Erbitux And Diahorrea

Hi folks,

I will be commencing 3rd line treatment with FOLFORI & ERBITUX in a few weeks. I am warned of the adverse side effects including the rash. Can anyone tell me about the diahorrea/nausea?  How bad is it? How soon does it come on and does it last? HOw long did treatment last before no longer effective?

What complimentary treatments has anyone found to assist with the side effects?

Also has anyone any experience with seeking access to funding/compensation for the Erbitux as it is not approved for medical insurance benefits where I live (Australia).

 much thanks for your help

Benny

 

Hi There!

I know how awful they make Erbitux sound, but so far I have not witnessed any of the horrible side effects on my Dad.  He has received a rash from it, but they prescribed him medication and it has taken the redness away.  I know everyone is different, but he has not had nausea or diahorea from any of his treatments.  Tomorrow he will finished round 1 of his treatmenta for Stage IV and he looks amazing!  He is putting weight on, he goes to work, and does all the other normal things he has always done.  My hope is that his CT scan will reflect on the inside how GREAT he looks on the outside.

Don't listen to every side effect you hear, it does not mean it will work for you the same way.

I did have a rash and significant dry skin from erbitux.  I referred to it as full body dandruff.  Lots of lotion does help as did an antibiotic prescribed for the rash.

I did have severe diarrhea with the irinotecan.  I was finally able to control it by taking lomotil.  Immodium did not help me much.  Others swear by tincture of opium.  There are lots of possible ways to treat the diarrhea which can be quite miserable.  I was having 20 or more bowel movements per day.

Sally

hi there, my mum was diagnosed stage iv colo cancer oct 07, with 7 tumours on her liver.  she was put on folfox/avastin and spent about 8 weeks with hospitalisations from dec to march.. in april her tumours were too many to count in her liver and had spread to her lungs......we were very worried.  the doc then started her on erbitux/irinotecan and since then she has had no hospitalisations, is doing great with no diarrhoea, her colour has improved, her jaundice has disappeared and all she has is a butterfly rash on her nose..  she has only had one full round of the chemo and the difference is miraculous......she started taking zeolite and frequensea within the last week so that might also be helping..... i am so happy with the improvement.  she went out for a walk after her chemo on monday and on tuesday she walked for an hour...prior to that she was almost bedbound. 

I'm on this same trial and have not had any bowel issues, but have had the rash.  Benedryl and keeping my face moisturized has helped!  A wierd thing for me was that my eyelashes broke, not fallen out, broke.  My Dr. gave me eyedrops and now I wear false lashes.