Avastin

Hi Everyone,

My husband will be starting avastin in a few weeks and I was wondering what to watch for in concerns of side effects and to hear any experiences any of you have had while taking it? He's on a really high dose of steroids and they said this will also help with swelling and hopefully tapering him off them.

Thank you,

Jackson5

Thanks TamiLarson,

What's your husbands story if you don't mind me asking? I look forward to the updates and good thoughts for you as well! :)

J5

My hubby 46yrs old was dx left parietal lobe on 3/10/12 Surgery 3/14/12 followed by 6 wks rad and chemo, 2 cycles of 5/23 chemo then found new tumor in his left temporal lobe 8/21/12 surgery 9/11/12 followed by rad 3weeks, stopped chemo. Found new spot on 9/21/12 near original tumor site so going to try avastin. He has lots of swelling so hes on 16mg of dec. still quite mobile but really suffering emotionally, memory loss and a hard time with even the simplest tasks. It's been a crazy ride I just hope so much the avastin works and can bring him some relief! A stable MRI would be nice too! Sending hope your way too!

J5

I had surgery (85% removed) in july 2011 did the6 weeks radiation and chemo.   MRIs remained stable until Jan, when I had full regrowth, size of a baseball.  It was inop due to depth this time.  I have been on avastin ever since.  I get scans every 6 weeks and the last few have shown all clear.  I have just a little spot that shows in the tumor bed, but it has been there for the last 4 scans.  so there doc are pretty sure it is either, dead tissue, dried blood, or a little bit of a calcium deposit.  Avastin is a pretty easy infusion to take.  Every two weeks I meet with oncologist and then get infusuion.  Usually from the time to see oncologist to the time I walk out from getting my infusion is under 2 hrs.  The only side effect I get is fatigue.  But I am extremely active, The fatigue is a combination of temador and avastin.  Im on a 21/28 day cycle of temador instead of the 5/21 that is normal

cheers

josh

Side effects associated with Avastin that are common include high blood pressure and an increased risk of blood clots.  Very rarely, patients have allergic reactions.  Another rare complication is the development of excessive protein in the urine associated with swelling and high blood pressure and decreased kidney function.  This appears to be entirely reversible once the drug is stopped.  The most rare and serious complication of this drug is cerebral or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.  There is no way to predict when or if this will take place.  It is a rare complication, probably in the range of 1% or less, which seems to be most common in patients with large vascular recurrent tumors.  Nevertheless, the effects of it can be devastating or fatal.

Lorre

I have been on avastin the last 16 months.  Its going to be 2 years next month.  Avastin usually gets me a mild cold, high blood pressure, bad dreas and my feet started killing me.  From the looks of it, lorre has got it under control.

On Oct 24, 2012 10:46 PM TamiLarson wrote:

I don't mind out all. DX 5/26/12 Surgery 5/30/12 7 wks of Temodar and radiation Tumor returned and second surgery 9/28/12 It has definitely been a roller coaster ride. He was 51 when dx just turned 52 last week. How about your situation?

what kind of tumor did you have?

Im sorry, does he have?