Anyone ever go on etoposide???

Hi -

I am probably going to try etoposide for the first time this week. Has anyone ever tried it and if so what are the side effects, and what kind of response did you have. I have been on carboplatin & taxol, tamoxifen, gemzar & carbo, gemzar alone, hycamtin (topotecan), carboplatin desensitization, doxil, and navelbine. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Diane T

On 6/14/2009 Diane t. wrote:

Hi -

I am probably going to try etoposide for the first time this week. Has anyone ever tried it and if so what are the side effects, and what kind of response did you have. I have been on carboplatin & taxol, tamoxifen, gemzar & carbo, gemzar alone, hycamtin (topotecan), carboplatin desensitization, doxil, and navelbine. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Diane T

Diane,

  I was on Etoposide last summer, for the whole summer.  I really did not experience any side effects.  I took the pill everyday for 3 weeks, then had one week off.  It kept my CA125 down for the summer, and I was able to resume a normal life for a bit. And it gave my bone marrow a chance to rebuild.....it's not as rough on the bone marrow as the carbo, or cisplatin..... But eventually the CA125 started to come back up and I had to go back on IV chemo..  I was grateful for the summer though..  now I'm finishing up my 4th round of IV chemo, and the hope is to start Avastin every 2 weeks, and oral Cytoxan....  maybe I'll have another good summer...  we have to take what we can get, and hope for the best...  I may not win the war, but sure do intend to win the battles that come with it..  good luck to you... I hope you have good results...

vicki

On 6/18/2009 vickiv74 wrote:

 

On 6/14/2009 Diane t. wrote:

Hi -

I am probably going to try etoposide for the first time this week. Has anyone ever tried it and if so what are the side effects, and what kind of response did you have. I have been on carboplatin & taxol, tamoxifen, gemzar & carbo, gemzar alone, hycamtin (topotecan), carboplatin desensitization, doxil, and navelbine. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Diane T

Diane,

  I was on Etoposide last summer, for the whole summer.  I really did not experience any side effects.  I took the pill everyday for 3 weeks, then had one week off.  It kept my CA125 down for the summer, and I was able to resume a normal life for a bit. And it gave my bone marrow a chance to rebuild.....it's not as rough on the bone marrow as the carbo, or cisplatin..... But eventually the CA125 started to come back up and I had to go back on IV chemo..  I was grateful for the summer though..  now I'm finishing up my 4th round of IV chemo, and the hope is to start Avastin every 2 weeks, and oral Cytoxan....  maybe I'll have another good summer...  we have to take what we can get, and hope for the best...  I may not win the war, but sure do intend to win the battles that come with it..  good luck to you... I hope you have good results...

vicki

Vicki -

Thanks for your information. I saw the doc yesterday and now it seems that I am going to try to go on Abraxane & Avastin instead of the etoposide. My most recent CT from last week showed a MAJOR amount of progression. I am having significant pain (started 2 days ago) so I hope I can start this treatment soon. I am on medicare with a BC/BS supplement and they denied the drugs. My doc's office is working on it. I love summer and the beach so I too am hoping for another good one.

Best of   luck to you  in your fight.

Diane T

On 6/19/2009 Harrietg. wrote:

hi diane! still fighting the fight? i had some bad news, 3 mets to the outside of the liver, onc wants me to do tomotherapy as they're quite minute; hope he's right! thinkiçng of u, luv, harriet

Hey harriet, sorry to hear your news, I am praying for you! Let me knbow how youre doing, keep in touch.

Diane, praying for you too, keep up the fight! youre doctors need to fight it with insurance companies.

chins up there we will all fight this beast!  nancy

Harriet -

So sorry to hear your news. You were doing so well - this just isn't fair!!!! I am trying to get on a new chemo regimen, but insurance won't cover. (I guess they think I am too far gone). Last CT scan showed 18 tumors with numerous that are under 1 cm. I have been going everywhere to try and get this regimen approved.

With the mets so small, your doctor seems to be on the right track, hopefully. All we can do is put our faith in the docs and God. I wish you all the best - here is a BIG hug!!

Diane