Help Me Prepare For Tarceva Side Effects

Hi.  My mom has stage 4 anenomacarcinoma that metastacized to her brain.  She had surgery on one brain tumor and begins radiation and Tarceva today to address the remaining tumor.  I am very concerned about the possibility of her developing severe diarhea.  Can anyone tell me how long it might take for the symptoms to present themselves?  Also, can I give her pedialyte or something similiar to help keep her hydrated?  She is very weak and thin already.  She weighs only about 94 lbs and has been losing on average a pound a week even before starting Tarceva.  Keeping her nutrition strong is my biggest concern.  I read the post about adding whole grains, metamucil and bananas, etc.  I will do all that.  I'm happy to have found this message board and thank you all for your posts.  They help me know what real people are experiencing. May we all pray for each other... Beth

 

On 5/27/2008 Judys Daughter wrote:

Hi.  My mom has stage 4 anenomacarcinoma that metastacized to her brain.  She had surgery on one brain tumor and begins radiation and Tarceva today to address the remaining tumor.  I am very concerned about the possibility of her developing severe diarhea.  Can anyone tell me how long it might take for the symptoms to present themselves?  Also, can I give her pedialyte or something similiar to help keep her hydrated?  She is very weak and thin already.  She weighs only about 94 lbs and has been losing on average a pound a week even before starting Tarceva.  Keeping her nutrition strong is my biggest concern.  I read the post about adding whole grains, metamucil and bananas, etc.  I will do all that.  I'm happy to have found this message board and thank you all for your posts.  They help me know what real people are experiencing. May we all pray for each other... Beth

I am currently taking Terceva and the side effects begin to wear off as your body adjusts.  I was losing weight for several months, but now am steadily gaining and have my appetite back.  For me, the diarrhea is just now a nuisance and is under control.  I eat normally, maybe smaller portions.  I get that urge, but have no problem getting to the bathroom.  I hope your mother will adjust as I have!  I am in Stage 4, and this treatment has worked for me since I finished my chemo in August.  The tumors are not even measureable.  Good Luck!  Donna

Hi Donna,

 

Thank you for your reply.  I am happy to hear you are doing good.  My mom just started the Tarceva on Tuesday (3 days ago).  No sign of sideeffects yet, but I guess its too early.  You said the side effects wore off for you after your body adjusted.  How long did it take for your side effects to show up, and what were they?  How long before you "adjusted"?  I know everyone is different, but it helps me to stay calm the more I know what I might expect.  My mom takes 150 mg. once a day, for 6 months, unless something changes along the way.  How long have you been or did you take it?

 

Thanks again for your help.  I have found this board to be very helpful and am glad there are others out there to share with.  Best wishes  for continued improvement in your health!

 

Beth

 

On 5/29/2008 Judys Daughter wrote:

Hi Donna,

 

Thank you for your reply.  I am happy to hear you are doing good.  My mom just started the Tarceva on Tuesday (3 days ago).  No sign of sideeffects yet, but I guess its too early.  You said the side effects wore off for you after your body adjusted.  How long did it take for your side effects to show up, and what were they?  How long before you "adjusted"?  I know everyone is different, but it helps me to stay calm the more I know what I might expect.  My mom takes 150 mg. once a day, for 6 months, unless something changes along the way.  How long have you been or did you take it?

 

Thanks again for your help.  I have found this board to be very helpful and am glad there are others out there to share with.  Best wishes  for continued improvement in your health!

 

Beth

 

 

On 5/30/2008 DonnaPeach wrote:

 

On 5/29/2008 Judys Daughter wrote:

Hi Donna,

 

Thank you for your reply.  I am happy to hear you are doing good.  My mom just started the Tarceva on Tuesday (3 days ago).  No sign of sideeffects yet, but I guess its too early.  You said the side effects wore off for you after your body adjusted.  How long did it take for your side effects to show up, and what were they?  How long before you "adjusted"?  I know everyone is different, but it helps me to stay calm the more I know what I might expect.  My mom takes 150 mg. once a day, for 6 months, unless something changes along the way.  How long have you been or did you take it?

 

Thanks again for your help.  I have found this board to be very helpful and am glad there are others out there to share with.  Best wishes  for continued improvement in your health!

 

Beth

 

 

Hey Beth,  Glad my reply was helpful.  I started on the Terceva after finishing my chemo in August and I will continue to take it as long as it works.  I am in a clinical trial (I had no other treatment options), and I take the Terceva along with Avastin, once every 3 weeks.  The trial is set up for two years, but the drug can be available longer if its still working.  The side effects are still present, but now tolerable.  Dry skin particularly.  I use Aveeno lotion, found to work best and Vaseline on crusty spots.  I found that many products irritate more because of different chemicals or perfumes.  My appetite has been good for several months, but I did lose weight for the first couple of months.  The diarrhea is manageable now and is no more than going like you would normally, but it's loose.  So...I've never had any "accidents" or problems like that.  Trade out is certainly worth it.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you guys are doing.  I hope she will respond as well as I have.  God Bless!  Donna

Hi Again Donna,

 My mom is also in a clinical trial with the Tarceva. She is also receiving 15 doses of whole brain radiation.  The trial is to see if the Tarceva is responsive to brain metastasis of adnocarcinoma.  This is mom's first chemo and the trial was her only legitimate option.  Her doctor told her that other doctors may want to "sell" her chemo, but that there was no evidence or FDA approval that there is a chemo drug that will be effective for her brain met.  Thank you for the lotion recommendation.  Her skin was very dry before this even. I am excited that you are doing so well, and better yet over a long period of time.  I can only hope for that with my mom.  It would be such a blessing to be able to have somewhat of a "normal life" where treatments, side effects, doctor appoinments and the like were just a small part of life and not our whole life.

 

Thank you again for your replies! God Belss!

Dear Judy's daughter,

 

Keep your chin up.  My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in Jan of 05 and given 4 mths to live.  Never smoked a day in his life and was only 42 yrs. old.    We did two rounds of chemo and he went directly to Tarceva.      Both lungs were filled.    The Tarceva did give him bad rash and often made his toes and fingers get infected around the nails.  The worse the reaction the better the medicine is working.   Today his right lung is completely clear and his left lung only has a few spots.  After all this time the Tarceva is still working.   He saw a Naturopath and got on a vitamin regimen in the beginning and has never stopped that.  But basically, he just takes the one pill a day and we see the doc every 3 mths.    He is considered to be 95% remission.  He sometimes gets diarrhea and he was fighting fatigue for about a year and a 1/2.    Now, I have noticed he isn't so fatigued anymore, but his emotions are up and down.  He seems easily agitated and can't focus on one thing for very long.   He has been on Tarceva now for 3 1/2 years.     Good luck to you and keep the faith. 

 

On 5/27/2008 Judys Daughter wrote:

Hi.  My mom has stage 4 anenomacarcinoma that metastacized to her
brain.  She had surgery on one brain tumor and begins radiation
and Tarceva today to address the remaining tumor.  I am very
concerned about the possibility of her developing severe diarhea. 
Can anyone tell me how long it might take for the symptoms to present
themselves?  Also, can I give her pedialyte or something similiar
to help keep her hydrated?  She is very weak and thin
already.  She weighs only about 94 lbs and has been losing on
average a pound a week even before starting Tarceva.  Keeping her
nutrition strong is my biggest concern.  I read the post about
adding whole grains, metamucil and bananas, etc.  I will do all
that.  I'm happy to have found this message board and thank you
all for your posts.  They help me know what real people are
experiencing. May we all pray for each other... Beth

I did not have any diarrhea with tarceva. The rash was the worst part but I found ways to control that in natural ways.

For
me,I eat yogurt  (with acidophylis) and a banana first thing of
the day.Since some yogurts are sour,I buy onethat comes  from
Australia , which is flavored with Vanilla.Or you could plavor

You could also buy acidophylis capsules or pills and also  papaya enzymes to suck on .. which are digestive
aids. I also take probiotics from the health food store. Your mom will
be in my thoughts and I am hopeful that Tarceva will help her. I'm glad
that she has a  daughter who really cares...Best,Jane