Tarceva

I have NSCLC and will start taking Tarceva 150 mg. today (9/2/08).  I have decided to take it after my evening meal.   I understand all the side effects that may come with taking this drug.  I am interested in hearing from others about their experiences with their side effects.  I am female; age 68 with a very supported husband and family.  Thank you for any help you may give.  I will post again after I have been on the drug for a few weeks.

On 9/2/2008 Patm68 wrote:

I have NSCLC and will start taking Tarceva 150 mg. today (9/2/08).  I have decided to take it after my evening meal.   I understand all the side effects that may come with taking this drug.  I am interested in hearing from others about their experiences with their side effects.  I am female; age 68 with a very supported husband and family.  Thank you for any help you may give.  I will post again after I have been on the drug for a few weeks.

Hi Pat,

I've been on tarceva for almost 2 years now.  It is truly a wonder drug.  If you type in tarceva on the search for this site you will be overwhelmed by posts providing side effects and how everyone handled them. 

Just be sure to take the meds 1 hr prior to eating or 2 hours after eating and the same time every day.  It will make a difference. 

Good luck and God Bless.

Hi, Chessie,

I was diagnosed with NSCLC 14 mos. ago. I recently was prescribed Tarceva because the cancer is active again.

I have been taking Tarceva for 3 wks. Just wondering really, how long do the side effects last? The rash on my face is clearing in some spots but it's still all around my nose. The diarrhea is really getting to me. It just won't stop. Should I change my diet somehow( truthfully, I don't have much appetite)?

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I would really like to hear from you.

Catherine

On 9/3/2008 catherini wrote:

Hi, Chessie,

I was diagnosed with NSCLC 14 mos. ago. I recently was prescribed Tarceva because the cancer is active again.

I have been taking Tarceva for 3 wks. Just wondering really, how long do the side effects last? The rash on my face is clearing in some spots but it's still all around my nose. The diarrhea is really getting to me. It just won't stop. Should I change my diet somehow( truthfully, I don't have much appetite)?

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I would really like to hear from you.

Catherine

Catherine,

I sent you a private reply. 

Dear Patm68,

I've been on Tarceva for 7-8 months now. I had stage IV non small cell and now it's gone! I get a scan in 2 weeks to MAKE sure it's still gone, bit it has worked a miracle with me so far! I'm 43 female, healthy, with 2 small children.

I got the rash 8 days after taking the pill and it was really bad. But they say somehow it's working when that happens. Like the other person said, make sure you take it on an empty stomach (1 hour after eating). I take mine at 7:00 pm every night at the same time. I've gained a little weight because at 9:00 I'm hungry and I eat something (usually carbs!). Anyway, please feel free to email me with any questions you have. I'm enjoying helping people with this!

Diana

On 9/3/2008 catherini wrote:

Hi, Chessie,

I was diagnosed with NSCLC 14 mos. ago. I recently was prescribed Tarceva because the cancer is active again.

I have been taking Tarceva for 3 wks. Just wondering really, how long do the side effects last? The rash on my face is clearing in some spots but it's still all around my nose. The diarrhea is really getting to me. It just won't stop. Should I change my diet somehow( truthfully, I don't have much appetite)?

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I would really like to hear from you.

Catherine

Catherine,

I've been on Tarceva 7-8 months now. I had stage IV non small cell and now it's gone! The rash came out bad at first, but now it's controllable. I am getting the rash on my arms some and back. But I can deal with it! I also get diarrhea from time to time, but it's always when I eat something spicy or rich (taco's - chocolate - ect). So just try to watch what you eat and drink LOTS of water! It will help with the rash and flushing out your system.

Please let me know if you have any more questions!

Diana

On 9/2/2008 Patm68 wrote:

I have NSCLC and will start taking Tarceva 150 mg. today (9/2/08).  I have decided to take it after my evening meal.   I understand all the side effects that may come with taking this drug.  I am interested in hearing from others about their experiences with their side effects.  I am female; age 68 with a very supported husband and family.  Thank you for any help you may give.  I will post again after I have been on the drug for a few weeks.

Have have been on Tarceva for 3 years plus.  I was initially diagnosed at a Stage 4.  My doctor says I'm a poster child.  I have had all the side-effects from rashes to dry skin and eye lash infection and a bad case of dry scalp, inbetween.  You just have to roll with the punches.

I'm currently on 100mg. daily and last winter went off the drug for 2 months.  My body seems to tolerate it alot better the last few months.

I am 65 yrs. old and a female.  If you have questions, e-mail me at:

On 9/4/2008 Diana Y wrote:

Dear Patm68,

I've been on Tarceva for 7-8 months now. I had stage IV non small cell and now it's gone! I get a scan in 2 weeks to MAKE sure it's still gone, bit it has worked a miracle with me so far! I'm 43 female, healthy, with 2 small children.

I got the rash 8 days after taking the pill and it was really bad. But they say somehow it's working when that happens. Like the other person said, make sure you take it on an empty stomach (1 hour after eating). I take mine at 7:00 pm every night at the same time. I've gained a little weight because at 9:00 I'm hungry and I eat something (usually carbs!). Anyway, please feel free to email me with any questions you have. I'm enjoying helping people with this!

Diana

Diana, how long after you started taking Tarceva did the side effects start??  My friend is on day 7 of taking it and is having shortness of breath and coughing but no rash or anything else.  Praise the Lord for your miracle!!!!!!  Any info you can give would greatly be appreciated!!!  God Bless you and your family!!!!!!

On 9/4/2008 Diana Y wrote:

Dear Patm68,

I've been on Tarceva for 7-8 months now. I had stage IV non small cell and now it's gone! I get a scan in 2 weeks to MAKE sure it's still gone, bit it has worked a miracle with me so far! I'm 43 female, healthy, with 2 small children.

I got the rash 8 days after taking the pill and it was really bad. But they say somehow it's working when that happens. Like the other person said, make sure you take it on an empty stomach (1 hour after eating). I take mine at 7:00 pm every night at the same time. I've gained a little weight because at 9:00 I'm hungry and I eat something (usually carbs!). Anyway, please feel free to email me with any questions you have. I'm enjoying helping people with this!

Diana

My father has stage  IV nsclc.  He was diagnosed in January, started a clinical trial at Sloane Kettering shortly after and had to stop after 4 treatments because the Avastin caused clotting.  They put him on Alimpta and today we got the results from his CT scan.  It wasn't helping, so they're starting him on Tarceva today.  Diana, and anyone else who might have experience with Tarceva, how weak had you gotten before starting the Tarceva?  That's my big concern.  My dad is 73 and was strong as a bull when diagnosed.  He's so weak now.  Appetite is good but his balance is pretty bad and his breathing is labored.  Wondering if there's anyone out there who was in pretty bad shape and had good results with the Tarceva.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.