erbitux

nossacrs · Regular Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 20

hi, has anyone had exprienece with the drug erbitux, i start next week with this drug mixed with a normal chemo mix

brainman · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: erbitux

While I do not have any personal experience with Erbitux, I do know that it is not too uncommon for it to be used in conjunction with more standard chemotherapies for colon cancer when it is either proven or suspected at the cancer has metastasized to other areas. Do you know what stage your cancer is?
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

nossacrs · Regular Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 20

yes, i have stage four since over 4 years now.

brainman · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: erbitux

nossacrs, first, I very sorry about your cancer. Second, WOW 4 years with stage 4? That is freaking awesome!! I hope you continue to survive. Third, I see that you have poster 18 times already (included the two times on the topic). I am sorry that I have not kept up with your story very well Embarassed

. Too many stories, so little time, and a weak mind Wink

... at least I can use my brain cancer as an excuse Smile

.

You are in my thoughts and prayers as you start this new treatment.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

tommybracing · Regular Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Oklahoma

I took Erbitux for about a year. I'm stage IV also for 4years now. The Erbitux will give you a bad facial rash with what looks like pimples on your face. I tolerated the drug well, but I didn't like what it did to my face.
I was very red faced and looked swolen. Use the cream the Dr. prescribes
and it will help. Use sunblock also. It seems like I took it weekly or bi-weekly, I can't remember. If I can find my notes, I'll give more info.
I'm on Vectibix now and the symptoms are similar, but not as severe. Your Doc might check on it for an alternative.
good luck with your continued fight.

nossacrs · Regular Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 20

thanks for the feedback all, im dreading the skin rash, if this illness is not bad enough, we have to put up with this shit too. the doc told me the worse the rash the better the results will be. i hope i dont experience the dreadfull side effects like with avastin. by the way how new is this drug erbitux, is it older or newer than avastin.

bendamron · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: erbitux

i think it's newer than avastin, but not by much. this was the drug that martha stewart went to jail for. she received inside information that the earlier trials that didn't go that well, we know now how successful it does its job. jail time served and she saved herself about $100K! guess that's one reason why she's so rich Wink

anyways, my wife (30yrs) is on her fourth cycle of folfiri + avastin with weekly infusions of erbitux (brand name cetuximab) and has the same rash like symptoms as well. her doctor said that rash=working. what other symptoms are you guys going through other than the fatigue and loss of appetite? my wife is experiencing awful lot of mucous, several times per day she blows her nose and it usually takes 5-7 minutes to clear out. she is also experiencing what she calls 'chemo brain', she has a hard time typing, and writing. she's on two long lasting 10mg of oxycodone per day, and is down to about one break through pill per day, but she is having her share of drowsiness. the tumors in her lungs decreased about 50% since being on the erbitux, and has held the tumors on her liver at bay. of course shrinkage would be the best outcome, but we'll take whatever we can.

nossacrs · Regular Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 20

just had my first dose of erbitux on wednesday, for about twenty minutes during the infusion i felt realy cold and started to shake from head too foot, they give me a 15 minute pause then it seemed to settle down, but after the infusion i had a realy bad migrane for 2 days, it was so bad i needed to stay in bed the whole time, i used a morphine plaster and aspirin whitch only helped a bit

bendamron · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: erbitux

from my wife's experience, when she is infused with erbitux (cetuximab), the nurse gives her 25mg of benadryl. this seems to alleviate all symptoms. also, long lasting headaches are known symptoms of this too. kep you doctor informed of all symptoms, great or small. keep us posted.
_________________
my wife (30 yrs old) diagnosed nov 10, 2007 with stage IV colon cancer with met to liver and lungs. current treatment of folfiri + 5fu + avastin, and weekly infusions of erbitux (cetuximab).
did not respond to folfox.

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