Erbitux ?'s

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apache4
apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anyone had much experience with Erbitux? I just started it and the rash and itching are just awful. I asked for a prescription for an acne medication as my sister found an item that says that it will help. The Dr. gave it to me, but I just started so don't know if it will help. Also, got the Lindi skin products. My face is so bad that I feel like a monster...I am really depressed. This is my third regimen. He also has me on Irinotecan once every two weeks and Avastin once every three weeks with Eribitux weekly. Is there any hope for this rash? Thanks and my best to all.

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  • Monicaemilia
    Monicaemilia Member Posts: 455 Member
    #2
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    Absolutely there is...my experience has been that the severity of the rash comes and goes. Keep going with the acne medication as it will help. Also make sure you try to keep your body as hydrated as possible. Don`t take hot showers as they will dry you up and use a lot of moisturizing cream and often. I found Aveeno to be the best (for extra dry skin). For the face Cetaphil did the trick. Good luck. Monica
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #3
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    I have read many of your posts and admire you and your spirit more than I can say. I have known two people on Erbitux - both had problems with the rash - but I have seen some postings on people who have had some sucess in fighting the rash. Wish I had a great answer for you, but with your fight and spirit, maybe you will be a pioneer in making this stuff work. All my prayers.

    Pam
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
    #4
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    Stage 4 here and I had 6 months of eributix with a grade 4 rash. I totally understand how bad it can be. I went on an oral antibiotic (can't remember what) but that helped along with Cetaphil lotion. Stay out of the sun. I also showered so often it was crazy. I also was perscribed a topical antibiotic that stung but seemd to stop the deeper acne from forming. I just kept trying things and I often just had lotion all over my face. For a 48 yar old man it was very difficult but people understood. At least the Dr told me that there is evidence that if you are responing to the treatment, that is evidence of effectiveness. I often could not sleep, woke up with a bloody pillow and generally hated life on Erbitux. So sorry but you'll get through!
    Impactzone
  • apache4
    apache4 Member Posts: 272 Member
    #5
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    impactzone said:

    Stage 4 here and I had 6 months of eributix with a grade 4 rash. I totally understand how bad it can be. I went on an oral antibiotic (can't remember what) but that helped along with Cetaphil lotion. Stay out of the sun. I also showered so often it was crazy. I also was perscribed a topical antibiotic that stung but seemd to stop the deeper acne from forming. I just kept trying things and I often just had lotion all over my face. For a 48 yar old man it was very difficult but people understood. At least the Dr told me that there is evidence that if you are responing to the treatment, that is evidence of effectiveness. I often could not sleep, woke up with a bloody pillow and generally hated life on Erbitux. So sorry but you'll get through!
    Impactzone

    Are you off of it now? How did your cancer react to it? I am Stage 4 also, two years. How soon did the rash go away? I don't know what grade my rash is, but I hate it! I think that rash is not a good word for it...bloody, pustules would be more accurate. They don't tell you exactly what it will be like. Thanks.
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
    #6
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    apache4 said:

    Are you off of it now? How did your cancer react to it? I am Stage 4 also, two years. How soon did the rash go away? I don't know what grade my rash is, but I hate it! I think that rash is not a good word for it...bloody, pustules would be more accurate. They don't tell you exactly what it will be like. Thanks.

    I am off it now. I had 2 lung mets show up in Oct of 07 with a left lobectomy done then. I have been clear since then. Once I stopped the erbitux, the rash went away within 2 weeks. You are right, they do not tell you. I just kept trying different lotions and even mixed them. I know that blowing air dries things out but I had an air cleaner at night blowing just so I could feel the cooling on my face. I took walks at night when it was cool, but lots of showers and ask about the oral and topical antibiotics.
    Impactzone
  • Madre
    Madre Member Posts: 123
    #7
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    I did 2 rounds of erbitux, with the rash starting 4 days after first round. It is like chicken pox on top of a sun burn. My face, chest, back, front & back of neck, in my hair. I was given an oral antibiotic - vibramycin (generic is doxycycline) 1 tab daily. Didn't seem to do much at first but started getting better about a week later. Was told to use utter balm lotion which didn't do anything for me except make my face white and pop some white pimples. I had creamy vaseline and I put it all over my face twice a day and it got the dryness to go away and cause the broken puss sacks to exfoliate. Got a gentle wash cloth to get dead skin off face then used prescription clindamycin phosphate gel, 1%. Burned a little but red went away and new ones aren't forming (on my face) still working on chest and back. I have discontinued the erbitux, but good luck to you.

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