Erbitux

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fatmomma
fatmomma Member Posts: 95
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My mother starts that next week. Can anyone who is on it what they think about it and how long have they been on it.

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  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #2
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    Search this site.
    then go to the last page and work your way backwards. This topic comes up weekly lately.

    "I've been on it for the better part of 4 years and have had very good success with it. So if it works so good, why am I on it for so long??? I keep getting small tumors on my lungs but they grow very slowly or stay stable due to the Erbitux and when they start to get out of hand, they do a RFA (fried tumors) to remove the tumors.
    More links here from conversations on this site about erbitux.
    http://csn.cancer.org/node/195249
    http://csn.cancer.org/node/193835
    http://csn.cancer.org/node/191323"
  • suz_3
    suz_3 Member Posts: 17
    #3
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    Hi! I had my first
    Hi! I had my first treatment last week and the only side effect has been the rash and acne on my nose and chin. It is pretty severe and painful, but trying to control it with cream and cetaphil face wash. Good luck and prayers.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #4
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    One thing to watch
    Erbitux depletes Magnesium. I have been infused with amagnesium inlast week 3 times. On my info sheet it is listed as the most common side effect for erbitux. Welcome to the forum!
  • NanaOhio
    NanaOhio Member Posts: 11
    #5
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    AnneCan said:

    One thing to watch
    Erbitux depletes Magnesium. I have been infused with amagnesium inlast week 3 times. On my info sheet it is listed as the most common side effect for erbitux. Welcome to the forum!

    I am currently taking
    I am currently taking Erbitux also. My cea numbers have dropped from 91 to 35. The rash can be pretty bad. Doctor has me on antibotics and a gel for this. The first time was the worst ever for the rash. Since then not so bad. I have not had any problems with the Magnesium. Is this something they give in IV form with the erbitux. I am going to ask ONC about this next week.

    Robin
  • Jane822
    Jane822 Member Posts: 50
    #6
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    Erbitux
    I had 6 infusions of Erbitux. Took an antibiotic for 6 days and used a cortisone cream for the rash which never appeared on my face. However, I did get a fungal rash on my bottom and used an antifungus cream prescribed by my doctor on it twice a day. It took about 2 weeks to clear up.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
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    Jane822 said:

    Erbitux
    I had 6 infusions of Erbitux. Took an antibiotic for 6 days and used a cortisone cream for the rash which never appeared on my face. However, I did get a fungal rash on my bottom and used an antifungus cream prescribed by my doctor on it twice a day. It took about 2 weeks to clear up.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    #8
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    Erbitux
    I have had 8 treatments and the rash is the worst side effect. I was on an antibiotic for it, but was told by my other oncologist not to take it anymore because it has some serious side effects. I have a little rash, but mostly just very dry skin. As others have mentioned, have your magnesium checked and monitored.

    Good luck! I hope this works really well for you.

    Hugs,
    Sara
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #9
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Graci
    You are such a sweetheart! Thank-you for taking such an interest in this. They found out through my bloodwork that I was extremely low in magnesium, but I had been really tired + the onc couldn't understand why I was that tired. I also was low in potassium + had a UTI infection. I am currently getting hydration daily at home. My energy is still not good. Wow, if it is true about the hypomagnesia + erbitux, that is a good sign for me. I will look that article up. Right now I am only on erbitux. Thanks so much, Graci!
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #10
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    I was on erbitux for a
    I was on erbitux for a year....really really bad rashes....make sure you are covered in the sun at all times. I would even get sunbrunt in the car....i tried all the sunsreens for sensetive skin ut it still stung, I ended up ordering thru the pharmacy, VaniCreme sunscreen...worth it..it's thick like zinc oxide but i was miserable.

    good luck
  • fatmomma
    fatmomma Member Posts: 95
    #11
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    pluckey said:

    I was on erbitux for a
    I was on erbitux for a year....really really bad rashes....make sure you are covered in the sun at all times. I would even get sunbrunt in the car....i tried all the sunsreens for sensetive skin ut it still stung, I ended up ordering thru the pharmacy, VaniCreme sunscreen...worth it..it's thick like zinc oxide but i was miserable.

    good luck

    Thanks for the information
    Thanks for the information Pluckey. My mom starts it June 1. She will have to take it every week for the rest of her life. Does the rash look horrible....will people stare?
  • Erinb
    Erinb Member Posts: 293
    #12
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    AnneCan said:

    One thing to watch
    Erbitux depletes Magnesium. I have been infused with amagnesium inlast week 3 times. On my info sheet it is listed as the most common side effect for erbitux. Welcome to the forum!

    Thanks Anne...interesting.
    Thanks Anne...interesting. Do you get hot when you get a magnesium infusion?

    -My husband has been on Erbitux for a year. He gets the rash on his face, neck and chest. He has had a few ingrown toenails and we believe it has something to do with the erbitux, but oncologist disagrees.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #13
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    Erinb said:

    Thanks Anne...interesting.
    Thanks Anne...interesting. Do you get hot when you get a magnesium infusion?

    -My husband has been on Erbitux for a year. He gets the rash on his face, neck and chest. He has had a few ingrown toenails and we believe it has something to do with the erbitux, but oncologist disagrees.

    Hi Erin
    No, I didn't get hot with the infusions. I have a couple of ingrown toenails too; I never connected them to the erbitux.

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