CancerCompass message board discussion started by Jane M on 3/29/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22499,0.htm Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I have been on Tarceva now for two and a half months after  four months of IV  chemo, which began to fail towards the end. I feel very positive effects of my lung power and breathing and being able to  walk a long distance , much of it uphill, in the  early mornings. My skin 'rash' and dryness is a daily problem and I appreciate reading other peoples solutions to hydrating and treating the skin. I also cannot bear to be out in the sun as I get terribly prickly all over. I have times of anxiety and stress which seems like drug reaction...My hands feel numbish and I feel 'out of control' and unable to focus my energy. Do other people feel this with Tarceva or is it related to the lung cancer and previous chemotherapies?? I wonder if anyone experiences a time frame during the 24 hours  between Tarceva pills where they have more body stress and exhaustion.I have been taking Ativan ever since I began chemotheraphy and this seems to get me  functioning through the day in 4-5 hour segments. I'm very interested to hear other peoples experiences,especially related to anxiety,memory and body reactions ,as well as hearing from people who have been doing well for a long time on this medication .Its very exciting to me to find this message board with people who are facing the same challenges..Thanks for all comments! Jane M Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/29/2008 JuanaMaya wrote:I have been on Tarceva now for two and a half months after  four months of IV  chemo, which began to fail towards the end. I feel very positive effects of my lung power and breathing and being able to  walk a long distance , much of it uphill, in the  early mornings. My skin 'rash' and dryness is a daily problem and I appreciate reading other peoples solutions to hydrating and treating the skin. I also cannot bear to be out in the sun as I get terribly prickly all over. I have times of anxiety and stress which seems like drug reaction...My hands feel numbish and I feel 'out of control' and unable to focus my energy. Do other people feel this with Tarceva or is it related to the lung cancer and previous chemotherapies?? I wonder if anyone experiences a time frame during the 24 hours  between Tarceva pills where they have more body stress and exhaustion.I have been taking Ativan ever since I began chemotheraphy and this seems to get me  functioning through the day in 4-5 hour segments. I'm very interested to hear other peoples experiences,especially related to anxiety,memory and body reactions ,as well as hearing from people who have been doing well for a long time on this medication .Its very exciting to me to find this message board with people who are facing the same challenges..Thanks for all comments!I, too, have had two IV chemo treatment session -- one in '05 after bladder/prostate/lymph node cancer (and removal) and another this winter after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I started Tarceva five weeks ago, but three weeks ago was take off of it because of the severe rash. Today I meet with my oncologist and he will likely put me back on with 1/2 dosage. Even after three weeks being off, I still have remnants of the rash, but it is considerably better. One of the big no nos of Tarceva, or any chemo, is being in the sun. That is why you are having that prickly reaction when you are in the sun. I don't know where you live, but the dryness could be being made more intense because your furnace is running (dry heat), but Tarceva, and chemo in general, tends to made your skin dry. The best I've found, which was suggested on this site, is Aveeno. I slather it on liberally as often as I want, and it really works. I had a terrible case of acne on my face, which was not only a mess, but it also hurt like the devil. Gold Bond powder worked well easing the pain, and of course drying up the disgusting mess. DO NOT USE GOLD BOND CREAM. I though the cream would be better than the powder, and I thought I couldn't get the cream off fast enough. It must have huge amounts of alcohol in it. I'm no doctor, although after what I've been through sometimes I think I should be, but I would think that the anxiety and other feelings you are having are probably pretty normal -- and not necessary just linked to the Tarceva. I had much the same side efffects from the Tarceva as I did my other chemos, and they mirrored what you are experiencing. I guess it's just the nature of the beast. The rash, and I would suspect other symtoms you are having, are a good sign according to my oncologist -- he says that's a sure sign the drug is working for me. Even though I've been off for three weeks, I still have some side effects. And I don't know if it is the Tarceva or the other chemos. But I have a lot of nausea, lack of appetite, fatigue, etc. The fatigue is perhaps the most annoying, because I'm just not a napper and yet I don't have a lot of energy to do much. We live in South Carolina, and it is finally turning beautiful, yet I can't be outside working in the yard or garden. (Along with the lung cancer, I was also diagnosed with bone cancer in both hips and legs, so I have pins in my hips and upper legs, which has pretty much cut down on my agility, anyway.) I've even taken up knitting to keep my hands moving while I watch TV. I'm of course very mobile, but by 1:00 in the afternoon I pretty much done for the day, making the afternoons long until my wife gets home from work. I'm a firm believer in a good attitude, and from the tone of your message, it would seem that you are as well. Good luck.Craig Craig1 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Jane, I just joined this site today and read you rmessage. I know it was a couple of months ago that you wrote it, and I was just wondering how you are doing now? Have you experienced hair loss? I've been on Tarceva for almost 5 months now and I've gone through all of the stages (bad rash, upset stomch, mouth sores) and now hair lose. I'm not sure what to do about it, not sure if I CAN do anything about it. How is your rash now? Did your doctor give you clindamycin? It worked great for me. Now the rash comes out bad once a month and in bewtween I can cover it up with make up (lots of it). Thanks and I hope you are doing well!Diana Diana Y Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT 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. MicheleT Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/4/2008 MicheleT wrote:I have been on Tarceva for 6 months and never had chemo. The tarcevahas work great for me. I have lung cancer, spread to liver, bones,lyphmnodes etc.. I am in remission now because of tarceva and God.Ihave 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 andcurling. I do have just started getting the anxiety and a drugedfeeling. I also feel like I can talk right and some times. Like slurredspeech. but it comes out ok?? This is really scary. And I think that iswhat brings on the anxiety more? Have you had this happen at all. Whatdoes your doctor say. I was thinking the cancer had spread to mybrain?  But I hope it is just the side effect from the tarceva. Idon't know if I should have my dose lower or not. It is working on thecancer well. But now I can drive because I feel drug up.Iwas on Tarceva for four months. It seemed like a godsend because myscan was so good. I know there are people who can be on Tarceva 2-4years However,for me it has gone in reverse and I am having to go backto chemotherapy coupled with Avastin.I want to comment on theanxiety  and exhaustion .I have been needing to takeAtivan(Lorezapam 1 mg) every three or four hours during the day so thatmy brain can function and I can deal with the 'anxiety' or lightheaded,unable to focus,  emotionally fragile state which Iassociate with Tarceva and other chemotherapies. Though I dont likehaving to take drugs to maintain myself, I feel the need to  havesome equilibrium. I am also helped a great deal by acupuncture , whichprovides relief and uplift of the spirit. I am interested to hear ofyour success with Tarceva and wishing you well. Jane  Jane M Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello Jane,Thank you for reponding to message. Sorry to hear your news about tarceva not working it your treatment anymore.  I did see my doctor this week and he assured me that the cancer hasn't moved to my brian and that the anxiety is from the tarceva. He also gave me adtivan. I haven't tried it yet. Does it make you feel normal agian? I have not been able to drive since this lightheaded, dizzyness,anxiety started. Do you find the aditvan helps with that? I am also on pain medications for my bones. The cancer had spread to my spine and ribs, hips etc. I don't take much 1 or 2 pill a day low dose of oxicode. It is like taking advil to me. I don't feel it at all.. it just takes the pain away. It could be adding to the overall feelings I am having with the tarceva though? Thanks for your suggestions. Stay strong and God Bless youMichele MicheleT Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have been on Tarceva for about a week.  The diarrhea seems to be under control with Immodium.  I'm treating the rash with a moisturiser but, as my doctor has told me that she intends to keep me on Tarceva indefinitely, I'm wondering if the rash will eventually abate as my body adjusts itself to the Tarceva. bobed Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello, The rash did get better for me. I have a little on my face.  For me it does develope on my body slightly at the time on my period? I think my hormones must affect it some how. I just recieve news from my doctors that my pet scan can not be better!My bones are getting better. Tarceva is a great medication. The side effects are worth dealing with. What type of cancer do you have and what stage?  I pray that tarceva will do for you what it is doing for me.God BlessMichele MicheleT Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT