ERBITUX

REB · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:47 am Post subject: ERBITUX

Since ERBITUX is fairly new, I thought we could use a thread on it for people with questions.

I have had 6 ERBITUX treatments. So far it, along with my 8 FOLFIRI treatments, have shrunk my cancer tumors to almost nothing. I will find out in 3 weeks if it is still working. Hopefully, my cancer will be gone.

Side effects from ERBITUX: Skin issues. At first, my face broke out really bad, but they have medication(DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE) to counter that, and it works well. It also causes other skin issues, like cracks on the fingers and feet, and dry skin all over. Lotion helps some.

This last treatment has been really tough on my skin. I have a tingly, almost itchy sensation all over. But it is the little cracks on my fingers that hurt the most. Antiseptic cream helps.

But these skin issues are a small price to pay for killing the cancer.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil), leucovorin & oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
04-09-08 Finished Chemo, 04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 1 Tumor on outside of colon & 2 in the adipose tissue - same cancer- SUV 5
06-23-09 FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
08-18-09 Tumors have shrunk. SUV 1
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI - Jan 2011 Finish ERBITUX?
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:42

bruce henderson · Regular Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 35 Location: georgia

hey reb .....i had a lesion form while on avastin and delays of surgery allowed it to grow to the "inoperable
stage. 6 weeks of erbitux and 5fu at home on alternating weeks reduced it by 30%.. it made surgery possible. a year later it was back and was ablated laproscopically. i have had no chemo since. now it is back in the same place on my liver and one spot for sure in the bone near where my orig. cancer was. my oncologist said radiation for bone and "avastin"!!!! what? "ARE YOU SERIOUS"'what about erbitux. her reply''the insurance gives me a hard time if i try to use erbitux''. i was paying $36000.00 per year for insurance on my wife and i up until we where 65 and kept the same company for our sup. policy. we carried this same policy since 1984. what is it that makes erbitux any different? will be having another oncollogist look into this. something just don't smell right. anyway thanks for leting me gripe. b.henderson

REB · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:41 am Post subject: Re: ERBITUX

I have had to argue with the insurance companies for scans and test, but never for the Chemo drug. Maybe it is because ERBITUX is fairly new? Stay after them.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil), leucovorin & oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
04-09-08 Finished Chemo, 04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 1 Tumor on outside of colon & 2 in the adipose tissue - same cancer- SUV 5
06-23-09 FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
08-18-09 Tumors have shrunk. SUV 1
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI - Jan 2011 Finish ERBITUX?
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:42

JodyB

It gave me what looked like the worst case of ZITS on record, and this went on for months. I tried lotions, Vitamin B tablets, Clindomycin, Hydracortisone Creme, all of which helped but only minimally.

The best I could describe the feeling as would be to associate it with what a day of sunburn feels like when you go to bed at night. Only nothing offered it much relief, until someone on a Political Forum I sometimes post on suggested I try Medicated Head and Shoulders Shampoo as a body wash when I bathed. For me, it has been the answer. I smear it on, count to 30 and rinse it off. Then I apply the perscription meds, and take my Vitamin B tablet. It's now something I can tolerate, and the Head and Shoulders is finally what helped me turn the corner with it.

Good luck!
_________________
Diagnosed with State 3 Colon Cancer April 26, 2009,
Had Half of Colon Removed and more than Half of Right Bowel, then Reconstruction Surgery May 8, 2009,
Cancer found in 4 adjacent lymph nodes.
Began Chemo June 24, 2009, including the clinical trial available.
I'm on Flourouricil, Oxaliplatin, Leucoverin, and Cetuximab.
I've had 7 standard treatments so far, and I think 16 Cetuxmab treatments.

REB · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:56 am Post subject: Re: ERBITUX

Starting in January, I will go on just ERBITUX. So any side effects I have will just be from that. It will probably take a few months for all the FOLFIRI to get out of my system, but most side effects from that should fade quickly by January.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I will be able to report just the side effects from ERBITUX. And since I am going to do it for a year (If all goes well) then I should be a great guinea pig to report the effects, both good and bad, of this drug.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil), leucovorin & oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
04-09-08 Finished Chemo, 04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 1 Tumor on outside of colon & 2 in the adipose tissue - same cancer- SUV 5
06-23-09 FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
08-18-09 Tumors have shrunk. SUV 1
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI - Jan 2011 Finish ERBITUX?
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:42

star · Senior User Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 231 Location: Ohio

The best thing for to get rid of the horrible spots from ERBITUX IS

VITIMAN E OIL....Just rub on face and spots will disapear in days.. very very effective ....

KEEP UP THE FIGHT NO SURRENDER

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