Sutent Side Effect

Hi all, and best thoughts and wishes for each of you.

If you have been having trouble with Sutent side effects, you may want to ask your oncologist about changing the schedule.

My husband, John, had been on the traditional four weeks on/two weeks off for six rounds.  The side effects were normal--gastrointestinal, skin issues, fatigue, etc.  His doctor changed his schedule to two days on and one day off with no break.  We were worried at first as he did not want to miss his "vacation" from Sutent every month.

I am glad to report that the new schedule has resulted in NO side effects--no irritable bowel, no skin issues, no fatigue.  As a matter of fact, he states that he cannot even tell he is on the medication. 

My problem now is keeping him off the golf course every day so that I can get him to do some work around here.  Ha Ha

DiannaB

That is wonderful. How long has your husband been on this new cycle. My husband is due to start his 2nd round of Sutent Monday and he is dreading it so bad.

Thanks so much for this idea!!!!

Kim

On 11/24/2007 Diannab wrote:

Hi all, and best thoughts and wishes for each of you.

If you have been having trouble with Sutent side effects, you may want to ask your oncologist about changing the schedule.

My husband, John, had been on the traditional four weeks on/two weeks off for six rounds.  The side effects were normal--gastrointestinal, skin issues, fatigue, etc.  His doctor changed his schedule to two days on and one day off with no break.  We were worried at first as he did not want to miss his "vacation" from Sutent every month.

I am glad to report that the new schedule has resulted in NO side effects--no irritable bowel, no skin issues, no fatigue.  As a matter of fact, he states that he cannot even tell he is on the medication. 

My problem now is keeping him off the golf course every day so that I can get him to do some work around here.  Ha Ha

DiannaB

 

DiannaB,

I just read your message and as I am on Sutent I was interested in your comment on the new schedule. I have just ended my second session and am not looking forward to the next session. My biggest problem is the mouth sores especially the tongue. Althought the 2nd session was easier then the 1st it still was very uncomfortable as I could not eat much and lost a lot of weight. Will the new schedule be as effective as the 28 on and 14 off?

John  

My husband only had mouth sores for the first three rounds.  It seemed as though the side effects lessened starting with round 4, with the exception of irritable bowel, skin issues, and fatigue.  The new schedule has worked wonderfully for him to lessen these side effects, also.

Hope it will help you, also.  I am sure that everyone responds differently, so check with your oncologist to see if it might work for you.

Good luck and God Bless.   DiannaB 

Dianna -

  Did your husband experience any bloody noses or headaches?  My mom is almost done with round 2 and having more side effects than the first round.  I am going to ask her doctor about your husbands schedule.  Did they offer him two weeks on and one week off as well??  Please let me know.  Thanks and glad to hear he is doing well.

- Melissa

My husband did have bloody noses and headaches with the first three rounds, and it is true that the second round was worse than the first.  He was on the Sutent for six rounds of four weeks on and two weeks off before the oncologist changed his schedule. 

I am glad to say that the side effects have greatly diminishedwith the two days on and one day off schedule.  Though he still has some fatigue, it is no where near as debilitating as it was during the first six rounds.  He also continues to experience some digestive upset, but can control that usually through his food intake.  I've found that he is especially sensitive to dairy products (cream sauces on pasta when I am not here and he eats out).  Fruit was a major problem during the first few rounds. No mouth sores now, only minor skin issues, no problems with his privates, and no headaches since the change.

 Hope this helps and good luck.   Dianna