Re: Thanks so much!

[Guest guest]

Hiya Amie,

I too just started on CPT 11, Leucevorin and 5FU. I had some pretty bad

side effects even AFTER a dose reduction, that they have decided to try me

with CPT 11 on its own. I have had one cycle of this so I can't really

comment as to whether this is effective or not.

I would like to address the pain issue. I, too, have experienced MORE pain

since starting treatment again then when I suspected a reoccurrence. I

wanted to ask others if this was the case in your experience. I would

" like " to think that the pain means that the drug is working. I too had

alot of digestive problems. I was put on a drug to help alleviate excess

stomach acidity. This helped to relive the burning pain in my digestive

track. I also found that if I didn't get right on top of my diarrhea, the I

would experience more pain. I had diarrhea with my initial program of just

5FU and Lecevorin. But once the CPT 11 was added to the mix, it was

horrendous. I believe that by having continuous diarrhea in my digestive

track caused damage, almost making them " raw " inside. After one particular

bad cycle, I had to take some extra time in between treatments to let my

insides heal to be ready for the next dose. I am alot more in tune now to

stay on top of things so that I don;t et into that mess again. Hope this

helps!

Charmaine

Thanks so much!

> :

> How you are able to do all of this for all of us is utterly amazing!

> I'm sure everyone, including me, appreciates it so much. I have been

> lost without contact with all of the members of the SupportPath

> bulletin board. I hope and pray that everyone is doing okay.

>

> I just wanted to update you a bit on my husband. We thought he was

> Stage III, however, we have learned that he has been Stage IV since

> August because of retroperitoneal nodes. He is in a clinical study

> and is on 5FU, Leucovorin, CPT-11, and a new anti-angiogenesis drug,

> Angiozyme. He is on a regimen of 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off.

>

> He has had some difficult times with the CPT-11. On the good side,

> at the beginning he was not as tired and did not have the diarrhea

> that he had with the 5FU and Leucovorin alone. In addition it

> appears that the nodes are showing some deterioration, possibly due

> to Angiozyme. However, on the bad side, now that he is in his 3rd

> cycle, the cumulative effect of the drug is taking a toll on him. He

> has much discomfort as food travels through his digestive tract and

> needs to be on some pain medication in order to tolerate the

> discomfort/pain. He had more discomfort during his 2 off weeks. Now

> that he is in the second week of his 3rd cycle, he actually seems a

> little better. If anyone has had a similar experience, please let me

> know.

>

> I hope that any of the old members can refresh our memories with

> their stories. I used to review old posts on SupportPath so that I

> could better understand the history of the " posters " . Unfortunately

> since we have not had access since 12/18, I have forgotten details of

> each one.

>

> Hope that everyone finds continuing hope in 2002. Thanks again for

> giving us this support that we all need.

> Amie

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