Tarceva And Side Effect

Hi:

my father was put  in tarceva (NSLC stage 111b) without receiving any chemotherapy, for the last two months. The last scan done yesterady shows the cancer growth has stopped and the tumors have started to shrink. He has severe side effect with rash , hair loss and severe shortness of breath. Because of his shortness of breath he is unable to walk more than couple of feet. He is in 150mg per day dosage. We have an appointment with his doctor next week. Any suggestion what we should tell his doctor? Also I have read that TARCEVA typically stops working after 8-12 months. Anybody knows anything about this.

I am very scared. Any support is highly appreciated

On 6/3/2008 bubul wrote:

Hi:

my father was put  in tarceva (NSLC stage 111b) without receiving any chemotherapy, for the last two months. The last scan done yesterady shows the cancer growth has stopped and the tumors have started to shrink. He has severe side effect with rash , hair loss and severe shortness of breath. Because of his shortness of breath he is unable to walk more than couple of feet. He is in 150mg per day dosage. We have an appointment with his doctor next week. Any suggestion what we should tell his doctor? Also I have read that TARCEVA typically stops working after 8-12 months. Anybody knows anything about this.

I am very scared. Any support is highly appreciated

Hi,

Has anyone checked your father's blood for anemia lately?  My mother also experienced shortness of breath while on Tarceva.  It turned out she had become very anemic and needed a blood transfusion.  That helped immensely.  The dosage of your father's meds can be reduced, and then increased later on.  As far as the time line goes, everyone is different.  My mother never had any benefit from Tarceva; her cancer grew while she was taking it.  So you are in the lucky group!  Just don't wait until your dad's appt.  Call now and explain his symptoms.  Good luck to you both.  Roz

Hi:

thanks for your reply. My fathers blood count is good (over 13).

He is currently taking vitamin supplyment. Do you think he need to take something else to improve his condition.

bubul

Can anybody tell me what kind of vitamin and other suppliment people are taking when on TARCEVA.

thanks

bubul

Hi there,

I was told not to take ANY vitamins while taking Tarceva - it could interfere with the pills ability. I've been on Tarceva for 6 months - I was a stage IV in February and today it's almost gone. It has worked wonderfully for me. I have all of the side effects - let me know if you have questions!

Diana

Hi Diana:

I am really happy for you that tarceva is working so wonderfully. did you have chemo before you took tarceva. By the way, what vitamins are you taking? My father has stopped now taking vitamins because of the side effect and that makes him very very weak. He has also all the side effects, but what really bothering him the most is the pain that he has. He had his lung tapped for fluid and since then he has this pain. The doctor told us its because some of his nerve got damaged. He has to take pain killer injection daily. Gas is another thing that is painful. He took gas reliever, but that didn't help.

Looking forward towards your reply.

bubul

On 7/18/2008 bubul wrote:

Hi Diana:

I am really happy for you that tarceva is working so wonderfully. did you have chemo before you took tarceva. By the way, what vitamins are you taking? My father has stopped now taking vitamins because of the side effect and that makes him very very weak. He has also all the side effects, but what really bothering him the most is the pain that he has. He had his lung tapped for fluid and since then he has this pain. The doctor told us its because some of his nerve got damaged. He has to take pain killer injection daily. Gas is another thing that is painful. He took gas reliever, but that didn't help.

Looking forward towards your reply.

bubul

Hi there,

The vitamin that I wanted to take was just a multi-vitamin (One-A-Day Women's), but the doctor advised not to. I also have the gas problem - that can be painful! I don't really do anything for it - just wait until it goes away.

I didn not have chemo before taking Tarceva, the doctor put me right on Tarceva and it worked so well and quickly. I know I am fortunate and blessed.

I hope your father starts to improve and the pain goes away soon.

Thank you,

Diana

Hi Diana:

thank you for your mail. We are all hoping that his pain goes away, but so far it hasn't shown any sign. My father also never had any chemotherapy, he was put on TARCEVA and it worked very well. He is now 4 months in it. I have a question, how often do you have the blood test and CT scan. Is there any other test thats done on you.

By teh way, my father takes multivitamin in th evening. He was telling me that he wants to stop it. His doctor says he should do what he thinks is best for him.

thanks for your reply.

bubul

The blood test and CT Scan are every 3 months. The blood test will check the blood cell counts and check the liver (this pill is hard on the liver). I was told that a multi vitamin can  "offset" the Tarceva's effect. You can get TOO much of certain vitamins that would counteract with the pill.

 I don't have any other tests done at this point, just the bloodwork and ct scans. Let me know if you have any more questions or need support! You can send a note anytime.

Diana