On 6/4/2008
MicheleT wrote:
I have been on Tarceva for 6 months and never had chemo. The tarceva
has work great for me. I have lung cancer, spread to liver, bones,
lyphmnodes etc.. I am in remission now because of tarceva and God.
I
have been losing my hair the last few months and it is very thin.
Tarceva does make your hair fall out. My eyelashes are more course and
curling. I do have just started getting the anxiety and a druged
feeling. I also feel like I can talk right and some times. Like slurred
speech. but it comes out ok?? This is really scary. And I think that is
what brings on the anxiety more? Have you had this happen at all. What
does your doctor say. I was thinking the cancer had spread to my
brain? But I hope it is just the side effect from the tarceva. I
don't know if I should have my dose lower or not. It is working on the
cancer well. But now I can drive because I feel drug up.
I
was on Tarceva for four months. It seemed like a godsend because my
scan was so good. I know there are people who can be on Tarceva 2-4
years However,for me it has gone in reverse and I am having to go back
to chemotherapy coupled with Avastin.
I want to comment on the
anxiety and exhaustion .I have been needing to take
Ativan(Lorezapam 1 mg) every three or four hours during the day so that
my brain can function and I can deal with the 'anxiety' or light
headed,unable to focus, emotionally fragile state which I
associate with Tarceva and other chemotherapies. Though I dont like
having to take drugs to maintain myself, I feel the need to have
some equilibrium. I am also helped a great deal by acupuncture , which
provides relief and uplift of the spirit. I am interested to hear of
your success with Tarceva and wishing you well. Jane