Tarceva Side Effects

On 3/6/2008 PALMA wrote:

I was diagnosed a year ago this month with stage iv non small cell lung cancer.  I have gone through two rounds of chemotherapy by infusion.  On 2-27-08 i started on the chemotherapy pill, tarceva.  Almost immediatly i noticed my breathing had improved; the shortness of breath was not as bad as it was; i had more energy and stamina.  On the 4th of march, i noticed a rash had developed on my face around the nose area; and the shortness of breath had returned. The following day the rash had spread to include my chin and around my mouth; and the shortness of breath was worse than the day before.  Has anyone experienced these reactions?

My oncologist insists that The rash is the sign that it is working and I have a very bad case of it. Today I feel overwrought with skin irritation.It comes and goes and travels around! However my scans show the tumor and  cancer in lymph nodes has dissappeared after three months. The shortness of breath I did not have,though I've had to take Ativan for 'anxiety' which can feel like  breath.shortness or 'overwhemed feeling'.I had also had fluids drained from around my heart two times previously which helped greatly the shortness of breath during chemo. If you havent been checked by a cardiologist it might be advisable.It certainly is challenging.Good luck and hope you have progress with Tarceva, as it offers a lot of potential freedom. Jane