Has Anyone Tried Tarceva?

Hi, My mom also is on tarceva; not too bad of a ras but after l l/2 months of tarceva she has terrible diarrhea and her liver enzymes are elevated. Dr. took her off Tar. for a week and liver returned to normal; started it again for a week and liver is again showing elevation. He is reducing her from 150mg to 100. Have you experienced anything like this. Appreciate any info.

Thanks,
Daughter, Sharon

Folks, I have been on 150mg of Tarceva a day for almost 9 months. I got a terrible acne like rash on my face almost immediately. Clindamycin really controlled that. The rash has gradually spread over most of my body, and itches like crazy. It seems now that Triamcinalone 0.1% does better than anything to control the itch. The itch makes sleeping at nite pretty tough, and I have taken Restoril and Lunesta to help me sleep. My oncologist has also given me Vistaril capsules for the itch. My worst problem is probably infections around my fingernails where the fingers have split. I've tried about everything and have a couple or very sore fingers that will not heal up. I've had the fatigue and diahrea, too, but OTC meds seems to have controlled the diahrea. I was dianosed with Stage 4 NSC lung cancer in February 05, and had a big met on my head and the surrounding skull and dura removed. I then had a round of radiation on my head, followed by 5 big chemo treatments at 21 day intervals. The cancer was still present in several places, so I started Tarceva (150 mg) and have been on it ever since. I've also had two more rounds of radiation while taking Tarceva, one on my lower spine, and one in my chest area to hit some still active spots. The side effects of Tarceva are sure tough, and I've been tempted to quit a few times, but I'm still taking it each day, and hoping for the best. I hope Tarceva is effective long term.
EdwardG

I have been reading messages regarding tumors, Tarceva, etc. My father is now on Tarceva for BAC. One treatment worth mentioning is not medication. It is called RFA or radiofrequency Ablation. After two lung surgeries to remove tumors, my father could not withstand more lung surgery when more tumors developed. For certain types-his, a slower growing cancer and other which include but not limited to bone, liver, lung,etc this was a safe treatment option done by an interventional radiologist-with experience I should add! The procedure is done under CT with light sedation. A large needle is placed under guidance from the CT image and the tumor is "burned." Two CTs in 6mos showed not only no progression of the tumor size, one was actually smaller! Let me add he is 75 yrs old with other health problems but was successfully discharged 2 hours after each RFA! For anyone considering such a treatment, you must be referred by an oncologist or surgeon to see a specialist in interventional radiology who in many cases does not have an office but is an employee of a large teaching hospital. Because I do not often check email/internet I will share that his procedures have been done at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Sometimes, we cannot depend on surgery or medications alone for treatment. For some RFA may be an answer. The www will also have more info if you do a search. Best Wishes to Everyone.

I have taken Tarceva for about 9 months now. The first month I was ok, but I got very sick on my stomach and developed terrible acne on my face during the third and fourth month. I used tetracyline and it got rid of the acne, but using it twice a day made the skin on my face and hands raw. I reduced the tetracyline in half, and except for some blisters in my scalp, my acne is mostly gone. I have some tenderness in the bottom of my feet, and my muscles are sometimes sore. I feel really great otherwise. I breath well now - I had stage 3B wet (Stage 4)
non-small lung cancer. I have never smoked. My recent PET scan showed no active tumors, but it did show some foci with increased hypermetabolism. I am happy to be so well now. I think you should stick with this drug if you can get through the first few months.

Have you had any problems with your eyes?My mother and husband are on Tarceva.Mom has her 2nd ulcer and my husband has a appt to have his checked.Both have been on Tarceva about 3 months

Hello! My son is currently on tarceva for GBM. Has been taking it for just over 2 years now. He takes 125 milligrams per day and is expected to continue for the next year. We have problems with the rash constantly and the his stomach. Although the loose bowels have gotten allot better. In the beginning he was hospilized for the stomach problems and they lowered his dose. He is 15 and up until 6 months ago he carried a bottle of liquid mylanta every where he went. It was the only thing that helped. He also has ingrown nails which give him issues. We began taking his chemo at night, along with Zofran. This made a tremendous difference. We have not been able to fully resolve the constant rashes! They come and go. He also seemed to get allot of stye's in his eyes. But the cream or drops seem to help instantly. The savior to the meds is the Zofran. It doesn't make you sleep and will make you feel much better with energy. It's a little late, but hopefully will help.