Tarceva

I posted a message on 3/2 worrying about starting Tarceva and the side effects. I had actually started that day, and by the next Sunday, 3/9, the rash had developed pretty well -- on my face, head, chest, arms and back. By Thursday I met with my oncologist who said, "Great, it's really working. But we're going to take you off the drug for a couple of weeks to clear you up." I don't know when I've ever had a rash more uncomfortable than this one. I also suffered the fatigue, diarehal, nausea, and complete loss of appetite. I went off Tarceva on the 13, and here it is the 17th and I'm still feeling the effects. I can handle everything but the rash, since it really hurts, especially on my face. I've read through the messages and will try some of the remedies other people have tried. I found Gold Bond works well, so much so that I'm not even embarrassed doing errands with white powder all over my face. He's going to start me back on April 3 with a 75 mg dose, and I hope I can handle it. I've been through chemo twice, and it was no picnic, but this face rash ranks right up there with my bad chemo days.

I'm a really positive person, and I haven't let lung, bladder, and prostate cancer get me, so I'm not going to be stopped by a few side effects.

On 3/17/2008 Craig1 wrote:

I posted a message on 3/2 worrying about starting Tarceva and the side effects. I had actually started that day, and by the next Sunday, 3/9, the rash had developed pretty well -- on my face, head, chest, arms and back. By Thursday I met with my oncologist who said, "Great, it's really working. But we're going to take you off the drug for a couple of weeks to clear you up." I don't know when I've ever had a rash more uncomfortable than this one. I also suffered the fatigue, diarehal, nausea, and complete loss of appetite. I went off Tarceva on the 13, and here it is the 17th and I'm still feeling the effects. I can handle everything but the rash, since it really hurts, especially on my face. I've read through the messages and will try some of the remedies other people have tried. I found Gold Bond works well, so much so that I'm not even embarrassed doing errands with white powder all over my face. He's going to start me back on April 3 with a 75 mg dose, and I hope I can handle it. I've been through chemo twice, and it was no picnic, but this face rash ranks right up there with my bad chemo days.

I'm a really positive person, and I haven't let lung, bladder, and prostate cancer get me, so I'm not going to be stopped by a few side effects.

Hi Craig,  Sounds like you've had your share of treatments.  Compared to the others Tarceva should be a treat once you get the rash under control.  I had the rash really bad in the beginning when I was taking 150 and my onc dropped me back and put me on an antibiotic for 10 days.  That did the trick.  Then when I started up again I was 100, 125, and back to 150 and have been on 150 for a year now.  I'm doing really good.  One of the creams I used was a prescription called clobetasol propionate cream 0.05%.  It takes away the rash overnight almost.  Tarceva has been a God send for me.  They gave me 6-12 almost 17 months ago and I'm still working full time and doing everything I always have.  sometimes a little slower but it's been well worth the hassles in the beginning.  I wish you luck and hope Tarceva does as well for you as it has for me.  God Bless.

I have been taking Tarceva for 2 and a half months and am curious about the dosage changes and how they effected you. What reasons did your doctor give for switching doses and how did it effect you?  Also, have you had any anxiety reactons to the drug or the cancer. I am also grateful that Tarceva provides a  chance for a future life without being connected to an I.V.