one spot on liver, both removed. 6 months Folfox with Avastin along about the 3rd treatment or so. CEA started rising after that, switched oncologists and started Avastin and 5FU as maintenance 11/09. CEA back up again last week, starting Folfiri with Erbitux next week. What will I experience? Better, worse, different? Doc mentioned diarrhea with the CPT-11. I told him after 6 months of constipation that might be a welcome change! He also mentioned the Erbitux rash. Is this painful, or itchy, or what?

Thanks in advance.

Geetar Dave

Comments

  • vhtqm1
    vhtqm1 Member Posts: 107
    #2
    it's important to keep hydrated and as always have nutritious meals. your skin on both your feet and hands can become brittle and cracking develops so get some lotion that does not contain alcohol. the skin breaking out is another side effect( can develop on shoulder blades and chest area ) to pay attention to because you don't want to end up with any infection and this can easily happen because as always when on chemotherapy your immune system is compromised.

    i'm currently on Irinotecan and Cetuximab.

    ed
  • ktlcs
    ktlcs Member Posts: 358
    #3
    Dave
    Don't have any
    Dave

    Don't have any experience with the CPT11, but Hank (my husband) has been on Erbitux since Feb. The rash can really be a problem, especially if it gets into your eyes as his did, The trick is to get ahead of it. Have our Dr prescribe clindamycin topical gel and and antibiotic (Hank has doxycycline) the antibiotic did wonders for his eyes and the gel keeps the rash in check. Don't want to sugar coat it, it is uncomfortable, itchy and painful and you may end up looking like a teenage boy with bad acne, but can be worth it. It is working for my husband, CEA is down to 1.3 and last scan showed liver mets were completely gone! Besides, the rash is an indication that the treatment is effective

    Best of Luck, hopefully this combination is the one that will do it for you!

    K
  • 5678dance
    5678dance Member Posts: 39
    #4
    Folfiri & Diarreah
    I had a few rounds of folfiri towards the end of my treatment, (started with folfox) and got diarreah on the first one. I thought I was home free, but it didn't show up until 4 days after the treatment. Then, they tell to to take so much immodium, that could plug up an elephant! LOL My onc recommended that I take 2 Immodium the day of treatment. I did that, and just took one dose each day. No more diarreah!

    I did have an upset tummy for 4-5 days after each treatment. No spicy foods, and watch the citrus during that time. Even tomatoes didn't like me. Guess it was the acid.

    Kathi
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #5
    i have the erbitux rash- sun
    i have the erbitux rash- sun and heat make it infinitely worse- i have to wear big hats all the time, and cover my head in the car so i don't get sunburned thru the windshield.

    cracks around my nail beds and heels...i use bag balm. very dry skin- so fragrance free lotions etc...
  • Geetar_Dave
    Geetar_Dave Member Posts: 7
    #6
    pluckey said:

    i have the erbitux rash- sun
    i have the erbitux rash- sun and heat make it infinitely worse- i have to wear big hats all the time, and cover my head in the car so i don't get sunburned thru the windshield.

    cracks around my nail beds and heels...i use bag balm. very dry skin- so fragrance free lotions etc...

    Thanks
    Thanks for the comments! I have a good feeling about this treatment!

    Been using Bag Balm for years, so it will come in handy for this.

    The rash doesn't sound fun, but manageable.

    What about fatigue? That has bothered me before.

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