• Registered: Fri, 31 Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11

Topic: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

Gemzar plus oxali, since august 17--so two months, every other week--has shrunk the tumors in my liver. This is good news; gemzar plus xeloda did nothing. But gosh, the side effects/toxicisities of the combo are getting to me--the anemia, the stomach distress, lack of appetite, and sluggish bowels--how long have people stayed on this regime? We were very pleased about the Cat Scan on Oct. 5, but the cumulative effects of the treatment do affect my  mood. With everything there was to talk about, i forgot to ask my doctor how long she recommends I stay on this treatment.

Perhaps we'll reach a point where we can stop, soon, and try one of the clinical trials out there. I think that is my hope right now.

It is so good to talk to people who know what I'm going through, know the language and the concerns. I am 56 and was a pretty strong and healthy recreational hiker until last year. Diagnosis was Nov. 22, followed by a whipple on Dec. 11, followed by radiation, gemzar and xeloda. But in July those drugs were suspended due to Cat Scan showing tumors in my liver. which rapidly increased in number, until the oxalicplatin was tried. Now we have some control over this disease.
thanks to anyone with ideas and encouragement.
best wishes to all,
marjorie

  • From: Kalmar, Sweden
  • Registered: Sun, 20 May 2007
  • Posts: 1,951

Re: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

Marjorie,
I was on that combo for 3 rounds. Didnt work for me, so I was switched to gemzar cisplat. I hope the change works for me as it did for you!

I hated those side effected too. The bowel distress was the worst for me. I am happy it is working for you though. What clinical trials are you considering?

Kris

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.

36 year old patient with buckets of hope
  • Registered: Fri, 31 Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11

Re: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

A research nurse has found 3 trials so far...
Cyberknife Radiosurgery Boost for Hilar CC (klatskin Tumor) at U.Cal, San Francisco, NCT00630890;
and
Definitive Chemoradiation with Gemcitabine and continuous fluorocil (5FU) followed y high dose rate bracytherapy or stereotactic bodyradiation therapy boost, this one at Utah;
and NCT00973713, Study of Rad001 in advanced cc (I think this one has to do with gene therapy)

I would love a break from treatment and read elsewhere in the discussion boards about the various breaks people take. I'm doing it every other week, and it is getting so that there is not one day of relief, as the chemo builds up . Right now it's 3 a.m. and I'm between ativan pills so i feel okay. This is the whining part, yes. whine whine, someone else bring the cheese.
Marjorie

  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,165

Re: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

Marjorie.....I was under the impression that the UC clinical trial had been cancelled but, I am checking in to this.  Hopefully, I will receive an answer soon.
Best wishes,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,165

Re: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

Marjorie....Dr. Huang from UCSF notified me with the following message:  It is currently on hold for regulatory update.

I will update the board with any changes to this particular clinical trial.
Best wishes,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Registered: Fri, 31 Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11

Re: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

Thank you, Marion. Greatly appreciate the info, help, and vitality on this discussion board.
Marjorie

  • Registered: Mon, 31 Aug 2009
  • Posts: 89

Re: gemzar plus oxali...now what?

Glad to see someone else on this regimine and that it is working for you! My mom will start this likely next week after she returns from her Mayo visit. Sorry to hear about the side effects - it has me a bit worried as my mom already struggles with anemia and stomach distress. Ugh.

Good luck in continued success with this treatment!