CancerCompass message board discussion started by PALMA on 3/6/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21708,0.htm Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 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? PALMA Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  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 dad is on Tarceva right now, for NSCLC. He experienced the rash also, but it does subside. From what all I have read on this board, seems the rash is a plus, showing it is working. I hope and pray that it is for you, and my dad. There are alot of previous posts on Tarceva, you should look them up, some of them are on the Lung part under the Message forum. Good luck to you, and the best advice I have been given is to stay positive. Sometimes its harder than others, but I will say a prayer for you now!Rchhh  Rchhh Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT If the shortness of breath keeps up, have a blood test to check for anemia.  My mother needed a blood transfusion while on Tarceva.  That's not typical, but can happen.  I think the rash is a good sign.  My mother never got that.    Roz Rosalind Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT My mom was diagnosed with stage IV non small cell lung cancer two years ago.. She did chemo and radiation for 6 months and was no longer able to continue with treatment.  They put her on tarceva then and has been doing good so far.  She had a rash for a while but it eventually went away.  She is still working full time. KERRYDENISE Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Her nurse told her to start using aveeno oatmeal lotion and bath before she even started tarceva and I really thing that helped her alot.  I hope your Mom does better.  I know hwen my mom was diagnosed they gave her 6 months to live because she was so weak and thin but she is really doing better than expected. KERRYDENISE Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm glad to hear your mom is doing well on tarceva; and that she is still able to work. How many mlg. Is she taking?  I'm on 150mlg. And will be continuing on that dose for at least another four weeks.  Depending on the results of my ct scan will determine weather i will continue on tarceva, or pursue another treatment.  I'm hoping the results of the ct scan will be promising so i can continue with the tarceva, as i've heard so much good news regarding this chemotherapy drug. Many blessingPalma    PALMA Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was wrong on how long my mom has been on tarceva.  She has actually been on this drug for 2 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed 3 years ago.  She is taking the same dose that you are.  She goes for a ct scan in 2 weeks and then we will lnow of everything is still ok. KERRYDENISE Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  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?I was on Tarceva 150 mg for 30 days and now I have started 100 mg. Initially I had a rash behind both calves, then it went to both thighs. Then it appeared on my upper back but disappeared from my calves and my thighs. Next it appeared on my stomach. I have a very very small amount on my face. Last weekend my back and stomach stopped itching  and the red spots on my stomach had lessened considerably,but by Sunday night the itching was back. And it has not changed this week. The itching is intermittent and more so on my back than stomach. Trader Joe's has a 99% aloe gel that seems to help the itching and perhaps 1% cortisone cream. My oncologist said the rash does not usually come in the 0pattern mine did but when he looked at it he said it was the Tarceva rash. He also said it could come back to the places it has gone from. Jeffrey  Jeffrey1 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you jeffrey for your input.  This past wendesday i started my fifth week on tarceva 150mlg.  I have experienced the rash on my face only.  My skin is extremly dry, but i can't say it itches me.  I am constantly moisturizing my skin to help with the dryness; and for some strange reason the right side of my body including my face, is dryer than the left side of my body.  Today i noticed my fingertips are shriveled; like as if my hands have been in water for a long time.  I will have a ct scan on the 14th of the month and meet with my dr. On the 16th to discuss if tarceva is working for me; and if i am to stay on it, or seek an alternative form of chemotherapy.  I wish you well with your treatment.   PALMA Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I hope that the C/T goes well. Do you know why your are not also going to get a PT scan? If you are switched off Tarceva please let me know what you switch to.I have not experienced a finger tip problem-just periodic itching. I do use Eucerin for any facial redness. There are 2 different Eurcerin products I use. Jeffrey1 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/21/2008 KERRYDENISE wrote:I was wrong on how long my mom has been on tarceva.  She has actually been on this drug for 2 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed 3 years ago.  She is taking the same dose that you are.  She goes for a ct scan in 2 weeks and then we will lnow of everything is still ok.That is great 2 1/2 years! My husband has been on Tarceva only a few months and PT/CT scans show it seems to be working. Has the size of your mom's tumor changed? We are trying some new skin care for the rash etc. Just oredered some new products that I hope help him. Hope your mom's scan shows great results! Our user name is johnpattie as we combined both names. I do most of the messages and reading.  johnpattie Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  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    Jane M Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/21/2008 KERRYDENISE wrote:I was wrong on how long my mom has been on tarceva.  She has actually been on this drug for 2 1/2 years.  She was diagnosed 3 years ago.  She is taking the same dose that you are.  She goes for a ct scan in 2 weeks and then we will lnow of everything is still ok.I'm very glad to hear about people nwho have been on Tarceva long term and still doing well. I need that encouragement.Thanks! Jane M Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Jane,Thank you for sharing with me your experience with Tarceva. I too have the rash, but it is only on my face, in particular on my nose and sometimes on other parts of my face.  so far I have not had to deal with the rash on any other part of  my body, although the dryness of my skin is really bad.  I still have the shortness of breath but it may have something to do with scar tissue that developed around the lung shortly after I had a thorasic drain to drain the fluid; also I had talc injected into the area after the drain was removed.  I have seen a cardiologist; took the stress test and all, but my heart doesn't seem to be the problem.  I am scheduled for a ct scan Monday and will meet with my Dr. on Wednesday to discuss the out come of the scan and if I am to continue on with the Tarceva, or go on to something else.  I too prefer to stay on a daily pill rather than going through infusions.  Best of luck to you   PALMA Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi jeffrey,Got my results of my ct scan i had two days ago and nothing has changed.  The ct scan shows if the tumors have grown; and they have not, so i guess the tarceva is working.  I was told the reason for the ct scan and not a pet scan is because the ct scan shows the size of the tumors clearer.  I always thought the pet scan was a sharper immage.  I guess it all depends on what the professionals are looking for. However, i am off the tarceva for now and will be seeing a dr. Tomorrow to discuss radiation treatments, as i'm having some problems. For the past two weeks my face has been swollen, i have developed a cough, i am more shortwinded than usual and swallowing at times is difficult.i thought these were signs of an allergic reaction to the tarceva but my dr. Says it's pressure on some of the veins and arteries near the top of my lung caused by the tumor.  The radiation supposedly will shrink the tumor quicker than the chemo drugs, thus it will alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms i'm experiencing.  I hope this works.  I have to admit i'm a bit aprehensive about radiation treatments.    PALMA Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I hads radiation for 2 years ago five days a week for 7 weeks and I had no side effects. I jogged every day. Hopefully you will do as well.I have ascans set for early May and a lung nedle biopsy so they can determine if some small nodes are concer and if so what kinf. Meanwhiule i am on the Tarceva and my rash has almost gone away and has not itched in 4 days.  I live in Tucson, where are you? Jeffrey Jeffrey1 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I've been on tarceva for about 3 months.  I've developed a very rough , dry, puckering of skin.   I have  found Neutrogena hand cream to work best for me. onemind Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT