CancerCompass message board discussion started by Sandy p on 7/15/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,14383,0.htm Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello. My mother has stage IV colon cancer and has been doing extremely well on her FOLFOX/Avastin regimen. Her cancer is receding and her CEA levels are within normal range. So, from a cancer standpoint she is doing great. But...the side effects of the treatment are very harsh. She experiences nearly a full week of exhaustion after each round and has very strong abdominal pain. I understand that Avastin can cause abdominal pain. Does anyone have experience with this? Can it become very severe daily abdominal pain? Does it go away? Is it a reason to discontinue the therapy or just to maybe lower the dose?Would love to hear your Avastin experience.  Sandy Sandy p Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT I had a much decreased appetite while on the Avastin. Ate about 1/5 of what I might normally eat.  I found I hated any foods that were dry, even fresh bread which I normally love.  I didn't often experience abdomina pain, but my energy level was way way way down. For a couple of months I had oxygen in my home which I often kept on through the night. I finished my current round last May, taking 5 months of treatment and foregoing the 6th month, due to the effects on my body. Since then, I've returned to my normal appetite and generally feel pretty good. I'm presently concerned about bone pain. The two areas at present are my left knee, and the most bothersome one, the base of my left heel. Strange but true. Anyone out there familiar with this, please reply. JBnimble Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT My dad had his first treatment with Avastin two weeks ago. He, too, has had knee pain. mcbeth1951 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Wow, this is so crazy.  My father who has stage IV colon cancer has been experiencing this pain in his abdomen for quite awhile now.  We were unable to figure out exactly what was going on.  Often times we noticed it after he finished eating...he would have this tremendous pain in his right side.  It would literally catch his breath, and he would be forced to not move.  What he found to be helpful is laying on the side of the pain with a pillow underneath him to create some pressure.  This again was only a temporary fix, but it helped.  We've had many scans done of his abdomen area, and nothing ever shows up on them...however he continues to have the pain.  He also started experiencing leg pains after he was on the chemo drugs for awhile (generally the end of the 3rd month).  Pains that would keep him up all night.  We would end up rubbing BenGay on them, and wrap them up with ace bandages or towels.  It's quite unfortunate that we've expressed all these things to his doctor and not once did he site Avastin as a possible culprit.  With both of my parents having cancer, often times your fears rule you.  We just want to know what it is, not necessarily *cure* it, but be aware of it.   I just gave him a call to give him the news that other patients were also experiencing those same symptoms, I really could tell it took a load off his shoulders.  I'll be praying for each of you and your loved ones..be blessed!! khleeta Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT