Side effects of the cetuximab

thennies61
thennies61 Member Posts: 285
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Got my first dose of cetuximb yesterday and the side effects kicked in in the early evening.Bad headachs,nausa,sweats then cold almost like the flu.Have meds that I have to pick up but wondering if the feeling this is gonna everytime.Or will my body adjust.

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Erbitux

    Matt is one of the Erbitux experts here, LOL...and many others.

    My best advice is to stay ahead of the game with your meds... That and drowning yourself with water and staying hydrated are both huge, along with a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with positive people... Don't let negativity get in there..

    When I was going through treatment, people always have stories... I'd tell them up front, if it doesn't end good, save it for down the road please... I only want to hear success stories...

    Best,

    John

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Erbitux

    Matt is one of the Erbitux experts here, LOL...and many others.

    My best advice is to stay ahead of the game with your meds... That and drowning yourself with water and staying hydrated are both huge, along with a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with positive people... Don't let negativity get in there..

    When I was going through treatment, people always have stories... I'd tell them up front, if it doesn't end good, save it for down the road please... I only want to hear success stories...

    Best,

    John

    I hear that John.I always

    I hear that John.I always look to the bright side of things.The nurse in charge said anything that is a discomfort to let her know so I did.I picked up the meds for nausa and feeling it kick in so score 1 foe me.Crushed up some asprin and see what that does till I hear from her.Can always go to my oxycoone if I have to.lol

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #4
    Erbitux

    Thennis61, honestly my first treatment with Erbitux was the worst.  I think the first dose of Erbitux was the biggest as well  After that it definitely got mcuh easier.  The biggest issue I had with it was acne and I looked like a teenager going thru puberty.   They will give you meds to help with that and before you finish your treatment it will pretty much have healed up.     

    It should get easier... other than the acne!

    Keith 

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #5
    Don't know anything about the

    Don't know anything about the drug but I do want to let you know I am praying the side affects go away.

    Debbie

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    praying that was a one time

    praying that was a one time deal and the rest is easier.

    God bless,

    dj

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #7
    different for everyone

    I had cisplatin, 5FU, and taxotere and also carbo 150 during chemo/rads. My own experience is the 3 week cycle of induction chemo put me flat more than once. By the third cycle I was on my back for 8 days. When I recovered enough my MO said "you were doing great, so we dialed it up" "BTW - I think we will not do the planned fourth cycle." Muttered something about wanting to poison you but not kill you.

    Yes, chemo can be harsh so just be prepared if you get hit hard. Some skate right over it.

     

    Best to you.

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #8
    KB56 said:

    Erbitux

    Thennis61, honestly my first treatment with Erbitux was the worst.  I think the first dose of Erbitux was the biggest as well  After that it definitely got mcuh easier.  The biggest issue I had with it was acne and I looked like a teenager going thru puberty.   They will give you meds to help with that and before you finish your treatment it will pretty much have healed up.     

    It should get easier... other than the acne!

    Keith 

    Kb56 I hope this is the worst

    Kb56 I hope this is the worst even with the meds for nausa isn't helping I took it and 2 hrs later was throwing up.I was told by the radiation team the acne would haapen but didn't say anything about being sick.Yesterday it took 5-1/2 hrs and they did say the rest would shorter..

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #9
    use you bucket

    T61,

    I only became nauseated after the first (loading) dose of Erbitux, but took Zofran for that, which in turn caused constipation.  Oh poo, you know what that is?

    Anytime you are told there is a chance of nausea, take the meds quickly.  You want to kick nausea’s butt before it kicks yours.

    The remaining 7 Erbitux doses went in with no problems and if I was lucky I got the room with the wide screen TV, right next door to the bathroom att the infusion center (my second favorite place to be during treatments).

    Matt

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #10
    CivilMatt said:

    use you bucket

    T61,

    I only became nauseated after the first (loading) dose of Erbitux, but took Zofran for that, which in turn caused constipation.  Oh poo, you know what that is?

    Anytime you are told there is a chance of nausea, take the meds quickly.  You want to kick nausea’s butt before it kicks yours.

    The remaining 7 Erbitux doses went in with no problems and if I was lucky I got the room with the wide screen TV, right next door to the bathroom att the infusion center (my second favorite place to be during treatments).

    Matt

    Hi Matt I did but my problem

    Hi Matt I did but my problem I took it twice and have thrown up twice about an hour latter they gave me ondansetron.Is Zofran over the counter??I seem to get more acid relfeix then actally nauseated.

  • yensid683
    yensid683 Member Posts: 349
    #11
    My loading dose

    was a breeze compared with induction chemo (taxol, cisplatin and 5FU).  They had me take a couple of tylenol and benadryls and I had no reaction from it.  No nausea, no discomfort at all. Color me grateful beyond measure.   All I got was the acne like rash and the topical cream prescribed took care of it quickly.  I echo others comments, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, keep the kidneys working, they flush out the metabolized med and the dead C cells!

    Peter

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    thennies61 said:

    Hi Matt I did but my problem

    Hi Matt I did but my problem I took it twice and have thrown up twice about an hour latter they gave me ondansetron.Is Zofran over the counter??I seem to get more acid relfeix then actally nauseated.

    Acid Reflux..

    A lot of us get acid reflux starting with chemo... I still have it.

    Protonix is my drug of choice...

    JG

  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #13
    Erbitux

    I recieved 8 does of Erbitux back in 2011 and was one of first people on this board to try this drug. I really did not have too many issues, other than the dreaded acne which reportedly means the drug is working.  My dermatologist gave me something for the acne and it seemed to help. I do vaguely remember the "loading dose" gave me flu like symptoms but I don't recall that happeing on subsequent treatments. You may find that your eye lashes grow more and watch for any signs of ingrown toe nails and deal with them before they become a problem.  I just had a CT/PET last week and all is good so my Med Onc and Rad Onc are very pleased with the treatment.  Good luck.

    John L

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #14
    jtl said:

    Erbitux

    I recieved 8 does of Erbitux back in 2011 and was one of first people on this board to try this drug. I really did not have too many issues, other than the dreaded acne which reportedly means the drug is working.  My dermatologist gave me something for the acne and it seemed to help. I do vaguely remember the "loading dose" gave me flu like symptoms but I don't recall that happeing on subsequent treatments. You may find that your eye lashes grow more and watch for any signs of ingrown toe nails and deal with them before they become a problem.  I just had a CT/PET last week and all is good so my Med Onc and Rad Onc are very pleased with the treatment.  Good luck.

    John L

    Erbitux

    Just had my 12th tx of Erbitux today. They give me pepcid via IV 1st and I haven't had any nausea. Have had rash/acne but not very bad. Have heard that the acne is a good sign but not necessarily an indication that drug is working so not sure what to think. After 9th tx, some irritation in mouth on one side but doable. My weekly routine is tx on Thursday, hour nap then steroids kick in and I am wired with difficulty sleeping Thursday nite. An extra xanax or Advil PM resolves. Up on Friday and then either Sat. or Sunday I am not sick but fatigued. Feel normal and work Mon-Wed. I do everything I used to on Erbitux. I have tolerated it very well. Hair thinned allot but that could have been from Taxol that I get every 3 weeks. I had it cut to about an inch long and never lost it all.  My magnesium level dropped fro Erbitux so they gave me a script and it was back in normal range today.

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #15
    hwt said:

    Erbitux

    Just had my 12th tx of Erbitux today. They give me pepcid via IV 1st and I haven't had any nausea. Have had rash/acne but not very bad. Have heard that the acne is a good sign but not necessarily an indication that drug is working so not sure what to think. After 9th tx, some irritation in mouth on one side but doable. My weekly routine is tx on Thursday, hour nap then steroids kick in and I am wired with difficulty sleeping Thursday nite. An extra xanax or Advil PM resolves. Up on Friday and then either Sat. or Sunday I am not sick but fatigued. Feel normal and work Mon-Wed. I do everything I used to on Erbitux. I have tolerated it very well. Hair thinned allot but that could have been from Taxol that I get every 3 weeks. I had it cut to about an inch long and never lost it all.  My magnesium level dropped fro Erbitux so they gave me a script and it was back in normal range today.

    I have really never gotten

    I have really never gotten sick from meds or anything.Talked to the nurse and told her about throwing up she asked how I was taking the anti nausa pill and said threw my peg.She she said not but to let melt in my mouth and swallow.She thinks what I did was to strong to be put directly into the stomach

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #16
    cemuxitab

    I had it.  I had horrible acne.  It was embarassing going out.  I had medication for nausea so I never got sick.  My skin became dry and my feet split on the bottom of my foot from the dryness.  The pimples took a few weeks to go away.  The dry skin slowly healed.   Hang in there!  You can do it.    Ann

  • Rick2924
    Rick2924 Member Posts: 23
    #17
    Erbitux Side Effects

    I have been getting Erbitux weekly for 8 months. Never had much nausea except during the loading stage. Most of the side effects I've had are related to the skin eruptions. Very dry cracked feet, ingrown toenails, many septic sores on my scalp and split skin on my finger tips. Very dry skin everywhere.  Although these things are uncomfortable, they can be managed.  I started these infusions with 6 weeks of Taxol after my 3rd recurrence when I elected not to have a total glossectomy.  So far, my scans show NED. I'm planning to continue until the tumor progresses.

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