Tarceva

Hi Leslie,

I have been taking Tarceva since January 6,2009. I will have my first ct scan next week and on the 22nd of April I will get either the good or bad news.  The Tarceva has treated me fairly well, I have gotten the rashes and my hair is shedding at the rate of a handfull a day for the past 2 weeks, gettting really thin, I tire easier than I used to but think I am doing well, I will pray for your husband and please wish me luck also.  I will e-mail you by the 24th of April with the news.  God Bless.

My husband has been on Tarceva for three weeks. He is having the same nausea and fatigue symptoms.   After 2 weeks, he was so fatigued, he had to stop going to work.  He has to make himself eat.

Our doctor recommends CT scans every 10 weeks.  My husband just had one four weeks ago.  Insurance won't pay for it, if we get one sooner than 10 weeks.

 Hope this helps.

Not sure if this is a response to 1 email or all on the message board.

My Dad has Stage IV NSCLC and is terminal.  He has been on Tarceva for approximately 3 months;  after the 1st 2 months he had a scan and it appears to be working and keeping the cancer at bay, for now.

He has diarahhea (and takes over the counter medicine daily for this), along with the rash (looks like really bad pimples) and it is on his face, head, forearms, chest, etc.; from the hip down he seems to be pretty clear.  He has naseau and vomiting on average of once a week; his appetite comes and goes but overall he is not losing any weight.  The medicine, in combination with the cancer, does make him very tired and unstable.  He has found taking the medicine at night before he goes to bed sees to work best as his appetite does not get affected during the day from taking the medicine.

There is assistance for payment; if you have the medicare prescription card, the first 2 months require a hefty payment by the patient as you fall into medicare's "doughnut hole" and need to come out of pocket I beleive $4500; after that, 95% of the medicine is paid for by medicare which will help substantialy.  Ask your doctor or search on line, but there is assistance out there if you can meet the financial criteria (either through the pharmacetucial companies, cancercare.org, heathwell foundation, chronic disease fund, etc.

With regards to other chemotherapy's, I suggest contacting AARP if you do not have supplemental insurance and they will approve you, with a 3 month preexisting condition.  This will help cover the remaining 20% that medicare doesn't pay; whether it be for Dr. visits, scans, iv chemotherapy, etc.

Hopes this helps.

Hi,

My dad had medicaid(emergency coverege only) and he gets it for free, make sure you call them tell and your situations, there is a limit of 70,000 income a year,to get it for free and should have tried at least a chemotherapy(but not always my dad never did chemo)

The phone nr is:1800-530-3083

Hi my dad has been on it for 2 years, he did get the rash(not too bad) and some diarreha some times though.

They had to wait a month at least for him they did catscans and MRI to tell if it was shrinking and if they see that they will continue,

Something that i have read is you have to wait at least 2 hours after you eat to have the pills that way your soide effects are not bad

Good luck to you

On 4/19/2005 Leslie wrote:

Sorry. I'm not responding directly, but I haven't figured out how to post a new message. My husband has been on Tarceva for four weeks. He is experiencing nausea and fatigue. We are trying to decide when he should get a scan to see if it is helping. Our thinking is to wait until he is on it for two months. Does anyone have specific information about this? Thanks.

Hi Leslie,

The usual scan after starting tarceva is after 3 months.  That will give them a good picture as to whether or not the tarceva is working.

I have blood work every 30 days and a PET scan every 3 months.  I've been doing this for 2 1/2 years now.  Tarceva has given me a good quality of life.  It is truly a God send for me.

I pray that it works as well  for your husband.

God Bless

On 4/16/2007 Wanttohelp wrote:

Hi to u too:

Contact:  GENENTECH  INC                               1 DNA WAY                                          SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO                   CA   94080-4990

                  Phone:  650-225-1000                         Fax:  650-225-6000             They make and distribute Tarceva.  I've had lung cancer for 10 yrs. and am still here.  I've been on Tarceva for 3 months now.  Too soon to tell if it's  working but I should know in a few weeks.  I hope this info helps and I'll put mom in my prayers.  IT DOES HELP.  Hang in, there is help.

Dorothy O             

 

           

               

 

 

 

Wow, 10 yrs, congratulation... Could you tell me what stage you were in at the first time you discover it? 

God bless you,

Take care,

Victoria

On 4/18/2005 Drmort wrote:

My wife will be starting on Tarceva. Medicare doesn't seem to pay for it as it had for her previous chemo drugs. Has anyone had experience with getting Tarceva at a reduced cost?

My Mother just started Tarceva about a month ago she has medicare also. Her Dr. had a company that would help her cover her co-pay if she qualified. ( of course she did) the guidlines have a wide range of incomes you may want to talk to your Dr or financal advisor at the cancer center that your wife is going to they would be the best ones to help with finding some one to help cover the out of pocket expence.