Dad starting Sutent

Hello, I am new to this board.

My Daddy started Sutent today for his Kidney Cancer and I am so terrified that this will completely alter his life and make him incredibly ill. He has had no symptoms of anything, he is as strong and healthy as an ox, I am afraid that this medication will take him down and that he will no longer have any enjoyment in life. From what I have read the side effects are pretty intense.

I pray for everyone on this board who has to deal with and fight this nasty beast called Cancer.

Hello, Nanzani:  I am here to give you hope and comfort regarding the Sutent you dad is going to take.  My husband, Big John, has been on Sutent for mestasticized renal cancer for over two years now.  It is working great.  We began seeing improvement in the diminishing of the tumors in his lungs (there were five) within the first few months.  After six months, the tumors had literally disappeared and only one microscopic pinpoint remains.  We are ecstatic with the medication's results.

The side effects are a different matter.  Normal side effects reported are extreme fatigue, digestive issues, mouth sores, feet and hand skin issues, etc.  Different patients experience different issues.  I can say with reliability that the side effects were much worse in the beginning than they were six months later and are WORTH going through to get the results.  John had to change his lifestyle somewhat, but the outcome was favorable.  The side effects eased off after a while.

After two years, the oncologist changed his regimen to two days on and one day off, and the side effects are minimal now.  He is back to his normal routine and just continues with the Sutent and his quarterly checkups.  My main problem now is that I can't get him off the golf course long enough to get anything done off his "honey-do list".  Ha Ha

My hope for you and your dad is that you take this thing in stride, do what you can, endure what you have to, and have a positive outcome.  Keep the faith and don't give in.  That, along with the medication, can make your dad the winner here, and that's what it's all about.   Dianna

There are definetly side effects to Sutent, there is no doubt, but the alternative is worse. I have been on Sutent for 22 months and some of the months were worse than others. I am fornunate that I only get the foot pain and rash in the underwear area that is very painful. But I try to count my blessings in that after a week of being off Sutent, I go back to normal and have a good 2-3 weeks feeling pretty good. (I have had sore mouth, heartburn and altered taste but that I considered minor) I have worked full time during the past 2 years and continue to work again this year. Keep postive, even though sometimes it is hard, and time will pass. Good luck.

Hi Nanzani:

I've been on Sutent for 11 months and has worked well for me too. At the start I had mouth ulcers, sore feet and fatigue then went saw a naturapath who just concentrates on my immunity system. Vit. C, E and zinc along with a probiotic for the diahrea. In the last 9 months I have had minimal side effects and am living life to the fullest with surfing, fishing, golf and anything else my kids throw at me. I sometimes feel guilty with the quality of life I lead as compared to other cancer sufferers.

The key also I feel is the immunity and excercise, I run, swim and do gym every week, I try to do a phisical activity every day and my bloods are nearly as good as pre sutent days.

cheers Tim

On 7/30/2009 Nazani wrote:

Hello, I am new to this board.

My Daddy started Sutent today for his Kidney Cancer and I am so terrified that this will completely alter his life and make him incredibly ill. He has had no symptoms of anything, he is as strong and healthy as an ox, I am afraid that this medication will take him down and that he will no longer have any enjoyment in life. From what I have read the side effects are pretty intense.

I pray for everyone on this board who has to deal with and fight this nasty beast called Cancer.

My Dad is starting this medicine next week.  He had his kidney removed 7 years ago, and just found out that the renal cell carcinomas had returned in his spine, chest and lungs.  At first they told us that there was nothing they could do, but some radiation on the tumors in his neck to reduce the size and provide a bit of comfort for him.  Today, however, they told him they were going to start him on Sutent.  I am curious as to how your father responded to this?  My Dad also is very strong and will not go down without a fight and it scares me so badly to know the "what might" happens.  We are very strong in our faith and believe that he will beat this, with our without meds.  But, I still want to know how this is going to work.  Thanks for any help and advice you can give me.

Barbi