Tarceva and the nasty rash

freeio · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject: Tarceva and the nasty rash

I am currently on three chemotherapy drugs: Gemzar, Oxalitpatin, and Tarceva. Because of thrombosis in my inferior vena cava, I am also on a blood thinner, Arixtra. The Gemzar by itself just causes fatigue, the Oxaliplatin causes peripheral neuropathy (feels like I stabbed my hands with a cactus!) and makes it so that my speech gets mixed up for a day or so after the infusion, but the worst is the Tarceva, which has given me the nastiest rash I have ever seen. Radiating out from my nose there are pus pockets and cracks which extend all over my head, and down my torso, but on my face is the very worst part. If I just barely touch that area, it bleeds. My nose sometimes just spontaneously starts bleeding (the outside of my nose - this is no ordinary nosebleed).The itching is so bad that it fells like a colony of ants has taken over my face.

I have another month scheduled of this combination before I am reevaluated, and so I have to ask whether anyone else has dealt with this, and if so, how? Benedryl reduces the itching a little bit. I am not on any pain meds at this time, and would prefer to stay off of any of those if I can at all help it.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

kmeshelper · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Tarceva and the nasty rash

Dear Freeio,

Until I read your post I thought Kathleen was the Tarceva queen. She was on it daily for over a year and went through every side effect they list (except internal bleeds so far as we know). But you are really having a time of it! You have our heartfelt sympathy. Don't be afraid to ask for relief from your doctor or other health care staff.

There is an ointment that can be applied. I am trying to get my hands on the tube we have at home so I can give you the exact name. It is a prescription product and may be a cortisoid. When applied to each spot it does help heal. You may still have some scarring. I know Kathleen does. Looks alot like the aftermath of chickenpox.

Wishing you success with the aggressive treatment! I'll be posting the name of that ointment in a few hours
kmeshelper -Sandy
_________________
stage 4 unresectible pancreatic diagnosed
2/23/06 at age 44
Gemzar/Tarceva til 4/24/07

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 67

Hello, Freeio -- No, I can't help you at all with Tarceva information. I'll leave that to others who have had more experience.

I will say this: Try something else. There are many cancer drugs and Tarceva seems to be the #1 for this kind of cancer. But it doesn't work well for some; my brother was one of them.

I've read your posts -- Your time is precious. Your quality of life is precious. Your ability to interact with others is precious. Your relationships are precious. You know what I'm saying.

Without even trying, you are the inspiration to many on this forum. You are the overarching bridge that continues to connect new patients to old. Still. That you continue to write to others with your kind words and thoughtful information despite your situation is a wonder. If someone else posted that message, you know what you'd say.

Be kind to yourself; you have enough on your plate. Warm regards, Pat

kmeshelper · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Tarceva and the nasty rash

Dear Marty,

Checked out your website and loved what you've done! Great content and fabulous pictures.

Now on to Tarceva relief. Have you tried CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE gel USP, 1%? Kathleen's MD prescribed it for her, although her rash never got as bad as yours.

Our best wishes are with you.

Sandy
_________________
stage 4 unresectible pancreatic diagnosed
2/23/06 at age 44
Gemzar/Tarceva til 4/24/07

freeio · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: Thanks for the suggestions.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am going to Kirklin Clinic for my next infusion Tuesday morning, and will ask them for their best way of dealing with the rash. I got chicken pox when I was 15, and the doctor said it was the worst case he had ever seen (yes the scars are still there 42 years later), so I guess I am very susceptible to skin problems, such as this rash.

Thanks again,

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

reenie · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Tarceva and the nasty rash

Sorry Marty, I wish I had some good advice. Sam had a rash from Tarceva but it was more like acne than what you describe; his Dr prescribed clindamycin but it really didn't help. When I asked abut it on this forum someone said the following "Celestone-M 0.02%. in Australia it's put out by "Schering-Plough International" & the main ingredient is Betamethasone." For all I know it could be vrirtually the same stuff, but perhaps its worth asking aobut. Wishing you comfort. Reenie

freeio

At my last infusion, Dr. Posey prescribed Elidel as a potential way to treat the rash from the Tarceva. After five days of treatment the rash is going down considerably, and continuing to dissipate. The information on it can be found here:

http://www.elidel.com/

This is a topically applied immunosuppression cream, and it has quite a list of warnings of its own. But for a pancreatic cancer patient who is going through harsh chemo, it seems to actually help. So there is at least some good news.

Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html

brainman · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: Tarceva and the nasty rash

Marty, I am glad you have found some help for your Tarceva rash. I do hope that it continues to help. Good luck and God bless you.
_________________
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/

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