Latest messages for CancerCompass discussion http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,65661,0.htm Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi Vicki My name is Butch I was put on Avaistin-Taxol @ Capoplatain back in 2007 forNon Small Cell Lung Cancer(NSCLC) stage 3b I've been in remission now for 3years and in June I will be a 5year survivor.I won't tell you it was easy it was a battle but if you have the desire to fight you can beat this disease.He will have his good days as well as bad ones chemo can beat you up.But the tumors in both my lungs were shrinking and radiation finished them off.My energy was low you have to force yourself to move and eat to keep your body as strong as you can CTCA has a lot of tips to help you and your husband thru this.GOD BLESS you and your husband if you need to talk to someone you can talk to me or my wife on this site GOD BLESS theboth of you. BUTCH     fandspc Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Apr 18, 2012 12:56 PM siblingof wrote: Avastin works in about 40% of patients by inhibiting angiogenesis, the formation of the new blood vessels that large tumors depend on. We have been on it since October for recurrent GBM. No side effects other than a nosebleed one time.Wonderful news! Hope my husband does as well :) courage819 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Apr 18, 2012 2:44 AM mrs.rathe wrote: they tryed to make my father take that and he said it made him feel worse than the other meds they have him onHi, Sorry to hear it made your Father feel worse. How long was he on it? courage819 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Apr 19, 2012 2:42 AM EllenFisch wrote: I was on it for 8 mths before it stopped working-My BP was higher than before and my joints hurt knees and feet but since I stopped taking it they have improved. I'm now on CCNU-Really hoping it works for him. EllenHi Ellen, Sorry to hear about you having problems with it. Did it at least shrink it in the months that you were on it? Also, what is CCNU? Wishing you the best. Take care, Vicki courage819 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Apr 18, 2012 5:20 PM siblingof wrote: Vicki, if he hasn't got a port, then yes, I assume the IV will go into his arm. It takes about half an hour, but usually there's a blood test beforehand and you have to wait around for the results, so the actual time at the cancer center can stretch on for two or three hours. However, you can get up and walk around while you're waiting for the blood test results. We take a board game sometimes. It can also be a good time to have friends drop in and visit.Thanks for letting us know what will go on, as his oncologist was very vage. We will definitley bring a board game, thats a great idea. My husband doesn't have a port so I guess they will go into his arm. I'm so worried about side effects. I will keep a very close eye on him. Thanks again, Vicki courage819 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Apr 19, 2012 12:14 AM pearsonjosh19 wrote: hi vikki,  I have been on Avastin for GBM for 4 months.  I have had little to no side effects.  I had an MRI 2 months ago and showed 15 % shrinkage of the tumor.  I will have another MRI next month.  I feel good.  My obly side effect I really have is fatigue, and that is usually shortly after the infusion and just last a couple of days. best of luck josh.Thanks Josh, Im so glad you have good results from it. I'm wishing for the same result for my husband. 15% is great news, we keep hearing how his tumors are growing. Did they say how long you'll be on it? Please keep me posted on how your doing. I wish you all the best. Vicki courage819 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT I was on it for 8 mths before it stopped working-My BP was higher than before and my joints hurt knees and feet but since I stopped taking it they have improved. I'm now on CCNU-Really hoping it works for him. Ellen EllenFisch Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT hi vikki,  I have been on Avastin for GBM for 4 months.  I have had little to no side effects.  I had an MRI 2 months ago and showed 15 % shrinkage of the tumor.  I will have another MRI next month.  I feel good.  My obly side effect I really have is fatigue, and that is usually shortly after the infusion and just last a couple of days. best of luck josh. pearsonjosh19 Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Vicki, if he hasn't got a port, then yes, I assume the IV will go into his arm. It takes about half an hour, but usually there's a blood test beforehand and you have to wait around for the results, so the actual time at the cancer center can stretch on for two or three hours. However, you can get up and walk around while you're waiting for the blood test results. We take a board game sometimes. It can also be a good time to have friends drop in and visit. siblingof Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT At our clinic we have never given it directly in the brain.  It is given IV in the arm, just like chemo is given.   Lorre Lorre_G Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Apr 18, 2012 12:56 PM siblingof wrote: Avastin works in about 40% of patients by inhibiting angiogenesis, the formation of the new blood vessels that large tumors depend on. We have been on it since October for recurrent GBM. No side effects other than a nosebleed one time.Thank you all for responding to me.  I know that he is scared to take the avastin as well as I am for him too, but he wants to try almost anything to get these tumors to shrink. The temodar and radiation isn't helping. His tumors keep growing. We hope he doesn't get the side affects, at least not the bad ones. We go to the hospital on Tuesday for his first dose. Although the oncologist didn't say excately how they plan on giving it to him other than it will be an iv. Does it go into your arm? I've also see on different sites where a few have had it directly into the brain. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  Vicki courage819 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Avastin (Bevacizumab) Avastin is a biological drug developed to interfere with the blood supply that tumors need to grow.  It is a protein prepared in the laboratory, which is not taken from human beings and, therefore, poses no risks of transmitted disease.  It is a powerful drug and it's usefulness has been confirmed in patients with GBM.  The drug works by attacking a hormone VEGF, which is produced, by tumors and promotes the development of new blood vessels, which supply the tumor with nutrients and oxygen.  By interfereing with the process, the drug essentially starves the tumor.  It seems to be most effective when combined with effective chemotherapy. Side effects that are common include high blood pressure and an increased risk of blood clots.  The most rare and severe complication of this drug is cerebral or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.     Lorre_G Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Avastin works in about 40% of patients by inhibiting angiogenesis, the formation of the new blood vessels that large tumors depend on. We have been on it since October for recurrent GBM. No side effects other than a nosebleed one time. siblingof Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT My husband was put on Avastin for 6 months for his Anaplastic OligoAstrocytoma (w/ deletions).  He did horrible on it.  He had just about every side effect possible:  nose bleeds, very high BP (which took 2 meds to control), fatigue, increased neuro impairments.  He ended up having an ischemic stroke about 6 weeks after his last dose.  I have posted in the past the horrible episode that he went through following his last dose of this drug.  That being said, Avastin is a miracle for some and provides excellant quality of life for many.  I would be sure to rule out all other possible chemos and possible radiation, and use it as a last ditch effort. Just me thoughts - Karyn karynk Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT they tryed to make my father take that and he said it made him feel worse than the other meds they have him on mrs.rathe Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT My husband has oli since 2005. He has been on temodar 3 seperate times, also did radiation. His tumors are growing bigger and new ones are forming.His seizures are worse and his bones are hurting. His energery level is low. His oncologist now wants him on an iv avaistin. He has played down the side affects. From what I read they are worst than what he has amitted to. I guess our options are running out. Does anyone out there have any info on avaistin? Thank you and God Bless.  Vicki   courage819 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT