switched from cispaltin to taxil and carboplatin

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arndog64
arndog64 Member Posts: 537
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Well we went for our 2nd round of chemo and his kidney levels are to low. At first they said he would get half the dosage and then changed their mind completely. He will be having the tax and carbo for the next 2 weeks and then they will see if he can get his last dose in cisplatin. So frustrated my husband is 4A and he needs the best meds. But, we also do not want him on dialysis... AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!

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  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #2
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    Chemo
    The oncologist has to weight the benefits vs risk in giving chemotherapy. The kidneys really take a hit with cisplatin. Buzz was so sick after two rounds of taxotere-cisplatin-5fu that the third round was omitted. He still had a clean scan post treatment. You have to trust your doctor's wisdom and experience in his field. BTW Buzz had Stage IV base of tongue cancer also. Karen
  • Fire34
    Fire34 Member Posts: 365
    #3
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    Carbo Here also
    Arn
    I was on taxol & carboplatin also. My treatment was some what different. My induction chemo was with carbo,taxol& erbitux. I was then put on 5FU(120 Hrs), Hydroxyurea & erbitux weekly with twice daily radiation.
    I never once thought that I was not getting the best care. Even on these drugs my liver enzymes, kidneys etc took a hit. I was also 4A HPV+
    Dont be discouraged the docs are not going to put your husband on something that is not going to work. It was a long road for my wife & I, just take it one step at a time.
    Wishes & Prayers on your husbands treatment
    Dave
  • arndog64
    arndog64 Member Posts: 537
    #4
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    Fire34 said:

    Carbo Here also
    Arn
    I was on taxol & carboplatin also. My treatment was some what different. My induction chemo was with carbo,taxol& erbitux. I was then put on 5FU(120 Hrs), Hydroxyurea & erbitux weekly with twice daily radiation.
    I never once thought that I was not getting the best care. Even on these drugs my liver enzymes, kidneys etc took a hit. I was also 4A HPV+
    Dont be discouraged the docs are not going to put your husband on something that is not going to work. It was a long road for my wife & I, just take it one step at a time.
    Wishes & Prayers on your husbands treatment
    Dave

    Thanks for the encouraging
    Thanks for the encouraging words... I was so upset that he had to change. I believe they are doing the best for him. That is why they are not risking kidney failure. Like you said it's a long bumpy road and you just have to slow down catch your breath and stay positive. I guess I am scared.. After the very end of his treatment of taxol and carbo he had trouble breathing, we had to get the doctor and they had to give him a breathing treatment and some steroids with benadryl and some lasiks to boot. I guess because of the kidney issue he was having an overload of liquids. He was fine afetr the breathing treatment. I was scared thinking oh my god, he can't have this med either. But everything turned out ok.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
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    Carboplatin
    Carboplatin and Cisplatin are similar in effectiveness from reading, the main differences are in the side effects. Like you have experienced already;

    Key differences between these chemotherapies is that cisplatin is more likely to damage hearing, cause ringing in the ears, and damage nerves in the hands and feet, while carboplatin is more likely to drop the white cell count dramatically.

    I also had both, I didn't have the side effects from Cisplatin, but my blood counts did drop to slightly below 2.0 while on Carboplatin. Not low enough to stop treatment, but closely watched. I did need potassium and had extra steroids once.

    The lasix you mention is commonly given to flush the kidneys and organs of the cisplatin toxins. Same with benedryl, to help with allergic reaction and such...all common.

    I was monitored with CBC (complete blood counts) before each chemo session to verify I was able to handle the chemo.

    They should be giving you blood tests before each round as well. I requested a copy of all of my CBC and still have the 20+ that I had during that period and since..

    Like mentioned, don't worry, they know how to treat you, what to look for and which combinations work well together.

    You and your husbands job is to communicate anything that is going on...neuropathy, tinnitus(hearing changes), fatigue, etc....my chemo MD was awesome. She always told me, let me know what you are going through or bothering you, I have something for it...and she always did.

    Best,
    John

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