Tarceva For Metastisized Stage Iv, Plus Loss Of Appetite

My mom has stage IV NSCLC with mets to the lymph nodes.  She had four rounds of chemo - Taxol, Carboplatin and Avastin but now the doctor just has her on Avastin because she was suffering such sever side effects and being greatly weakened by the Taxol and Carboplatin.  He mentioned possibly putting her on Tarceva but the problem is she has no prescription insurance and I understand it runs about $4K per month.  Her only income is social security and the additional money my husband and I and my brother give her each month to help out. I initiated contact with the company because they have a program to help people who can't afford it get the drug. It hasn't officially been prescribed yet but the doctor mentioned it.

Does anyone know if this is ever prescribed for people who's cancer has metasticized?  Most people I read about on this site that are taking it don't seem to mention mets. I'm wondering if she would be just as well continuing with the Avastin, which she is taking via IV and thus covered by her insurance.

Also, she has absolutely no appetite and I can't get her to eat.  She says even thinking about food sometimes makes her sick.  Any suggestions? I want to tell her that she needs to eat even if she thinks she will get sick afterward but I know that is easier said than done and I can't truly understand what she feels as I'm not experiencing it. She's already lost close to 20 pounds since March and not a large woman to begin with.  I know it is contributing to her weakness and dizziness and disorientation but nothing I say seems to work.  Any input would be truly appreciated. 

Hi,

Tarceva is definitely prescribed to people with metasticized cancer.  There are certain groups of people who do better with it than others (People who have never smoked, for example), but it is definitely worth looking into.

Eating was a real problem for my mother as well.  I couldn't get her to eat, but she didn't mind drinking Boost Plus, which had a fair amount of calories.  I don't think it was the best food because it is full of sugar, but still, better than not eating.

Good luck to you and your mother.    Roz

On 5/29/2008 pbear wrote:

My mom has stage IV NSCLC with mets to the lymph nodes.  She had four rounds of chemo - Taxol, Carboplatin and Avastin but now the doctor just has her on Avastin because she was suffering such sever side effects and being greatly weakened by the Taxol and Carboplatin.  He mentioned possibly putting her on Tarceva but the problem is she has no prescription insurance and I understand it runs about $4K per month.  Her only income is social security and the additional money my husband and I and my brother give her each month to help out. I initiated contact with the company because they have a program to help people who can't afford it get the drug. It hasn't officially been prescribed yet but the doctor mentioned it.

Does anyone know if this is ever prescribed for people who's cancer has metasticized?  Most people I read about on this site that are taking it don't seem to mention mets. I'm wondering if she would be just as well continuing with the Avastin, which she is taking via IV and thus covered by her insurance.

Also, she has absolutely no appetite and I can't get her to eat.  She says even thinking about food sometimes makes her sick.  Any suggestions? I want to tell her that she needs to eat even if she thinks she will get sick afterward but I know that is easier said than done and I can't truly understand what she feels as I'm not experiencing it. She's already lost close to 20 pounds since March and not a large woman to begin with.  I know it is contributing to her weakness and dizziness and disorientation but nothing I say seems to work.  Any input would be truly appreciated. 

 

On 5/30/2008 DonnaPeach wrote:

 

On 5/29/2008 pbear wrote:

My mom has stage IV NSCLC with mets to the lymph nodes.  She had four rounds of chemo - Taxol, Carboplatin and Avastin but now the doctor just has her on Avastin because she was suffering such sever side effects and being greatly weakened by the Taxol and Carboplatin.  He mentioned possibly putting her on Tarceva but the problem is she has no prescription insurance and I understand it runs about $4K per month.  Her only income is social security and the additional money my husband and I and my brother give her each month to help out. I initiated contact with the company because they have a program to help people who can't afford it get the drug. It hasn't officially been prescribed yet but the doctor mentioned it.

Does anyone know if this is ever prescribed for people who's cancer has metasticized?  Most people I read about on this site that are taking it don't seem to mention mets. I'm wondering if she would be just as well continuing with the Avastin, which she is taking via IV and thus covered by her insurance.

Also, she has absolutely no appetite and I can't get her to eat.  She says even thinking about food sometimes makes her sick.  Any suggestions? I want to tell her that she needs to eat even if she thinks she will get sick afterward but I know that is easier said than done and I can't truly understand what she feels as I'm not experiencing it. She's already lost close to 20 pounds since March and not a large woman to begin with.  I know it is contributing to her weakness and dizziness and disorientation but nothing I say seems to work.  Any input would be truly appreciated. 

 

I have Stage IV NSCLC and have already completed my chemo same as your mom.  I am currently taking Tarceva daily 150 mg and Avastin once every 3 weeks and my tumors have all continued to shrink and are not even measureable except a small spot in my lung where the largest mass was.  This drug was a life saver for me.  I was able to participate in a clinical trial to get this for no charge...so you need to check into that for your mom. 
She may get the placebo, but worth looking into.  I lost a lot of weight during my treatment, but now that I'm on the Tarceva and Avastin alone, have been steadily gaining weight and eating more.  Hang in there and don't give up hope.  There are many options out there!  Let me know if you need more info on the cliniical trial, but I'm sure your Dr. knows already.  Good Luck and God Bless!  Donna

Talk to her oncologist because there is help with Tarceva costs for people who cannot afford it and go to http://www.tarceva.com/pancreatic/resources/insurance.jsp

for help