Side affects of Nexavar

My husband has been on Nexavar for 5 months, needless to say the side affects have been very difficult.  Most recently is, his loss of appetite.  He is on appetite enhancers, but they don't seem to be working.  He is down to 156 from a normal of 185.  He has blood work done weekly and we see the liver specialist right afterwards to discuss the outcome as he had a liver/kidney transplant last June, 2008.  My biggest concern is that I can not seem to make many things that appeal to him other than milk shakes.  Does anyone else have any other suggestions.....I really could use the help!!

I understand what you are going through.  My Dad was on Nexavar for 6 months.  He only drank milkshakes as well.  We also made sure he ate lots of vegetables.  He did not want to eat at all. Hang in there and good luck at the doctors appt.  My prayers are with you and your husband.  Keep trying to get him to eat.  

I understand what you are going through.  My Dad was on Nexavar for 6 months.  He only drank milkshakes as well.  We also made sure he ate lots of vegetables.  He did not want to eat at all. Hang in there and good luck at the doctors appt.  My prayers are with you and your husband.  Keep trying to get him to eat.  

 

On 5/28/2009 lolomike wrote:

I understand what you are going through.  My Dad was on Nexavar for 6 months.  He only drank milkshakes as well.  We also made sure he ate lots of vegetables.  He did not want to eat at all. Hang in there and good luck at the doctors appt.  My prayers are with you and your husband.  Keep trying to get him to eat.  

I appreciate your input, is your dad still on Nexavar or is he gone now?  I hope I'm not being indelicate but I just don't know how long Joe has and I'm afraid he'll starve to death.  Please let me know how you both are doing.  God bless you and those you love.  Clarise

I lost my dad and still feel the emptiness.  The Nexavar was working wonderfully.  My Dad had the tumor in his portal vein and had it removed.  He was doing wonderful. 6^ months later the doctor noticed some small tumors growing.  He was put on the nexavar and it was keeping the tumors from growing.  His doctor wanted to try  (SIRT: Selective Internal Radiation treatment).  Dad was willing to try anything.  They ttok him off the nexavar to do the radiation.  Two weeks after the treatment his liver began to fail.  it seems the radiation damaged the healthy liver.  He went down hill after that.  He became jauntice, tired and just so depressed.  He also began to become swollen. (belly).  He passed exactly theee months after the radiation.  My family and I wish we would have kept him on the nexavar.  The side effects: Dryness of skin, lack of appetite were bad but he was able to live his life and was beginning to eat. He  had such a better quality of life on that then when he did the radiation.  I wish you and your husband  all the best.  With the weather becoming warmer try to have him sit outside.  My dad seemed to like the fresh air and it seems to brightened his mood. Good luck

I don't know if this is any help, but I've been on Nexavar for 10 months now.  I had a lot of side effects initially, including loss of appetite, but they have gotten better and better as time marches on.  I've actually been gaining weight the past couple of months.  One caution:  My oncologist recently told me Nexavar frequently causes lactose intolerance.  I used to do milk shakes too but now I've cut way down on dairy products and it has helped my digestion a lot.  Also my PCP recommended Probiotics which are also supposed to help digestion a lot.  I haven't tried that yet however.  I eat lots of pastries.  Strudels, cinamon rolls, croissants, etc.  They definitely help you gain weight!  Also imporant to take vitamins, milk thistle, and fish oil.  Once again, I hope this is helpful.