Tarceva Side Effects

 

On 3/21/2008 KERRYDENISE wrote:

I was wrong on how long my mom has been on tarceva.  She has actually been on this drug for 2 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed 3 years ago.  She is taking the same dose that you are.  She goes for a ct scan in 2 weeks and then we will lnow of everything is still ok.

That is great 2 1/2 years! My husband has been on Tarceva only a few months and PT/CT scans show it seems to be working. Has the size of your mom's tumor changed? We are trying some new skin care for the rash etc. Just oredered some new products that I hope help him. Hope your mom's scan shows great results! Our user name is johnpattie as we combined both names. I do most of the messages and reading.

 

 

On 3/6/2008 PALMA wrote:

I was diagnosed a year ago this month with stage iv non small cell lung cancer.  I have gone through two rounds of chemotherapy by infusion.  On 2-27-08 i started on the chemotherapy pill, tarceva.  Almost immediatly i noticed my breathing had improved; the shortness of breath was not as bad as it was; i had more energy and stamina.  On the 4th of march, i noticed a rash had developed on my face around the nose area; and the shortness of breath had returned. The following day the rash had spread to include my chin and around my mouth; and the shortness of breath was worse than the day before.  Has anyone experienced these reactions?

My oncologist insists that The rash is the sign that it is working and I have a very bad case of it. Today I feel overwrought with skin irritation.It comes and goes and travels around! However my scans show the tumor and  cancer in lymph nodes has dissappeared after three months. The shortness of breath I did not have,though I've had to take Ativan for 'anxiety' which can feel like  breath.shortness or 'overwhemed feeling'.I had also had fluids drained from around my heart two times previously which helped greatly the shortness of breath during chemo. If you havent been checked by a cardiologist it might be advisable.It certainly is challenging.Good luck and hope you have progress with Tarceva, as it offers a lot of potential freedom. Jane

 

 

 

 

On 3/21/2008 KERRYDENISE wrote:

I was wrong on how long my mom has been on tarceva.  She has actually been on this drug for 2 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed 3 years ago.  She is taking the same dose that you are.  She goes for a ct scan in 2 weeks and then we will lnow of everything is still ok.

I'm very glad to hear about people nwho have been on Tarceva long term and still doing well. I need that encouragement.Thanks!

Hi Jane,

Thank you for sharing with me your experience with Tarceva. I too have the rash, but it is only on my face, in particular on my nose and sometimes on other parts of my face.  so far I have not had to deal with the rash on any other part of  my body, although the dryness of my skin is really bad.  I still have the shortness of breath but it may have something to do with scar tissue that developed around the lung shortly after I had a thorasic drain to drain the fluid; also I had talc injected into the area after the drain was removed.  I have seen a cardiologist; took the stress test and all, but my heart doesn't seem to be the problem.  I am scheduled for a ct scan Monday and will meet with my Dr. on Wednesday to discuss the out come of the scan and if I am to continue on with the Tarceva, or go on to something else.  I too prefer to stay on a daily pill rather than going through infusions.  Best of luck to you  

Hi jeffrey,Got my results of my ct scan i had two days ago and nothing has changed.  The ct scan shows if the tumors have grown; and they have not, so i guess the tarceva is working.  I was told the reason for the ct scan and not a pet scan is because the ct scan shows the size of the tumors clearer.  I always thought the pet scan was a sharper immage.  I guess it all depends on what the professionals are looking for. However, i am off the tarceva for now and will be seeing a dr. Tomorrow to discuss radiation treatments, as i'm having some problems. For the past two weeks my face has been swollen, i have developed a cough, i am more shortwinded than usual and swallowing at times is difficult.i thought these were signs of an allergic reaction to the tarceva but my dr. Says it's pressure on some of the veins and arteries near the top of my lung caused by the tumor.  The radiation supposedly will shrink the tumor quicker than the chemo drugs, thus it will alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms i'm experiencing.  I hope this works.  I have to admit i'm a bit aprehensive about radiation treatments.