Chemo question
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I started off receiving gem/cis on days 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle. Since December, I’ve been receiving it on days 1 and 15 of a 28 day cycle. I haven’t had many side effects other than some hair thinning, tingling in fingers and toes, and ringing in my ears. I cut back on how often I was receiving the gem/cis due to the tingling in the fingers and toes and ringing in the ears. I don’t have any tingling now and I rarely will have the ringing in my ears. I have 3 kids and I am able to care for them without any issues. I don’t have any fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
-April
Summer,
My husband’s experience with gem/CIS was similar to that of Catherine’s mom’s. He had it once a week for three weeks then one week off. That is considered “one cycle”. He completed 5 cycles and tolerated it fairly well. Always extreme fatigue 4-5 days after infusion. We finally asked dr. To continue steroid through day 5 and that helped reduce fatigue considerably.
Debbie
Thank you everyone.
That is great that the chemo shrunk your tumour mich. Was it 13 cm in the bile duct? Also great that the side effects were minimal.
Were you able to carry on with normal life inbetween treatments?
Thanks
SummerSummer, I tolerated Gem/Cis for 18 months before I had a tiny bit of growth on my main tumor. It originally shrunk from 13 cm to 8cm. I had lesions on my liver as well and those calcified. I was very fortunate to not have many side effects. I took some steroids and anti nausea meds on chemo days and a couple days after. I did have thinning hair.
Summer,
I did an internet search and here are the common side effects of Gem/Cis. These are not the long term effects which I would think is unknown from person to person.The following Gemzar side effects are common (occurring in more than 30%) for patients taking Gemzar:
•Flu-like symptoms (muscle pain, fever, headache, chills, fatigue)
•Fever (within 6-12 hours of first dose)
•Fatigue
•Nausea (mild)
•Vomiting
•Poor appetite
•Skin rash
•Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.This is for Cisplatin:
Possible side effects of cisplatin may include:
◾Nausea
◾Vomiting
◾Diarrhea
◾Hair loss
◾Loss in ability to taste food
◾Hiccups
◾Dry mouth, dark urine, decreased sweating, dry skin, or other signs of dehydrationDo a thorough search on both drugs. It’s important for patients to be completely aware of side effects and doctors should discuss it. Good question to ask.
Thank you for your replies.
I am writing regarding my mum who is in the process of being diagnosed. I am pleased to read that your mother’s chemotherapy was successful as I have read lots online which do not report the same. How wonderful !
Did she have cholangiocarcinoma just in the bile duct ?
Thank you
Hi Summer-
Welcome to our family. For my mother, a cycle of gem/cis was 3 weeks. On Monday of weeks 1 and 2, she went into hospital for chemo. The third week she had no treatment. She did 3 cycles – I think this is pretty normal. But, then she did 2 treatments of radiation (Y-90) and has been disease/treatment free for over 2 years.
Best wishes,
CatherineDear Summer, Welcome to our remarkable family and the best place to be for CC support. Truly sorry to read about your diagnosis and that you had to join our elite group. We know when one hears the word Cholangiocarcinoma it is a whole lot to take in at one time. Here are a few items that may help you get through the first leg of the CC journey.
Knowledge is the most important tool at this point to begin the fight. When you have a chance, read some of our Members posts or if you have a question you can use our Search Engine at the top of the page. Type in a word or 2 and many posts will appear on that subject.
Make sure that the Oncologist you choose along with the Hospital for treatment, are very experienced with Cholangiocarcinoma.
Do not be shy about getting 2, even 3 or 4 opinions. This is a very rare Cancer and no Doctor will mind you wanting more opinions. Keep a folder of all test and LAB results.
Please do keep us updated on your progress as we truly care.
Hello, dear, summer and welcome to our group.
Patients and caregivers are most appreciated members on this site. Hence, I hope for someone with real life experience to answer your question.
In the meantime though, you may want to look at a posting from our oncology nurse (KarenD)
http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=15779Glad you found us, we are here to help and we are in this together.
Hugs
Marion
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