Anybody been on Vectibix more than once?

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member

It's been five days since I went back on the Vectibix. Many of you will remember that I had a severe toxic reaction last time and my skin broke out in pustules and was bleeding and my mouth and ears swelled up and all kinds of crap so I had to go off of it. 

By the five day point last time I was already getting the rash that's expected. But this time I have nothing yet. I'm trying to figure this out. Maybe this is how long it should take normally but because I responded so badly last time that's why it was so quick? Or is it possible that my body is recognising it and has decided not to let it get that bad again? If this is the case I'm worried my tumours have done the same thing.

Any ideas or suggestions? Did you find the reaction was less when you went back on it? Thanks for any help. I was going to cancel attending a wedding this weekend because I was scared how horrible I'd look but I have nothing at all. I feel like maybe I can see the white bumps under the skin but I'm not sure.

Jan

Comments

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
    edited August 2017 #2
    Just a thought

    Haven't been on this drug and am not a candidate for it, but is the dose lower this time around?  That might delay, or reduce the effects.  Hope all goes well this time around , this is supposed to be a really powerful drug in kicking ca's butttt 

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    PamRav said:

    Just a thought

    Haven't been on this drug and am not a candidate for it, but is the dose lower this time around?  That might delay, or reduce the effects.  Hope all goes well this time around , this is supposed to be a really powerful drug in kicking ca's butttt 

    Yes, you're right. I'd

    Yes, you're right. I'd forgotten about that. It's 75%. Still pretty high but not full dose.

    Jan

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    edited August 2017 #4
    Acne

    Hi Jan - This man I correspond with is on cetuximab (erbitux) for 3 Mos now.  One side effect of it is acne also.  He said first chemo, the acne sprouted up overnight, in his scalp, everywhere, very painful.  He was able to get it under control and takes a daily antibiotic to prevent acne.  He said it has worked quite well, although he is a bit concerned about long term use of an antibiotic.  His skin is extremely dry, like sandpaper.  But he says that this chemo plus 5Fu has some fairly positive success - he has 5 tumours total in his lungs.  Sorry, can't give you any info on vectibix.  How is it going?  Are you on an antibiotic to prevent rash, acne?  Wishing you well this time around.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    Bellen said:

    Acne

    Hi Jan - This man I correspond with is on cetuximab (erbitux) for 3 Mos now.  One side effect of it is acne also.  He said first chemo, the acne sprouted up overnight, in his scalp, everywhere, very painful.  He was able to get it under control and takes a daily antibiotic to prevent acne.  He said it has worked quite well, although he is a bit concerned about long term use of an antibiotic.  His skin is extremely dry, like sandpaper.  But he says that this chemo plus 5Fu has some fairly positive success - he has 5 tumours total in his lungs.  Sorry, can't give you any info on vectibix.  How is it going?  Are you on an antibiotic to prevent rash, acne?  Wishing you well this time around.

    Thanks!

    Thanks for that Bellen! I am on an antibiotic but was on it last time as well. At this point the acne is just starting. I have patches on my templs, lower face, ears, nose, etc. Very much like teenage acne like they said. But, this time it's little pimples I can squeeze out. Last time it was these small white lumps that sat under so many layers of skin that to get rid of them I had to dig them out yet they were visible. I don't seem to have any of those this time. It's been 10 days since the chemo so I'm doing okay, I think. I have had some chapped skin, too, probably like your friend. I use a very heavy skin softening cream to deal with that and slather it on. The cream they prescribed me is too drying. So the small pimples could be from the softening cream, too.

    Jan