Need some help with suggestions

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  • #72446
    gavin
    Moderator

    That’s great Cathy, thanks for sharing that!

    #72445
    marions
    Moderator

    Cathy……great news. There is so much unknown in the medical field that often time we are successfully treated for symptoms, but never will know the cause itself.
    Glad to hear that you are doing much better.
    Hugs,
    Marion

    #72444
    cathy1024
    Spectator

    Thanks all for the input. I didn’t really get a straight answer from any of the doctors of the cause. The general consensus is that I may have initially had a mild case of cellulitis but I also was having a radiation reaction in my arm to the the Gemzar and capillaritis in my lower legs again from a combination of Gemzar and just general ankle and feet swelling. I took another full course of an antibiotic and this time after chemo I made it through Thurs. without a hospital visit. Woohoo!

    Cathy

    #72435
    twolf
    Member

    My mom received chemo last week (gem) and this week broke out with a rash on her chest an has been a little itchy , I thought it was shingles but no blisters . I’m thinking it could be a side effect from chemo. I would definitely ask your onc. My mom is also very lethargic fuzzy in the head. I hope you are ok!

    #72443
    holly22a
    Member

    ok, my experience is somewhat similar. had 12 doses (high) of gem/cis in the fall ending january 10. had surgery and y-90 radiation in february. tried to go back to chemo: no luck. spent all of april and may unable to take any chemo (tumor markers all went up and very frustrated) because of fevers, extreme lethargy/exhaustion, and because platelets and wbc so very low. I have had no rash but the thinking now is that I got bone marrow toxicity from the y-90 even though most IR folks will tell you that beta-emmitters cannot do that, it does actually happen, according to my onc in nyc. I’m starting tarceva/avastin just to do something because I feel like a sitting goose not doing any treatment at all. Hope this helps. Good luck, it’s misery, I know. Holly

    #72442
    kris00j
    Spectator

    Cathy,
    When I was on Gem, I also experienced fever. The rash, I can’t help with. I also wonder if its from radiation or steroids?
    I had radiation in July 2012, and recently started a new treatment. Almost immediately I started getting dry skin patches. I now have “eruptions” and little hives in my scalp and along my hairline. Doc said it might be from new drug… Being a trial, there isn’t a lot of info on this drug yet.

    #72441
    lisacraine
    Spectator

    Cathy, I had radiation in December and started getting hives about a month after. The hives are chronic and we are trying to figure out what is causing them. I have read some articles on delayed reactions to radiation.
    Sorry I’m not much help
    Lisa

    #72440
    rain
    Member

    Cathy,

    Not sure if this is helpful however here you go

    http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/15/11/1227.long

    #72439
    lainy
    Spectator

    Cathy, I too am only guessing. Could it be either the Gem or the CIS needs to be lowered? Hope they find the answer quickly, it is annoying and not fun! I also hope you get out of the hospital real quickly!

    #72438
    cathy1024
    Spectator

    Rain the studies pretty much back 16 doses of the combo gem/Cis and I’m not sure why that is the magic number. I do know the Cisplatin is really hard on the kidneys so at least taking a break from that makes sense. I have read blogs of people who have done more than one time of Gem/Cis but there is usually a bit of a break.
    Suzy..One of my questions has been the change of steroids but until this subsides we can’t go back and try the other.

    #72437
    sw55
    Member

    Cathy,

    I’m sorry I can’t really help but you said you changed steroids. Could it be a reaction to the steroids?

    #72436
    rain
    Member

    Hi Cathy,

    Sorry I must admit I can’t answer your question.

    However am wondering if you had such good results on GEM/cisplatin and few side effects why did the oncologist stop this treatment. I thought the idea in CC was to continue till the drugs stop working

    #8405
    cathy1024
    Spectator

    Hey all, since I’m having some odd reactions I’m wondering if anyone has come across these.
    Back story…did 16 doses of Gem/Cis with very few complications or side effects. Had low platelets now and then but by missing one dose could get back on track.
    Had about 4 weeks off and went with just a Gemzar program of 3 on 1 off. Started week 1 same dose of Gem but different steroids. 2 days later woke up with temp of 101.5. No other symptoms so monitored all day. Next day temp was down but left arm (which has had radiation on the upper humerus) was turning bright red, looked like it had a rash and was itching. It was also on my shins. An ER trip got a diagnosis of cellulitis. Took antibiotics missed next dose of Gemzar and it pretty much was gone.
    Next week had chemo treatment and again temp went up to 102.0 two days later. Arm turning red and warm , rash developing. Legs still had rash on shins. Put into hospital and two days later came home with new diagnosis..probably not cellulitis but radiation recall. ( last radiation in 12/12). But came home with antibiotics and cream for the rash.
    Temp went away until treatment day 4 days later then temp was again up above 100 and the red rash was back again. So I am once again in the hospital with docs starting all kinds of tests tomorrow to see what could be wrong with me.
    Sorry this was so long! I m just hoping someone has run across this before.
    Thanks to all for taking the time to read this!
    Cathy

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