Tarceva and Side Effects

Thank you for your answer. I hadn't realized this was a symptom from taking Tarceva. It makes accepting them easier. Do they ever go away?

Getting itchy bumps on my head are something to look 'forward' too? NOT! Jeanne

Yes, the itchy bumps are more side effects. I have had them for several months now, they spread from a small spot to all over the top of the head. They ooze and itch and then dry up and more start. Kinda gross, but I still have my hair, so no one notices them but me. Also have sores inside my nose that bleed and hurt, but not too bad, they seem to get better and not quite go away and then come back!

So what you are saying is: Don't get used to being without any side effects from Tarceva because around the corner, there is another one that will get you.

I still have my fingers with sores on them. They hurt soo much. Also have gob in my eyes for these past two weeks which refuses to go away. Now I see my feet are starting to get little cuts on them...that doesn't make walking any easier, but the alternative compared to taking Tarceva is a no brainer. So I'll keep taking Tarceva and be grateful for it. Thanks. Jeanne

I have been on the Tarceva since 5-2-05. I have had the rash since 5-5-05. I have the sore fingers and toes. I get a rash on my feet and it comes and goes. I also have bumps and rash on my stomach, arms and legs. It seems to get better in one spot and then travels to another spot. I have the diarrhea and it comes and goes. My eye lashes have gone crazy. They are growing in every direction. I got the sores on my head. My hair very thinned out so I shaved it. It is coming back. I got the facial hair out of this world. It is confusing the cancer cells because they are stable. Not growing. I have BAC Stage 4. I am 43 y.o. and did not smoke. I lost a lung will be 3 years in Jan. I currently work 40 hrs a week not counting what I do around the house. The Tarceva is working if we have these side effects. I can deal with it.

I have been on Tarceva since July 1st, after going through chemo for a Stage IV tumor in right lung.
The tumor has disappeared and I have gone through the bumps on face, redness, and now am experiencing sore fingers and toes. It feels like they are ingrown.
I was prescribed Regenecare for my face and it cleared it right up, so I am applying that on my fingers too.
My hair continues to fall out and didn't realize that was a side effect. Guess it's short hair from now on.

Congratulations. Now you know that Tarceva is indeed working. All the side effects that I have had sound like yours.

The sores on the fingers and toes do subside after a while. I was prescribed an antibiotic and that helped alot. My eyes which were also infected have cleared up.

Two weeks ago I had a CTScan and my tumors have shrunk more then 50%. I am hoping to see them disappear in a few more months. I've been on Tarceva for at least four months now.

Don't notice the hair falling out since I was bald from Chemo. But do notice it's not growing back as fast as it should. I guess it's one step at a time, and hair is the least of my worries.

I even take my hat off whereever I am, so I can feel comfortable. Wearing a hat gives me a headache, and no one around me seems to mind looking at my five oclock shadow on my head. Everyone once in awhile, I will get a stranger staring at me, but what the heck - at least I'm here for them to look at.

Take care and stay well. Jeanne

Hi All,
I'm so glad that I've stumbled upon this website. My Mom has nsclc, stage IV and has just about finished her first 30 days on Tarceva. She just got the rash you've been talking about on her hands. From reading all your e-mails I will now know what to look for and be able to tell her as they come that she isn't alone. I wish she was a computer person so she could write but she isn't. It is so good to hear that you are having success with Tarceva and I wish everyone the best.
Thanks and take care of yourselves!

Thanks for the web site for Lindi Skin. Sound like great products. Right now I'm dealing with really bad sores on my scalp. They ooze and form thick scabs and they itch and burn. My oncologist tried some antibiotics but all they did was give me diahrrea. What I need is something to rub in my hair to sooth the sores, but there seems to be nothing so far. The sores on the rest of my body (I get the rash the worst on the face but also get it on my arms and hands)are not too bad with a special cream a nurse practioner perscribed for me. The cracks on the ends of my fingers have started up again now that winter is setting in here in the north country. If anyone else has the sores on their head and can help, please let me know.

Sue,

The lindi skin products are good on face. For sores on head and fingers, ask your Doc about Triancinolone Acetinide cream USP, 0.1%.

This helped me with the head sores. Used twice a day it really helped.

Gary

My father has been on Tarceva for two weeks now. Over the past 4 days the diarrhea has become intolerable. We are trying to treat it with Immodium and now Lomotil. We haven't been successful. He didn't take today's dose in the hope of settling his stomach. If anyone has any recommendations on how to deal with the diarhhea, we'd appreciate it.