CancerCompass message board discussion started by MOMS GIRL on 5/9/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23889,0.htm Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Just wondering if anyone has run into side effects from the Decadron that is given prior to the start of some chemo regimes???.Mom took if prior to first chemo of carboplantin and taxol and now has to take it, although a much lower dosage ,prior to Alimpta chemo. She seems to get sick to her stomach, have alot of chest pressure , increase in blood pressure (dramatic increase)and feel really crappy even before the chemo starts.Anybody have any similar reactions? The chemo is toxic enough but this stuff makes it much worse. She has had her first Alimpta treatment this past Monday and felt ok till  Thursday and today even worse. They say this would be gentler than previous chemo but I don't know.   MOMS GIRL Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I don't know the answer to the question you posed regarding the medication taken prior to chemotherapy; however, I just wanted to share that my mom is also not tolerating Alimta well.  We were told the same thing about it being gentler than other types of chemo but this one is really taking its toll on her.  I'm just hoping that it is a sign that it's also having the same effect on her cancer.  Best of luck to your mom!~Mandi : ) baybeam Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mandi,Thanks for your input.I too am hoping that the bad effects mean that it is killing the cancer cells as well but I honesty have to question the quality of life that is going to be left after . How many cycles has your Mom done? This is only my mom's first. She seems to be having alot of "strange" feeling and anxious too. We are thinking maybe it is the Alimpta since it works on the folic acid and thus lowers the B vitamins but I wonder. Her stomach is alos not great. Almost daily periods of nausea and absolutely no energy or interest in anything. The drepession here is sometimes overwhelming. Let me know what your Mom is going thru and how many cycles she has done. They want to do another on my Mom next week and then a PET scan 2 weeks after that ans review results. Mom goes to Sloane kettering in NYC. Will keep your Mom in my prayers. And you too.Linda  MOMS GIRL Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Linda: Sorry to hear about your Mom.  My husband has stage 3b/4 nsclc and completed 35 radiation treatment and 5 carbo/taxol chemo rx's.the cancer spead into the other lung and additional lymph gland.He was on tarceva for 10 days and had a severe reaction to the drug. His glands were all swollen, he had a rash that worsened and drained. His eyes were blurry and draining.I have been a nurse for 40 years, but the past year has been quite difficult for me both physically and mentally.  He thinks I should know everything and make everything all better.  I wish we had some help from family, friends or neighbors.  It seems they all just disappear.I've been doing a lot of reading and have to practice what I used to teach my patient's family members.  TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF OR you will not be able to care for anyone.  Stress is a major health deterrrent and we both know what stress we both are going through.Take care and I will keep you and your mom in my prayers.God Bless,Frank's Girl  franks girl Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear Frank's GIrl,Thank you so much for your words of support. We thought things were going well but this week the oncologist at Sloane Kettering said the new PET scan shows a new spot in a rib and that some of the other bone spots shop some increase activity. The nodes in the chest continue to shrink but he feels we do need to change the chemo regime again (3rd time). He is changing it to Gemcytobean (probably spelling it wrong, the card is in Mom's apartment downstairs). Said the effects are about the same as Alimpta but who knows. Mom is very down, as you might expect. The oncologist told her she can take a break for 2 months before she starts this new one but her and I agree that the cancer, left untreated by anything for 11 weeks, may go wild and apread to other organs. Mom has been a nurse for over 50 years and sometimes knowledge is terrifying. The thought of the bone pain scares the hell out of her but spread to  the pancreas,liver,kidneys scares her more if that is possible. She is going to call his office next week and tell him she wants to start the new drug the following week. It involves a 30 minute infusion week 1, another the next week and then off for one week. That is one cycle.  Have you heard anything about this drug? I am trying to take care of myself but this news has hit me hard again. The worry for Mom is first and  then, selfishly I worry for me and mine. This new regime means even more time away from my job and my little girl and with her school starting I don't know how it is going to work. I wish my brothers would help but thats just not gonna happen for various reasons disguised as living too far away (Pennsylvania. is only 2 hours away from my home in Staten Island) and being too busy with work. So it is left up to myself,my husband and my 10 year old to take care of Mom. But I can not, and will not, let that be the deciding factor in her treatment. If she chooses to do the regime I must, and will ,work it out someway.I know I have to take care of myself but everytime I get to a point when I think that I can breathe something happens. I just keep praying for strength. Thanks for your prayers. How is your husband doing now?  Have symptoms subsided at all? Will keep you both in my prayers. Let me know how  he is doing.LindaP.S. Sorry to address you as Franks Girl but you did not sign your email. MOMS GIRL Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello,My husband has been treated for brain cancer and decadron is very common for brain cancer patients to take throughout their treatments.  The only side effects he had was very tempermental, very hungry, & about a 30 pound weight gain.  He did a different chemo regimen as a different type of cancer.  The decadron didn't make him sick at all, it is probably the  type of chemo that she is on that is making her sick not so much the decadron. Mullymax Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT