Lucky4thtime~Am putting your inquiry here so others will be sure 2 see it

lucky4thtime Posts: 1 Joined: May 2017

May 14, 2017 - 9:38 pm Hello--anyone taking Avastin and Abraxane ? This is my fourth go-round with ovarian cancer. A rare, spontaneous metastas--a tumor-- popped up in in the upper lobe of my right lung, out of the blue. My last go round was 2009.  The surgery was terrible: I hemhorraged the first night--so back into the operating theater for a second chest drain. Then the second night my blood was so low I was given a transfustion.  I credit the night nurse, David, at Weill-Cornell, for saving my life. I could have bled out.   Recovery was very difficult. The wounds itched unbearably. My surgeon said he had never seen this happen before. That was February 3 2017. Now, May 14 2017, the wounds still give me pain, for which I have a topical cream.  Currently, I am on Avastin and Abraxane which I started four weeks ago.  I get treatment Fridays. Two weeks of Abraxane, followed by a third week of Abraxane and Avastin. The fourth week I get a 'chemo holiday'.   I was very sick this week. I spent most of Tuesday in a stupor and slept round the clock.  Terrible problems with chemo-constipation.  Now taking Miralax daily and drinking lots of fluids.   Last Friday, I began to have aches and pains and by Saturday I was in such pain and I slept most of the day. Today is Sunday--better, but still falling asleep in the afternoon and going to bed at 9 in pain.   Is this chemo related, or do I have a virus? what is other people's experience? thank you.   ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear “Lucky”

First of all, I’m going to take the liberty of answering you on a “new topic line” for this reason.  You will note that the posting to which you replied is due to be removed because it is erroneous and has nothing to do with Ovarian cancer.   https://csn.cancer.org/comment/1581142#comment-1581142

It seems usually each week on a Friday that we have “advertisements” pop up telling us to “watch” certain shows.  They always give some kind of topic that makes us think it is a serious inquiry that needs answering.  Then we see the same old garbage.  Note that this item has been flagged.  That means that this site will remove this particular thread, and I wouldn’t want your letter to get lost.  So I’m going to answer you on a different thread. 

While I’m not taking either of these drugs, I do know that they are both drugs given to treat Ovarian cancer.  And so I will give you some links from Chemocare.com that will outline the purpose for each of these drugs.  You will note that there are side effects listed for each drug. Constipation is a terrible problem to have—I know about that one.  My two drugs so far have been Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (Taxol).  And so far, they have been effective in reducing the number of tumors to a point that I can have some time in between called “Progression Free Survival.” That’s the goal for my Stage IV Ovarian Cancer.  When these drugs become less and less effective, there are others that may be recommended, but I’m not there yet.  And depending on my state of health, at the next time I need more treatment, I will have to make a choice as to whether or not I want another treatment if it is going to just extend my life minus the quality factor. 

Now I don’t know who might be answering your post, other than me, but I do remembering reading letters from others who have had AVASTIN prescribed.   I note that “constipation” and “abdominal pain” are side effects of Avastin.   The info says that while this is not an emergency, if you are exhibiting any of these symptoms that you need to see your doctor.  Now the other drug also has side effects which you can read when you access that site, but I chose to highlight the “AVASTIN” reference since pain and constipation were listed as side effects that more than 30% of patients on this drug may experience. 

But for your own peace of mind, you should call your oncologist tomorrow, and ask to be seen.  Moreover, I hope you can be worked into the schedule and not be “put off”.  My oncologist always works me into his schedule, or at least makes arrangements for me to be seen by his nurse, if I am having difficulty and “I feel” that I need to be seen right away.  Hopefully, you will be able to get past this awful period and see some improvement.  We all know how awful chemo can make you feel.  I’m sorry you’re having to go through this again. 

Loretta

1. http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/abraxane.aspx

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2. http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/avastin.aspx

   “…Side Effects of Avastin:

Important things to remember about the side effects of avastin:

• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration. 
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• There is no data as to the frequency of adverse reactions that may be attributed to avastin alone.  (In clinical studies avastin was used in combination with other chemotherapy medications).

The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking avastin:

• Generalized Weakness
• Pain
• Abdominal pain 
• Nausea & vomiting 
• Poor appetite 
• Constipation 
• Upper respiratory infection 
• Low white blood cell count. (This can put you at increased risk for infection.) 
•  Proteinuria  (see kidney problems) 
• Nose bleed (see bleeding problems)
• Diarrhea 
• Hair loss 
• Mouth sores 
• Headache…”

“The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency.  Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:

• Swelling of the feet or ankles.  Sudden weight gain.
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication).
• Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period).
• Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period).
• Constipation unrelieved by laxative use.
• Coughing up blood.
• Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools.
• Blood in the urine.
• Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers).
• Swelling, redness and/or pain in one leg or arm and not the other.
• Signs of infection such as redness or swelling, pain on swallowing, coughing up mucous, or painful urination.
• Unable to eat or drink for 24 hours or have signs of dehydration: tiredness, thirst, dry mouth, dark and decreased amount of urine, or dizziness.

Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms…”

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